Honor Societies

Briarcliff High School National Honor Society
NYS Chapter:  00003265
Chapter Sponsor:  Kevin Courtney

The members of the National Honor Society are selected from the Junior class (and Senior class for any student who did not qualify as a Junior but attains the required GPA for eligibility in June of their Junior year), using criteria based on scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Students who strive to be members of this prestigious organization must show a dedication to community service, leadership in school organizations, and exemplary character. Eligible Juniors who have a weighted cumulative average of 93 (unrounded) after 4 semesters of work or an eligible senior after 6 semesters of work will receive NHS candidacy applications in October from the BHS National Honor Society advisor.

Students will receive official confirmation of their induction by October 11th.

National Honor Society members are involved in activities designed to improve their school environment, including an obligation to tutor other Briarcliff students, and assist their local and global communities; The BHS National Honor Society sponsors 1 or 2 annual blood drives during the school year.

Scholarship:  Students must have a weighted GPA of 93 (unrounded) to be eligible. These students will be eligible for consideration on the basis of service, leadership, and character.

Service:  This quality is defined through the voluntary contributions made by a student to the school or community, done without compensation and with a positive, courteous, and enthusiastic spirit.

Leadership:  Student leaders are those who are resourceful citizens, good problem solvers, promoters of school activities, and idea-contributors. They are students who are dependable and who exemplify positive attitudes about life. Leadership experiences can be drawn from school or community activities while working with or for others.

Character:  The student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics (has no infractions of academic integrity), is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, and shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others. Refer to Briarcliff District Code of Conduct Section VI Academic Conduct.

The 2024 Briarcliff High School National Honor Society Induction Ceremony date is TBD.

Please click here to download an application for NHS

BHS National Art Honor Society
Chapter: 885          
Sponsor: Ms. Ritacco       National Art Education Association #71402

The National Art Honor Society - NAHS is an international organization sponsored by the National Art Education Association. NAHS provides avenues for recognition of artistic talents and opportunities for leadership roles for visual arts students, while spotlighting the success and community work of our school art program.

The purpose of the chapter is to foster excellence and a dedicated spirit to the pursuit of art; to inspire and recognize students with outstanding ability in art; to further creative abilities of its members and to bring art to the attention of the school and community. Interested students are encouraged to enter art competitions (Young Arts, Scholastic Arts, etc) and submit their artwork to school publications.

Membership:
Students must apply for membership. Click here for application.  Application deadline:  October 26, 2023.

Membership is based on average grade, character and service.

To be eligible for selection, candidates grade 10, 11 or 12, must be enrolled in an art class and have a minimum average grade of 90 or above.

Students must demonstrate excellent character, upholding principles of morality and ethics, holding no infractions of academic integrity. Members must demonstrate cooperation, reliability and motivation and adhere to the Briarcliff District Code of Conduct.

Members are expected to volunteer their services to the community through visual arts. Community service activities  include: ‘Art Salon’ (annual art exhibition) preparation, maintenance of school gallery and website gallery, fundraising, “Memory Project” portrait drawing, mural painting, mentoring and volunteering for committees defined by officers.

New members will be inducted into NAHS at the end of the school year if they have honored their commitments (community service and art club attendance). Their names will be announced at the annual art exhibition typically held in April.

Responsibilities and expectations to maintain membership and privileges:
Members must complete at least 4 service hours in the visual arts each year and should participate in projects and fundraisers.

To remain in good standing, a member must pay the national annual dues of $5.00. This includes the chapter registration fee.

To maintain membership, 70% minimum attendance is required.

To graduate with NAHS honors and have the right to wear a cord at graduation, a member must remain in good standing until the graduation date.

Officers:
The a NAHS is a student governed organization. A majority of votes are necessary to elect an officer. Officers create goals, develop a community service calendar and plan activities. Responsibilities of the officers are as follows:

The President:
It is the duty of the president to preside over meetings and serve as the chapter’s program chair.

The Secretary:
The secretary shall keep minutes of the meetings, attendance, community service records and all business records.

The Treasurer:
The treasurer collects dues and attends to all money matters associated with fundraising, etc.

Exhibition Assistant:
Directs a committee of volunteers that works to showcase student art in school displays and digital galleries.

