Academic Awards
CJSF Applications for Membership
CJSF Applications for Membership
WINDOW IS NOW CLOSED -it will open 9/28 to 10/2.
The following links for application and payment will be working through 9/28 to 10/2.
CJSF Google Form CJSF Payment Site
One of the highest academic honors that students can earn in secondary school is the California Junior Scholarship Federation award. The CJSF is a nationwide honor society recognized by companies & institutions that, in some instances, have been known to award scholarships. The CJSF is an academic membership to which students must apply.
Membership is for the semester following the grade period. There are no retroactive memberships given. Membership must be renewed each semester. To earn the official Honor Membership Pin, students must have been a member of CJSF at least three times during their tenure at Kastner.
To Qualify for CJSF Membership this semester-follow the guidelines. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
- You must earn TWICE the number of points than courses in which you are enrolled that meet membership requirements (ex.: 5 eligible courses, 10 points).
- No CJSF points shall be given for Physical Education, courses involving clerking or office/teacher assisting, and courses taken on a pass/fail basis
CJSF semester points are calculated based on grades at Kastner Intermediate as follows:
A = 3 CJSF points
B = 1 CJSF point
1 extra point for an A or a B in an AP, or Honors-designated course, not to exceed two such
points per semester
C or Pass = 0 CJSF points
D or F in any subject shall disqualify the student from membership for the semester.
Both the application and payment need to be completed to have your application processed and reviewed.
Charter Rules prohibit us from taking late applications, therefore, applications are only accepted during the application window dates.
If you need assistance to confirm if you qualify, please email Mrs. Banuelos at MarinaBanuelos@cusd.com or you may call (559) 327-2613.
You may also reach out to Ms. Jaurique, our CJSF Advisor at bridgettejaurique@cusd.com.
The THUNDERBIRD AWARD is the highest, most prestigious award a student may earn at Kastner Intermediate School. The honor is available to seventh and eighth grade students and is awarded at the end of the year at the Principal's Award Reception. The criteria for earning this award reflects a broad base of participation, achievement and service. To earn the THUNDERBIRD AWARD, a student must accrue a minimum of points in four distinct categories:
- MIND - Scholarship
- MIND - Co-Curricular
- BODY - Physical Activity and Effort
- SPIRIT - Personal Service
The purpose of this award is to recognize these well-rounded individuals who exemplify the qualities that Kastner Intermediate hopes to foster in all of its students: (1) the desire for self-improvement, (2) dedication and commitment in reaching goals, (3) concern for and service to others, and (4) the willingness to be a positive role model to others.
Download and print the complete Thunderbird Award Packet and Point Sheet-the application window is now CLOSED (4/24/26)
MLK Educational Contests
2026-2027 Contest Theme
Building the Beloved Community: Every Voice. Every Heart. Every Hand.
“The aftermath of nonviolence is the creation of the beloved community. The aftermath of nonviolence is redemption. The aftermath of nonviolence is reconciliation. The aftermath of violence are emptiness and bitterness. This is the thing I’m concerned about. Let us fight passionately and unrelentingly for the goals of justice and peace. But let’s be sure that our hands are clean in this struggle. Let us never fight with falsehood and violence and hate and malice, but always fight with love, so that when the day comes that the walls of segregation have completely crumbled in Montgomery, that we will be able to live with people as their brothers and sisters.”
Source & Grounding Quote: “The Birth of a New Nation,” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., 1957.
Additional information can be found here: 26 27 MLK Educational contest series