THE ONTARIO CENTER SCHOOL
By Principal Narrie Gavares

As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, The Ontario Center School community has a wonderful opportunity to pause, reflect, and cultivate a spirit of gratitude. This season reminds us of the many blessings we share—the gift of learning, the support of dedicated families, and the strong bonds within our school. We encourage everyone to take time to share what they are thankful for with their children, making gratitude a meaningful daily practice. This spirit of thankfulness naturally extends into caring for others, which is why our ongoing community food drive is so important. This year, we collected non-perishable food items to help ensure our neighbors have a warm and joyful holiday meal. We have been so impressed by the generosity shown by our students and families, and we thank you for all of the donations given with such care and kindness. Every single item contributes directly to making a difference in the lives of those in our local area.

We understand that the holidays can bring challenges for many families. To support our community, we want to highlight resources available for those who may be in need of assistance this Thanksgiving. These valuable opportunities are being shared directly on Parent Square, and we encourage you to check there for more details. Specifically, the Never Stop Grinding Impact is hosting a Community Food Distribution Drive-Thru on Thursday, November 20th, from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at Fergusson Park (2474 W Casa Grande Dr., Rialto, CA). You can register at nsgimpact.eventbrite.com. Additionally, Patria Church is hosting a Family-to-Family Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, November 22nd, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM, offering free turkeys and Thanksgiving food items via a drive-thru format (first come, first serve, no walk-ups). As the Christmas season approaches, please continue to monitor Parent Square for information about local free toy events and other resources that may help make the holiday season brighter for all children. Our collective acts of kindness, whether through donating or supporting these vital services, demonstrate the true meaning of community. Wishing you all a safe, happy, and grateful Thanksgiving break!