The National Junior Honor Society Neptune Middle School 2016-2017 Candidate Profile Packet For questions regarding the selection process please contact Mrs. Alkon via EMAIL at: dalkon@neptune.k12.nj.us
National Junior Honor Society Induction Requirements Selection to the National Junior Honor Society is a privilege, not a right. Students do not apply for membership; instead, they provide information to be used by the governing body to support their candidacy for membership. Membership is granted only to those students selected by the Faculty Council of Neptune Middle School. This is not an election, nor is membership bestowed simply due to a student s academic performance. Candidates are considered based on the five criteria outlined on the attached. All Candidate Profile Packets must be FULLY COMPLETED and returned to Mrs. Alkon on or before 2:15PM on November 9 th, 2016. The students can bring it to my classroom (C306) or leave it in my mailbox in the main office. Incomplete and late packets will be returned to the applicant and will NOT be submitted for membership review. It is the student s responsibility to complete the candidacy packet and return it to Mrs. Alkon on time. Absolutely no exceptions will be made. All applicants will be notified of selection decision by mail.
The Five Criteria of Membership: Scholarship The scholarship requirement set by the Faculty Council is based on a student s cumulative grade point average. The minimum average for the Neptune Middle School National Junior Honor Society is 90. This grade point average is calculated using the following formula: 7 th grade students- Average of ALL 6 th grade marking period grades 8 th grade students- Average of ALL 6 th and 7 th grade marking period grades *Mid-Term and Final exams are included in the grade point average (GPA). Students who meet the required 90% GPA are then eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Service Students are required to have completed at least 20 hours of community service to be eligible for selection. All students must participate in volunteer program(s) at an organization outside of school. The student must have received no compensation or other tangible benefit for the service to be considered valid. Fundraising or projects completed with school groups will not be considered as community service. Leadership Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. Character Students must demonstrate the highest standards of honesty and reliability. Members must follow school regulations, demonstrate concern for others, and take criticism willingly as well as accept recommendations graciously. The student s discipline record must be exemplary. Teachers and staff must highly recommend the student for selection. Citizenship The student who demonstrates citizenship understands the importance of civic involvement, has a high regard for freedom, justice, and democracy, and demonstrates mature participation and responsibility through involvement with such activities as scouting, community organizations, and school clubs.
Neptune Middle School National Junior Honor Society Candidate Checklist Candidate Name Please use the following checklist to ensure you have all necessary components of the NJHS Candidate Profile Packet. Item Typed Essay 250 words Times New Roman 12 point font Double Spaced 3 letters of recommendation: 2 from within the school 1 from outside the school Community Service Log (can be backdated up to 2 years) *Totaling 20 hours Completed by student with attached verification letter(s) Extracurricular Profile School and Community clubs, sports and activities Leadership Profile Completed by student with all necessary information Date Received Advisors Initials The following item will be obtained by the advisor. This information will be used as part of the character assessment of each candidate. Neptune Middle School discipline log will be reviewed Faculty Council Recommendation (Please initial on the line next to your recommendation). Recommend for selection Student is not recommended for selection
Reason for non-selection
Community Service Record Community Service must be performed at a valid institution and record must show consistent commitment to one or more organizations. A supervisor other than a parent or relative must provide a letter detailing the dates and specific volunteer service performed. A total of 20 hours or more must be documented in order to be considered for eligibility. Community Service must have been from within the last two years. Dates of Service Name and Address of Organization Name and Phone Number of Supervisor Description of Service Total Hours Signed Supervisor s Letter Attached
Community Service Record Dates of Service Name and Address of Organization Name and Phone Number of Supervisor Description of Service Total Hours Signed Supervisor s Letter Attached
Extracurricular Profile Members are expected to participate in a variety of school clubs, sports and activities. You may also list clubs, sports and activities from the community *Participation in various SCHOOL clubs or sports teams is required. School Club Years of Service Position/Duty Advisor Comment [mv1]: I thought the discussion was that leadership DID NOT hold the responsibility of also belonging to other clubs/organizatns Sports Team Years of Membership Position Coach
Leadership Profile List any leadership or activities in which you may have participated. Leadership conferences do not have to be affiliated with school. Attach copies of any certificates you may have received. Leadership conference/activities Date(s) of attendance Description Advisor/Contact Other Evidence of Leadership Provide any other evidence that would support your leadership potential. This evidence may be from sources such as employers, church pastors, etc. You may also attach letters or certificates showing proof of any leadership activity.
Typed Essay Each candidate is required to submit a 250-400 word typed essay answering the following topic: Community service can be a valuable part of your academic successes and can enhance your overall educational experience. If you were to devote one year of service to a volunteer project, what would it be? How would you organize a group of people to support this project? What would you hope to gain both personally and socially through being involved in this project? Make sure to address each bullet thoroughly and completely. Essay Format: Typed Essay Candidates name must be on the top left side of every page Times New Roman font 12 point font Double spaced Black ink Any essay that does not follow the required format will not be reviewed by the Faculty Council. (No Exceptions)
Clarification of Terms Community Service - Community service hours are unpaid activities time given freely of one s own will and not because the member is required to do so. Community service is designed to improve the quality of life for community residents or schools. Community service can occur in such fields as health care, child care (babysitting), education (including tutuorial services), social services, housing and neighborhood improvement (including helping neighbors with various projects). Leadership - Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, idea-contributors, dependable, and persons who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. - You will need to consider your involvement in various organizations and activities, and then look at how you participated in them. Ask yourself what your role was and then decide if you "took the lead" on something. Perhaps you helped organize a food drive at your church or you took the lead in some project that your student council was doing. You are going to have to look at what you do, and then be flexible about how you define leadership. Ask yourself how you set a good example? How do you interact in group activities in a classroom setting? How do you show leadership in smaller ways within a larger organization? - Additionally, you could talk about things from your life outside of school that have demonstrated leadership. This could be anything from babysitting to getting up consistently for a paper-route. Maybe you are a student who can hold down a job and continue to keep your grades up. This shows a lot of leadership. - If you are not involved in any organizations in which you have held distinguished positions of leadership, consider talking about your class rank, and perhaps not necessarily school-wide, but in each of your classes. Also consider your participation in class discussions and activities.