newsletter

Principal's Message

Dear GTMS Families,

As we close another successful school year at Galloway Township Middle School, I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation to our students, staff, families, and community for making the 2025-2026 school year such a memorable one.

This year was filled with learning, growth, achievements, and countless moments that showcased what it truly means to Respect the Paw. Whether in the classroom, on the stage, on the field, or through acts of kindness and leadership, our students continued to make us proud each and every day.

To our 8th-grade students, congratulations on your promotion! You have worked hard to reach this milestone, and we are excited to see all that you will accomplish in high school and beyond. Continue to challenge yourselves, embrace new opportunities, and lead with confidence.

To our returning students, we look forward to welcoming you back in September as we begin another exciting chapter together. The 2026-2027 school year will bring new opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve great things.

As summer begins, I encourage everyone to take time to relax, recharge, and enjoy time with family and friends. Stay safe, make wonderful memories, and come back ready for another great year.

"The future belongs to those who step forward with courage, embrace change, and never stop growing."

Have a wonderful summer!

Warm regards,

Paula Junker

#Connect with GTMS

7th Grade Orientation

August 12

Times will be shared over the summer

Sports Physicals

August 17, 18, 24, 25

9AM-1PM

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26-27 Sports Physical Packet.pdf

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GTMS Activities & Clubs

National Junior Honor Society

We are excited to share that we will be bringing back the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) at GTMS next year!

To our current 7th grade students, please review the details and requirements for participation below. In the fall, invitations will be shared with students who meet the criteria and will have the opportunity to apply for this distinguished recognition.

For our incoming 7th graders, we encourage you to take a look at the requirements so you can begin preparing now—set your goals for the year and work toward earning this honor.

We look forward to recognizing students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, character, and citizenship.

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NJHS Membership Requirements 2026.docx.pdf

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Congratulations to our 8th graders on your promotion! We are so proud of all you have

accomplished during your time at GTMS.

Wishing you the very best as you head into high school—continue to work hard, stay kind,

and make the most of every opportunity ahead!

Team F

Team G

Team E

🎉 Attendance Streak Grand Prize Winners! 🎉

We are excited to celebrate our eight Attendance Streak Grand Prize winners this week! These students were selected from over 3,250 tickets earned by students who successfully met the monthly attendance streak challenge from September through May. Each winner received family-pack prizes including Island Waterpark tickets (Showboat) and/or a Mini Golf & Lunch voucher for four (Oceans Resort)—a fun way to celebrate their commitment to being present and ready to learn every day!

We are especially proud to share that we ended the year with 42 students earning perfect attendance for the entire school year—an incredible accomplishment!

One highlight of this year’s celebration: one of our grand prize winners had previously struggled with attendance and was on an attendance action plan last year. This year, she not only won a grand prize—but also achieved perfect attendance. A true example of growth, perseverance, and success!

👏 Attendance Streak Winners 👏

7th Grade

• Eric Forbey

• Divi Dand

• Connor Bruscato

• Samantha Agbotse

8th Grade

• Dylan Riess

• Abigail Gable

• Ava Hall

• Timothy Mohr

Thank you to our students and families for your continued partnership in making “Respect the Paw” a daily commitment—attendance matters, and we’re proud of this year’s progress! 🐾

Team F Annual Egg Drop Challenge

Team F hosted its annual Egg Drop Challenge with support from the Bayview Fire Department. Our firefighters carefully lifted and dropped student-designed protective cases to test their engineering skills and creativity in action.

Some designs successfully protected their eggs from the fall, while others cracked under pressure—offering valuable lessons in design, problem-solving, and resilience.

Students demonstrated innovation, teamwork, and critical thinking as they worked to build structures capable of keeping their eggs safe during the drop.

A sincere thank you to the Bayview Fire Department for their partnership in providing this engaging, hands-on STEM experience for our students.

