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Blackstone–Millville committee approves middle‑school Junior National Honor Society chapter
Summary
After debate over age and incentive effects, the school committee voted to allow a separate Junior National Honor Society chapter for middle‑school students, approving eligibility criteria that include high academic averages, service hours and teacher recommendations.
The Blackstone–Millville Regional School Committee on Oct. 9 approved a motion to establish or formally recognize a middle‑school chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS), allowing students who meet the program’s academic and service criteria to be inducted earlier.
The motion, made during the superintendent’s report and presented by district staff and invited presenters (identified in the meeting as Jenny and Barbara), authorizes a separate chapter where buildings are distinct and clarifies eligibility and continuity into high school. Committee members debated whether admitting sixth‑grade students would lower incentives for older students.
Supporters said NJHS provides a nationally recognized, academically focused leadership opportunity that complements other student leadership options. “I want to give my students more opportunity to be leaders,” the interim superintendent, Jill Pilgalerani, said during the presentation. Presenters explained that students typically apply after the first full semester of sixth grade, must meet core academic thresholds (presenters cited a 90 average in core courses as an example), obtain teacher recommendations, complete an essay and fulfill annual service‑hour requirements.
Opponents expressed concern about diluting an achievement older students must earn. Committee member Carrie Gotet said she worried “we’re taking away that achievement from the older kids” and cited high participation in early‑grade honor roll events as evidence the measure could reduce late‑middle‑school incentives.
The committee’s motion to implement the chapter structure and the presented criteria passed on a recorded voice vote; the board later summarized the tally as six in favor and one opposed. The superintendent and staff will implement details about induction timing, service‑hour requirements and how the chapter will flow into high‑school recognition.
Next steps: the district will finalize local application timelines and communicate eligibility and service‑hour expectations to families and teachers before the induction cycle.
