We are starting the year off with Class Council elections. There will be 5 offices held: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Time/Peace Keeper. The purpose of Class Council is to review and maintain fidelity to our classroom norms and school-wide Whale Behaviors. As issues arise in class and on the playground we will address these as needed during Class Council. We will also review the team points. Students are in 8 groups of 3-4 students. These teams earn points for following our class norms and Whale Behaviors. Weekly during Class Council meetings the Treasurer will announce the winner from the previous week and that team will get to choose a reward. The entire class is also working toward larger rewards and the status of those points will also be reviewed by the Treasurer weekly. The Secretary will take notes and review the previous week's minutes. They will also post the minutes on this blog :-)   The Time/Peace keeper will keep the council on time and moving through the agenda, as well has work to support students in conflict during meeting times using positive strategies for problem solving. The President will lead the class council meetings, create the agenda along with the Vice President, and support the needs and desires of the class. They will also have final say during times of a tie when making decisions. The Vice President will support the president in leading the meetings, they will stand in as President in their absence, and will also help support the needs and desires of the class. All council members must maintain high academic grades and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner at all times.

There will be 4 terms throughout the year, one per academic quarter. Elections will be held at the start of each new quarter. Elections will consist of campaigning and electronic voting on Edmodo.

Campaigning Rules:
1. Fairness is of high importance. We do not want families with more or less resources to be at an advantage or disadvantage. Student work only please.
2. Students may make up to 8 posters for the class. No bigger than legal paper or large construction paper. If typed no graphics just text.
3.Students will present a 1 minute speech as to why they are the best candidate for the job.
4. Students must use one visual aid- poster, power point slide (just one), banner etc. to aid their speech.
5. Students will vote on Edmodo after the speeches to see the results of the election. The results of the election will be posted on the blog.

That Thursday the new Class Council members will take office.