Iron Horse Middle School

IMPORTANT DATES:

• CJSF Semester 1 Membership Drive runs from Monday, August 26 through Friday, September 13.  No late applications will be accepted.  CJSF Semester 2 Membership Drive runs from Tuesday, January 14 through Tuesday, January 28, 2025.
• Click HERE for the 2024-2025 Semester 1 application link (8th graders only).  The link opens on Monday, August 26 at 8:00 a.m. through Friday, September 13 by 9:00 p.m.
• Semester 1 Due Dates:  Friday, December 13 - Semester 1 Volunteer Log is due.  Friday, December 13 - last day to submit dues (Semester 1);  $10 dues are paid once a year.
• Click HERE for the 2024-2025 Semester 2 application link (7th & 8th graders).  The link opens on Tuesday, January 14  at 8:00 a.m. through Tuesday, January 28  by 9:00 p.m.
• Semester 2 Due Dates: Wednesday, May 28 - Semester 2 Volunteer Log is due.  Wednesday, May 28 - last day to submit dues (Semester 2); $10 dues are paid only once a year.

WHAT IS CJSF?

CJSF stands for California Junior Scholarship Federation.  It is the Middle School's version of High School's CSF (California Scholarship Federation).

 

CJSF is a statewide organization founded for the purpose of fostering high standards of scholarship, service, and citizenship in the middle grades.  CJSF emphasizes service to the community while creating pride in scholastic achievement.  Click here to view the CJSF/CSF State Website.

Who is eligible for membership?

8th grade students apply in September and then again in January/February of their 8th grade year.7th-grade students are eligible to apply in January of their 7th-grade year after the grades from the previous fall semester are posted in Infinite Campus.6th graders are not eligible to apply.Students must reapply each semester.

When does CJSF meet?

CJSF typically meets during Student Support time (Tutorial) approximately once a month from September through May.  Meeting dates and times will post in the daily announcements and on the IHMS CJSF Google Classroom page. You will be invited to join our CJSF Google Classroom once you become a member.  Please try your best to attend as many meetings as possible.

What are the academic requirements for CJSF?

To qualify for membership each semester, follow these guidelines: 

• The courses that qualify for membership are Math, Science, English, History/Social Studies.
• CJSF points are granted as follows:

         A     =         3 points         B      =      1 point         C      =      0 points                     D/F   =      will disqualify membership if received in ANY class.

• You must earn TWICE the number of points than courses that meet the requirements.

Example: 4 qualifying courses x 2 = 8, so 8 points are required for the semester.  If you meet this requirement, you are eligible for CJSF membership for that semester only.  Reminder:  all members must reapply EACH semester to maintain membership.

What volunteer work is required?

In addition to the grade requirements above, students are required to complete 5 hours of volunteer service per semester to obtain all benefits of CJSF membership.  Tutoring, coaching, volunteer work at school and within the community can all be counted.  Any service that is not compensated and helps others qualifies. Work can be done at home or at another location.  Be creative, help people & have fun!! The goal is for members to balance their high academic achievement with public or school service. 

What are the benefits of CJSF membership?

CJSF Semester Members can attend all semester meetings.CJSF Honor Members:   Students who qualify for CJSF for ALL 3 semesters during 7th & 8th grade will be promoted "With Honors" at 8th grade promotion.  All CJSF Honor Members receive a CJSF gold pin that they can wear to Promotion, a gold seal on their Promotion Certificate, an asterisk (*) next to their name in the Promotion Program, will have their school records marked with CJSF, and they will be accepted as an Associate Member in CSF (the high school California Scholarship Federation) during their Freshman year and are able to attend CSF meetings instead of having to wait until their sophomore year.  

When do students apply?

8TH GRADERS:  Your Fall membership application is due in September and is based on your previous Spring semester grades.  No late applications can be accepted.  Don't forget to apply again in January for the SPRING SEMESTER of your 8th grade year using your Fall grades.7TH GRADERS:  The first time that you can apply for CJSF membership is in your 7th grade year after your FALL SEMESTER grades have been posted in Infinite Campus at the end of January.  Check the Important Dates section of the CJSF webpage.  Then apply again in Sept of your 8th grade year and a 3rd time in January of your 8th grade year.6TH GRADERS are not eligible for CJSF.  

HOW DO I APPLY?

• Wait for previous semester grades to post in Infinite Campus.
• Fill out the CJSF APPLICATION (see below for application link), using your school email. Personal emails will not work. Submit the application ONLINE ONLY with a PDF of your previous semester grades (see below for instructions). No printed grade reports will be accepted - they must be added to your CJSF Google Form application. CJSF also asks for $10 for  membership dues. This is only paid once/year. Drop it off in the IHMS office, to Mrs. Bassett, or at one of the meetings by the end of the qualifying  semester 
• The  $10 membership fee pays for IHMS's CJSF Annual State Membership fees, gold seals for promotion certificates, CJSF Honor Member pins, and club supplies.  A $10 check should be made payable to Iron Horse Middle School with CJSF written on the Memo line.
• You cannot apply for any semesters that you missed application due dates in the past.

