Absegami High School Locked Down; Three Teens Charged Creating False Public Alarm

On Wednesday March 8, 2017 at 10:16 a.m., Galloway Township Police responded to Absegami High School for the report of a lockdown due to suspicious pictures on social media of students and weapons that were possibly inside the school. 

Within minutes of arriving the students in question were located and detained by Galloway Police in cooperation with Greater Egg Harbor Regional Staff. All students and staff were fully cooperative while the investigation was on-going. 

Explosives trained K9 dogs from Stockton University Police Dept., Hamilton Twp. Police Dept., Egg Harbor Twp. Police Dept. and  the Gloucester County Sheriff’s Dept. cleared the school for any related weapons. 

The school was clear and no weapons were located on school property. No one was injured during the course of the lockdown which lasted approximately two (2) hours. 

Shortly after lifting the lockdown another student, 18-year old Jil Patel of Galloway Township sent out a group text to students creating another false public alarm which was tended to quickly and he was arrested without incident on school property. Also charged was a16-year old female, named K.S. with Creating a False Public Alarm and 17-year old male named J.A. charged with Creating a False Public Alarm.

Anyone with information on the aforementioned incidents or any incidents at Absegami High School involving potential threats or harm to the school is asked to contact the Galloway Township Police Department at (609) 652-3705 ext 344 and or contact via anonymous confidential tip through our Facebook page and / or Twitter accounts at @gallowaypd. 

As always the Galloway Township Police also receive tips from Atlantic County Crime Stoppers @ (609) 652-1234 or 1-800-658-TIPS.

Absegami Marching Braves Win First Place at USBands Mid-Atlantic Championships in Maryland

Photo Credit: Terry Reed

The Absegami High School Marching Braves, under the direction of Jon Porco, competed at the University of Maryland, USBands Mid-Atlantic Championships on Saturday, November 5^th.  Scoring 93.025, the Braves won first place in their group!  They also received caption awards for Best Color Guard, Best Music, Best Visual Effect, and Best Overall Effect.

Competing in a Tournament Form, the Marching Braves performed again against all 26 bands to receive the award for Best Overall Color Guard.

Absegami Marching Braves to Host 35th Annual Indian Summer Band Competition

The Absegami High School Marching Braves, under the direction of Jon Porco, will host their 35^th Annual Indian Summer Band Competition on Saturday, October 29, 2016. 

This US BANDS competition includes high school marching bands from Delran, Audubon, Hammonton, Lenape, Sterling, Williamstown, and Manchester High Schools. The competition will begin at 5 pm at the Absegami Stadium, Wrangleboro Road, in Galloway, NJ.  

Tickets are $12 for Adults, and $8 for Students and Seniors.  Step-off is at 5 pm and the gates open at 4:30 pm. 

Gun Incident at Absegami High School Raises Concerns with Effective School Solutions Contract

In March 2016 the Greater Egg Harbor Regional School Board entered into an agreement with North Jersey company called Effective School Solutions LLC (ESS). The agreement signed by Board President Carol Houck is to provides In-District clinical services for students with emotional and behavior problems.

The services of ESS became a topic of discussion after a serious incident at Absegami High School when on Friday, September 23, 2016, at approx 2:00pm, Absegami High School officials received information that a student was carrying a handgun on the Absegami school campus.

According to the contract with (ESS), Effective School Solutions is to provide therapeutic mental services to students within the school district. The services provided by ESS are for students enrolled in Cedar Creek, Oakcrest and Absegami High Schools for the 2016-2017 school year.

ESS is to provide six (6) full New Jersey licensed mental health professionals who are trained and experienced in adolescent psychiatric treatment. Those professionals work under ESS and in conjunction with staff designated by the school. The professionals must be present at all times when school is in session. 

Absegami High School Placed on Lockdown; Loaded Hand Gun Located in School

On September 23, 2016 at approximately 2:00 p.m., the Galloway Township Police Department received a call from Absegami High School of a reported student with a handgun on campus.

The school was placed into lockdown for approximately (40) forty-minutes while the Police investigated the report.

A loaded handgun was located and secured. Several students involved in the incident have been identified and the investigation is ongoing. One arrest has been made according to Galloway Police Chief Donna Higbee.

Frustrations with Greater Egg School Superintendent Leads Teachers and Staff to Union Vote

Superintendent John Keenan
Photo Credit: Shore News

Frustrations continue to grow while morale goes down for the over 400 members of the Greater Egg Harbor Regional Education Association who have been working without a contract since June 30. 

