(above, l-r) Students Yamile Guanataxi Nunez, Joseph Ixcuan, Isabella Tchubabria, Fatios Konstantopoulos, Kyndal Irving. Back row: John Ferguson, Principal, Sgt. Bill Speck, Chief Parenti, and Julie Lafferty, Counselor.
North Plainfield Elementary Students Donate To Police Unity Tour
As police officers around the nation, many from local departments, looked to participate in this year’s Police Unity Tour, students in North Plainfield wanted their local officers to know that they supported their efforts and wished them a safe trip to Washington D.C.
The purpose of the Police Unity Tour is to raise awareness of law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty and to raise funds for the National Law Enforcement Officer’s Memorial and Museum. Several North Plainfield officers recently participated on a three-day bike ride, covering over 300 miles to join their fellow officers in our nation’s capital.
Students in East End School, Stony Brook School, and West End School held a fundraiser to assist the officers with various travel expenses. Each participating police officer in the tour sacrifice their own money to pay entrance fees, riding clothing, and their own bicycles.
Students raised over two hundred dollars, often forgoing buying snacks at lunchtime, to help their local heroes.
“On behalf of the entire police department, we want to extend a sincere thank you to the students and school community for supporting us in this worthwhile program,” announced North Plainfield Chief of Police William Parenti. “My officers and I really appreciate the efforts of the students and I want to thank them personally for thinking about us.”
Since the implementation of the Operation Safe School Partnership in May 2018, police officers regularly visit each school on a daily basis and positively interact with the students. Superintendent of Schools Michelle Vella praised the initiative for developing positive relationships between the police and the students. “During my visits to the schools, I am delighted to see the officers engaged with the students, taking the time to speak with them and answer all their questions.”
John Ferguson, principal at East End School, was not surprised by the student’s charitable efforts. “Through these daily visits, our students have come to know the officers and understand the important lesson that the police are always there to help them. This is their way to say ‘Thank You!’”.
Photos by North Plainfield Public Schools