NAHS Opportunities:
Columbus College of Art and Design Scholarship
The Art Institutes NAHS Scholarship
Maryland Institute Scholarship
Pratt School of Art & Design Scholarship
NAEA Rising Star Award

Please click here to download application for the NAHS

New York State Math Honor Society

Briarcliff High School Chapter

Chapter Sponsor: Jennifer Murphy

Overview:

The New York State Math Honor Society is an organization designed to recognize and applaud the outstanding achievements of high school students in the field of mathematics. 

Mission Statement:

The mission and the purpose of this organization shall be: 

• To promote scholarship and to recognize academic excellence in mathematics among Briarcliff High School students;
• To provide opportunities for students to enjoy mathematics outside the classroom;
• To create awareness of the many math-related careers and applications of mathematics;
• To encourage mathematical service

Qualifications:

• Student must have successfully completed a minimum of 3 years of High School/College mathematics
• Minimum unweighted transcript grade of 90% in each honors high school math class or 93% in each non-honors high school math class
• Overall weighted GPA of 85%
• Complete and submit all required elements of the application by  Monday, September 23, 2024

Responsibilities/Expectations:

Members will be expected to:

• Peer tutor in the Math Lab or after school in the CLIFF once per 10-day cycle;
• Attend meetings and guest speaker presentations;
• Students must adhere to the Briarcliff District Code of Conduct, Section VI Academic Conduct;
• Maintain mathematical scholarship, service, character, and citizenship

Date/Location of Induction Ceremony:

• Tuesday, October 15, 2024 in the Middle School Theater.

Please click here to apply.

 

Click here for the 2024 - 2025 Student Information Packet for New Members.

Click here for the Continuing Membership Declaration for Returning Members.

 

Rho Kappa National Social Studies Honor Society

Briarcliff High School Chapter

Chapter Sponsor:  S. Buatti

OVERVIEW:
Rho Kappa Social Studies Honor Society is the only national organization for high school juniors and seniors that recognizes excellence in the field of Social Studies. RHO KAPPA provides national recognition and opportunities for exploration in the social studies.

MISSION STATEMENT: The mission and the purposes of this organization shall be:
• to promote scholarship and to recognize academic excellence in social studies among Briarcliff High School students;
• to provide opportunities for exploration in the social studies in school and the community;
• to encourage interest in, understanding of, and appreciation for the social studies.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Two teacher recommendations (see packet)
• Candidates achieving a minimum unweighted transcript grade of 90% in each Honors/AP high school Social Studies class or 93% in each non-honors high school Social Studies class.
• Overall weighted GPA of 90% GPA’s will not be rounded up.
• Applicant must be a student of good character upholds principles of morality and ethics (has no infractions of academic integrity), is cooperative, demonstrates high standards of honesty and reliability, and shows courtesy, concern, and respect for others. Refer to Briarcliff District Code of Conduct Section VI Academic Conduct.
• All required elements must be submitted before the submission deadline of Thursday, September 19, 2024 at 3pm.

DATE/LOCATION OF INDUCTION: TBD

RESPONSIBILITIES/EXPECTATIONS: Members will be expected to: • To fulfill a need, to be decided by the membership each year, within the school or community or provide a service to either group; • To attend meetings and guest speaker presentations; • Students must adhere to the Briarcliff District Code of Conduct, Section VI Academic Conduct.

Please click here to download the application packet for Rho Kappa

Briarcliff High School National Honor Society for Dance Arts 
New York State Chapter #NY0033
Chapter Sponsor: Diane Guida

General Descriptor
The National Honor Society for Dance Arts™ (NHSDA) is a program of the National Dance Education Organization (NDEO). The National Honor Society for Dance Arts is run on an institutional basis. Chapters are set up at individual schools, and only students who are enrolled in dance classes at that school may apply for induction. Students not enrolled in the Briarcliff High School Dance Program are not eligible for induction in this chapter. 

Mission

¨     To recognize outstanding artistic merit, leadership, and academic achievement in students studying dance.

¨     To foster an appreciation for dance as a true art form and one worthy of recognition and prestige.

Student Benefits

1.     Recognition of their artistic merit, academic achievement, and leadership throughout their    

educational experience both within and outside the Chapter.

2.     Certificates of Induction, opportunity to wear the gold Honor Pin and blue and white Honor Cord

3.     Continue opportunity to earn points after induction for further honors recognition.

4.     Mentorship from Chapter Sponsor and networking with peers

5.     Resources for research and events through NDEO.

Who is Eligible?

