We are mindful that the world and the everyday look different for all of us as we deal with the COVID-19 impact. What matters most is the health and safety of everyone in your school and community. We all see people stepping up in this crisis to show that leadership goes beyond walls and school buildings.
It’s in our love for our communities that leadership becomes realized. We need to show the world our students in this light, not as young people awaiting news and the next announcement in this crisis, but as strong emerging leaders who jump in and help where needed.
Thank you, to both you and your students, for your continued leadership in these unprecedented times.
What do you want to hear from us? If you have specific topics and themes that you would like our program team to address in the coming weeks, please share with us here: https://forms.gle/bt9atKxyqykbXZet6
Webinar
Student Service and Leadership Beyond School Walls: Virtual NHS and NJHS
In this special-topic webinar, the national office highlights the chapter model and administration of Agora Cyber Charter School, which is a complete online learning environment for grades K–12. Co-advisers Rebecca Adams and Joanne Mulvey shared best practices on how to run a virtual Honor Society chapter, be creative in an online setting, and support student service and leadership activities from afar.
Resources for chapter management
Virtual Inductions
It is not mandatory for induction ceremonies to take place in person and accommodations can be made at the local level to conduct the ceremony online. Suggestions for creating a virtual experience have been added to the Adviser Resource Center on the Inducting Members page.
Adviser Resource Center
Your #1 resource for anything and everything you need to know about maintaining a chapter.
Online Store
The NEHS online store is now open to all (advisers, students, and their families) to purchase recognition and memorabilia items.
Resources from partner organizations
UNICEF
UNICEF is donating hygiene and medical kits to schools. UNICEF also provides a wealth of resources for everyone in the family, from little ones to teens, and grown-ups on how people can make a difference and stay sane during this time.
- A 1-pager for children on how to fight the virus
- A child rights coloring book
- A child rights activity book
- Know Your Rights, a workbook for kids ages 10-12 about human rights
- How to talk to your child about COVID-19
- How teachers can talk to children about COVID-19
NPR
No Kid Hungry
No Kid Hungry is committed to feeding children in need, especially now that many schools are not in session. They are working with superintendents, principals, food management services, public agencies, and most importantly, student advocates, to ensure that no kid goes hungry.
TAKE ACTION TODAY: Students across the country are losing the school meals they rely on, and their families are losing critical income. Join @NoKidHungry and @njhs_njhs in urging the Senate to #StrengthenSNAP in all packages being considered.: https://bit.ly/2X27wPV
Do you know a school or organization in your community working to ensure kids have the meals they need as schools close due to #COVID19? @NoKidHungry
and @nhs_njhs want to help! Share this application for emergency grant funds: https://bit.ly/3aG9aeo
As schools close in response to the #coronavirus, many students are losing the only healthy food they receive in a given day, join @nhs_njhs and help! Host a charity Stream for @NoKidHungry at https://bit.ly/3aAkSqx
Hey @njhs_njhs students, give shout-outs to teachers, nutrition directors, principals, cafeteria staff and volunteers here:https://bit.ly/2X74D0e
Virtual Service Ideas
-
First Book is collecting 7 million books for kids who lack internet access for home learning.
-
The Ultimate Google Doc has been crowdsourced with local volunteer efforts around the country and another master list of mutual aid groups
-
Relief International and Heart to Heart International are tackling the medical supplies shortage we are facing. If you want to organize an online fundraiser to support either of these groups financially, be creative, and do so (online campaigns are great!).
-
Shopping Angels is setting up a volunteer network to help those in need, especially elderly who need to protect themselves from this virus. They are also accepting donations.
-
If you can give blood, do it safely. Blood donation centers follow social distancing and public health guidelines to keep staff and donors safe. American Red Cross says there is a serious blood shortage.
-
Our friends at Youth Service America (YSA) have compiled some great general ideas and resources during this crisis: https://leadasap.ysa.org/gysd/#ideas