The United Knights of Dalewood Constitution
Preamble We, the Founders of the United Knights of Dalewood, form this government to promote the principles of: mutual respect between the Teacher and the Students; fairness for all and voice for all; powers for students and limits for the Teacher; respecting of differences and recognition of beliefs; and the rights of Students to have the opportunity to exercise control over their own education.
Article 1: Limit on Teacher Authority
Sec. 1– The Teacher may call on Students without raised hands when given permission by the Class.
Sec. 2– Bathroom passes shall be given by the Teacher in the least restrictive manner consistent with the rules of Wheaton High School, unless directed otherwise by the Class.
Sec. 3– Grades shall be determined at the discretion of the Teacher with the advice of the Class.
Sec. 4– The content of instruction shall be determined at the discretion of the Teacher with the advice of the Class.
Sec. 5– The Teacher must provide at least one warning before imposing any substantial discipline on a Student or on the Class, including but not limited to: detention, expulsion, new seating arrangements, contacting home or taking property from a Student. The Teacher may impose no cruel punishments.
Sec. 6– The Teacher shall not assign any homework.
Sec. 7– The Teacher has discretion to accept late assignments without penalty.
Sec. 8– In the event of a substitute teacher, the provisions of this Constitution are temporarily suspended until the return of the Teacher.
Article 2: Student rights
Sec. 1– Any Student can retake or resubmit any All Task/Assessment one time if the assignment was originally submitted on time:
- a) The retake or resubmission must be submitted early enough to allow the Teacher to grade it before the end of the quarter;
- b) The Student will receive whichever grade is higher – the original or resubmission.
Sec. 2– Students may choose their seating location for the semester to the extent possible. The Teacher can alter seating temporarily or permanently if necessary for effective classroom instruction, but no changes can be made that exceed what is necessary for effective classroom instruction.
Sec. 3– Students can not be compelled to take notes. All Students have the right to receive Teacher notes when needed for studying.
Sec. 4– Students engaged in solitary non-disruptive behavior during class shall not be disciplined by the Teacher, however,
- a) The Teacher can continue to attempt to engage with any Student if necessary for effective classroom instruction;
- b) The Teacher can enforce the discipline policies of Wheaton High School and Montgomery County Public Schools.
Sec. 5– All Students the following rights to privacy:
- a) Students have the right to lock their personal electronics prior to confiscation;
- b) The Teacher shall not use any electronic monitoring system to look at the screens of the Students;
- c) All Students may keep cameras off if there is remote learning.
Sec. 6– The Class may designate one Class Holiday each semester to celebrate the United Knights of Dalewood.
Article 3: The Government
Sec. 1– In the second week of every semester, each Class may enact, amend, and repeal Class laws. Each Class shall also randomly choose three Student Representatives who will each represent 1/3 of the Class. If a Student declines the opportunity to act as Student Representative when chosen randomly, another Student shall be chosen at random as a replacement.
Sec. 2– Each Student in the Class has a vote on any proposed enactment, amendment, or repeal of a Class law.
Sec. 3– A majority of voters in the Class is required to enact, amend, and repeal laws.
Sec. 4– If the Teacher and the Student Representatives agree that a proposed law or amendment violates this Constitution, it shall not be enacted.
Sec. 5– The Teacher is given limited authority by the Class to interpret and enforce the provisions of this Constitution and any laws that are enacted.
Sec. 6– Any Student Representative can call a Class vote for Teacher Censure if the Student Representative determines that:
- a) The Teacher has violated the Constitution or a Class law;
- b) The Teacher has failed to properly interpret the Constitution or a Class law; or
- c) The Teacher has failed to properly enforce the Constitution or a Class law.
The Class has the authority to provide appropriate remedies if a 3/4 (75%) majority of Class voters censures the Teacher.
Article 4: Amendments
This Constitution can be amended with a 2/3 (66%) majority of all Students in the United Knights of Dalewood.
Article 5: Ratification
This Constitution is ratified if approved by a majority (50%) of the Students in every Law Class taught at Wheaton High School during the Spring Semester of the 2022-2023 school year.
Article 6: Supremacy and Subordination Clause
This Constitution and any laws made under it are the supreme law of the United Knights of Dalewood, except to the extent that any conflict with the policies of Wheaton High School and Montgomery County Public Schools.
In favor:
Edgar Cruz Ramirez
Darnol J. Duran
Aimen Kair
Ruth Elias
Riham Salih
Efrata Gizachew
Raymond Paz Castillo
Julissa Ramirez
Jasmin Garcia
Milena Cruz Rodriguez
Christopher Henriquez
Fasil Tefera
Lunar Juergens
Mauricio Salazar
Ryan Hoffman
Derek Depasquale
Gerald Juica
Alan Villalobos
Celia Teague
Saron Yohannes
Leewin So
R.J. Toling
Josh Medrano
Opposed:
Nataly Reyes
Constitutional Interpretations