CMS National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) was established in 1929 by the Association for Secondary School Principals to recognize and encourage academic achievement while also developing other characteristics essential to citizens in a democracy. The Chariho Middle School Chapter of the NJHS recognizes these characteristics and pillars of the NJHS, scholarship (92.5 GPA without rounding up), service, leadership, character, and citizenship. Our chapter includes year 1 (grade 7 or 8) and year 2 (grade 8) memberships. Year 1 students (Grades 7 and 8) will be invited for membership in February by maintaining a 92.5 or higher GPA without rounding up. After a student’s intent of membership, the student must demonstrate the five pillars of scholarship (92.5 GPA without rounding up), service, leadership, character, and citizenship. After successfully completing demonstrated Pillars, students will be invited to participate in the Induction ceremony held in June. Year 2 students who were inducted into membership in grade 7 may continue year two by maintaining all requirements, including 92.5 GPA, without rounding up. Year 2 students have been notified, by email, of this year’s requirements. Membership in NJHS is both an honor and a commitment. Members of the Chariho Middle School chapter of the NJHS must demonstrate the pillars of scholarship (92.5 GPA without rounding up), service, leadership, character, and citizenship. For more information, please see the NJHS CMS Chapter By-Laws or contact Mrs. Florenz, Assistant Principal.
Students must participate in activities that show evidence of citizenship, character, leadership, scholarship, and service. Though some activities may be listed in both Citizenship/Service and Leadership, students may count them in one category only.
The following is a brief description of each quality:
Citizenship: The student demonstrates mature participation and responsibility in activities such as scouting, community organizations, or school clubs and activities. First-year students need to participate in one activity. If the candidate does not list one of these examples, please contact the NJHS Faculty Advisor to have the activity reviewed.
Citizenship Examples:
- School-sponsored clubs and activities, such as Interscholastic Sports, Sports Team Manager, Robotics Team, Band, All-State Music,
Drama Club, Student Council, Intramurals, Select, Science Olympiad
- Clubs sponsored outside of school
- Community dance or drama
- Boy/Girl Scouts
- Religious-sponsored civic activities
- Volunteer groups
Character: NJHS students must follow the school code of behavior. Character includes traits of honesty, fairness, courtesy, tolerance, cooperation, striving daily to make the right choice. Disciplinary referrals can be grounds for dismissal from the organization.
Leadership: Student leaders are those who are resourceful, good problem solvers, and idea contributors. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others. Students need to show that they have guided a group of students or another individual or demonstrate how they take a leadership role. Also acceptable are demonstrations of how you take a leadership role by setting a good example, encouraging others to follow a good path, etc. The activity can happen periodically, or it may just occur on one occasion. If the candidate does not list one of these examples, please contact the NJHS Faculty Advisor to have the activity reviewed.
Leadership Examples:
- Officer of any group, club, or committee
- Patrol leader in scouts, Boy Scout/Girl Scout events that lead younger troops
- Captain of a sports team for the season
- Active leadership role in a class/peer tutoring verified by the teacher of the class
- Taking on a “teacher-like” role in events in or outside of school; all unpaid (i.e., teaching a Sunday school class, teacher assistant in school, dance assistant, swim instructor, etc.)
- All-State Music
Scholarship: Students must maintain a cumulative average of 92.5 each quarter.
Service: Students must show involvement in the community, without monetary compensation or recognition. First-year students must complete 8 hours of volunteer work, including participation in one school-sponsored service activity. Second-year students must complete 15 hours of volunteer work, including participation in one school-sponsored service activity.
Service Examples:
- Helping teachers in their classrooms
- School-sponsored service activity, such as CMS Clean Up
- Service done with school clubs/groups
- Play in the orchestra, band, etc. for school events
- Non-paid babysitting or tutoring of a non-family member
- Religious-sponsored civic activities
- Volunteer groups
- Play music for/visit senior citizens or nursing home residents
- Participate in the organization of fundraisers
- Collect food donations for a local charity
- Boy/Girl Scouts service projects
- Service for community groups
- Collect clothes, blankets, shoes, jackets, toiletries, etc. for the homeless
- Collecting school supplies for children who are in need at shelters
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter, retirement home, or church
- Create get well cards for children in the hospital
- Write thank-you notes/cards to military
- Help a neighbor with yard work