Student Body Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF THE STUDENT ASSOCIATION OF

Salem Hills High School

Preamble

This Constitution is established for the benefit of the students at Salem Hills High School in order to create unity, encourage exemplary citizenship, emphasize academic success, promote student and faculty cooperation, foster participation in school activities, and establish for the current and for the succeeding classes a responsibility to develop and maintain school pride, spirit, and honor.

Article I: The Student Association

• Section 1 Name

  • The name of the student organization shall be the Student Association of Salem Hills High School

• Section 2 Membership

  • All duly registered students shall be members of this association.

• Section 3 Spirit Songs

  • The school song shall be We are the Salem Hills Skyhawks

  • The school fight song shall be Skyhawks Fight

• Section 4 Authority

  • It is understood that the authority of the Student Association is delegated and shared by the school administration.

Article II: The Organization of Student Government

• Section 1 Executive Council

  • The governing body of the student association shall consist of an Executive Council (a.k.a. Student Council) who acts as representatives of the student association in leadership, decision making, activity planning, and assemblies. The Student Body Officers shall consist of a Student Body President, Student Body Vice President of Community Service, Student Body Vice President of Events, Student Body Vice President of Student Relations, Student Body Vice President of Publicity and Student Body Vice President of Assemblies.

  • Section 2 Appointed Officers

    • The appointed officers will join the Executive Student Council as Student Body Officers and may include a Historian, Artist, Business Manager, Cinematographer, Photographer, and other officers considered necessary by the Student Body Advisor(s) and Administration. All appointed officers shall be selected by the application process (without popular vote) and by the concurring vote of the Student Body Advisor(s) and Administration.

  • Section 3 Duties

    • It shall be the duty of all Student Body Officers to:

      • Maintain and enforce this Constitution

      • Promote constructive school spirit

      • Seek out opportunities to make all students feel included

      • Perform any other assignments as delegated

    • It shall be the duty and authority of the Student Body President to

      • Lead, coordinate, and delegate assignments

      • Preside over and prepare agendas for all Student Council meetings

      • Coordinate and preside over the Representative Council Hawk’s Nest Meetings

      • Represent the school in inter-school activities and relations

      • Approve or veto resolutions

  • It shall be the duty of the Executive Vice President of Community Service to

    • Coordinate community events, including yearly school-wide service project

    • Promote, provide and log service activities

    • Coordinate community event and parade participation

  • It shall be the duty of the Vice President of Events to

    • Plan or coordinate student body dances

    • Plan activities including homecoming and other events sponsored by the student council, as well as coordinate with other student groups and activities

    • Plan and organize ticket sales

    • Plan and coordinate intramural

  • It shall be the duty of the Vice President of Student Relations to

    • Coordinate the new student orientation program (and sophomore welcome activity)

    • Plan and promote student recognition

    • Plan and coordinate Student of the Month

  • It shall be the duty of the Vice President of Publicity to

    • Publish and promote all student activities and events, including quality sign making and flyers

    • Coordinate daily announcements

    • Assist with publication of the student handbook

    • Create and maintain Student Council showcase

  • It shall be the duty of the Vice President of Assemblies to

    • Plan and coordinate student body elections

    • Plan and coordinate and prepare scripts for assemblies

    • Coordinate Pursuing Victory with Honor with athletic programs

    • Supervise all correspondence.

Article III: Class Organization

• Section 1 Membership

  • Class officers shall consist of a class president and at least three and no more than five officers for each respective class.

• Section 2 Duties

  • A class shall have the authority to sponsor, plan, and conduct activities or programs for the benefit of its members. The responsibility of each class presidency is to create unity among their class. Class presidents and officers also need to aid Student Body Officers in promoting school pride and spirit and participate in all student council activities and events throughout the year. A class shall not conduct any activities or name any regulations contrary to this Constitution or any rules and regulations of the Student Association.

Article IV: Eligibility for Executive Council and Class - Hereby known collectively as Student Council

• Section 1 Nominee Stipulations

  • Candidates for the offices of Student Body Officers shall be members of the senior class upon assuming office. Class officers shall be members of their respective classes upon assuming office. Student Body Officers, Appointed Officers, and Class Officers may not hold a year long major leadership position such as cheerleader, drill team, or major club or organization president.

