NCHS | National Honor Society

National Honor Society Policy 2006 – 2007

SCHOLARSHIP, LEADERSHIP, CHARACTER, and SERVICE

Members of the National Honor Society must maintain the high standards of scholarship, leadership, character, and service that membership in the organization requires. Each student is expected to follow school code relative to academic honesty, school responsibilities and club / organization behavior code. Any member whose personal conduct is questionable in accordance with the accepted norms of student behavior may be dismissed by the Faculty Council.

SCHOLARSHIP

Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.75 to be considered for membership in NHS.

NHS members are required to maintain a semester average of 3.75 GPA upon induction into the society. Students who fail to maintain a semester average of 3.75 are placed on probation the subsequent semester and are reinstated only if their semester average reaches 3.75. If it does not, they are asked to appear before the Faculty Council for possible dismissal.

LEADERSHIP and CHARACTER

All members of NHS must demonstrate exceptional leadership and character qualities. Teachers complete rating sheets which evaluate new applicant’s leadership and character. Rating sheets reflect the applicant’s rank when compared to the following descriptors:

A student of exceptional leadership:

Resourceful in making suggestions or identifying new problems.

Demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities.

Demonstrates influence on peers in upholding school ideals.

Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school.

Exemplifies positive attitude and is able to delegate responsibilities to completion.

Inspires positive behavior in others.

Successfully holds school offices or positions of responsibility, conducts business efficiently.

Demonstrates leadership in the classroom, at work, and in school activities.

Exhibits dependability in any accepted responsibility.

A student of exceptional character:

Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously.

Consistently exemplifies desirable qualities of behavior like cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, and stability.

Upholds principles of morality and ethics.

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

Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability.

Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others.

Observes instructions, rules, and punctuality inside and outside of the classroom.

Displays powers of concentration and sustained attention shown by perseverance and application to studies.

Manifests truthfulness and academic honesty. Adheres to rules, avoids cheating and plagiarism. Unwilling to profit by the mistakes of others.

Actively helps to rid the school of bad influences or environment.

SERVICE

Students who serve:

Volunteer dependable and well organized assistance. They are available and willing to offer assistance.

Work well with others and are willing to take on difficult responsibilities.

Cheerfully and enthusiastically render any requested service to the school.

Complete committee and staff work uncomplainingly.

Show courteous assistance to visitors, teachers, and students.

Participate in some outside school activity (Scouts, Church groups, volunteer services for the aged, poor or disadvantaged, family duties, etc.)

Complete at least the minimum required tutoring and community service hours.

MINIMUM REQUIRED SERVICE HOURS:

Members must complete a minimum of six hours of community service per semester. Additional hours may be required if a member misses a mandatory meeting without filling out and submitting to the sponsors an absence form indicating a valid excuse. Community service is defined as volunteerism outside of NCHS. Service hours may be completed with a community organization, an appropriate business (nursing home, hospital, etc.), or a church; they do not have to be NHS-sponsored activities. School activities, events, student aide positions cannot be submitted as community service.

Members must also complete a minimum of one hour of tutoring. Returning members must complete one hour of tutoring fall semester only. New inductees must complete one hour of tutoring during the spring semester.

SERVICE FORMS:

All service hours must be recorded on official service forms and counted in increments of half hour and hours only, no minutes.

It is the responsibility of each member to submit his / her total hours by the deadlines. There will be no probationary period for community service hours. If service hours aren’t completed and submitted by the deadline to Ms.Dudzik or Ms. Henley in the science office, the NHS member will be removed from the organization roster and will not be reinstated throughout his / her high school career.

Fall hours due: Friday,

Spring hours due: Friday, (seniors)

Friday, (juniors)

MEETING REQUIREMENTS

If a member is unable to attend a mandatory NHS meeting, they must fill out a form explaining the reason in the Science Office (Room 57) within one week of the meeting. Failure to do so, will result in an additional required service hour. NHS members are allowed only two valid excused meeting absences per semester. If a member submits three in a semester, regardless of reason, they must complete one extra hour of service. If a member fails to fill out a form or completes a form with an invalid excuse, they are also required to complete one extra hour of service.

Consequences

Seniors who do not meet NHS requirements are considered inactive and are denied the privilege of wearing the gold NHS tassel and/or gold cord at graduation. NHS members who flagrantly violate school policy or civil laws, can be dismissed without warning.

Please return this bottom portion with your application or re-evaluation form on (date):

I certify that I have read and am aware of the National Honor Society Policy.

Student Signature ____________________________

Parent Signature _____________________________