National Junior Honor Society

Joan Craver

8th Grade English teacher on White Team

Adviser and Co-founder of Arcola Chapter

Purpose of National Junior Honor Society“To create enthusiasm for scholarship, to

stimulate a desire to render service, to promote leadership, to develop character, and to encourage citizenship” as established by NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals)

The NJHS is an opportunity for the faculty to bestow membership “as a student privilege, not a right.”

Membership Consideration Scholarship qualifications met Attend meeting to understand selection process &

obligations once selected for possible membership Must complete Student Information Form to highlight

activities at Arcola and in the community, leadership, and recognition and awards

Must participate in brief interview with 2 or 3 members of Faculty Council

Faculty input is gathered regarding the candidate’s character, leadership, and citizenship

Vote taken after all members Faculty Council review all information

Scholarship Requirements 7th grade students who attained a minimum 93%

final weighted average for the first three marking periods

Grade weights are as follows and grades are not rounded: major subject grades are multiplied by 4 health/phys. Ed. by 2 expressive arts by 1

Seminar classes are not part of this portion of the evaluation process - not all students receive such a grade

Evaluation of Information

Student Information Form - ranked on scale of 0 to 3 Items considered

Number of activities

Variety of activities

Time to complete events

Interview - ranked on a scale of 0 to 3 Depth of responses, relevance of questions asked

Articulation

Eye contact

Evaluation of Information(continued)

Teacher input - ranked on a scale of 0 to 3 is responsibility

shows initiative

is conscientious

demonstrates willingness to help others

displays leadership

Faculty Council The Faculty Council* is made up of five voting

members. One major subject area teacher from each of the three

academic 7th grade teams

One expressive arts teacher

One physical education/health teacher

Chapter adviser is not a voting member – organizes faculty council information, meets with candidates, distributes and collects paperwork

7th grade counselor and adviser offer suggestions to candidates not selected for membership

*Subject to change for this year’s selection as the configuration of teams as changed (Faculty Council will meet to make changes)

Leadership

A student exercises leadership when he/she Inspires positive behavior in others

Is able to delegate responsibilities

Demonstrates academic initiative

Successfully hold school offices or positions of responsibility

Is resourceful in proposing new solutions and making suggestions

Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities

Service

The student who serves Volunteers and provides dependable and well-organized

assistance without any direct financial compensation

Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult responsibilities

Enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school

Does committee and staff work without complaint

Participates in some activity outside of school ~ scouts, religious groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, disadvantaged

Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students

Character

The student of character Consistently exemplifies positive and desirable qualities of

behavior

Cooperates by complying with school policies and regulations and codes of student conduct

Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously

Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty, academic integrity, and reliability

Regularly exhibits courtesy, concern, and respect for others

NJHS is a member of the Character Counts Coalition and recommends the use of the Six Pillars of Character. A person of character demonstrates the qualities: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship

Citizenship

The student who demonstrates citizenship Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility

through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, or school clubs, activities, and classroom events

Has a high regard for freedom and justice

Respects the law for all citizens

Service Organization Operate school store

Collect pictures for Veterans’ Day assembly

Serve Thanksgiving dinner to senior citizens

Organize holiday food drive

Read to the first graders in several elementary schools

Sell flowers and candy for cast/crew of spring musical - profits donated

Guides for Open House and 6th grade tours

Contribute to charity: Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, American Cancer Society, etc.

Always looking for new ideas! (last year created 8th grade time capsule)