Bienvenidos ~ Benvenuto ~ Bienvenue ~ 歡迎
Welcome to the Ramapo Indian Hills High School World Languages Department. The RIH District currently offers courses of study in Chinese, French, Italian, and Spanish at a variety of academic levels. We pride ourselves in offering a program that focuses on interpretive, interpersonal, and presentational modes of communication while engaging our students in 21st century skills. Our teachers utilize best practices in their content areas and create Integrated Performance Assessments. We are encouraging our students to explore the language, the culture, and become global thinkers; by making cultural connections and comparisons, we become sensitive to diversity and learn more about ourselves as individuals and citizens in an ever-changing world.
❝If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.❞
‒Nelson Mandela
Subject Supervisor
Erika McGavin
emcgavin@rih.org, ext 3353
Chinese
Ting Liu tliu@rih.org Voicemail extension: 5034
French
Natalie Deming ndeming@rih.org Voicemail extension: 6043
Maria Tombalakian mtombalakian@rih.org Voicemail extension: 5023
Italian
Elisa Britnell ebritnell@rih.org Voicemail extension: 5015
Susan Ciambriello sciambriello@rih.org Voicemail extension: 5089
Graziella Lazzara glazzara@rih.org Voicemail extension: 6183
Spanish
Olivia de Diego odediego@rih.org Voicemail extension: 6056
Erika McGavin emcgavin@rih.org Voicemail extension: 3353
Cherie McLaughlin cmclaughlin@rih.org Voicemail extension: 6059
Reina Viruet rviruet@rih.org Voicemail extension: 5154
Patricia Wehran pwehran@rih.org Voicemail extension: 6093
Clubs & Activities
French Club - Advisor: TBD
Italian Club - Advisor: TBD
Spanish Club - Advisor: Cherie McLaughlin
INDIAN HILLS HIGH SCHOOL
WORLD LANGUAGE NATIONAL HONOR SOCIETY
Advisors:
Ms. Laura Astorina - lastorina@rih.org
Ms. Oliva de Diego - odediego@rih.org
Class of 2022 Induction Ceremony
Friday, December 3rd - 7PM - IHHS Auditorium
WLNHS Purpose / Mission:
The purpose of the World Language National Honor Society, also known as WLNHS, is to recognize high achievement in the study of a language. The mission is to promote high standards of scholarship in language studies, support and encourage language studies, stimulate interest in and enthusiasm for language studies.
National Honor Societies:
Indian Hills High School is proud to offer four National Honor Societies to our students:
Società Onoraria Italica, Ramo Dante Alghieri
Société Honoraire de Français: Branche #3542
Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica, Capítulo Antonio Maceo
全美中文荣誉学会简介
Academic Requirements:
Honors Track: In order to qualify for induction under the “Honors Track”,
the student must be a senior,
must have completed three consecutive years of the same language at the high school level.
must have earned a final grade of B+ or better in all Honors level language courses (A- in all CPE courses).
although it is preferred, it is not necessary for the senior to be enrolled in a 4th year of the language, provided that s/he has successfully taken at least 1 honors course; receiving a B+ or better in all Honors courses, and an A- or better in all CPE courses.
any student not enrolled in a fourth year must demonstrate commitment to the language and culture and how they will continuously immerse in the language and culture on a monthly basis.
CPE Track: In order to qualify for induction under the “CPE Track”,
the student must be a senior,
must have completed 3 consecutive years of the same language at the high school level.
must have earned a final grade of A- or better in all CPE level courses.
must be enrolled in the fourth year of the language.
Other considerations:
Candidates applying for membership possess or are working toward the following personal goals:
Language Performance
Exhibit a sincere interest and enthusiasm for the language
Take risks in communication inside and outside the language classroom
Cultural Awareness
Display a sincere appreciation for culture(s)
Demonstrate open-mindedness and acceptance of cultural differences
Make an effort to be part of activities and events in the community that involve other languages and cultures
Personal Qualities
Respect the rights and dignity of all people
Represent the high standards of the WLNHS
Demonstrate leadership qualities
Work well with others
Possess a strong work ethic
Be optimistic and enthusiastic
Be positive role models
Benefits:
Membership in the distinctive Language Honor Society
Official recognition that can be included on college applications
Program recognition at graduation for active members
Hold an office position and vote
Possible eligibility for scholarships for studying abroad (varies by language)
The right to wear your society's pin, medal or cord at graduation as a symbol of accomplishment
Application, Initiation and Induction:
Students who meet the eligibility requirements will receive an email invitation.
Students may seek membership by submitting a completed application, which will include:
Application form
Writing sample in the target language (to be completed by hand with the advisor on established dates and communicated with students)
Reflection questions (your responses must be typed)
A personal statement to include interest in the language
Personal qualifications
Description of personal qualities and examples of character, leadership, honesty, service and cooperation (reflection questions)
Permission Slip, Current Status Acknowledgement, Commitment of Agreement, Commitment to Promote Immersion of Language and Culture
Screenshot of current grades
Screenshot of WL class grades (assignments included)
Signed Affidavit
Completed applications will be reviewed by the WLNHS advisor.
Acceptance emails will be sent once decisions are made, but students are not considered members until they are officially inducted on the established due date.
There will be a formal induction ceremony. Family members of initiates are invited to attend.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Denials / Appeals:
Any candidate that was denied membership and believes that their membership application and/or writing sample was not accurately evaluated, has the right to an appeal.
An appeals form must be completed and the decision must be appealed to the building principal.
Any candidate that would like a more detailed explanation, may speak with the WLNHS advisor, however, only the principal has the right to overturn this decision.
Duties include but are not limited to:
Regular attendance at WLNHS meetings.
Giving back to the community through a variety of projects approved by WLNHS.
Holding peer-tutoring sessions to offer assistance to fellow students enrolled in lower level language classes.
Preparation for and assistance prior to and during World Language Week.
Attendance at the Induction Ceremony.
Qualifications for Continued Membership:
To maintain active membership in the WLNHS, students must demonstrate academic, community and global commitment.
Maintain a required honor average of a “B+” or higher in honors/AP language classes and an A- or higher in CPE language classes.
Provide a copy of grades at the end of each marking period.
Remain enrolled in the language class (if deemed necessary for qualification)
Provide a monthly report demonstrating continued intent to immerse in the target language and culture (for students not enrolled in the 4th year).
Follow ALL school rules as published in the Student Handbook and on the RIH website.
Follow the guidelines of the WLNHS (全美中文荣誉学会简介, Società Onoraria Italica, Ramo Dante Alghieri, Société Honoraire de Français, Sociedad Honoraria Hispánica) as stated in the school handbook and specific society website.
Attend the Induction Ceremony and all associated rehearsals.
Attend any mandatory and all general WLNHS membership meetings.
Partake in and help with World Language week and its activities.
Serve the Indian Hills community by offering academic assistance to fellow students enrolled in lower level language courses via the WLNHS Peer-Tutoring Program as needed.
Demonstrate actions based on positive and proactive leadership, character and service to the school and the community through the activities of WLNHS.
Membership Termination:
The student is no longer in a language class (as deemed necessary)
The student’s language grade falls below honor average as expected
The student no longer meets the qualifications listed in the considerations above
The student does not follow through with duties/responsibilities of WLNHS
There is misconduct, insubordination and or any other infraction deemed serious by administration
Additional Information:
If students have questions about WLNHS, they should contact the WLNHS advisor.