2024/25  APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Fall 2024 CJSF membership is for current  8th grade students only using Spring Semester 2024 grades.7th graders must wait until Jan/Feb and apply for Spring semester membership. 6th graders are not eligible for CJSF.8th graders may apply both semesters.

To qualify for membership each semester, follow these guidelines:

• The only courses that qualify for membership are Math, Science, English, History/Social Studies.
• No points are earned for PE, a remedial or repeated course, summer school, or electives like Robotics, Video Production, Band, or Leadership.
• CJSF points are granted as follows:

         A     =           3 points         B      =      1 point         C      =      0 pointsD/F   =      will disqualify membership if received in ANY class.

• You must earn TWICE the number of points than courses that meet the requirements.
• (ex: 4 Qualifying courses x 2 = 8; 8 points are required for the semester).  If you meet this requirement, you are eligible for CJSF membership for that semester only.

 If you meet the grade requirements, please use the Google form application link. This is the only form you will need to submit for this application cycle.You are automatically a semester member if you meet the requirements AND submit an application.* YOU MUST REAPPLY EVERY SEMESTER! * Remember you need 3 semesters of CJSF membership to become a CJSF HONOR MEMBER.  * CJSF MEMBERS MUST ALSO VOLUNTEER AT LEAST 5 HOURS EACH SEMESTER *  Make sure you complete your 5 hours of volunteer service for the Fall 2024 Semester and turn in your Volunteer Logs by 12/13/2024.  Count any hours in which you volunteered from 9/1/24  through 12/13/2024 for Fall semester.   For the Spring semester, Volunteer Logs are due no later than 5/28/25.                                      * CJSF "HONOR MEMBERS": Your goal should be to become a CJSF HONOR MEMBER which is  3 out of 3 semesters during your 7th & 8th grade years.  If you accomplish this, you will be an "Honor Member" and will earn:

• a CJSF Honor member pin to wear at 8th Grade Promotion
• an asterisk (*) next to your name in the 8th Grade Promotion Program
• a gold seal on your Promotion Certificate
• your school records will be marked CJSF and you will be eligible to apply for CSF at your high school your freshman year instead of having to wait until your sophomore year.

If you have questions, please have your STUDENT email the CJSF Coordinator, Mrs. Bassett  at jbassett@srvusd.net

CJSF VOLUNTEER HOURS REQUIREMENT

 CJSF members must volunteer at least 5 hours each semester to attend the End of the Year party in May.  

 

* Volunteer Logs for each semester must be completed & turned into Mrs. Bassett or the IHMS office by the due date. *

 

Your volunteer hours may include work for a teacher, librarian or community service member.  There are many volunteer ideas & opportunities listed below.  However,  these are not all inclusive - be creative, help people & HAVE FUN!  You cannot include any activities that are required as part of a class or as part of Leadership.  

 

Unfortunately, CJSF or IHMS cannot reimburse you for any supplies or costs related to volunteering, so please make sure you are aware of any upfront costs before you volunteer.  Other than the animal shelters, there is rarely a cost associated with volunteering.

Volunteer ideas:

 

• East Bay SPCA - there is a cost to this one
• Food Bank of Contra Costa County
• Crayon Initiative
• Fundraising events at elementary, middle and high school.  Go to that school's website. (ie:  Twin Creeks Elementary)
• Buy or make cookies for the fire dept, police department, hospital (call them first to make sure they can accept donations of food)

• Peer Tutoring - see counselor Mrs. Bassett  at Iron Horse for peer tutoring opportunities.

Please see Mrs. Bassett in Room 401 if you have any questions.  

 

-For CJSF Fall Semester Application 

 

1. Log onto the San Ramon Valley Unified School District website and scroll down to the Infinite Campus Portal Login box (left side of the page). (http://www.srvusd.net) 

 

2. Click on the Infinite Campus Portal Login tab. 

 

3. Log in. 

 

4. Click on “Select A Student” tab and select your student. 

5.  Click on "Documents" tab (located on the left side of the screen). 

6.  Click on "Portal Transcript”.  This page displays the student report card for this semester.  (CJSF FALL SEMESTER APPLICATION requires the SEMESTER 2- 7th Grade Report). 

 

7. Take a photo of  this page and upload to the online membership application. 

1. Log onto the San Ramon Valley Unified School Districtl website and scroll down to the Infinite Campus Portal Login. (http://www.srvusd.net) 

 

2. Click on the Infinite Campus Portal Login tab. 

 

3. Log in. 

 

4. Click on “Select A Student” tab and select your student. 

5.  Click on "Documents" tab (located on the left side of the screen). 

 

6.  Click on "Portal Transcript”.  This page displays the student report card for this semester.  (CJSF SPRING SEMESTER APPLICATION requires the SEMESTER 1 Grade Report for both 7th and 8th graders). 

 

7. Take a photo of  this page and upload to the online membership application or email the photo 

     to Mrs. Bassett AFTER the online application has been submitted.