SWAMPSCOTT MIDDLE SCHOOL

Welcome to the Swampscott Middle School NJHS website.  Here you will find a lot of great information that explains the National Junior Honor Society, requirements of candidates/members, important dates, and printable forms.  

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ADVISORS:

Jaclyn Wilson jwilson@swampscott.k12.ma.us

Matt Moran mmoran@swampscott.k12.ma.us

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Want to Become a Member of the Society?

The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is the nation's premier organization established to recognize outstanding middle school students.  More than just an honor roll, NJHS serves to honor those students who have demonstrated excellence in the areas of Scholarship, Leadership, Service, Character, and Citizenship.  These characteristics have been associated with membership in the organization since its beginning in 1929.

Students at SMS are invited to become members of this prestigious society if they fit the qualifications below:

• After completion of the first two marking periods, report cards of all 7th and 8th-grade students will be examined by the society's advisors and faculty council to look for scholars who have demonstrated academic excellence (has earned all A's and only one B in each term), demonstrate positive leadership, and excelling character here at SMS.  

• If students meet the requirements above they will then be invited to apply. Students will be required to write a personal essay describing how they demonstrate excellence in the following areas: leadership, character, service, and citizenship. To be considered students must also have a letter of recommendation from a non-family adult (teacher, coach, religious educator). 

• Once all forms are in, a panel of anonymous teachers, called the Faculty Council, will review the student applications. Upon the Faculty Council's recommendation, a student will be asked to join the NJHS, or could be declined from acceptance. The society does not provide an appeal process as the Faculty Council has already gone through a rigorous selection process. 

• If you want to be a member of the NHJS, you need to do well in school, have good attendance, participate in community service activities throughout your middle school career, and display good character inside and outside of school. 

• Faculty Council looks through your application, attendance/tardiness records, and through teacher feedback/report card/ progress report comments for the following evidence:

LEADERSHIP 

The faculty and faculty council looks for a student who exercises leadership in the following ways: 

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

· Demonstrates leadership in promoting school activities

· Exercises influence on peers in upholding school ideals

· Contributes ideas that improve the civic life of the school 

· Is able to delegate responsibilities 

· Exemplifies a positive attitude 

· Inspires positive behavior in others

· Demonstrates academic initiative 

· Demonstrates leadership in the classroom and in school activities 

· Is thoroughly dependable in any responsibility accepted

SERVICE 

The faculty council looks for a student who serves in the following ways: 

· Is willing to uphold scholarship and maintain a loyal school attitude 

· Participates in some outside activity: Girl Scouts; Boy Scouts; church groups; volunteer services for the aged, poor, or disadvantaged; family duties

· Volunteers 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

· Does committee and staff work uncomplainingly 

· Shows courtesy by assisting visitors, teachers, and students

CHARACTER 

The faculty council looks for a student of character: 

· Takes criticism willingly and accepts recommendations graciously 

· Constantly exemplifies desirable qualities of personality (cheerfulness, friendliness, poise, stability) 

· Upholds principles of morality and ethics 

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

· Demonstrates the highest standards of honesty and reliability 

· Shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others

· Observes instructions and rules and practices punctuality and faithfulness both inside and outside of the classroom

· Has powers of concentration and sustained attention as shown by perseverance and application to studies 

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

· Actively helps to rid the school of bad influences 

CITIZENSHIP 

The faculty council looks for a  student who demonstrates citizenship:

· Understands the importance of civic involvement 

· Has a high regard for freedom and justice and respects the American form of government 

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

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CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT THE SMS PROCESS TO GETTING INTO THE SOCIETY FOR CLASS  

(The above powerpoint will be shown to grade 6 students at the end of the school year during advisory.)

CLICK HERE TO VIEW OUR BYLAWS FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE NJHS SWAMPSCOTT MIDDLE SCHOOL CHAPTER