National Junior Honor Society

Members   Meeting Schedule

Pampa Junior High Proudly announces its chapter in the National Junior Honor Society.  NJHS was established over 75 years ago and has a proud history of fostering, cultivating, and recognizing outstanding students.  Because membership in the NJHS relies on more than just scholarship, its participants have an opportunity to nurture and demonstrate their exemplary character traits of leadership, service and citizenship.

Seventh and eighth grade students may only be considered for membership in the NJHS if they have achieved a grade point average in their core classes of 90 or higher in the preceding spring semester. Once that criterion is met, a Faculty Council evaluates each student based upon the following criteria: service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Once the students are selected for membership, they meet on a regular basis to plan and execute one or more school service projects, in addition to continuing their own social service endeavors.

The NJHS, with more than 5,000 chapters throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, many U.S. Territories, and Canada, has become a prestigious organization, ranking high among administrators, faculty members, students, parents and residents of the school community.

Selection to NJHS is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership in NJHS.  Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council. This is not an election, nor is membership automatically conferred simply because a student has achieved a specified level of academic performance.

NJHS meets at least once a month, as per national standards. These meetings are mandatory for active members. NJHS members must also participate actively in NJHS-sponsored events, activities, and service projects. NJHS offers many opportunities for active participation and service; an active member should have little difficulty meeting these obligations

SELECTION

The selection of each member is made by a majority vote of the Faculty Council. The Faculty Council consists of five (5) voting members appointed by the Principal. The chapter advisor is an ex officio non-voting member of the Faculty Council. Selection will take place once a year in the spring.

The Faculty Council, when considering a student for membership, will evaluate the student in the areas of leadership, character, and service (the scholarship criterion having been established by the student’s GPA). Eligible students names are then given to their teachers who recommend them based on the behavior and character demonstrated in their classrooms.

Selesction Process for National Junior Honor Society.  Taken and adapted from the NJHS Constitution.

Section 1. To be eligible for membership the candidate must be a member of those grades (second semester sixth, seventh, eighth, or ninth grade) designated as eligible in the chapter bylaws. (First semester sixth graders are not eligible.)  Candidates must have been in attendance at the school the equivalent of one semester.  Some candidates may be ineligible for induction because of the semester ruling.  Many students, including students of military parents, are required to move with parents or guardians who have transferred in their work.  The present school principal should seek a recommendation from the previous school principal pursuant to the candidate’s selection.  Based on the recommendation of the previous principal, the Faculty Council may waive the semester regulation.

Section 2. Candidates must have a cumulative scholastic average of 90 percent from the core subjects during the semester preceding the induction.  Candidates shall then be evaluated on the basis of service, leadership, citizenship, and character.

Section 3.  The selection of each member to the chapter shall be by a majority vote of the faculty council.

Section 4. A description of the selection procedure shall be published in an official school publication that is widely available in a timely fashion to all students and parents of the school.  The selection procedure shall be determined by the faculty council and shall be consistent with the rules and regulations of the National Junior Honor Society.

Section 5. The National Council and the NASSP shall not review the judgement of the Faculty Council regarding selection of individual members to local chapters

Process steps at Pampa Junior High School:

1. Students who have 90 or above the preceding semester are identified.
2. A list is sent to teachers for recommendations concerning leadership, service, citizenship, and character.
3. The list is finalized by the faculty council.
4. Invitations are mailed to students along with a form signifying a desire to be a member.
5. Information meeting held for parents.
6. Students return forms.
7. Induction ceremony held.

LEADERSHIP

The leadership criterion is considered highly important for NHS selection. Leadership roles both within and outside the school community will be considered.

The student who demonstrates leadership:

1. successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility (club officer, team captain, e.g.); conducts business effectively and efficiently; demonstrates reliability and dependability
2. is resourceful in proposing solutions, applying principles, and making suggestions
3. demonstrates initiative in promoting school activities
4. exercises positive influence on peers in upholding school ideals
5. contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school
6. is able to delegate responsibilities
7. exemplifies positive attitudes
8. inspires positive behavior in others
9. demonstrates academic initiative
10. is a leader in the classroom, at work, and in other school or community activities
11. is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted
12. is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude.

