ENGLISH HONOR SOCIETY (EHS at LHS)

WELCOME & OVERVIEW:

Overview, Purpose, & Objectives: 

     The English Honor Society (EHS at LHS) is a club for students that possess a love of literature, poetry, art, film, music, performance arts, creative and analytical writing, and exploring all aspects of English Language Arts.  The membership honor for this club is offered annually in the early Spring Semester to all interested and eligible sophomores and juniors, via application approval and official invitation.  Membership lasts through senior year of high school for any that maintain an "Active Member in Good Standing Status".  The English Honor Society will involve top ELA students in academically and culturally enriching experiences, as well as fundraising and community service.  Activities may include book clubs, book talks, the study of theatre, shared creative writing, and attending live performances at a variety of theatres within the Lancaster community, the City of Buffalo, and around Western New York.  The English Honor Society will essentially provide a network of students who share an enthusiasm for the study of literature and literary endeavors.  We are also currently in the process of seeking National English Honor Society Chapter affiliation/recognition, and should likely complete the process and transition during/by the end of the 2022-23 school year.

New Member Invitation & Application:

     Membership in the English Honor Society Club (EHS at LHS) is an honor bestowed upon a student via invitation, AFTER application submission from eligible Sophomores and Juniors annually in mid-late December (@15 weeks into Q2 each year).  EHS at LHS local chapter COMPLETE applications are submitted by late December/early January, and reviewed for new member notification of prospective pledge membership in time to attend our mid-late January meeting.  At this meeting, pledge members will observe, meet other members, and decide whether to accept membership.  They will need to follow up by submitting grade transcripts for verification in early February, and then will be invited to join our Google Classroom account, which we use for all communication & updates.

     We will provisionally vote for those who complete the pledge process and are present at the start of our February General Membership Meeting.  These provisional members will have full active membership status and responsibilities for the 2nd semester.  A brief New Member Induction & Certificate Ceremony will accompany our Senior Honor Graduation Cord & End of Year Celebration at our last General Membership meeting in late April after Spring break.  Local dues ($10) for full year membership will be collected annually from new members in late Spring when T-Shirt orders are made.  In non-T-shirt order years, they will be made at our 1st EHS at LHS Mandatory Organizational Meeting in mid September (Date TBD), or by October 1st of each year for late dues. Go to the Application Page for further information on our application process.

Schedule:

     An anticipated annual schedule for 8-10 monthly general membership meetings will be posted annually in late August or the first days of September.  For the 2022-23 school year, EHS at LHS General Membership Meetings will be held in the AM (7-7:30AM) on the second or third Thursday of every month from September through April/May.  They will be held in room #214 in the first semester (Sept-Dec), and then shift to room #122 for the second semester (Jan-May).  MEETINGS MAY BE ALTERNATIVELY adjusted/scheduled in the AM (7:05-7:25AM) or the PM (2:25-2:55PM), as needed (TBD/TBA).  Officers are expected to attend additional monthly or extended meetings as appropriate.  Additional club Activity meetings/events may include all or any of the following: Fall Spirit Banner, Open House Table, Group Activity Photo, Christmas/Winter Holiday Tree Trimming & Door Decorating Party, a Possible Fundraiser (Valentines Day Bookmark/Candy Fundraiser), Short Story Club Meeting, Youth Bureau Volunteer Activituies, the Final End of Year Celebration, or other fundraising, volunteer, and special events/fundraisers as opportunities arise.  All meetings are subject to cancellation and/or change at the discretion of the advisor.

Communication:

     EHS members are 100% EXPECTED to check our Google Classroom account on a WEEKLY basis from early September through May, to look for announcements, club activity updates, schedule changes, and extra Attendance Credit (club sponsored community service, fundraising, and LHS volunteer) opportunities.  Members should also check in at least once per month in late June and late August to look for possible updates/notifications.  Members MUST communicate anticipated absences in ADVANCE, or within 24 hours of a missed meeting, in order for it to be considered an EXCUSED absence (otherwise it is UNEXCUSED). 

Meetings/Attendance Credits & "Active Member in Good Standing" 2022-23 Changes & Updates Reminder:

     If you need to be EXCUSED from a meeting, please be sure to notify Mr. Hultgren IN ADVANCE via email, or within 24 hours if a sudden emergency situation or last minute conflict unexpectedly arises;  Members will lose "Active Membership Status" and eligibility for extra club experiences (graduation cords, parties, references, etc...) if they do not pay their annual dues, if they do not make up for more than 1 excused absence in a semster, if they accumulate two (2) UNEXCUSED absences over the course of the year (one may be made up).  Three (3) UNEXCUSED absences within a school year will result in the member being automatically dismissed/dropped from "Active Membership Status" in our local LHS club chapter (However, a written appeal for reinstatement may be submitted in writing, clearly explaining the circumstances and how things will change in the future).  English Honor Graduation Cords for Seniors will be determined by Easter/Spring Break of each year, and will be awarded to those eligible at the End of Year Celebration in mid-late April when we give out EHS at LHS Senior Honor Graduation Cords and facilitate a New Member Induction Ceremony.  Go to the Attendance Credit Requirements Page for further information & opportunities regarding EHS at LHS Community Service, Fundraising, & Volunteer Hours.

Mr. Hultgren,

English Honor Society (EHS at LHS)

2022-23 ADVISOR