February 2017

NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nominate Your Top NJHS Members Now!
NJHS advisers may submit nominations now for the NJHS Outstanding Achievement Award. Schools can nominate as many NJHS members as they wish—there is no limit. Hurry to complete your nominations. The deadline is March 13. There are plenty of chances for your members to be recognized—500 exceptional NJHS members will be chosen from all nominees. Each receives a $500 college savings award to be program-managed by OppenheimerFunds. Find Frequently Asked Questions and more award information on the NJHS website. Recipient families will be notified in the spring.

Alert Your Members: “Early Planning for College Affordability” Webinar
When it comes to affording college, experts will say: Plan early! That’s the focus of the next NHS/NJHS college admission and financial aid planning webinar. “Early Planning for College Affordability” airs this Wednesday, February 15, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. (ET). Participants will get authoritative insight on terminology, tools, and opportunities to help them prepare to pay for college. Options such as 529 accounts, subsidized and unsubsidized loans, Parent PLUS loans, grants, and more will be covered. To get the word out to students, you’ll find sample student-directed email text, a take-home flyer, and sample social media posts in the “Publicizing NHS/NJHS Programs and Services” section of the NHS and NJHS Adviser Resource Centers.

More for Your Members: College Application Essay Writing Workshop
Registration is now open for the next NHS virtual college application essay writing workshop: “The Inside Out Approach to Writing a College Essay.” It will be presented live on Tuesday, February 21, and recorded for later viewing. For applicants, is it best to write what colleges “want to hear”? A member of the board of directors of The Common Application will address that question and share the student-centered approach to writing through guided activities. Register at www.nhs.us/virtualNHS.

This One’s For You—A Webinar Specifically for Middle Level Educators
Register now for a webinar exclusively for middle level advisers and principals on “Closing the Excellence Gap—Identifying and Supporting High-Achieving, Low-Income Students.” It takes place on Thursday, February 16, 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. (ET) and is presented by the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. This webinar is an opportunity to learn more about identifying and supporting high-achieving, low-income students in and out of school. It will highlight promising practices and measures that can break down barriers for K–12 students. Register here.

Outstanding Service Project Award Deadline Approaching
There’s still time to submit your chapter’s application for the Outstanding Service Project (OSP) awards. The deadline is a little more than two weeks away. The OSP program recognizes NHS and NJHS chapters that have made significant service contributions at the local level. Visit the NHS and NJHS websites for more information and to apply today. The deadline is February 28. Selected chapters will be notified this May.

Last Call! Adviser of the Year Application Deadline This Week
Each year, the national office recognizes the extraordinary energy and commitment involved in being an Honor Society adviser. The Rynearson National Adviser of the Year program applauds those advisers who go above and beyond. One NHS and one NJHS adviser will be selected as recipients of the 2016-17 award. Visit the NHS or NJHS website for the application and more information. Deadline: Wednesday, February 15.

Scholarship Funds Still Available
The NHS Scholarship program may be closed for this year, but remind your NHS seniors that there are still opportunities out there. Encourage them to visit NHS Scholar Dollars, an online scholarship search tool customized to filter options based on the four membership pillars of NHS. Tell them to visit www.nhs.us/scholardollars.

HONOR SOCIETY TIPS AND TOOLS

Due Process—The Proper Way
Due process is a right guaranteed to each member in Article X of the National Constitutions. If a member allegedly fails to fulfill his or her membership obligations, the chapter may place the member on warning. In the case of violations of school rules or the law, dismissal may be considered. Advisers and principals are reminded to familiarize themselves with the national policies for member discipline and dismissal. The “Discipline and Dismissal” section of the NHS and NJHS Adviser Resource Center provides all of the information each chapter needs to properly carry out this process. Improper dismissals can result in complaints filed with the national office and/or the reversal of improper dismissals. Your bylaws should include your chapter’s discipline and dismissal policies as well and be available to members.

NATIONAL STUDENT PROJECT DATABASE

There are more than 5,000 project ideas available at your fingertips! Log in now to the National Student Project Database on the NHS and NJHS websites for ideas from other schools and to submit your own successful projects!

Reminder: Please enter only projects that have been completed by your chapter, not proposed project ideas. Include project dates and photos (if you have them) along with your project description.

Is there something you’d like us to include in next month’s Honor Society News? Email your ideas or suggestions to [email protected].

IMPORTANT DATES

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