Car Dealer Raises Money For Point Boro High 'Positive Behavior'

Point Pleasant Borough High School’s Positive Behavior Supports in Schools program, "Be On Point," has an extra $1,660 to help cover operational costs, according to the school districts.

The fundraising comes from Ford’s Drive 4UR School event that was recently hosted at the school by Point Pleasant’s All-American Ford.

Drive 4UR School, established in 2007, partners local Ford dealers with schools in their home communities to host test drive events. Ford donates $20 per test drive, up to $6,000 per event to support education enrichment programs for the host school. To date, the event has raised more than $30 million for local schools, according to the district.

“We know funding for school programs is hard to come by, and we want to do our part to help make sure these programs remain available,” said Joe Pedi, Promotions Manager at All-American Ford. “We’re excited to raise money for Point Pleasant Schools.”

The money was raised on Saturday, April 21, when 83 people visited Point Pleasant Borough High School to test drive one of the new Ford vehicles on display at the event.

“The money will be used to cover the costs of guest speakers and other incentives for the high school’s Be On Point program,” said Point Pleasant Borough High School Business Teacher and Be On Point Team Leader Dave Johnson, who helped coordinate the Drive 4UR School event.

"Be On Point," an incentive-based program modeled after New Jersey’s Positive Behavior Supports in Schools program, was implemented at the high school six years ago with the goal of improving the school climate.

“For the past six years, Be On Point has been focused on identifying, recognizing and rewarding positive behaviors in an effort to make the high school more inclusive,” said Johnson.

“The program works by redefining expectations for student behavior, while simultaneously identifying external factors that could be contributing to disciplinary issues,” he said. “The overarching goal is to promote acceptance among students, especially towards the special needs population.”

According to Johnson, the success of the Be On Point program is thanks in large part due to the community’s ongoing support.

Drive 4 Ur School Check Presentation“Whether through the donation of funds or incentives or by hosting fundraisers in support of the program, the community has been integral to Be on Point’s success,” he said. “We are so grateful to All-American Ford for selecting our program as the beneficiary for this year’s Drive 4 UR School event.”

On June 11, All-American Ford General Sales Manager Nicholas DelGuidice visited Point Pleasant Boro High School where he delivered the $1660 check.

“All-American Ford is pleased to help create opportunities for the students of Point Pleasant Schools,” said DelGuidice. “We look forward to partnering with the district in the future.”

“Community support and engagement is essential to the success of every school district,” said Point Pleasant Borough Superintendent of Schools Vincent S. Smith. “When schools and communities work together to support learning our students win. Not only do students in districts with high community involvement typically earn higher grades, attend school more regularly and stay in school longer but they also tend to be more civic-minded.

“Fortunately for Point Pleasant Borough’s students, our home community not only recognizes but also embraces their role in the school district. Whether through grant programs or sponsorships, student scholarships or donation programs for district programs and initiatives evidence of the community’s support is visible throughout the district,” he said.