Chapter Adviser : Marianne Amato – mamato@vtsd.com
During the second semester of the school year, 7th and 8th grade students are considered for membership into the National Junior Honor Society on the basis of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Citizenship, and Character. Students must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 92 to meet the scholarship criterion. Those students will then be asked to complete a Candidate Form to list their leadership and service activities. Finally, they are asked to submit a brief essay explaining how they have demonstrated good character, both in school and in the community. Once invited to become member of the NJHS, students will be honored at a formal Induction Ceremony held in the Spring. Once a member, students are expected to uphold the standards on the both the local and national chapters of the NJHS and regularly participate in meetings and activities throughout the school year.
Scholarship
The student who exercises scholarship . . . . .
Meets the required cumulative GPA of 92 or above.
Leadership
The student who exercises leadership . . . . .
Is resourceful in proposing new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.
Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.
Exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals.
Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.
Is able to delegate responsibilities.
Exemplifies positive attitudes.
Inspires positive behavior in others.
Demonstrates academic initiative.
Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducting business effectively and efficiently, and without prodding, demonstrates reliability and dependability.
Is a forerunner in the classroom, at work, and in school or community activities.
Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted.
Service
The student who serves . . . . .
Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.
Participates in some outside activity: Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, church groups, volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged, family duties.
Volunteers dependable and well organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance.
Works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities.
Cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service to the school.
Is willing to represent the class or school in inter-class and inter-scholastic competition.
Does committee and staff work without complaint.
Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers and students.
Citizenship
The student who exercises citizenship . . . . .
Understands the importance of civic involvement.
Holds a high regard for freedom, justice, and respect for American government.
Demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.
Character
The student of character . . . . .
Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.
Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior.
Upholds principles of morality and ethics.
Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.
Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.
Observes instructions and rules, punctuality, and faithfulness both inside and outside the classroom.
Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies.
Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.
The Glen Meadow Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society
Selection Process
Adopted: November 14, 2014
The Selection Process
The selection procedure is determined by the local Faculty Council (the five member selection committee facilitated by the chapter adviser who sits as the sixth, non-voting member of the group), approved by the principal, and must be published and available for review by students, faculty, and parents.
As the first step in the process, students’ academic records are reviewed to determine those persons who are scholastically eligible for membership, i.e., those persons who meet the required cumulative GPA of 92 or above. The GPA used at the local level cannot be set below the national minimum standard outlined in the national constitution, and, once set, must be applied fairly and consistently to all candidates. In addition, chapters should consult with the school’s special education or disabilities representative to determine which, if any, of the candidates has special needs that could be important to consider in the upcoming review by the Faculty Council.
Students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., “candidates”) should be notified and informed that for further consideration for selection to the chapter, they may complete the Candidate Form. This form outlines the candidate’s accomplishments in the areas of Service and Leadership and Citizenship and Character.
The Candidate Form should be reviewed by the Faculty Council, along with any other verifiable information about the candidates relevant to their consideration for membership, including disabilities status of each candidate. The leadership, service, character, and citizenship of all candidates should be reviewed carefully. Faculty council members are encouraged to deliberate in order to guarantee that their decisions are based on accurate and complete understandings of all information presented for review. With the vote on each candidate, those candidates receiving a majority vote of the faculty council should be invited for induction into the chapter. All candidates identified and listed as “not selected” (i.e., those who do not receive the majority vote of the faculty council) should have a list of those criteria not met by the individual candidate listed next to their name to assist the adviser and principal in handling inquiries regarding non-selection.
Prior to notification of any candidates, the chapter adviser is required to report the results of the Faculty Council’s deliberations to the principal for approval (per Article 9, section 3 of the NJHS Constitution). Lists of selected and non-selected students, as well as reasons for non-selection may be incorporated into this meeting. This will assure the support of the administration prior to any notification.
Formal notification of all selected candidates and their parents to inform them in writing about selection and the timing of the induction ceremony will be mailed. Students who are NOT selected will be informed about their non-selection by mail as well.
To finalize the plans for induction, steps should be devised for verification of new membership, acceptance of the invitations for membership, and attendance at the induction ceremony.
Prerequisite Conditions for Selection
Enrollment – According to the constitution, only students who have attended the school for the equivalent of one semester may be considered for membership.
Grade Level – Membership may be open to qualified students from the second semester of grades 7 through grade 8.
GPA Standard – Students must have a GPA of at least 92 at the time of candidacy.
Criteria
The Faculty Council selects students who demonstrate outstanding performance in all five criteria of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character. Although the academic criterion is important and should be considered first, membership should never be considered on the basis of grades alone.