CHARACTER

In general, a person of character demonstrates these six qualities, defined as the “Six Pillars of Character” by the Character Counts! Coalition: respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, fairness, caring, and citizenship.

In addition, it can also be said that the student of character:

1. takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously
2. consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability)
3. upholds principles of morality and ethics
4. cooperates by complying with school regulations concerning property, programs, office, halls, etc.
5. demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability
6. regularly shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others
7. observes instructions and rules, is punctual, and faithful both inside and outside the classroom
8. has powers of concentration, self-discipline, and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies
9. manifests truthfulness in acknowledging obedience to rules, avoiding cheating in written work, and showing unwillingness to profit by the mistakes of others
10. actively helps rid the school of bad influences or environment.

SERVICE

Service is generally considered to be those actions undertaken altruistically, i.e., with or on behalf of others, without any direct financial or material compensation. Service contributions to the school, classmates, church, and community at large will be considered.

The student who serves:

1. participates in school organizations whose primary goal is service
2. participates in some activity outside of school (e.g., Boy or Girl Scouts, church groups, 4H, hospital volunteer, volunteer groups for the elderly, poor, or disadvantaged, etc.)
3. volunteers and provides dependable and well-organized assistance, is gladly available, and is willing to sacrifice to offer assistance
4. works well with others and is willing to take on difficult or inconspicuous responsibilities
5. cheerfully and enthusiastically renders any requested service
6. is willing to represent the class or school in interclass and interscholastic competition
7. does committee and staff work without complaint
8. mentors persons in the community or students in other schools
9. shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students

Continued Membership/Dismissal

Students who become active members may remain so if the following criteria are met:

1. Attendance at meetings is regular
2. The average of the core grades does not fall below 85 in a semester
3. Service projects are completed
4. Behavior is exemplary
5. Good character is exemplified

 

If the student should have a problem with any of the items above, the student and his parents will be notified and warned that the student is about to be placed on warning status.  The student will have six weeks to correct the situation.  At the end of the six weeks, the Faculty Council will meet and determine if the student should be placed back in active status or be released from the organization.  The student will only be placed on warning status one time.  After that, the Faculty Council will remove the student from the roster of membership.  There is no warning for academic dishonesty or criminal offenses

Service Projects

The students will participate in two school sponsored service projects a year:

1. The individual service project is a project of the student’s choice.  It may be completed alone or with a group of as many as 4.  The project must be approved by the parent and the advisor and must be completed by the Friday of the week of April 1.  The forms will be passed out at the first meeting following induction.
2. “A Day of Service” is the spring service project.  Each member will be responsible for getting a group of PJHS students and leading the group as they provide a service needed by a business or member of the community.  Information about the day of service will be distributed in January.

Members must successfully complete both projects to retain membership for the next year.

Tutoring

NJHS members can sign up to do tutoring for individuals or in extended day.  They are required to do at least 3 weeks of tutoring during each semester as a means of service to their school.  More information will be distributed in the meeting following induction.

Ambassadors

NJHS will serve as ambassadors for the school.  When new students enter our school, a member will be called down to show the student around.  Members need to be willing to be their friend for the day or until they get a group of friends and become familiar with the school.

We are very excited about this new organization being part of our school.  We look forward to the citizens of Pampa being proud and delighted in our junior high students as they provide service to our community and show that PJHS students have scholarship, character, and citizenship.  Please call Mrs. Baker at 669-4900 if you have any questions.

Thank you,

Susan Baker, PJHS                                                  

Faculty Advisor- Kelli Aderholt

Faculty Council 2007-2008

1. Jan Stroud
2. Deanna Polasek
3. Liz Wilson
4. Denise Intemann
5. Sabrina Klusmeyer