National Junior Honor Society Guidelines

INTRODUCTION:

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a prestigious organization created to recognize and encourage academic achievement, as well as cultivate the characteristics of character, service, leadership and citizenship, among middle level students. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is a privilege.

At St Paul’s Lutheran School (SPLS), the National Junior Honor Society is established for grades 6, 7 and 8 to recognize outstanding Christian role models in five areas: Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Character and Service.

For incoming sixth graders and transfer students, the first semester of an academic year will determine eligibility. Induction will take place in the second semester. If a student does not qualify first semester, he/she may become eligible at the end of the first semester the next school year as long as the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. For returning seventh and eighth graders the cumulative GPA and successful completion of all other SPLS requirements for membership the year before will determine continued membership.

Every prospective member must have attained the school minimum of one complete semester before being eligible. The only exceptions are transfer students who were members of NJHS at their previous school. Those students (if they know they meet SPLS requirements) should notify the advisor who will contact the previous school for verification. Upon verification, he/she may be eligible for automatic membership during the first semester (as opposed to waiting until the second semester).

If a student elects not to join until he/she has established an academic pattern of success, he/she must wait until the next year before being eligible again. Students always have the option of declining the invitation. Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is never mandatory.

PRELIMINARY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Requirements for becoming a member in the National Junior Honor Society begin with an academic standard of earning a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above (no rounding up) at the end of the first semester (second quarter). To maintain membership, a cumulative GPA of 3.5 must be maintained throughout the remaining studies in sixth, seventh and eighth grade. OTHER REQUIREMENTS FOR BECOMING A MEMBER

Citizenship/Leadership/Character: Eligible students must pass an evaluation by the NJHS Faculty Council in which the three aforementioned qualities will be evaluated. These will be evaluated in the following ways:

 Each prospective member must submit a Student Activity Information Form to be reviewed by the Faculty Council members. The Student Activity Information Form describes all the community service accomplished since sixth grade and gives a broad picture of a student’s commitment to community service in general.

 The Faculty Council will review prospective member’s school record. Candidates must have been in good standing during their first semester (and maintain this throughout their membership) in terms of behavioral and academic policies as established in the SPLS student handbook. The NJHS Faculty Council, in conjunction with the principal, will have final determination concerning any questions regarding these and all eligibility requirements.

Students who meet the basic requirements and pass the NJHS Faculty Council evaluation will be notified in writing. In the case of non-selection, the NJHS advisor shall inform these students. Any questions about the NJHS Faculty Council’s decision should be presented to the NJHS advisor within a week after notification of non-selection. Should the student or his/her parents still not be satisfied, the next level of discussion should take place with the Assistant Principal.

Students will also be required to include a letter of recommendation from a teacher, administrator, pastor, or someone who truly knows their character, servant leadership, and citizenship capabilities.

Candidates who pass the Faculty Review will then attend the Induction Ceremony which will be held during the second semester of each year.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTAINING MEMBERSHIP:

Once a student joins the NJHS, he/she is responsible for maintaining the same high standards regarding the five areas of evaluation (Scholarship, Leadership, Citizenship, Character, Service). 3.5 (no rounding up) throughout their entire course of study at SPLS.

Conduct: Members must remain in good standing throughout their time at SPLS in regards to the behavioral and academic policies as established in the SPLS student handbook. This includes attendance and punctuality.

 A member (or prospective member) must not have had a school suspension or committed a major offense during the previous semester. An Honor Society member who commits a major offense may be dismissed. Excessive or habitual absences, tardiness, and detentions are serious matters and will be taken into consideration. Service: Each year, members must:

 Successfully complete 20 hours of community service projects during the year. This includes complying with all requirements of the service including punctual attendance, displaying a Christian attitude and work ethic during service, and meeting all deadlines for paperwork.

 Attend all meetings during the school year (sixth grade/transfer students: one).

 Successfully complete three hours of individual community service each year of membership.

- Each member must complete an individual community service project (or projects) developed from his or her own particular talents and interests. The individual community service must first pass an approval process in which the member presents their individual community service idea by turning in a Service Activity Proposal Form. This Service Activity Proposal Form is then reviewed by the advisor to determine appropriateness. If it is determined appropriate, the candidate will be notified in writing and may then proceed with the service. Upon completion of the individual service project the member then turns in the Service Activity Verification Form to verify the service was completed (to be handed in by a publicized deadline).

Other: Each member must complete one character trait unit per service project (to be designated by the advisor before each NJHS service project), and turn in a certificate of completion by the set deadlines.

PROBATION AND DISMISSAL FROM NJHS:

Should a member fail to meet the standards as outlined above in the requirements, for any grading period, the member will first receive a verbal and written warning by the advisor. The second time he/she may be dismissed from the society. If dismissed, the member must return all NJHS credentials. Please note this one exception to the dismissal policy: in the case of an honor violation or flagrant violation of school rules or civil laws, a member does not necessarily have to be warned.

In the event of probation, the member has one full grading period to show improvement in the area in violation. If the member fails to bring their work or participation back to the standards of NJHS, dismissal will be considered.

In the event of dismissal, the member is notified in writing of the violation and the possibility of dismissal. A hearing can then be scheduled with the Faculty Council. A parent/guardian may be present with the member, but the primary focus of the hearing is to allow the member to present his or her case. If the Faculty Council votes for dismissal, written notice of the decision is sent to the member, his or her parents, and the Assistant Principal. Once a student has been dismissed from the National Junior Honor Society, he/she may never again be eligible for membership in that division.

EIGHTH GRADE REWARD DAY / GRADUATION:

Each year eighth graders who have maintained their membership in the NJHS since their induction will be recognized at graduation by wearing the National Junior Honor Society cords.