Scholarship – Cumulative GPA – The scholarship requirement set by the National Council is based on the student’s cumulative grade point average. The phrase “cumulative grade point average” refers to the total academic performance as demonstrated by the grades received by the student while in attendance at the school where the chapter is found. Therefore, when students are selected during their seventh or eighth grade year, grades from the sixth and seventh grade will be used to compute the cumulative scholastic average. The minimum GPA to meet the Scholarship criteria is 92. Continued membership in the chapter is based upon students maintaining the standard GPA under which they were admitted.
Leadership – The leadership criterion is considered highly important for membership selection. The Faculty council may interpret leadership in terms of offices held within school and community organizations, leadership roles within the classroom, effective participation in positions of responsibility in other activities, such as athletic team captains, section leaders in band and chorus, committee chairs in student groups, etc. Leadership roles in both school and community may be considered, provided they can be verified.
Service – Service is generally considered to be those actions undertaken by the student which are done with or on behalf of others without any direct financial or material compensation.
Citizenship – The student demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, or school clubs. Additionally, the student understands the importance of civic engagement, has a high regard for freedom and justice, respects the US form of government (representative democracy), and respects the law for all citizens at the local, state, and federal levels.
NATIONAL JUNIOR HONOR SOCIETY
Chapter Bylaws of the Glen Meadow Middle School Chapter
Adopted: November 14, 2014
ARTICLE I: NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1. The name of this chapter shall be the Glen Meadow Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society of Glen Meadow Middle School.
Section 2. The purpose of this chapter shall be to create an enthusiasm for scholarship, to stimulate a desire to render service, to promote worthy leadership, and to encourage the development of character in students of Glen Meadow Middle School.
ARTICLE II: MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership in this chapter shall be known as active, honorary, and graduate. Active members become graduate members at graduation. Graduate and honorary members have no vote in chapter affairs.
Section 2. 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.
Section 3. Eligibility: Candidates eligible for selection to this chapter must be members of the 7th and 8th grades.
To be eligible for selection to membership in this chapter, the candidate must have been in attendance for a period of one semester at Glen Meadow Middle School.
Candidates eligible for selection to the chapter shall have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 92. This scholastic level of achievement shall remain fixed, and shall be the required minimum scholastic level of achievement for admission to candidacy. All students who can rise in scholarship to or above such standard may be admitted to candidacy for selection to membership.
Upon meeting the grade level and GPA standard requirements, candidates shall then be considered based on their service, leadership, character and citizenship.
ARTICLE III: SELECTION OF MEMBERS
Section 1. The selection of members to this chapter shall be by a majority vote of the Faculty Council consisting of five faculty members appointed by the principal. The chapter adviser shall be the sixth, non-voting, ex-officio member of the Faculty Council.
Section 2. Prior to selection, the following shall occur:
a. Students’ academic records shall be reviewed to determine scholastic eligibility.
b. Students who are eligible scholastically (“candidates”) shall be notified and asked to complete and submit the Candidate Form for further consideration for selection.
c. The Faculty Council shall blindly review the Candidate Packet and vote on each candidate to determine membership. Majority vote is required for membership.
Section 3. The selection of new, active members shall be held once a year during the second semester of the school year.
Section 4. Candidates become members when inducted at a special ceremony in the spring.
Section 5. An active member of the National Junior Honor Society who transfers from this school will be given a letter indicating the status of his/her membership and signed by the Principal and the Advisor.
Section 6. An active member of the National Junior Honor Society who transfers to this school will be automatically accepted for membership in this chapter. The Faculty Council shall grant to the transferring member one semester to attain the membership requirements and, thereafter, this member must maintain those requirements for this chapter in order to retain his/her membership.
ARTICLE IV: DISCIPLINE and DISMISSAL
Section 1. Any member who falls below the standards of scholarship, leadership, character, or service may be dismissed from the Glen Meadow chapter of the National Honor Society. A member of the National Junior Honor Society is expected to maintain his/her academic standing and take an active role in service and leadership to his/her school and community.
Section 2. If a member’s cumulative grade point average falls below the standard in effect when he/she was selected, he /she will be given a written warning and a time period one marking period for improvement. If the cumulative grade point average remains below standard at the end of the warning period the student will be subject to further disciplinary action by the Faculty Council that may include dismissal from the chapter.
Section 3. Violation of the law or school regulations can result in dismissal of a member. These violations include, but are not limited to stealing, destruction of property, cheating, truancy, or possession, selling, or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol at school or school-related activities
Section 4. Offenders of the school conduct code (such as use of profanity, failure to comply, unexcused absence, excessive tardiness, etc.) will receive written warning notification. A conference may be requested by either party (Faculty Council or student/parent). If the member is involved in another violation of the school conduct code, the member may be dismissed.
