River Hill High School

River Hill High School

Honor Council

Application Packet

At River Hill High School we believe that academic integrity is most effective when promoted at a grassroots level, by the students and for the students.

Honor Council (HC) Objectives

· The Honor Council will act as an educating body by which individuals learn from their academic integrity violations through impartial and confidential HC Hearings.

· The Honor Council will convene to discuss, develop, and design tools to foster academic integrity within the school.

· The Honor Council will work collaboratively with the Academic Integrity Committee, administration, and the student body to strategically develop and implement academic integrity standards.

The Honor Council convenes every Wednesday during the scheduled Advisory period at school. Students should expect occasional before school and after school meetings as well. Students should expect to represent the Honor Council at various school functions and complete assigned tasks in a timely manner.

Selection Criteria

· Excellent attendance and punctuality (95%)

· No Academic Integrity violations on school record

· A minimum 2.0 GPA with no D's or E's

· Positive attitude and eagerness to learn

· Interest in promoting academic integrity

· Is a person of character and respected by other community members

· Has time to commit to Honor Council, i.e. not an officer in FBLA, SGA, etc.

Note: The Council is committed to a code of confidentiality. Members are expected to keep the details of each student case private, as required by the Honor Council Constitution. Members are also expected to remain impartial during HC hearings. Those who cannot follow this guideline should not apply.

Procedures for Application

1. Read all information carefully before completing the application

2. Type or print in black or dark blue ink the information requested

· Student Application

· Short Response

3. Submit the following forms to their respective recipients. Allow teachers and counselors an appropriate amount of time to complete this portion of your application.

· Teacher Recommendations (2)

· Counselor Verification

4. Return the Student Application and Short Response to Ms. Jewett or Ms. Schnaar, Faculty Advisors (mailboxes in the Front Office). Teacher Recommendations and Counselor Verification will be submitted directly to Ms. Jewett or Ms. Schnaar from their sources.

5. Applicants will be interviewed, and all applications are subject to review by River Hill High School staff members.

NOTE: Once appointed, students have the option of remaining on the Honor Council for the duration of their tenure at River Hill.

Applications, including recommendations and short response, are due by February 24^th, 2011.

Honor Council

Student Application Form

Type or print using black or dark blue ink

Last Name ____________________________ First ____________________ MI ______

Address ________________________________________________________________

City ______________________________ State _________________ Zip ____________

Home phone ____________________________ Email ___________________________

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name(s) ______________________________________________

Grade Level _______________ Advisory teacher _____________________________

I have read and understand the information regarding acceptance into the River Hill Honor Council and give permission to the designated school officials to forward or release school records as required. I understand that the recommendation forms and other data will be maintained in confidence by all members of the Selection Committee.

___________________________________________________________________________

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

Student Signature Date

Provide the names of two teachers to whom you are giving recommendation forms. One recommendation must be from a current teacher. Attach the completed forms to your application.

Teacher’s Name: ______________________________ Subject taught_________________

River Hill High School

Honor Council

Teacher Recommendation Form

_________________________ _______________________________

Student’s Last Name First Name

_________________ ________________ ____________________

Teacher’s Name Subject Academic year that student was in your class

Directions: Use the rating scale below to complete the checklist. Return the completed form to Ms. Jewett or Ms. Schnaar's mailbox by the following date: December 23rd, 2009.

4 Excellent Exhibits this trait consistently

3 Good Exhibits this trait frequently

2 Average Exhibits this trait occasionally

1 Poor Exhibits this trait rarely

NA Do not have enough information to respond to this

Character Traits

Do you believe that this student would be an appropriate member of River Hill’s Honor Council? ____yes ____ no. Please write any relevant comments below:

River Hill High School

Honor Council

Teacher Recommendation Form

_________________________ _______________________________

Student’s Last Name First Name

_________________ ________________ ____________________

Teacher’s Name Subject Academic year that student was in your class

Directions: Use the rating scale below to complete the checklist. Return the completed form to Ms. Jewett or Ms. Schnaar's mailbox by the following date: December 23rd, 2009.

4 Excellent Exhibits this trait consistently

3 Good Exhibits this trait frequently

2 Average Exhibits this trait occasionally

1 Poor Exhibits this trait rarely

NA Do not have enough information to respond to this

Character Traits

Do you believe that this student would be an appropriate member of River Hill’s Honor Council? ____yes ____ no. Please write any relevant comments below:

River Hill High School

Honor Council

Counselor Verification Form

____________________________ __________________________

Student’s Last Name First Name

____________ ______________________________

Current Grade Guidance Counselor

Student’s current GPA: ____ (weighted) _____ (unweighted)

Number of Absences: ____

Number of Lateness: ____

_____ I support the acceptance of this student as a member of RH’s Honor Council

_____ I do not support the acceptance of this student as a member of RH’s Honor Council

Additional Comments:

___________________________________________________________________________

Counselor’s Signature Date

Return the completed form to Ms. Jewett or Ms. Schnaar's mailbox by the following date: December 23rd, 2009.

Please return this form to Ms. Jewett or Ms. Schnaar by the following date: December 23^rd, 2009.

River Hill High School

Honor Council

Short Response Questions

Answer the following questions on a separate sheet of paper. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers- simply respond with your honest thoughts and ideas. Please limit the total length of your answers to these questions to no more than three pages double-spaced.

1. Membership on the Honor Council requires time commitment during Advisory every week and sometimes before/after school. Are you involved in any other activities (sports, clubs, honor societies, jobs)? If so, please list all of your current activities as well as those in which you plan to be involved during the school year.

2. What unique quality, talent, background, or experience would you bring to Honor Council if selected?

3. Why do you think it is important to promote academic integrity and honor in a high school community?

4. Please describe an ethical dilemma in your life and what you did to overcome it, or please describe a moment when you cheated. Why did you do it?

5. Your friend Diane has been under a lot of stress lately. She's doing poorly in her classes and is afraid of disappointing her parents. Diane has an English paper due, and you pay her a visit to cheer her up. You knock on the door to her room. She's not there, so you go in, figuring she's gone to the bathroom. While waiting, you decide to check your email on her computer. You notice an old paper by another student on her desk and suddenly realize it appears to be identical to the one on the screen. Suddenly, Diane walks in, and you confront her and tell her she must not plagiarize. She bursts into tears and angrily accuses you of violating her privacy by snooping around her desk. What do you do? (Adapted from 1997 Resident Advisor Training)

6. Why do you want to serve on the Honor Council?

Thank you for your interest in the Honor Council.