Student/Parent Guidebook

To view the contents of the Galloway Township Public Schools Guidebook, either scroll down the page, or click on a topic below:

School Hours	Rights of Parents	Affirmative Action Grievance Procedure
District Wide Behavior and Discipline Policy	Promotion and Retention Policy	Pupil Assistance Committee
GTMS Behavior and Discipline Policy	Child Care Program	School Safety
Emergency Closing	Student Textbooks	Specialized Programs
Homework	Visitors	Attendance
Drug/Weapon Free School Zone and Bias/Hate Crime Laws	Release of Pupils During School Hours	Residency and School Attendance
Student Progress and Parent Conferences	Student Health Services	Tardiness
Pupil Records	Affirmative Action	Home Instruction
Zero Tolerance	Acceptable Use Policy

In order to provide all our students with a safe and orderly environment in which to learn, we must have the cooperation of all students and all parents. We expect all of our students to conduct themselves as responsible individuals in class, during lunch and recess, in the halls, on the bus, etc. We believe our school-wide approach is a constructive, no-nonsense approach. Students must adhere to school rules and procedures at all times and accept responsibility for their behavior.

A reprimand will be given to the first time offender for minor infractions. Continued infractions will result in appropriate disciplinary actions, such as loss of privileges.

The parent of a child who experiences repeated difficulty will be asked to attend a conference to discuss the matter and to work with the teacher and administration in finding a solution.

A student who is referred to the principal/assistant principal has resisted efforts to improve his/her behavior and persists in maintaining a disruptive pattern of action. The principal/assistant principal has the legal authority to suspend a student from school. Please be advised, “Any student who is guilty of continued and willful disobedience, or of any open defiance of authority of any teacher or person having authority over him, or the habitual use of profanity or obscene language, or who shall cut, deface, or otherwise injure school property, shall be liable to punishment and suspension or expulsion from school.” NJSA 18A:37-2.

1. Classroom: All teachers share in the responsibility of maintaining an orderly school atmosphere. Students must follow each teacher's guidelines.
2. Halls: Students must remember that other classes may be in session when they are passing through the halls. The following guidelines have been established:
   1. quiet must be maintained
   2. students must walk in a single file and keep to the right
   3. pushing, shoving, running, blocking, etc. will not be tolerated.
   Failure to comply will result in disciplinary action.
3. Cafeteria: In order to maintain an orderly atmosphere in the cafeteria, the following practices must be followed:
   1. there is to be a REASONABLE level of noise in the cafeteria
   2. students will sit at their assigned tables and remain seated
   3. no one is to leave the cafeteria without permission
   4. no food is to be taken out of the cafeteria
   5. no student is allowed to charge his/her meals
   6. each student is required to leave the floor and table clean before leaving
   7. there is no throwing of food or other objects
4. Personal Property: We cannot accept responsibility for the loss or theft of personal valuables which are brought to school. Please do not bring items such as expensive jewelry or money to school. Radios, video games, tape recorders, walkman radios, etc., are not permitted on the bus or in school.
5. School Bus: Pupils are not permitted to ride on any bus other than their regularly assigned bus. Only the principal/assistant principal may grant an exception to this rule and then only under emergency conditions. Riding the school bus is a privilege. It is imperative that all students observe the rules of proper conduct while riding the bus. To ensure the safety of all the students, these rules will be strictly enforced:
   1. the driver is in full charge of the bus and the pupils
   2. serious misbehavior by students will result in suspension from riding the bus. If this occurs, parents will be responsible for providing transportation to and from school
   3. no pupil shall, at any time, extend his/her hands, arms, head, or any other parts of the body out of the window, whether the bus is in motion or is standing still
   4. all students are to remain seated until the bus arrives at the destination and comes to a complete stop
   5. obscene language, throwing or shooting objects, excessive noise, and other actions relating to distractions to the bus driver are prohibited
   6. any and all willful damage to the bus will be paid for by the offender or his/her parents. Violation of these rules will result in disciplinary action which may include the suspension of bus privileges.
6. Appropriate Dress: Neatness of appearance of all students is encouraged. There is a relationship between personal appearance and conduct. Clothing must also be appropriate for activity, therefore, long skirts which hinder motion and which are a safety hazard should not be worn, nor should certain sandals, thongs, and platform shoes be permitted. Halter tops and cleated athletic shoes are not acceptable for school wear. Sunglasses (unless prescription), hats, and other types of outdoor clothing are to be removed while the student is in the building.

   Parents are requested to assist in keeping their children within these codes to develop a sense of pride as well as contribute to the attitude of the student body as a whole. A good partnership may require you to say “no” at home so the school can devote its time to instruction.

   Failure to comply with any of the above guidelines will result in disciplinary action.