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Town Meeting has been around since the beginning of the school.
Town Meeting provides students an opportunity to get more involved
in their school government and decision making. Students have the
power and ability to do a variety of things. The only things that
really limit the students are the school board policy and their
creativity and imagination. Students, through Town Meeting, can
change the government style, alter school rules, create fund-raisers
for the school or other organizations, add art pieces to the building,
and clarify and discuss issues concerning the school. The possibilities
seem infinite.
At most traditional high schools, there is usually a student council
made up of a few students representing the entire school. This council
often makes decisions like what the school prom theme should be.
Linworth students can propose and make up their pep rallies themselves
and decide how the entire prom will be. They can also propose and
organize dances and school activities for the school. At a traditional
high school, the principal and staff make the rules using the school
board policy. At Linworth, the students have a greater say in creating
and enforcing rules which comply with the school board policy. The
students are given a great deal of control and involvement in the
school government. Each person, including staff, only receives one
vote on the issues. The Teacher-Director can veto a proposal or
rule adopted by Town Meeting if it isn't in alignment with school
board policy or for some other reason of liability.
Besides handling school rules, Town Meeting offers a variety of
other helpful things to the student body. Performances may be made
during the designated Town Meeting time. Also during Town Meeting
there is a time where people can make announcements to the school
community. There is also a time where issues involving the whole
school can be discussed before the entire school.
One of the key times in Town Meeting is when proposals are made.
The proposals are posted along with other Town Meeting information
on the Town Meeting board prior to Town Meeting for people to read.
Any student or staff can propose an idea before Town Meeting. These
proposals are open for discussion and change. At the conclusion
of discussion the community will vote. The Town Meeting leader,
who voluntarily signs up for the duty, keeps the meeting under control
and business moving. Another person takes minutes during the meeting.
The person who made the proposal presents the idea to the school.
The idea is then discussed and voted upon. Sometimes these proposals
can cause a great deal of commotion and really stir up the students.
The rules currently and often in the past make it so Town Meeting
can be extended or continue past the designated time until business
is finished or students decide to end it. Legend has it that Town
Meetings have gone on for days on those hot issues.
There is no question that Town Meeting is a fundamental part of
Linworth and is an extremely good learning opportunity for students.
This is one of the many things that makes Linworth so special. It
is very different from traditional schools and is a unique feature
of the alternative school.
Please be patient as these images load.
The Town Meeting Leader calls on people to make announcements.
An announcement is made.
Chris shares something of great importance.
Rick makes an announcement.
Blurry Wayne speaks.
A proposal is presented to the Linworth community.
The writers of the proposal answer questions from the community
regarding their plans.
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