The Association represents the teachers and support staffs in Absegami High School, Oakcrest High School and Cedar Creek High School. On Wednesday, members gave a unanimous vote of confidence to its union leadership.  The vote of confidence stated  “The Greater Egg Harbor Regional Education Association gives a vote of unconditional confidence to its Negotiations Committee, Action Committee and Association Leadership and will support all actions that may be determined by the Action Committee and endorsed by the Leadership.”

Stephanie Tarr, President of the Association told the members that “Your leadership believes that many of the problems we are facing this year and last are due to ideas and changes suggested or implemented by Mr. John Keenan, our new Superintendent. 

Mayor Don Purdy when reached for comment stated, "I am concerned" but wanted to reserve comment until he reaches out to the Superintendent. 

Galloway Police Investigate Possible Threat Against Absegami Student

On Friday, April 17, 2015 at 2:17 p.m., the Galloway Township Police Department responded to Absegami High School during dismissal after receiving information of a possible threat to a student at the school. 

The threat was unrelated to the school or any school related function and was isolated to a particular student.  Upon arrival, additional information was immediately obtained by Police and the accused subject was located at his residence and not on school grounds. 

Safety Drill Conducted at Absegami High School by Multiple Law Enforcement Agencies

On October 2, 2014 from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m., the Galloway Township Police Department in cooperation with Administrator’s from The Greater Egg Harbor Regional School District would like to thank the faculty, students and parents for a successful safety inspection drill this morning at Absegami High School. 

The inspection was planned and carried out by School Officials and the Galloway Township Police Department with assistance from Atlantic City Police Dept., Hamilton Twp. Police Dept., Atlantic County Sherriff’s Dept., Cumberland County Sheriff’s Dept., Camden County Sherriff’s Dept., Gloucester County Sherriff’s Dept., Cape May County Sheriff’s Dept. and the New Jersey State Police K-9 units.

Absegami Student Arrested for Making Bomb Threats at School

A 17-year-old Absegami High School student has been arrested for making two bomb threats at the school last week.  

On September 25, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., the Galloway Township Police responded to Absegami High School for a reported “credible threat” inside the school.

The threat was reported to Police by the district superintendent as the threat was against student’s safety.  

Students were evacuated via early dismissal at approximately 1:15 p.m., and faculty was evacuated from the building.

Absegami High School Evacuated Due to Credible Threat Inside School

On September 25, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., the Galloway Township Police responded to Absegami High School for a reported “credible threat” inside the school.

The threat was reported to Police by the district superintendent as the threat was against student’s safety.  

Students were evacuated via early dismissal at approximately 1:15 p.m., and faculty was evacuated from the building. K-9 Officers from Stockton College Police, Cape May County Sheriff’s Department and the New Jersey State Police assisted the Township with a check of the High School for any existing threats. 

Galloway Police Release Alternate Traffic Patterns for Absegami High School Graduation

(Galloway Township) -- On June 19, 2014 from 3:30pm to 8:00pm, Law enforcement officers from the Galloway Township Police Department will be redirecting traffic flow on Wrangleboro Road for the graduation.  Southbound Wrangleboro Road will be closed to thru traffic between Reeds Road and Great Creek Road, whereas only Absegami traffic will be allowed.

Other areas affected by this detail will be Great Creek Road and Jimmie Leeds Road. Please plan accordingly and use alternate routes.  

Absegami Principal and Union Await Investigative Report for Allegations Asserted by Teacher

Dr. Jeri-Lynn Gatto

On April 30, 2014 a complaint was filed against Absegami Principal, Dr. Jeri-Lynn Gatto. The complaint, which alleges harassment, intimidation and bullying was filed by an Absegami Teacher Sally Giannandrea. 

Giannandrea, who is a French teacher at Absegami High School alleged that an incident occurred on April 2, 2014 between her and Gatto and in the presence of another teacher. Giannandrea stated, "I am filing this claim as a member of a targeted group of individuals, those affected with cancer." Giannandrea explained in the complaint she has battled cancer for several years and had to recently take three months of medical leave due to her condition. 

Absegami Principal Faces Allegations of Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying in Complaint Filed by Employee

Dr. Jeri-Lynn Gatto

On April 30, 2014 a complaint was filed against Absegami Principal, Dr. Jeri-Lynn Gatto. The complaint, which alleges harassment, intimidation and bullying was filed by an Absegami employee Sally Giannandrea. 

According to the complaint, an incident occurred on April 2, 2014 between Gatto and Giannandrea in the presence of another teacher. Giannandrea states, "I am filing this claim as a member of a targeted group of individuals, those affected with cancer." Giannandrea explains in the complaint she has battled cancer for several years and had to recently take three months of medical leave due to her condition.