Aventura Waterways K-8 Center Chapter of National Junior Honor Society

Criteria for membership

The National Junior Honor Society of Aventura Waterways K-8 Center is a duly chartered and affiliated chapter of this prestigious national organization. Membership is open to those students who meet the required standards in the five areas of evaluation: scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character. Standards for selection are established by the national office of NJHS and have been revised to meet our local chapter needs. Students are selected to be members by a 5- member Faculty Council, appointed by the principal.

Students in seventh and eighth grade are eligible for membership and sixth grade students are eligible in their second semester. For the scholarship criterion, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.6 or better on a 4.0 scale. Those students who meet the criterion are invited to complete a Student Application and Activity Information Form that provides the Faculty Council with information regarding the candidate’s leadership and service. A history of leadership experiences and participation in school or community service is also required.

To evaluate a candidate’s character, the Faculty Council uses two forms of input. First, school disciplinary records are reviewed. Second, members of the faculty are solicited for input regarding their professional reflections on a candidate’s service activities, character, citizenship, and leadership. These forms and the Student Activity Information Forms are carefully reviewed by the Faculty Council to determine membership. A majority vote of the Council is necessary for selection. Candidates are notified regarding selection or non-selection according to a predetermined schedule. Following notification, a formal induction ceremony is held at the school to recognize all the newly selected members. Newly selected members are required to pay an induction fee of $20. Once inducted, new members are required to maintain the same level of performance in all five criteria that led to their selection. This obligation includes regular attendance at chapter meetings held monthly during the school year and participation in the chapter service project(s). Students or parents who have questions regarding the selection process or membership obligations can contact the chapter adviser, Mrs. Vidal, in Room 321 or by email at [email protected]. Criteria for membership

Scholarship:

 Student needs to maintain the minimum required GPA (3.6), conduct grades (A or B), and effort (no 3’s).  A student with a “C” in conduct and interested in becoming a member can request an application. They need to have two teacher recommendations. Acceptance to the NJHS will be done after the first report card is submitted to Adviser and reviewed by Faculty Council members.

Leadership: Student needs to demonstrate leadership by one or more of the following:

• initializing in promoting school activities • Exercising positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals and spirit • Is able to delegate responsibilities • Inspires positive behavior in others • Demonstrates academic initiative • Is a leader in the classroom, at work, or in other school or community activities • Is dependable in any responsibility accepted

Service: Student needs to demonstrate that they service the community and or school by:

• Volunteers and provides dependable and well-organized assistance, and is willing to make sacrifices to offer assistance • Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities • Does committee and staff work without complaint • Participates in some activity outside of school, for example: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, religious groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged. • Mentors in the community or students at other schools • Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

Character: The student demonstrates superior character by:

• Consistently exemplifies positive and desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability, etc.) • 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 • Complies with instructions and rules, and displays personal responsibility.