Dear Parents/Guardians:

 

Each year, parents raise questions related to how their child can get into the National Junior Honor Society.  At the end of the second marking period, a list of eligible candidates in grades 7 and 8 who have achieved and maintained a minimum cumulative average of  93% for the first half of the school year.  The 93.0 cumulative average allows students to apply to be a member.  Equally important is the character, citizenship, and leadership that students demonstrate throughout their schooling.  In the past, there have always been cases of students having the grade-point average, but due to their behavior or lack of leadership, they were not accepted into the NJHS.

 

• Parents are encouraged to look carefully at the comments contained in the report card. A student who is talkative in classes, for example, may not get into the NJHS even though the behavior does not rise to the level of a referral.  In most cases, the teachers try to handle these kinds of behaviors within the classroom, but if the behaviors are consistently seen, it may affect their ability to be accepted into the NJHS.

 

• Parents are encouraged to contact the teachers with any questions about a comment that was part of the report card.  Teachers are encouraged to contact any parent of a child who may not be demonstrating the qualities that we want to see in a National Junior Honor Society student, even though they have the grade-point average which allows them to be considered for membership.

 

• The process is confidential.  Parents who question a specific reason why their child may not have been accepted into the National Junior Honor Society will be told they do not meet the criteria.

Criteria for Membership in NJHS

 

The National Junior Honor Society is more than just an honor roll. Each chapter establishes rules for membership that are based upon a student’s outstanding performance in the areas of character, citizenship, leadership, service, and scholarship.

 

Criteria for selection form the foundation upon which the organization and its activities are built.  Outlined below are the procedures and criteria for membership.

 

• Character - Students must demonstrate the highest standards of honesty, integrity, and reliability, as well as acts of kindness and consideration towards others.  Student report cards and disciplinary records will be reviewed and considered. 

 

●   Citizenship - Applicants must participate in at least two ongoing clubs or activities that they have been involved in months before the application process began.  It is recommended   that one activity be school based and the other take place outside of school.  Advisors will need to complete recommendation forms that will comment on the applicant’s leadership, citizenship and character.

 

      ●   Leadership- Students who demonstrate leadership show initiative in promoting school activities, exercise positive influence on their peers, and contribute ideas that improve the       civic life of the school.  In addition, they inspire positive behavior in others and successfully hold school offices or positions of responsibility. Finally, they are leaders in the classroom and in other school or community activities.

 

 ●   Service – Students must complete a minimum of 10 service hours to the school or community without compensation and with a positive, courteous and enthusiastic spirit.  The hours must be completed prior to the application process but during the school year they are applying (September – February).  Students must show proof—a signed letter or email from the activity advisor or certificate of completion must be attached to the application packet.  Students are encouraged to volunteer at more than one location.  Students may send a photo of any letters or certificates along with a description of that service.

 

     ●   Scholarship – Students will be deemed academically eligible after earning at least a 93.0 average for the first two quarters of the school year.  They must maintain this average   throughout the entire application process and earn at least a 93.0 average for the third quarter as well. 

 

●   A list of students seeking membership will be sent to all staff members.  Teachers will be asked to provide information about the students in regards to leadership, citizenship and character.  This information will be used to supplement the student activity information and file.

 

The principal will appoint a 5-member selection committee that will be overseen by the NJHS advisor. Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council on the condition of their having met the standards for selection.

Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is one of the highest honors that can be awarded to a middle school student.  Criteria for acceptance into the National Junior Honor Society are based on: character, citizenship, leadership, service, and scholarship.

Teacher and activity recommendations are based on a rating scale.  A minimum rating is required for acceptance into the Society.

Applications for membership are given to qualifying 7th and 8th grade students at an application meeting in March.  At this meeting eligible students will be given guidance about how to complete the online application.  The Induction Ceremony is held in early May.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our chapter advisors.

 

                                                                                                                    

Sincerely yours,

 

    Dianne Angileri Patricia Hobson
  Matthew Mayo                        Dianne Angileri                              Patricia Hobson

  Principal                                  NJHS Advisor                                 NJHS Advisor