National Junior Honor Society Joan Craver 8 th 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  7 th 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 7 th 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  7 th 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 6 th grade tours  Contribute to charity: Make-A-Wish, Ronald McDonald House, American Cancer Society, etc.  Always looking for new ideas! (last year created 8 th grade time capsule)