Becton Education Association members have been involved in several major activities to keep their sense of community with students and their families, providing much needed resources for their first responder community through PRIDE grants.
Here is a rundown of Becton Education Association’s community outreach:
Wildcat Thunder Run: On Thursday, April 9, BEA members participated in the ‘Wildcat “Thunder” Run’, a drive-by show of support for staff members and families affected by Covid-19. BEA members met in the school parking lot and drove past houses of those affected.
Honoring the Class of 2020 – Becton will #BeTheLight!: BEA members are committed to doing everything possible to honor their students and lift their spirits, especially the senior class of 2020, during these challenging times. To assist in letting the seniors’ light continue to shine bright, the staff are participating in the #BeTheLight campaign along with other high schools across our great nation. The event began Friday, April 17 and every Friday night since at 20:20 (8:20p.m.) for 20 minutes and 20 seconds, throughout the school closure, the Wildcat Athletic Field will shine bright in honor of the Class of 2020, as well as all Becton students.
Custom Becton Masks: Evo9X, the company that the Becton recreation department orders football equipment from, has switched their business to focus solely on making masks. Using a PRIDE grant, BEA donated $2,000 to help purchase and donate approximately 250 custom Becton masks to protect first responders between East Rutherford, Carlstadt and Maywood, as well as all staff members and local officials. All profits go to the “Becton Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund.”
Becton Covid-19 Pandemic Relief Fund: BEA has donated $500 to the meal fund that former BEA member and current Assistant Principal, Jim Bononno is collecting money for in an effort to assist the Becton community during this time of great need. The meal fund is going to be set up through Mr. Pizza in East Rutherford, who will cook and deliver the meals to those families negatively impacted by Covid-19. Mr. Bononno has also been personally delivering meals. When the meal fund runs low, the BEA will make a recurring donation. According to the BEA leadership, these donations have removed an enormous burden from their students’ families, having one less issue to worry about.
#LightItBlue4Javi: The Becton landmark clock tower is illuminated blue in honor of a beloved BEA member who passed away from Covid-19. Javiera “Javi” Rodriguez was a devoted advocate for special needs children, serving as a case manager on the Child Study Team. She was also a talented artist and blue was her favorite color. It will continue to shine bright for all healthcare workers, first responders, and front-line workers as part of the national #LightItBlue campaign until the pandemic is over.
Class of 2016 Well Wishes: BEA member and Senior Class Advisor Michelle Ferris recognized that, “Besides our Class of 2020 upcoming graduates, there is a part of our Becton family that is also feeling the effects of a cancelled graduation. Our Class of 2016 seniors who were supposed to have a college graduation in May are understandably distraught over the recent chain of events,” said Ferris. Dubbing the outreach, “Class of 2016 Well Wishes,” she contacted many of them with the message that the Becton community hasn’t forgotten about them and they were grateful to be remembered.
