Trillium Constitution

Constitution of the Trillium Charter School

Preamble:

We the people of Trillium Charter School, in order to create and promote a safe, peaceful, respectful, and free learning environment have created this Constitution. All advisors, teachers, staff, parents, interns, volunteers and guests are responsible for the general welfare of the school through their actions and must strive to uphold the ideas and ideals of this document.

Articles

Article I: School Meetings

section 1. The All School Meeting has the power to address issues and make decisions that affect the school as a whole. Voting procedures and All School Meeting rules, regulations and meeting times will be decided on by the All School Meeting. Records of meeting decisions shall be kept and made available to all Trillium Community Members. All School Meeting voting members include attending students, teachers, advisors and staff.

section 2. Class and age group meetings shall be held to address issues and make decisions that a effect individual classes and age groups. Voting procedures and class and age group rules, regulations and meeting times will be decided on by the class and age group meetings. Unless otherwise decided, class and age group decisions should not conflict with All School Meeting decisions. Records of meeting decisions shall be kept and made available to all class and age group members. Class and age group voting members include students, staff and advisors of class or age group.

Article II. Judicial System

section 1. The first step in dealing with a conflict is to attempt to solve the problem peacefully and non-violently on your own. All attempts should be made to use the language of mediation.

section 2. A mediation process shall be established to deal with conflicts that cannot be solved on a one-on-one basis. Mediators can be any student, teacher, staff, parent, intern or volunteer who understands and can successfully use the mediation process to solve a conflict non-violently.

section 3. A Judicial Committee shall be established to deal with conflicts that cannot be solved through mediation. This committee shall have the power to settle disputes and solve conflicts based on the rules and regulations established by the All School Meeting and Trillium Charter School Community. The Judicial Committee shall be made up of students from each age group and at least one teacher, advisor or staff member.

section 4. All staff members have been given the power to make ”judgment call” decision. Judgment call decisions are those decisions made to keep the learning environment safe and calm. They have been given the power to handle a decision in ways that they see fit at that moment. In all cases they should attempt to uphold the rights and responsibilities of this constitution when making those decisions. If any student does not feel comfortable with the decision made, they should attempt mediation. If that is unsuccessful they can make an appeal to Judicial Committee.

Article III. Amending the Constitution.

section 1. The All School Meeting, whenever necessary, can propose amendments to this Constitution. To make changes to the Constitution two thirds of All School Meeting voting members enrolled or employed by the school must agree.

section 2. The All School Meeting can convene a Constitutional Convention made up of at least one member of each class or age group to amend the constitution. Representatives from each class or age group, and at least one staff member, shall be sent to the convention to make amendments. Once changes have been made these changes must be submitted to each class or age group for review. Any and all changes shall be reviewed by convention representatives and then resubmitted. A majority of All School Meeting voting members enrolled or employed by the school must vote in favor of amendments from the Constitutional Convention.

Article IV. Ratification

The ratification by a majority of All School Meeting voting members enrolled or employed by the Trillium Charter School shall be sufficient for the creation of this Constitution.

Bill of Rights and Responsibilities

I The right to pursue your curiosities, interests, and passions.

The responsibility to demonstrate what you have learned.

II. The right to learn in and teach in a way that works best for you.

The responsibility to learn and teach in a way that is safe, non-disruptive and productive.

III. The right to have your body, space, beliefs, property and feelings respected.

The responsibility to respect the body, space, beliefs, property and feelings of others.

IV. The right to speak freely.

The responsibility to speak without harming others.

V. The right to be listened to

The responsibility to listen to others.

VI. The right to have a turn with community items

The responsibility to share community items with others.