National Junior Honor Society???

[maslex]

Can someone explain the NJHS to me?

I received a letter today for my youngest son. It basically states that he qualifies for possible membership. It also came with a packet that he needs to fill out if he's interested. I asked him if he'd like to fill it out and he said he didn't want to. He said that he knows a few people in the NJHS and he said that he doesn't know exactly what the do or what it's all about, but that he doesn't feel it's for him???

Can someone tell me what they do exactly? And will this benefit him later in life?

 

[MouseEarsJenny]

"The National Junior Honor Society, or NJHS is a worldwide organization that consists of chapters in middle schools (grades 6-8). Selection is based on five criteria: citizenship, service, leadership, scholarship and character. Members must maintain a high grade point average (the national minimum is a 3.0)and become good citizens (by participating in service projects). The NJHS requires some sort of school service to the community, school, or other organizations. The projects help students meet the required service hour total monthly."

Congrats! Sounds like your son has done a nice job in middle school.

Other than the definition above, here's two perspectives.

As a mom, my daughter is in NJHS. I am very proud of her for meeting the criteria for selection. As an eighth grader, she has participated in several service projects. Her favorite was being a teacher's assistant during elementary art classes. As a member, she was also given extra field trip opportunities.

As a middle school teacher, we're very selective about who can be part of NJHS. Each teacher has to fill out a questionnaire about prospective students. It always disappoints us when a student doesn't want to participate, as it is an honor. The students in my school also go on field trips and represent the school in a number of special events. They also make us a fabulous breakfast during teacher appreciation week. But seriously, they have a chance to participate in some really great projects and opportunities.

It's a good start for that awards list on the old college application, too.

On the other hand, I know that for middle school boys, it can be an issue of not wanting to be part of an organization based on scholarship and character - they don't want to look like a geek.

Whatever he decides, it was intended as an honor.

 

[gator75]

my son just got selected for this, and he is particapating he 's excited ,and you'd have to know my child he dosen't get excited about much , but from what i do know they need teacher reccomendation , and in his case they participate in community service projects, and they get to go on some trips. they also have a party , and a dance i hope your ds changes his mind to be picked is an honor and they are representing the school.

 

[agnes!]

My DD really liked NJHS, it was a lot of fun for her.

agnes!

 

[allison443]

I have never heard of NJHS before the disboards, only the NHS (in high school). Based on what others have said, it sounds like a nice recognition for academic achievement, which could encourage continuation of same once the child goes onto high school. The activities some posters mentioned also sound good, this sounds like it might vary among schools, so maybe you could ask around and see what it entails at your school?

As far as what someone mentioned about starting the list for college applications, I would say no. Most applications do not include questions or lists for any activities/honors before high school, and hopefully your child will have more significant achievements by the time he is in 12th grade So if he really is not interested, I don't think it will negatively impact his future.

 

[PlutoPony]

We found that just filling out the application was helpful. It was pretty basic but asked for activities, leadership positions, etc. - the type of things that will be on a college application. This gave our son an idea of what colleges will be looking for. In filling it out, it was obvious the kinds of activities he has an abundance of (sports ) and the areas he needs to participate in more in order to be a better rounded student. Made more of an impression on him than mom and dad telling him what colleges will be looking for

 

[mamamary]

We found that just filling out the application was helpful. It was pretty basic but asked for activities, leadership positions, etc. - the type of things that will be on a college application. This gave our son an idea of what colleges will be looking for. In filling it out, it was obvious the kinds of activities he has an abundance of (sports ) and the areas he needs to participate in more in order to be a better rounded student. Made more of an impression on him than mom and dad telling him what colleges will be looking for

This is exactly what happened with us. We had a full page of sports/activities but when it came to "leadership" he had nothing Of course he did get denied (even though a Str. A student) he now realizes he has to be a little more well rounded. We are going to work on that and they said he could reapply next year.

 

[allison443]

We found that just filling out the application was helpful. It was pretty basic but asked for activities, leadership positions, etc. - the type of things that will be on a college application. This gave our son an idea of what colleges will be looking for. In filling it out, it was obvious the kinds of activities he has an abundance of (sports ) and the areas he needs to participate in more in order to be a better rounded student. Made more of an impression on him than mom and dad telling him what colleges will be looking for

Very interesting! I can see how that would be useful.

 

[maslex]

This is exactly what happened with us. We had a full page of sports/activities but when it came to "leadership" he had nothing Of course he did get denied (even though a Str. A student) he now realizes he has to be a little more well rounded. We are going to work on that and they said he could reapply next year.

OP here, I think this is one of the reasons that he doesn't want to even apply. He said, the only thing I've ever done is sports. So all of the other stuff, he would have nothing to write down. Plus he said that he's not writing a 300 word essay on why he would want to join,etc.

So I don't know...

 

[PlutoPony]

Teacher recommendations seem to play the biggest role in NJHS acceptance here, if you had good recs and put together a decent application (even with some holes) kids were taken. Hope you can get your son to apply OP, if for no other reason than the experience in doing it. We've always made it clear that these type activities are an honor and something that you always apply for if given the opportunity. Suspect we're due for a rebellion on this at some point ...