Section 5. In all cases of pending dismissal:
a. The member will receive written notification indicating the reason for possible dismissal from the adviser/Faculty Council. The member and adviser will discuss the written notification in a conference. Situations that involve flagrant violations of school rules or the law can warrant disciplinary action without a written warning although a hearing must still be held (see below).
b. The member will be given the opportunity to respond to the charge against him/her at a hearing before the Faculty Council prior to the vote on dismissal (in accordance with due process identified in Article X of the National Constitution). The member has the opportunity to present his/her defense either in person or in writing. The Faculty Council will then vote on whether to dismiss. A majority vote of the Faculty Council is needed to dismiss any member.
c. The results of the Faculty Council vote will be reviewed by the principal, and then if confirmed, expressed in a letter sent to the student, parents, and principal. Dismissed members must surrender any membership emblems to the adviser.
d. The Faculty Council’s decision may be appealed to the building principal and afterwards through the school district discipline policy.
e. When a student is dismissed or resigns, he/she is no longer a member and may never again be considered for membership in the National Honor Society.
Section 6. In lieu of dismissal, the Faculty Council may impose disciplinary sanctions upon a member as deemed appropriate.
ARTICLE V: OFFICERS
Section 1. The officers of the chapter shall be president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer.
Section 2. Student officers shall be elected at the last meeting of each school year. All returning active members in good standing are eligible to run for a position as an officer. All active members of the chapter are eligible to vote.
Section 3. 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.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the president to preside at the meetings for this chapter.
Section 5. The vice-president shall preside in the absence of the president and shall also keep a record of members’ contributions to leadership and service.
Section 6. The secretary shall keep the minutes of meetings and be responsible for all official chapter correspondence.
Section 7. The treasurer shall keep the record of chapter expenses, dues, and all other financial transactions of the chapter
ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Section 1. The executive committee shall consist of the faculty adviser and the chapter officers.
Section 2. The executive committee shall 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.
ARTICLE VII: MEETINGS
Section 1. Meetings of this chapter shall be monthly or bimonthly.
Section 2. This chapter shall conduct its meetings according to Robert’s Rules of Order.
Section 3. All chapter members are expected to regularly attend scheduled chapter meetings.
ARTICLE VIII: ACTIVITIES
Section 1. The chapter shall determine one or more service projects for each year.
Section 2. All members shall regularly participate in these projects.
Section 3. These projects shall have the following characteristics: fulfill a need within the school or community, have the support of the administration and the faculty, be appropriate and educationally defensible, and be well-planned, organized, and executed.
Section 4. Each member shall have the responsibility for choosing and participating in an individual service project which reflects his or her particular talents and interests and as approved by the chapter adviser. This is in addition to the chapter projects to which all members contribute.
Section 5. The chapter shall publicize its projects in a positive manner.
ARTICLE IX: EMBLEM
Section 1. Each member of this chapter who is in good standing with regard to the membership standards and member obligations shall have the privilege of wearing the emblem adopted by the National Junior Honor Society.
Section 2. Any member who withdraws, resigns, or is dismissed from the chapter shall return the emblem to the chapter.
Section 3. Chapter members who are 8th graders in good standing shall be granted the privilege of wearing the honor cords at graduation.
ARTICLE X: DUES (optional)
Section 1. Annual dues for this chapter shall be $0.
ARTICLE XI: POWERS
Section 1. The chapter adviser is given the authority to supervise the administration of chapter activities, as delegated by the school principal.
Section 2. The principal shall reserve the right to approve all activities and decisions of the chapter.
Section 3: These bylaws are designed to amplify provisions of the National Constitution and cannot contradict any components thereof. The chapter is obligated to adhere to the provisions of the National Constitution in all activities it undertakes.
ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS
Section 1. These by-laws may be amended by a 2/3 vote of the chapter, provided notice of the proposed amendment has been given to members at least one month prior to the vote. The exceptions are Articles II, III and IV (selection and discipline), which are developed by the Faculty Council with the approval of the principal.
Section 2. By-laws and amendments must be consistent with the Constitution of the National Honor Society
Date: November 14, 2014
Statement of non-discrimination: The Glen Meadow chapter of NJHSmaintains policies and practices that are designed to prevent discrimination against any qualified candidate or member on the basis of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. This policy of nondiscrimination applies to all practices, including the chapter administration and the selection, discipline, and dismissal of members.