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National Junior Honor Society (NJHS)

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National Junior Honor Society

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is the nation’s premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle level students. More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.

Eligibility Requirements

Students are required to provide 10 hours of volunteer work with an application (due in September) and 20 hours must be completed by the end of May the same school year. Out of the required 20 hours of community and/or in-school service, 10 hours shall be devoted to one leadership project. You will be mentored through your volunteer hours so that you can better target what you want to do and why you want to do it before thinking about how to go about it.

Membership in this chapter is an honor bestowed upon deserving students by the faculty and shall be based on the criteria of scholarship, service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be in the first semester of eighth grade only.

Scholarship

Students must have a cumulative GPA of 90 percent at the end of seventh grade. The cumulative grade point average is calculated from the final averages of marking periods 1-4. In addition to this requirement, no grades should be below 80% in core or special subjects in all four marking periods of seventh grade.

Service

This involves voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation.

Leadership

Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.

Character

The student of good character is cooperative; demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability; shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others; and generally maintains a clean disciplinary record.

Citizenship

The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic engagement; has a high regard for freedom and justice; respects the U.S. form of government; respects the law for all citizens at the local, state, and federal levels; and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility in activities such as scouting, community organizations, or school clubs.

Students who meet the scholarship requirement will have an opportunity to complete a form detailing their accomplishments in and commitment to service, leadership, character, and citizenship.

Selection Process

The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council, which consists of five faculty members appointed by the principal and adviser. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, nonvoting, ex officio member of the faculty council. The selection of active members shall be held once a year, at the beginning of the school year.

Prior to the final selection, the following shall occur:

  • Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
  • All students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., candidates) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the candidate information form for further consideration.
  • The faculty council shall be requested to evaluate candidates determined to be scholastically eligible using the official input form provided by the chapter adviser.
  • The faculty council shall review the candidate information forms, faculty input, and other relevant information to determine those who fully meet the selection criteria for membership. Potential candidates must complete the application, the reflection piece essay, submit two teacher recommendations (one of which should be from a current teacher).

Obligations of Members

Members cannot have excessive absences, tardiness or detentions, any suspensions (in or out of school), or adverse input from faculty review. All may result in dismissal from the chapter.

In order to qualify as a member in good standing, members shall maintain an overall average of 90% or above, and all grade averages in core and special subjects at 85% or above at the end of each marking period during eighth grade.

Meetings

Meetings will be held the first and third Monday of each month. Special meetings can be called by the president with approval of the adviser. Members are expected to attend at least 75 percent of chapter meetings to remain in good standing.

Officers

The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, public relations officer, and treasurer. Officers shall be elected at the first meeting of each school year.  All returning members in good standing are eligible to run for a position. Any active member can nominate an eligible member as a candidate for office.

Voting shall be by secret ballot. A majority vote shall be necessary to elect any officer of this chapter. If the first vote does not yield a majority, a second vote shall be taken of the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.

Officers and the faculty advisers shall collectively be known as the chapter’s executive committee. The executive committee shall establish annual goals for the chapter and have general charge of the meetings and the business of the chapter, but any action by the executive committee is subject to the review of the chapter members.

President

It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings of the chapter, and serve as the official representative of the chapter at school and community functions.

Vice President

The vice president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership and service.

Secretary

The secretary shall keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence.

Public Relations Officer

The public relations officer shall keep the minutes and attendance records for meetings and be responsible for all official correspondence when the secretary cannot attend his or her functions. In addition the public relations officer shall be in charge of writing up any article about the chapter events and functions for the district and school website.

Treasurer

The treasurer shall keep the record of business expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter.

Dismissal from NJHS

Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, service, leadership, character, or citizenship may be considered for discipline or dismissal from National Junior Honor Society. A member may be dismissed for the following reasons:

  • Repeated failure to follow written school rules
  • Drop in academic average
  • Failure to do class work or disruptive classroom behavior
  • Plagiarism
  • Cheating
  • Behavioral referrals
  • Failure to perform required community service
  • Failure to participate in NJHS activities or projects
  • Civil crimes

In all cases of pending dismissal:

  •  The member will receive written notification from the adviser/faculty council indicating the reason for consideration of dismissal.
  • The member has the right to respond to the charge at a hearing before the faculty council prior to any vote on dismissal. The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense either in person or via written statement. Following the hearing, the faculty council will then vote on whether to dismiss.
  • The results of the faculty council vote will be presented to the principal for review, and then stated in a letter sent to the student and parents.
  • The faculty council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterwards according to provisions of the school district discipline policies.
  • A member who is dismissed or resigns may never again be considered for membership in the National Junior Honor Society.

In lieu of dismissal, the faculty council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.

C.J. Hooker MS Links

National Junior Honor Society Advisors

Patty Capocciamo
(845) 615-6300
patty.capo@gcsny.org

Patrice Bridgewater
(845) 615-6300
patrice.bridgewater@gcsny.org