Dancers who are enrolled in the Briarcliff High School Dance Program and actively participate in dance opportunities provided by the program beyond the course content.  Inductions may begin in the Sophomore year of dance.

Eligibility Criteria for Induction - Earned Participation Points

·       A minimum of 30 points awarded by the Chapter Sponsor for activities in dance that meet the honor society’s general guidelines*.  The Chapter Sponsor may use his or her discretion in awarding according to the duration and quality of the activity, as it relates to dance as an art form. The awarding of points will not be based solely on performance nor dance technical expertise. 

·     At the sponsor’s discretion, a student may earn up to 10, of total points, with prior approval, while participating in dance activities outside of the chapter program.

·       Students may begin accumulating points in the middle school through the Briarcliff Middle School 8^th grade dance class and BMS Dance Club.

·       Students must maintain a dance course average requirement of 93% throughout each school year.  Overall GPA is not factored into the applicant’s eligibility for this particular society, as set forth by the National Sponsor.

* NHSDA National Induction Activity/Point System - Guideline 

The chapter sponsor is responsible for assigning points to the application submission.
Point Range is .50-3.0

Category		Activity
Participation Dance Program		*Successful completion of chapter site dance courses with a minimum average of 93% (includes 93% attendance). *Performance in chapter site dance program concerts (includes rehearsal) *Participation in chapter site extra/co-curricular dance presentations (Assemblies, MS Club, HS Musical Field Trips, Workshops, other)
Participation Chapter Activities that reflect BHS dance program goals		*NHSDA Annual Induction Ceremony, professional dance performances with written critique connecting professional dance performance to classroom content.  Writing quality counts. *Choreography projects completed outside of class assignments.  (e.g., PTA Reflections submission, Wellness Day, Senior Citizen’s Tea, MLK Assembly) *Scholarship – Written dance papers, 8th grade project, published articles.
Leadership		*Assist Chapter Officers, dance mentor, teaching assistant, etc.
Participation in Duties Related to Dance Production		*Crew:  Backstage, Wardrobe, Costume Inventory, Make-up Artist, Hair Artist, Rehearsal Director, Strike, PR, Box Office, Playbill design, Photographer, Videographer

 

Character Requirement

·       Students must adhere to the Briarcliff District Code of Conduct, Section VI Academic Conduct.  Integrity is everything.

·    Students must demonstrate positive, collaborative teamwork, motivation, and leadership in all dance activity.  (e.g. consistent and prompt attendance to activities, actively engaged committee member, participation in service projects with the chapter).

·       The student must display excellent conduct and behavior at all times both in the program activity and within the overall school environment by showing concern for safety and well-being of self and others.  Disruptive behavior in or outside of the studio, bullying or mistreating others, poor studio/performance etiquette will be considered less that excellent.

How Does a Student Apply for Induction?

·       Students in each dance class receive an annual orientation that is highly detailed so that questions and concerns can be addressed by the Chapter Sponsor and for any changes that arise in the process. A format for application submission is also presented.

·     Students are responsible for documenting all their activities that are deemed worthy of points, as noted in the guidelines.  Students should keep both an electronic and hard copy folder of programs, photos, certificates, letters, brochures, etc., that will help to support the application.

·Applications must be submitted to the Chapter Sponsor in the specified format by the date and time given each June.  This is a hard deadline.  After applications are reviewed, students and parents will receive a letter of acceptance or ineligibility.   Acceptance letters will direct students to then fill out a form at www.nhsda-ndeo.org by a given date. Students should take this step online and pay appropriate fees to the Chapter Sponsor “only” after receiving confirmation of meeting all application criteria.  As of 2018 the total fee was $33 for the application, honor cord, and logo pin however, fees are updated periodically.

Date/Location of Induction

TBD

Responsibilities/Expectations for Members

·       Inductees are expected to participate in program activities to strengthen the chapter. 
NHSDA members in good standing may continue to accumulate points for continued meritorious work in dance which may lead to a nomination for the NDEO Artistic, Leadership and Academic Achievement Award (seniors only). The additional points may lead to honors and other recognitions at the discretion of the Chapter Sponsor, and may take the form of certificates, public announcement, school ceremonies and at annual dance concert/events. Students who do not remain in good standing will be reviewed on a case by case basis to determine a plan to remain active in the society.