G
reensburg Salem School District believes
that our schools must provide a safe and
supportive environment conducive to
learning the basic values and standards that
are an integral part of our community. These include
the development of self-discipline and the individual
responsibilities fundamental to a democratic society. As
a result, students are expected and required to conduct
themselves accordingly.
Student Responsibilities
Proper student behavior is achieved when each
student develops the desire and the ability to live as a
responsible citizen. The Pennsylvania Department of
Education and the Greensburg Salem School District
affirm the following student responsibilities: regular
school attendance; conscientious effort in the classroom;
conformance to established school rules and regulations;
respect for the rights of fellow students, teachers, staff,
and administrators; proper dress and grooming; refraining
from written or verbal abuse or indecent or abusive
language; assistance in operating a safe school for all
students; and proper care in the use of school facilities and
equipment.
Board Policies
Over the past several years, the Greensburg Salem
Board of Education has adopted a wide variety of policies
designed to ensure a safe and supportive educational
environment for all children. The following policies are
outlined in greater detail in the elementary, middle school
and high school handbooks that will be available online
for viewing:
• ATTENDANCE POLICY
• BUS DISCIPLINE POLICY
• CIVIL RIGHTS NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY AND
PROCEDURES
• DRUG and ALCOHOL POLICY
• PROHIBITION of WEAPONS POLICY
• SAFETY POLICY
• SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY
• STUDENT CONDUCT POLICIES
• TECHNOLOGY RESOURCES AND ACCEPTABLE USE
POLICY
Transportation
The district contracts with DMJ Transportation to
provide transportation to students who do not live within
walking distance of our schools or who cannot safely walk
to school. To promote safety, school buses record video
and audio.
Concerns or questions relative to student
transportation should be directed to the principal of
the building where your son/daughter is enrolled or to
the District Transportation Office at 724.832.2983 or
724.832.2907. After-hours calls can be directed to DMJ
Transportation at 833-MYGSBUS.
Multimedia Notice
During the school year, your child’s photograph (group
or individual), verbal and written comments, and/or
school work may appear in various media outlets. The
following are examples of possible media formats:
• Video and audio recording, interviewing and/or
photographing by newspapers, television stations,
and radio stations.
• Articles on websites, written and published by
newspapers, televisions, and radio stations.
• School district newsletters, publications and social
media.
• The school district’s website, including classroom
and school building web pages.
• Publication of a student’s essays and artwork in
print or electronic media.
• Instructional tools used for educational purposes.
• Video replay of school productions, such as plays
and high school musicals.
If you do not want your child’s likeness or schoolwork
to appear in any publication or on the Greensburg Salem
School District website, please submit your request in
writing to your child’s building principal before September
30, 2020.
Cell Phones and Other Electronic
Devices
The possession of laser pointers/lights, shock devices
and attachments is prohibited by students on school
property, buses and other vehicles provided by the district
and at school-sponsored events. Use of laptop computers
and personal electronic devices shall be restricted to
classroom or instruction-related activities. The possession
and use by students of any device that provides wireless,
unfiltered access to the Internet is prohibited. Personal
communication devices, including cell phones, are not
permitted to be turned on, in use, or in clear view during
the school day without teacher permission. Violation
of these policies will result in sanctions imposed on the
student and possible confiscation of the electronic device.
Keeping Students Safe…
Entering a Building
All members of the GS community are reminded of the
district policy concerning entry onto school property and
into school buildings. All district buildings are secured
after students arrive; only one (1) entrance is opened to
the public. Visitors should identify themselves and the
purpose of the visit to be admitted into the building, and
should bring photo identification. Upon entering, please
report to the main office to sign in and obtain a visitor’s
pass. When leaving the building, please return to the
office and sign out.
All buildings are monitored with internal and external
video surveillance. Unauthorized individuals will be
required to leave the building, voluntarily or forcibly.
Following this policy will help us protect our children and
employees.
Safety Plan
The Greensburg Salem School District will provide a
safe and appropriate school environment for all students.
Our safety plan, titled “All Hazards Response and
Mitigation Plan,” meets all commonwealth and federal
guidelines and was completed with input from public
safety and emergency management personnel. As a
result, the district has improved the abilities of our staff to
identify potential safety and security risks and to respond
appropriately to emergency situations.
Bullying/Cyber Bullying
Greensburg Salem is committed to providing all
students with a safe and civil school environment in
which all members of the school community are treated
with dignity and respect and are free from harassment
or bullying. Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior
that involves a real or perceived power imbalance
and is repeated over time. The district recognizes that
bullying creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation,
detracting from the safe environment needed for
student learning and may lead to more serious violence.
Therefore, bullying is strictly prohibited and will not be
tolerated.
Student Wellness Policy
In June 2017, the Board of Education updated the
Student Wellness Policy. The policy affirms the district’s
recognition that wellness and proper nutrition are related
to students’ physical well-being, growth, development,
readiness to learn, and academic achievement. The policy
also articulates the district’s commitment to establishing
and maintaining a school environment that promotes
student wellness through proper nutrition, nutrition
education, health education, and regular physical activity
as part of the total learning experience. Throughout
this school year, district staff and administration will be
focused on meeting the goals directed at ensuring the
proper health and well-being of all students.
Reporting of Student Abuse
In 1994, the Pennsylvania Legislature enacted a new
law, Act 151, requiring that school employees report
suspected child abuse to the proper legal authorities,
including suspected child abuse by school employees.
If a school employee has reasonable cause to suspect,
based on professional or other training, that a student
is a victim of serious bodily injury, sexual abuse, or
sexual exploitation by a school employee, he/she must
immediately report that information to ChildLine, as
well as school district administration. A report will
immediately be made and an appropriate investigation
conducted. By following this procedure, the Greensburg
Salem School District is adhering to the provisions of
Act 151. All school employees receive Act 126 (child
abuse and reporting) training. If you have any questions
GREENSBURG SALEM
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FALL 2019
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