Providence Schools will host on open house on Monday from 9 to 11 a.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at the 9th Grade Service Academy, 425 Branch Ave., for parents of 8th grade students entering high school in September.

Elementary schools

•One of Reservoir’s community partners donated 250 turkeys to the school, which were distributed yesterday to families.

•Gregorian designated last week as Giving Week. Parents, faculty, staff and students donated nonperishable food and canned goods. Students were escorted by teachers around the school while Thanksgiving music was played.

Students dropped donated goods into bins. School volunteers helped make baskets. The annual giving day parade was on Friday.

•Kizirian participated in its fourth annual Thanksgiving food drive, organized by the Student Council. Fifty-two Thanksgiving meal baskets were made and distributed yesterday.

Middle schools

•Locally grown butternut squash was served as part of the lunch menu yesterday at Bridgham, Greene, Williams and Hopkins. To help Sodexho prepare the squash, Kids First organized a squash peeling party.

High schools

•Central’s staff held a dress down day on Friday for $3 per person with proceeds going to the student-organized Thanksgiving food basket campaign.

The boys’ soccer and girls’ volleyball teams played in state playoffs this year, ending as runner-up and second place in the state in their respective divisions.

Members of student debate team recently participated in a tournament organized by the Urban Debate League. Students from several Providence high schools and Woonsocket High School participated in the tournament at Hope High School. Teacher Michael Malardo is Central’s debate coach. Students and Malardo are working on a public speaking competition scheduled for January.

Central’s Student Government recently organized a skating party in East Providence. Junior Lubi Lora and senior Abel Hernandez made daily announcements to gather support from students and staff for the activities organized by the newly elected student government. Members of the team collected food donations daily for the Thanksgiving baskets they created for families.

Central will host a college fair on Nov. 30. Thirty colleges from New England are scheduled to attend.

The Providence Schools Activities column is compiled by the Communications Department. For information, contact Maria Tocco, senior communications officer, at (401) 278-0592 or maria.tocco@ppsd.org.