Although Jackson Wong, Jr. is no longer with the Countryside Elementary community, his memory will continue in the Newton Public Schools through a gift fund established in his name. 

The fund, which was approved by the Newton School Committee on July 19, will benefit the district's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Program, according to a memo from Countryside Principal Emily Ostrower.

Wong, who had been battling cancer, passed away on June 29 at the age of 11. For the last three years, he had been enrolled in the district's ABA Program, which is housed at Countryside.

A number of condolences from classmates and local parents were shared in Wong's online obituary, which was posted through the Eaton Funeral Home website:

Dear Jackson, 

Every Tuesday you made our afternoons so special. Your wonderful spirit and courage was an inspiration. We will miss you very dearly. 
Our thoughts and prayers to your family. 

Love, 
Deb and Binh Hoffman

According to Ostrower's memo, the school's ABA Program was "especially sustaining" in the last few weeks of Wong's life.

The gift account was established by Wong's parents, Dr. and Mrs. Jackson Wong, Sr., the memo said, and will help provide curriculum materials and supplies. 

To view Ostrower's memo, click the .pdf in the media section above.

The ABA Program is one of the district's special education resources and involves "intensive" support for student communication and behavior. Its goal is for the students to develop more independence in academic, social, recreation, communication and self-care skills.

According to Wong's obituary, those who are interested in donating to the fund can make checks payable to the City of Newton and in the memo notation indicate that it is for the Jackson Wong, Jr. Gift Fund. Checks can be mailed to the Newton Public Schools Education Center, Attn: Sue Dzikowski, 100 Walnut St., Room 202, Newton MA 02460.