• Section 2 Eligibility and Tenure

  • The tenure of Student Body Officers and Class Officers known in one body as the Student Council shall be one year. All nominees shall have and maintain a high degree of integrity expected of a school leader. Failure to maintain exemplary behavior and to comply with all school rules and regulations may result in expulsion from office. Any participation in illegal activities whether in or out of school including illegal drug or alcohol use shall void nomination or release a student council member immediately from his or her office. All nominees must be in compliance with school and district attendance policy and have a discipline record in good standing. Failure to maintain a satisfactory attendance and discipline record at school and at student council activities may result in probation or expulsion from office. The terms of probation or expulsion will be decided by the student body advisors and administration. All nominees for any student council position must be enrolled as a full-time student at Salem Hills and maintain a full course of study, and must have and maintain a 3.0 grade point average before and during their terms of office. The grades determining eligibility for election will include the cumulative grade point average beginning with the ninth grade up to and including the most recent grades given. Those officers who do not maintain the proper grade point average shall be placed on probation for one term. During this period of probation, he or she will not be able to vote on resolutions, or participate in any activities associated with his or her office. Grades will be checked at mid-term. If, after the term, grades still do not meet the above requirements, a student council member may be released from office.

Article V Student Council Elections and Campaign

• Section 1 Application and Campaigning Process for Student Body Officer/Senior Class Elections

  • Students will obtain and fill out an election application for either Student Body Officer or Class office. Students will return the application along with a 100 word or less essay on “How I can change the world through being a part of SHHS’s Student Council?” to the Student Council Advisor before the established deadline. As part of the application, students will also submit three confidential teacher recommendation forms to the teachers of their choice. At least two of the recommendations must be from core subject areas. These forms will be returned to the student council advisor in a sealed envelope. The student council advisor(s) will calculate a teacher recommendation score. All candidates will be interviewed by the administration, Student Council Advisor(s) and various faculty members. The interviewees will fill out a pre-established rubric and a score will be given to each candidate. All prospective senior candidates must be prepared to be in a video that the current cinematographer will make, in order to prepare for the election assembly. This video will address why they are running for office. All candidates involved in the election may participate in campaigning for office. Current student council members will remain neutral during all campaigning. Two posters per candidate may be placed in designated areas. Candidates may pass out flyers or campaign materials. All materials and posters must be school appropriate or candidate may face disqualification. All campaigning must take place on the school grounds. No food, beverages, or articles that make noise or distractions, or anything sticky (i.e., stickers, gum, etc.) may be passed out during the campaign. All students running for office will be placed on a ballot. The student body will vote online at home, on school computers, or in voting booths. Students will vote only one time using their student ID number. A list of further campaign stipulations will be handed out by the student body advisors. The candidates with the highest scores of teacher recommendation (30%), the interview score (30%) and popular vote (40%) will determine next year’s student council. Their names and positions will be announced to the student body.

  • Section 2 Sophomore Officers

    • Sophomore Class Officers will be chosen by similar procedures as Junior and Senior Class officers with the elections and campaigns being held at the junior highs with four to six officers being selected from the junior highs.

Article VI Taking Office

• Section 1 Oath of Office

  • Every Student Council member shall be required to take the Oath of Office not later than October 1 for the ensuing school year. "I pledge myself to represent Salem Hills High School with honor. I will sustain the school Constitution, obey the rules and policies of the school, support the regulations of Nebo School District, work cooperatively with the administration and faculty, develop educational opportunities, facilitate meaningful school activities, and carry out the various roles which may be assigned to me. I further pledge to be a leader of the highest integrity, to be diligent in promoting the welfare of the entire student body, to help create an environment where every student feels safe and included, and to promote Skyhawk school spirit and pride.” All Student Council members and their parent/guardian will sign and return a contract explaining their commitment to being a leader of Salem Hills High School.

Article VII Clubs

• Section 1 Chartering

  • An organization may function in the school by meeting the requirements by receiving an official charter signed by the administration, school community council, and student council. Clubs must be organized to meet all district stipulations.

  • Section 2 Stipulations for Clubs

    • The Club Constitution shall contain the following provisions: [1]. the purpose of the club shall be stated in whole [2]. the club must agree to sustain the rules of the school administration and the Constitution, and comply with school policies and state law [3]. the process for the selection of members shall be in agreement with the principles of democratic selection.

  • Section 3 Initiation

    • Faculty sponsors are responsible for all initiations. Any extreme initiation activity such as hazing or physical punishment or humiliation will not be allowed. All initiations must receive prior approval by the administration.

  • Section 4 Club Activities

    • All club or group activities shall be appropriately scheduled and will comply with school policies. These stipulations include major and/or minor activities sponsored by the club or group.

  • Section 5 Records

    • Each organization shall keep membership records, meeting minutes, activity summaries, and financial accounts. These records shall be monitored by the faculty sponsor, who has the responsibility to insure their continuance from year to year. These records are open to audit at any time.

