Club Name: Student Council

Sponsor(s): Lindsey Kreamer

Co-Sponsor(s): Chelsea Carlos

Dues: $5 and optional purchase of a club T-shirt. 

*Club T-Shirt not Required

Meetings: Monthly with potential afterschool meetings  

Purpose: 

1. The purpose of the student council shall be to:

• Strive for good citizenship 
• Strive for academic excellence 
• Respect all individuals in the school and community 
• Involve all scholars in sharing ideas to make our school 
• Help the scholars work together in and for our school
• Put the school motto “come to learn, learn to serve” into action in our school and community.

Member Eligibility:   

1. All students in grades 5 through 8 shall have the opportunity to be nominated, to vote, and to offer ideas to the student council. 
2. Each grade level will elect up to 4 representatives.
3. The President, Vice President, and Secretary will be elected 7th or 8th grade students. (All students in grades 5 to 8 will be able to vote for officer positions.)
4. Each student council member is expected to follow the BCA rules of “Be Prepared, Act Responsibly, and Care for Others.”

Club Officers:   President, Vice President, and Secretary 

Membership Requirements: 

1. Any student who wishes to be a member of the council shall: 

• Earn and maintain satisfactory behavior: (Expectations defined below)
  • Policy: One referral will result in probationary status
  • A second referral will result in removal from student council 
• Earn and maintain a quarterly grade point average of 2.4. 
• Attend student council meetings

• • Policy: One unexcused meeting: warning 
  • Second unexcused meeting: probation 
  • Third unexcused meeting: removal from student council
• Members are encouraged to participate and take pride in Bayou Community Academy Activities. 
• Encourage classmates to participate in school activities. 
• If possible, members are encouraged to participate in at least one school activity: (cross-country meets, trunk or treat, spring fling, etc…)

2. A brief meeting will be held at the beginning of the school year for all scholars in grades 5 to 8. During the meeting, students will be informed of the standards for membership on the council as a homeroom representative or officer.

Probationary Status: 

A student earning less than a 2.4 GPA in a given grading period will be placed on probationary status for the following grading period.  The member will be given two grading periods to reclaim a minimum 2.4 GPA.  If the GPA requirement is fulfilled, the member will keep full membership in the student council.  If the GPA requirement is not fulfilled the scholar may lose membership.  Reinstatement to the club may occur when a cumulative 2.4 GPA is achieved.  

A scholar earing a discipline referral for any reason will be placed on probation.  Upon receiving the second referral, membership may be revoked. All members are expected to participate in club meetings and events, as well as demonstrate appropriate and respectful behavior at all times.  Members not complying with the club’s requirements may be placed on probation as well as dismissed. 

Procedures for Dismissal: 

At any time a member is placed on probationary status, written notification detailing the infraction will be given to the scholar, parent, and school administration. A conference can be scheduled if deemed necessary by the scholar, parent, club sponsor, or administrator. Club membership will be revoked if terms of the probationary status are not met or for severe and/or habitual violations which will be determined by the club sponsor with support of the school administration. 

The Election Process:

1. Election of the Student Council members shall take place during the first full month of school. All students in grades 5 through 8 will be permitted to vote for the council members. 
2. All scholars willing to run for a student council position will be asked to fill out an application. The sponsors, college and career coordinators, and principal will have the final approval of the candidates. Candidates will be chosen based upon attendance, behavior, and application content.
3. Campaigning will be permitted but limited. Campaigning will only be allowed one week prior to elections. During this week candidates may take the time to promote themselves using slogans with realistic ideas and plans. You can not promise things that you will not be able to deliver. Posters will be allowed, but they may only be kept in the hallways on the TES side for the week of campaigning and each candidate is limited to two medium sized posters. (18” x 24”)

• Follow the list of Dos and DON’Ts below when campaigning. 

• Candidates will be required to prepare a paragraph that describes why they would be effective members of the Student Council and will be required to read it to their homeroom class the day of elections. 

• After all candidates have read their paragraphs, the class will vote on two students and the students with the most votes will represent their homeroom on the Council.