After an extremely productive session of classes decoding the original Bill of Rights, the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders presented the Atid Bill of Rights to the 5th graders today. After having the document explained and the voting rules agreed on, the Bill of Rights was passed and signed into our operating rules:
We have the right to be involved and surround ourselves in an environment that feels safe and we can believe what we want, be who you are and express yourself in a respectful way. Students have the right to choose what they want to say, unless its intent is to offend another person.
We have the right to have privacy, personal resources are off limits except when danger is suspected, or sharing is assigned.
Students have the right to technology as long as they use it appropriately, and at the appropriate time.
Privileges should be given first and taken away if necessary
Teachers should be placed at recess/unstructured student time for safety, but if students find themselves in an unsafe situation with no adult present, and they need to use self-defense, they have the right to explain to the authority.
Students have the right to tell on someone if they are stealing. One must witness the act of stealing before telling.
We have the right to not be given major fines or major punishment for a small thing. The punishment given should not be bigger than the crime or should not be cruel. The punishment should be kind and fair.
Students should have a fair chance to give evidence that they are innocent. They should get a turn to defend themselves. Students also have the right to know what they are being punished for. We have the right to be given consequences in private, and a fair consequence if the person is found guilty.
Every student should always have two chances before being punished if the offense is not dangerous or destructive.
If a student thinks punishment is not fair, they are allowed to appeal it.
The teachers do not have all the control over the students. The Teachers have just enough control over all the children to keep them all safe and to teach them. The teachers give the students the right amount of responsibility so they won’t do anything that they are not supposed to do, for example, keeping them from running away.
Even though there are specific rights listed in this document, it doesn’t mean you ONLY have the right to do things listed in the constitution, it means in a court of law, you are ensured to have the rights expressed in the constitution.