The Constitution and Bylaws of the

Newtown World Language Honor Society

 

Chapters

Spanish – Los Conquistadores            Italian – Da Vinci                 French                                                 Latin

 

Article I. Name and Classification

Section 1. The name of this organization is the Newtown World Language Honor Society and shall be referred to in this document as “WLHS”

Section 2. The purpose of the WLHS is to recognize high achievement in world languages by students of Newtown High School and to promote continuity of interest in culture and language studies.

 

Article II. Qualifications for Provisional Membership

Section 1. To be eligible for the WLHS, students must meet all the following criteria.

1. At the time of application students must currently be in Spanish or French level 3 or higher, or Italian or Latin level 2 or higher. 

2. Students must be signed up for Level IV or higher for Spanish and French; or level III or higher for Latin or Italian for the upcoming school year 

3. Transfer students must have spent one full semester in the program before eligibility.

4. Students must have an average of 90 or above in their world language class.

5. Students must have a cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.00 or higher.  

6. Students must have never failed a class due to attendance.

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Article III. Application and Initiation

Section 1. Members of the World Language Department will invite eligible students to apply in the beginning of May.

Section 2. Potential members must fill out an application to be submitted to their World Language teacher by the 4th Friday in May.

Section 3. The acceptance committee will be comprised of language teachers and an administrator.

Section 4. The application will be a personal statement that includes interest in language and culture, commitment to the betterment of Newtown High School and/or the community at large, and examples of character, leadership, honesty, service, and cooperation.

Section 5. Acceptance letters will be distributed no later than the 3rd Friday in September.

Section 6. The Initiation Ceremony will be the 3rd Thursday of May (pending facility availability.)

Section 7.  All hours for provisional inductees must be completed prior to the 2nd Thursday of April

Section 8. Application must be submitted in person to the student’s current world language teacher in person.  Electronic submissions will not be accepted. It must be a double-spaced, 2 page maximum document typed in 12-pt Times New Roman.

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Article IV. Qualifications for Formal Membership.

Section 1. Each year members must engage and document 8 hours of a WLHS committee approved activity that demonstrates academic and community commitment.

1. Academic Commitment is defined as current enrollment in a World Language Class and maintenance of an average of 85 or better in their World Language Class.

2. Community Commitment may be defined as, but is not limited to, participation in the following: participating in the World Language Week Committee; tutoring a Newtown High School student in the target language; volunteering to introduce language and culture to elementary school students; completing relevant community service for Newtown High School and/or the greater community; assisting the World Language Department.

3. Students must complete all 8 hours of community service by the last day of April or they will be declined formal membership, regardless of hours completed to date.

4. Community service hours may begin only after the first official meeting and must not be hours for another club or society.  Community service other than those offered specifically by the WLHS committee faculty members must be approved in writing by a WLHS committee faculty member to be admissible towards necessary hours.

Section 2. Students must continue to show academic integrity and character as delineated in the Newtown High School student handbook.

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Article V. Elections and Duties of Officers

Section 1. There are three different officers of the Society: President, Vice-President and Secretary.

Section 2. Officers are elected by interview process.

Section 3. A description of officers’ duties can be found in Addendum A.

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Article VI. Meetings

Section 1. Meetings are to be regularly scheduled by the WLHS President and faculty advisors. There shall be no less than one meeting per marking period.

Section 2. The last meeting of the year will take place after the spring induction ceremony to elect new officers for the coming year.

Section 3. Meeting attendance is required unless approved by a faculty advisor.

Section 4. Unexcused absence from meetings risks dismissal from the WLHS.

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Article VII. Awards and Recognition

Section 1. Faculty advisors may award the WLHS Certificate of Community Service to recognize initiated members who have rendered meritorious service. The number awarded is limited to ten percent of current members.

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Article VIII. Emergency Bylaws

Section 1. Additional regulations for facilitating the governance of the WLHS may be prepared whenever the exigencies for such changes arise. 

Section 2. Bylaws may be amended as needed by the WLHS faculty advisors. 

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