GoFundMe Campaign Launched To Help East Brook Middle School

PARAMUS, NJ — Alumni of East Brook Middle School has launched an online campaign to raise money to help the school following the deaths of a fifth-grade teacher and student Thursday.

Members of the school's class of 1997 started the GoFundMe campaign late Thursday night as news the deaths spread. Teacher Jennifer Williamson was killed. The identity of the student has not yet been released.

"We are all sharing in the community’s grief," the alumni said on the campaign page. "Please consider helping us raise money to help our hometown community. Our plan is to reach out directly to the school and let them decide how best to help the families, whether it's to assist in medical bills, a memorial or maybe even a scholarship."

Nearly $8,700 was donated to the campaign in 12 hours.

Teacher Jennifer Williamson was killed in the crash, NorthJersey.com reported, where a man who said he was her nephew confirmed her death. The New York Times identified Williamson as the adult victim, citing her cousin.

Sources say Williamson was a 20-year teaching veteran. The RateMyTeacher website says she taught social studies, where a review was posted late Thursday by a student who said she was kind to everyone and would be missed. "She truly loved what she did," the student wrote.

Forty-three people on the bus were injured, many of them critically. Of the 45 people on the bus, 43 were injured and taken to nearby hospitals. Many are in critical condition, Gov. Phil Murphy said during an afternoon press conference. They were taken to Morristown Medical Center, St. Joseph's Hospital, and Hackettstown Medical Center for treatment, officials said.

The fifth-graders, teachers, and chaperones were on their way to Waterloo Village, which is a short distance from where the crash occurred. Two other buses of fifth-graders were on the field trip as well, but they returned to East Brook Middle School sometime later, authorities said.

People left flowers, candles, and handwritten notes below signs at East Brook Friday morning.

Related:

• Memorial Created At East Brook Middle School Following Deaths
• Paramus Community Mourns Dedicated Teacher Killed In Crash
• Teacher, Student Confirmed Dead In Paramus Field Trip Bus Crash
• Paramus Student Recounts Chaotic Bus Crash Scene
• Community Starts #ParamusStrong Hashtag In Wake Of Fatal Crash
• Paramus District Cancels Trips Following Fatal Crash

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Photo: A screenshot of an East Brook Middle School graphic with the hashtag #ParamusStrong on it.