  • Section 6 Termination of Charter

    • A club charter may be revoked at any time if a club activity violates this Constitution or any school policies. At the end of each school year, all clubs except for those excluded by district policy must renew their charters every year.

• Section 7 Clubs not Chartered

  • Clubs or organizations not chartered (affiliated) with the Salem Hills High School are not permitted to display emblems or wear clothing that distinguishes them as club members associated with Salem Hills High School. Any activity for these clubs is not to take place on school property. Failure to comply with this regulation may mean suspension and possible legal action.

Article VIII Yearbook

The yearbook staff will be appointed by the yearbook advisor, previous editors, and administration through an application and interview process. Students must reapply every year. Yearbook staff members must comply with all school policies or face probation or expulsion.

Article IX Newspaper

The newspaper staff will be appointed by the newspaper advisor, previous editors, and administration through an application and interview process. Students must reapply every year. Newspaper staff members must comply with all school policies or face probation or expulsion.

Article X Mascot

Senior students wishing to apply for the mascot position should see the cheer advisor. Mascots will be appointed by the administration and cheer advisor. Mascot behavior must comply with all school policies and represent good sportsmanship at all times.

Article XI CHEERLEADERS

• Section 1 Organization

  • The cheerleaders may be composed of a Varsity Squad and Junior Varsity Squad and may or may not include a sophomore Squad. The Varsity Squad may contain up to 16 cheerleaders, and the Junior Varsity Squad may contain up to 14 cheerleaders. The cheerleaders’ year in school, their class, will be given consideration when assigning cheerleaders to any squad. All squads combined, whether there are two or three, may not contain more than 11 senior cheerleaders, 10 junior cheerleaders, and 9 sophomore cheerleaders.

  • Section 2 Duties

    • The cheerleading groups will support Salem Hills High School athletic activities, pep assemblies, and student activities. The cheerleading squads will actively promote school pride and spirit. Squads will cheer for football, volleyball, boys’ basketball, girls’ basketball, wrestling, and other sports as directed by the administration.

  • Section 3 Selection

    • Cheer Squads will be selected on the basis of judges’ votes according to a pre-established rubric. There shall be at least three judges. The judges shall be selected by the faculty advisor in charge of the cheerleaders. Judges will be selected who do not know the candidates. Ranking of cheerleaders will be confidential.

  • Section 4 Eligibility and Tenure

    • The tenure of a cheerleader shall be one year. Cheerleaders will try out each year for positions All potential candidates shall have and maintain a high degree of integrity expected of a school leader. Failure to maintain exemplary behavior and failure to comply with all school rules and regulations may result in expulsion from a squad. Any participation in illegal activities whether in or out of school including illegal drug or alcohol use shall void eligibility to try out and shall release a cheerleader immediately from a squad. All potential candidates must have a satisfactory school attendance and discipline record. Failure to maintain a satisfactory attendance and discipline record at school and at cheer activities may result in expulsion from a squad. All potential candidates must have a full course of study at the time of try outs. Cheerleaders must maintain a full course of study throughout their tenure. Cheerleaders must be enrolled students of SHHS at the time of tryouts. Each candidate for cheer must have a cumulative grade point average and current term average of 3.0 to try out. The cumulative grade point average shall be calculated from the beginning of the ninth grade and including the last term grades were received. Cheerleaders must maintain a 3.0 every term. If the grade point average drops below 3.0, the cheerleader shall be on probation for one term. While on probation, the cheerleader can not participate. The cheerleader’s progress will be checked at mid-term. If the GPA is up to a 3.0 at that time, the cheerleader may again participate. If at the end of the term, the cheerleader does not have a 3.0 grade point average, she may be dismissed from the squad.

Article XII School Royalty Section 1 Stipulations

Once elected a royalty member position, a student may not hold a royalty position again for that school year. Position # of Attendants Class Homecoming Queen optional Seniors Prom Queen/King optional Seniors. Prom Princess/Prince none Juniors Prom Duchess/Duke none Sophomores Sweetheart Royalty optional Seniors. Most Preferred none Senior, Junior, Sophomore (others may be approved by both the administration and student council).

Article XIII Amending the Constitution

• Section 1 Proposals

  • Amendments may be suggested by any student to the student council or representative council or by a parent to the school community council. Amendments must be initiated by the student council, representative council, administration, or school community council.

• Section 2 Amending Process

• A proposed amendment must pass by a majority vote of the student council, administration, and school community council. The student body president or principal may veto a proposal which can be then overridden by a majority vote of the administration.