NatureFest Learning Experience

Middle school students had the exciting opportunity to participate in NatureFest, where they took on the role of teachers for our elementary students. Together, they explored native New Jersey plants and animals, shared their knowledge, and helped younger students learn about the importance of local ecosystems.

The experience also included a nature walk, giving students a chance to observe and connect with the natural environment firsthand while reinforcing concepts of conservation and stewardship.

It was a wonderful day of cross-grade collaboration, outdoor learning, and environmental appreciation.

8th Grade Trip

☀️ Our 8th Grade Trip to Beachcomber Campground (@beachcomber_camp) was an incredible way to celebrate the end of the school year!

The staff at Beachcomber were exceptionally kind, patient, and welcoming to our students. We truly could not have asked for a better setting for our end-of-year celebration. Their generosity even extended to providing each student with a coupon for a future visit!

Our 8th graders had a fantastic day filled with fun, laughter, and lasting memories. Their feedback says it all—“best day ever,” “can we go back?”, and even a few reminders that shoes and towels don’t matter much when you’re having that much fun!

A special thank you to our FSA for their continued support and to our dedicated GTMS staff who attended and helped make this experience possible for our students. Your commitment made this day truly memorable.

What a wonderful way to celebrate our 8th graders as they close out their middle school journey! 💙🐾

7th Grade BASH

The 7th Grade BASH was an unforgettable celebration filled with energy, laughter, and school spirit from start to finish! Students enjoyed Kona Ice, took on inflatable obstacle courses, raced through “Anything Goes” relay challenges, tested their teamwork on the slide, and made their way through the Sports Center activities.

It was truly a phenomenal day of fun, teamwork, and connection—thank you to our FSA for their continued support in making events like this possible for our students!

And of course, a special highlight of the day… Mr. Dalon fully embraced the spirit of the BASH as he became part of the “Mummy” relay race—wrapped head to toe in toilet paper and bringing plenty of laughs to the course!

What a great way to celebrate our 7th graders!

🌴 A Tropical Thank You to Our Amazing Substitute Teachers! 🌴

Thank you for stepping in, lending a hand, and helping keep GTMS running smoothly throughout the year. Your flexibility, dedication, and support make a difference every day, and we are so grateful for all you do for our students and staff.

Please enjoy this small token of our appreciation. We hope your summer is filled with sunshine, relaxation, and plenty of refreshing drinks! ☀️🥤🌴

Have a wonderful summer, and thank you for being such an important part of the GTMS family!

💙Perfect example of what it means to Respect the Paw 💙

GTMS CORE VALUES

Do you know what it means to be a GTMS Grizzly?

At GTMS, being a Grizzly means more than just showing up to school—it’s about embodying our core values and “Respecting the Paw” in everything we do.

So, what does that look like?

FSA 2025-2026

President - Katherine Mutschler Pauro

Vice President - Christine Boland

Treasurer - Nelie Yee

Corresponding Secretary - Jennifer Alvardo

Recording Secretary - Jennifer Keeney

Meeting Dates

January 7, 2026 (in-person)

February 12, 2026 (virtual)

March 10, 2026 (in-person)

April 14, 2026 (virtual)

May 19, 2026 (in-person)

June 9, 2026 (virtual)

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Year at a Glance School Year Edition Poster (5).pdf

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FSA Facebook

Resources for Parents/Guardians

NJ4S: Acenda

Acenda Integrated Health is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing industry-leading prevention, treatment and wellness services to ensure that every individual, family and community member, achieves their greatest potential. Acenda is at the forefront of community-based services, providing 100+ health and social service programs at 60+ locations throughout a 12-county region in New Jersey.

Available Workshops

Harassments, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB)

It is imperative that we continue to teach our students the effects that bullying has on others and a community. Every student deserves a safe and supportive learning environment, free from fear and harassment. Any instance of bullying should be promptly reported to the administration or staff member, who will take immediate and appropriate action to address the situation. By fostering a culture of kindness, empathy, and respect, we can create a school community where all students feel valued and accepted.

Learn More:

GTMS Second Step Program

Antibullying Site

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