About+The+Student+Council


 * __About Student Council in the Middle School__**- //(updated July 16, 2008...see below for important dates...)//

__**Mission Statement**__-

a. To give students a voice in school affairs b. To coordinate student activities pertaining to outreach (community service) and social events. c. To increase school spirit and support other clubs to ensure their success d. To promote a harmonious relationship between students and staff e. To serve as a link between the school and the community f. To provide a forum for student ideas and opinions g. To develop an understanding of representative positions in government h. To oversee expenditures of New Hope-Solebury Student Council Activities fund.


 * __Positions of Officers__:** Treasurer, Corresponding & Recording Secretaries, Vice Presidents of Social Events and Out Reach, President (reserved for 8th graders only)


 * __Election process__**: Candidates have to make a commitment to follow all school rules as well as the bylaws of the MS Student Council. Candidates must get two teacher recommendations and have an 80 percent grade average or higher. Teacher recommendation forms can be obtained through Mrs. Morrash. Candidates also have to be in student council at least for one year in order to run as an officer. Candidates are to write a one minute speech which will be filmed and put on the news one week prior to the election. Students should have speeches memorized and not reading entirely from a script. Start early… **BE PREPARED AND READY! Giving out candy to earn votes is strictly prohibited. There is a limitation of 10 posters per candidate. Five of the ten will be hung at the Middle School, with the remaining five distributed for display at the UES.**


 * __Officer__**: student council member who is in charge of certain positions


 * __Delegate__**: Is a student council member. If you want to be one, just show up to the meetings. (You do not have to be elected)


 * __Fun activities:__** Every meeting we have, we have ice breakers which are fun games to get the members involved. We also take “out reach” field trips.


 * __Weekly Meetings:__** On Thursdays, after school, meetings take place from 2:30 to 4:00. During the school day the executive board and designated homeroom representatives (one from each homeroom) will meet once a month during the Activity period. As a delegate, participants are no longer considered a member if they fail to attend three consecutive meetings without an excuse from Mrs. Morrash or another adult. If warranted, we also may have lunch meetings if there are more important topics to discuss.


 * __Conferences:__** There are annual regional conferences which are one day events, and the attendees will be taken out of school. There is usually a maximum of 20 participants who may attend. Representatives from our school must not be on the eligibility list. Regional conferences are hosted from PASC participating schools. Students attend workshops, and assemblies with keynote speakers who are there to address the focus/ theme of the conference. All grade levels are encouraged to attend.

Another conference is the state conference which takes place in November of every year. It is sponsored by Pennsylvania Association of Student Councils (PASC), and is hosted by participating schools. This conference is an overnight trip and is not open to 6th grade delegates or officers. Candidates will be taken out of school one to two days, but are expected to make up the work. T**his year the state conference will be hosted by Pennridge School District, November 12, 13, & 14 Registration is being accepted now. Please contact Mrs. Morrash if you are interested in attending.**


 * __Workshops:__** The Blue workshop is a student council summer camp for five days where students learn more about leadership for school. Delegates also learn many ideas to take back to their school about fun activities that may be shared and put to action throughout the school year. According to people that have gone in previous years, it is a lot of fun and participants make many new friends. It is usually offered in **June and July.**


 * __Back to School Night:__** On Back to School Night, 7th & 8th grade representatives are expected to arrive at 5:45 to guide the parents through the school to their destinations. This year **Back to School Night is being held September 10, 2009.**


 * __New student Orientation:__** Is in the summer. This year it was August 20. Student council members are invited to come to school and introduce new students to our building. We also play fun ice breaker games, and introduce ourselves to each other.

Written by Sara H., Genna P., Laura R. and Emily W.