No Animals Allowed on School Grounds: A discussion of how rules and laws are written and interpreted TM

What is a law? TM

How are Rules Similar to Laws? TM

Examples of Laws Section , Florida Statutes: “A law enforcement agency may release for publication the name and address of a child who has been convicted of any offense involving possession of a firearm.” TM

Examples of Laws Section , Florida Statutes: “Whoever, without reasonable cause, by outcry or the ringing of bells, or otherwise, makes or circulates, or causes to be made or circulated, a false alarm of fire, shall for the first conviction be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s , s , or s ” TM

Example of a Rule/ Ordinance Section 15-83, Tampa Code of Ordinances: “It is unlawful to deposit or cause to be deposited in any parking meter any slug, device, metallic or other substitute for a coin of the United States of America or to make any attempt thereof to defraud the city.” TM

What is the Supreme Law of the Land? The United States Constitution TM

What does this mean? The Constitution delineates the powers of each branch of government. TM

The Three Branches of Government The Legislative Branch makes the laws The Legislative Branch makes the laws TM

The Three Branches of Government The Executive Branch executes the laws The Executive Branch executes the laws TM

The Three Branches of Government The Judicial Branch interprets the laws The Judicial Branch interprets the laws TM

What else does “Supreme Law of the Land” mean? Laws enacted by the legislative branch cannot conflict with the United States Constitution. TM

If conflict exists, the law will be invalid as unconstitutional. TM VS.

Consider the following proposed new rule for your school: No Animals are Allowed on School Grounds TM

What do you think of this rule? TM

Ask yourself: What is the rule intended to accomplish? What is the rule intended to accomplish? Will the rule create a better school? Will the rule create a better school? Will the rule keep students safe? Will the rule keep students safe? TM

Ask yourself: Is the rule reasonable? Is the rule reasonable? Is it clear and easy to follow? Is it clear and easy to follow? What should be the penalty for disobeying the rule? What should be the penalty for disobeying the rule? TM

Ask yourself: Is the rule fair? Is the rule fair? Can the rule be applied to everyone equally? Can the rule be applied to everyone equally? TM

Break into groups of five. You will serve as judges. Break into groups of five. You will serve as judges. Read each of the following factual patterns. Discuss and decide: Read each of the following factual patterns. Discuss and decide: Does the fact pattern violate the rule? Does the fact pattern violate the rule? How does the rule apply in each fact pattern? How does the rule apply in each fact pattern? If the pattern violates the rule, what discipline would you impose if you were the principal? If the pattern violates the rule, what discipline would you impose if you were the principal? TM

Fact pattern #1: A teacher would like to bring in mice for a classroom science project. The mice will be kept in a cage. TM

Fact pattern #2: A parent walks her child to school each morning with the family dog on a leash. They walk onto school grounds to ensure that the child arrives safely. TM

Fact pattern #3: A visually impaired student brings her companion dog to school to help her move from class to class. TM

Fact pattern #4: A student brings a stuffed animal to school for show and tell. TM

Fact pattern #5: A police dog enters campus with a police officer to investigate a crime. TM

Fact pattern #6: A student brings a frog to school in his lunch box to scare other students. TM

Fact pattern #7: A hungry, abandoned dog wanders on campus and a student feeds him leftovers from the cafeteria. TM

No Animals are Allowed on School Grounds What do you think of this rule? TM

Review the questions asked earlier: What is the rule intended to accomplish? What is the rule intended to accomplish? Will the rule create a better school? Will the rule create a better school? Will the rule keep students safe? Will the rule keep students safe? TM

Is the rule fair? Can it be applied to everyone equally? Is the rule fair? Can it be applied to everyone equally? Should there be exceptions to the rule. If so, what? Should there be exceptions to the rule. If so, what? Should the rule be written differently? How would you rewrite it? Should the rule be written differently? How would you rewrite it? TM

Here is your opportunity: Rewrite the rule so that it is: Rewrite the rule so that it is: fair and reasonable fair and reasonable clear and easy to understand clear and easy to understand Post the rules around the room and discuss Post the rules around the room and discuss TM

Consider: What would life be like in a school, city, or country without rules? TM

Would you want to live in a society without rules? TM