If you see a problem that needs solving, something that could make the classroom work better or have an idea for something that you think would benefit you and your classmates, what can you do? The process of changing or adding a new classroom rule begins with a bill.
Everyone in the class has a position in the student government, but only members of the Senate or House of Representatives can get the process started. The process begins in a committee. Find two or three classmates that think your idea may have possibilities, and you’ve formed a committee. A committee must have a minimum of three members. They can meet any time they wish when they have free time (even before or after school, lunch or recess) but ALL members must be present for discussions.
Remember, the Senate is responsible for classroom policies and procedures, and the House works on matters involving ‘classroom finance’. (Mrs. Buxton will give you some examples of both). You can only serve on a committee for the branch you are a member of. If you are a House member and would like to see a new rule that would be the responsibility of the Senate, you can lobby one or more of the Senators to get it started. (If you don’t get the cooperation you would like, you should be sure to remember that at the January election.) The committee chooses one of their members to carefully write all of the details of the bill EXACTLY as it will be read to the House and Senate. (Include: – Who – What – When – Where – Why – How)
When your bill is ready, get a blank “Classroom 653 Bill Tracking Form.” Fill in the names of the committee members as the Bill Authors, and write a short description of what the bill is about where it asks for a summary. Record the committee’s vote count and the date the vote was taken. The originator of the bill is the Committee Chairperson and should sign on that line. Attach this sheet to your detailed written description of your bill, and present it to the Leader at the next meeting when he or she asks if anyone has any new bills. This sheet will follow your bill through the entire process, and allows everyone to see the results of votes.
In order for a Bill to be a Law it had to go through the long process of creating a new law. The original committee agreed on a draft, and both the House and Senate voted on it. If the President agreed with the new law it was signed and passed on for Judicial review. If the president vetoed the new law, the Senate and House had an opportunity to override his authority with a 2/3 ‘supermajority’ vote.
The Judicial Branch (Mrs. Buxton) reviews the new law to make sure it doesn’t conflict with any existing rules at Apopka Elementary or Orange County. Look for the Official Seal attached to the corner of bills that have successfully made it all the way through the process, and have been adopted as part of our ‘Classroom Laws”. They are posted in the classroom for everyone to see. Bill numbers that begin with H originated in the House of Representatives, and bills beginning in S were started by the Senate.
All information adapted from R. Cummins at http://www.cvs.k12.mi.us/rcummins/