Mandate

• Provide consistent, responsive representation of all PHS students at the appropriate levels and help ensure students’ needs and interests are met with the proper attention

Functions

• Act as the student body's voice in furthering the needs, interests, and welfare of PHS students as a whole or as individuals.

• To co-ordinate and encourage the free exchange of ideas among students.

• Represents the students of Pickering High School to the faculty of the school, including both teachers and administration, as well as support staff where necessary.

• Associate itself with relevant service projects if they are of benefit/relevance to students at PHS.

• Promote a positive public perception of students.

• Celebrating student successes and achievements.

• Act as an advisory committee for PHS clubs and teams if requested.

Structure

All students at Pickering High School are eligible to be a member of this government unless otherwise indicated by the administration or supervising teacher(s).

1. Executive - will consist of three members, each will become a PHS Student Senate representative upon assuming this position:

   1. 1. 1. • Prime Minister (voting power).

            • Senior Deputy (focuses on issues and initiatives pertaining to grades 11 and 12) (voting power).

            • Junior Deputy (focuses on issues and initiatives pertaining to grades 9 and 10) (voting power).

2. General Assembly (consisting of two groups):

   1. 1. 1. • Grade Representatives (Ombudspeople) - will consist of eight members, two from each grade (voting powers).

            • Class Representatives - each classroom can choose to elect a member to represent their class at meetings (voting powers).

3. All student organizations under the auspices of Pickering High School are also eligible for observer status (non-voting).

Duties

1. Duties of Executive

   1. 1. • Should be responsible for administrative work for the student government with the assistance of the Staff Advisor (includes, but is not limited to, keeping minutes of meetings, setting agenda for meetings, chairing meetings, taking and recording attendance, collecting reports, maintaining communications, managing social media or other web presence, completing applications).

         • All official communications between the General Assembly and the school administration and Durham District School Board must be cleared by all members of the executive whenever possible.

         • Shall aim for the planning and execution of at least one (1) student-oriented event throughout the year for the purpose of leaving behind a positive legacy for future students.

         • Should be responsible to liaise with the staff advisors.

         • The Senior Executive shall be directly responsible for the Student Senate as a whole.

         • Members of the Senior Executive shall assist one another in their duties.

2. Duties of General Assembly

• Grade representatives will act as ombudspeople (regularly communicating with the student population in person in order to collect information about student issues or achievements) and prepare and present a monthly report to the government on issues both positive and negative from their student grouping.

• Grade representatives will assist, where needed, the executive in the completion of their tasks.

• Grade representatives will vote on motions raised by the class representatives.

• Class representatives will attend meetings held monthly.

• Class representatives will represent the interests of their peers to the best of their ability.

• Class representatives will vote on motions raised by their peers during the meetings.

• All will maintain order and decorum during meetings.

Meetings

1. It will take place monthly in a location to be determined

2. Must be open and public, and cannot take place without a teacher supervisor

3. Meetings must follow the following structure

   • • • Opening remarks from an administrator, guest speaker or teacher supervisor

       • Reports from executive members on actions taken since our last meeting and on any future planned activities, initiatives, etc.

       • Grade representative reports (grade 9, 10, 11 and finally 12) on actions taken since the last meeting and issues raised since the last meeting

       • Motions and questions from the class representatives to the executive

       • Motions and questions from observers or the public

       • Other items of business

       • Adjournment and establishment of next meeting date

4. At the conclusion of the meeting, the executive has 48 hours to post the minutes and executive summary of the meeting for the PHS student body

5. Motions from any government must be moved, seconded, discussed or debated and voted upon. If 50% +1 supports the motion, it carries. If 50% or fewer people support the motion, it fails.

Elections

1. In order for a student to be elected to any position in the government, they must pass screening which may include, but is not limited to:

   • 1. • • Administrative approval

          • Teacher recommendations

          • Parental consent

          • Academic screening

          • Interviews with the supervising teachers

2. Elections must be held in the spring for the executive members and for the grade representatives for grades 10, 11 and 12.

3. Fall elections must be held to establish the grade 9 representatives and semester 1 class representatives

4. February elections must be held to establish semester 2 class representatives

5. To facilitate elections, an ad hoc ELECTIONS COMMITTEE may be formed (appointed) under the supervision of the teacher supervisors or administration for the purposes of counting votes and ensuring fairness

6. Spring election campaigns will last one week and will consist of:

   • 1. • • A public town hall-style meeting for candidates, executives, and grade representatives (questions come from attendees of the meeting and must be answered by each candidate)

          • One public speaking engagement for candidates for executive and grade representative (no questions permitted, this is an opportunity to sell yourself to the school by making a short speech)

7. If permitted, class representatives will be elected in a manner that suits the classroom teacher (can be appointed, or a rotation)

8. Fall elections to determine grade 9 representatives will consist of:

   • 1. • • One public speaking engagement only

Notwithstanding Clause - at any time, and for any reason, the teacher supervisor(s) may act in opposition and override any actions taken by the student government if the action could be considered out of line with the student code of conduct, school rules and policies of PHS or the DDSB.