Joe Schwarz Chapter of

National Junior Honor Society

 

 

The Joe Schwarz Chapter of National Junior Honor Society at Cornerstone School is an organization that recognizes students who continually maintain standards of excellence in both academics and personal character. A student’s membership in the National Junior Honor Society is both an honor bestowed upon the student and a responsibility. Students selected for membership are expected to demonstrate the qualities of scholarship, leadership, service, citizenship, and character throughout the duration of their membership.

 

To be eligible for membership, the candidate must be a member of the following class:  second semester 6^th grade, 7^th grade, or 8^th grade. As the first step in the process, students’ academic records are reviewed to determine which students are scholastically eligible for membership, (i.e., students who meet the required cumulative GPA.) Students who are eligible scholastically (i.e., “candidates”) shall be notified and informed that for further consideration for selection to the Chapter, they may complete the Student Activity Information Form (provided by the NJHS Advisor.) These students are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, citizenship, and character as more specifically defined below.

 

Selection of members will be made by the five appointed members of the Faculty Council at the end of the first and second semesters, based on the following National guidelines. The induction ceremony will be held in February.

 

 

Scholarship:

 

The student who meets the scholarship criteria maintains a minimum cumulative GPA of 87.5% (based on a 4.0 scale) for the four core subjects of Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies.

 

Leadership:

 

The student who exercises leadership:

 

·        Is resourceful in proposing solutions to new problems, applying principles, and making suggestions.

·        Demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities.

·        Exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals and spirit.

·        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.

·        Is dependable in any responsibility accepted.

·        Demonstrates reliability and dependability.

·        Is a leader in the classroom, at work, or in other school or community activities.

·        Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility.

·        Conducts business effectively and efficiently.

 

 

Service:

 

The student who demonstrates service:

 

·        Volunteers for a minimum of 10 hours per semester in service (as pre-approved by the NJHS advisor.)

·        Volunteers and provides 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.

·        Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students.

·        Performs committee and staff work without complaint.

·        Is willing to represent the class or school in interclass and interscholastic competition.

·        Participates in some activity outside of school (e.g., Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, religious groups, volunteer services for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged.)

·        Mentors persons in the community or students at other schools.

 

Citizenship:

 

The student who demonstrates citizenship:

 

·        Understands the importance of civil involvement.

·        Has a high regard for freedom and justice, respects the U.S. form of government (representative democracy), and respects the laws at the local, state, and federal level that protect that government.

·        Demonstrates mature participating and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.

 

Character:

 

The student who demonstrates character:

 

·        Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.

·        Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (i.e., cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability.)

·        Cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.

·        Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.

·        Regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.

·        Observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom.

·        Manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing an unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others.

·        Actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environments.

 

Membership in the National Junior Honor Society is a permanent condition unless a student’s performance falls below the standards by which he or she was selected. Decisions regarding induction into and/or dismissal from NJHS are handled by the Faculty Council. The Faculty Council can select to discipline a member by placing them on warning (sometimes referred to as suspension or probation), during which time they are considered not in good standing with the chapter. Members are allowed limited warnings during their membership, and that in the case of flagrant violation of school rules or the law, a warning is not required for dismissal, although a hearing will still be held.

Selection to NJHS is a privilege, not a right.  However, the National Junior Honor Society is not an elitist organization.  To the contrary, membership is not limited to a specific number, but rather NJHS encourages all students to aim for the standards set by this organization.

 

(National Junior Honor Society Handbook, 2006 Edition)