3rd graders from iLEAD Agua Dulce wrote heartfelt notes and baked cookies in a touching display of gratitude to first responders battling the California wildfires.

Students from Ms. Romero’s class at iLEAD Agua Dulce recently showed their appreciation to the first responders who battled California’s devastating Eaton and Palisades fires. The learners created a heartfelt thank-you poster, paired with a batch of homemade cookies, which sparked a wave of appreciation across the first responder community.

The poster’s journey began at the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station, where a parent of one of the students delivered the poster. The station, moved by the gesture, decided to share it with other units involved in the firefighting efforts. 

Altadena Mountain Rescue

From there, the poster traveled to the Eaton Fire Incident Command Post, where fire personnel signed a map of the affected areas as a token of their gratitude. The map and poster continued to make their way to various fire and sheriff’s stations, as well as the Altadena Mountain Rescue team, gathering signatures and messages of thanks from first responders.

Messages written on the map included heartfelt notes such as:

• “Hi, kiddos! Thank you so very much for all your love and support.”
• “You helped our animal rescue! Thank you!”
• “Stay safe.”

On January 22, 2025, the Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station shared the story on Facebook, highlighting the strong bond between the learners and first responders. “We were so touched to receive a beautiful thank-you poster from Ms. Romero’s 3rd Grade Class at iLEAD Agua Dulce!” the post read. “Thank you, Ms. Romero’s class, for your kind words and support. It means the world to us, and we hope you enjoy the signed map as a token of our gratitude!”

The experience has been transformative for the students, who saw their simple act of kindness create a ripple effect of appreciation and connection. Ms. Romero, their teacher, said, “I am truly beyond touched…. It’s a definite highlight in our year!”

This heartwarming exchange showcases the community-centered values iLEAD Agua Dulce instills in its learners, emphasizing leadership, empathy, and the importance of giving back.

About iLEAD Agua Dulce

iLEAD Agua Dulce is a free public TK-12th grade school that offers a unique approach to education. Located in Agua Dulce, CA, the school emphasizes academic rigor, creativity, and leadership development. With innovative learning spaces like an exploratorium, outdoor classroom, and music studio, the school provides an environment where students thrive as lifelong learners.

For more information, visit here.

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