The Bulldog Bark Newsletter
Motivate, Engage, Inspire!
Issue 4: August 26 - 30, 2019
No school next Monday, September 2 in observance of Labor Day. School will resume on Tuesday, September 3.
Thank you to all our Bulldog families for joining us at Back to School Night. It was great seeing our community come together in support for what we do at Vessels.

We appreciate you!
This year, all school and community flyers are on Peachjar.

Click here for more information.
Bike Safety at Vessels is a Must!
Keep our Bulldogs safe. Every student that rides a bike to school must wear a helmet. To learn more about what you can do to keep students safe, click here.
Parent Procedures for Forgotten Items
Attention parents: There is a designated table in the front office where all forgotten items can be dropped. Please let your student know that whenever they are missing anything to check the table at recess or lunch. Please also note that teachers may not see Dojo messages or emails about missing items throughout the school day.

Thank you for making this the best year ever!
Impact Report: Small Group Instruction

Research shows that young readers benefit most from being taught during intensive small-group instruction. At Vessels, we focus on the small-group model to target student needs while pushing them to go beyond their comfort zone.

The magic is in the details and small-group planning. Vessels teachers work diligently to plan reading centers for small groups that offer multiple practice opportunities. Practice makes perfect, and through small-group literacy lessons, teachers keep students engaged and motivated through hands-on activities. We aim to promote inquiry and critical thinking in all that we do.

We are intentional and impactful and will continue to gently push students out of their comfort zone to motivate, engage, and inspire!

Vessels PTA & Amazon Smile
Amazon is the online shop of choice to purchase household supplies, books, and everything else under the sun. Now you can help Vessels every time you shop online using Amazon Smile. Please click on the link to earn Vessels 0.5% on every purchase you make. Thank you for supporting the Vessels PTA. Click on the button below to get started

Thank you for your support!
Join the Vessels PTA by clicking h ere .
Attention parents: All spirit wear orders will be delivered to classes the week of September, 16th.

You can also order Vessels spirit wear online by clicking here.
Attendance Matters
Chronic absenteeism is one of the primary reasons students fall behind in school.

We need your help to ensure that all students are here every day! Attendanceworks.org outlines shocking statistics about school attendance in California and some easy ways that you can help your child succeed.

Click to read more about children falling behind as a result of absences in elementary school.

We want to ensure that all students are the absolute best they can be. Please make sure to have your child at school and on-time daily. And yes, even tardies can impact children.

  • Thank you for helping us make this the best, most productive year ever! Remember that when your student is at Vessels all day, they are one day closer to proficiency and mastery of grade-level expectations.
VESSELS JOG-A-THON

The Vessels PTA raises funds each year for everything that makes Vessels Elementary School a great to learn. The PTA supports field trips, learning assemblies, Lego robotics, technology, family-fun nights, noon league sports, playground equipment, teacher supplies, library support, and much, much more. 

Our first and largest fundraiser is the Vessels Jog-A-Thon happening on Friday, September 20, 2019.

Be on the lookout for flyers that detail classroom incentive information in the coming weeks. As we reach fundraising marks, the entire school will be in on the fun:

$2,000 - Crazy hair day

$5,000 - Bubble morning drop off

$10,000 - Mr. Holman rides a tricycle around campus (all day)

$20,000 -Mr. Holman will have a bulldog painted on his head.

$30,000 - Mr. Holman directs traffic in a hotdog costume.

$40,000 - Mr. Holman and possibly Vessels staff members will kiss a pig (or some other animal).

$50,000 - Mr. Holman and possibly your favorite Vessels staff members will be duct-taped to a wall.

There will also be individual and classroom incentive opportunities for the entire school. 



Thank you for all that you do for our school!
THE VESSELS 3rd ANNUAL
ORATORICAL CONTEST
Guidelines: 

  • Select a poem or a famous speech. The poem may be original or by another author.

  • Memorize the poem or speech and practice reciting it. The use of props and costumes is encouraged, but not necessary.


Guidelines for the length of the recital:

  • Kindergarten through first grade = 30 seconds – 2 minutes

  • Second and third grade = 1-3 minutes

  • Fourth through sixth grade = 2-5 minutes

  • Attend tryouts on August 27, 2019, at lunch or after school.

  • Attend practice Wednesdays and Friday during the first recess.

This is a great opportunity for all students. Do not miss out on the fun!

Cell Phones, Watches, and GPS Devices

Please be aware that all electronic devices must be stored in a backpack during school hours. Thank you for your understanding and for keeping our school safe and distraction-free!
The Week in Photos
School Lunch Information

Please note that all school lunch information can now be accessed through Titan . The Titan system allows families to check balances, menus, and add money to student lunch accounts. Please note that Vessels serves breakfast as well.

Lunch

Free for eligible students
$0.40 reduced price
$3.00 full price

Breakfast

Free for eligible students
$0.30 reduced price
$1.35 full price 


Pieology Dine-Out
On August 26, Vessels will have its first dine out at Pieology on Valley View. 20% of the proceeds will go back to the school if you present the flyer. Get this and all flyers by visiting Peachjar.
Important Dates:

  • August 28 - School Picture Day
  • September 2 - Labor Day (no school)
  • September 6 - Flag Ceremony at 8:25 a.m.
  • September 9 - Minimum Day Schedule - kindergartners dismissed at 1:20 p.m. & first - sixth grade students dismissed at 1:25 p.m.
  • September 20 - Jog-A-Thon
  • September 23 - Student-Free Day (no school)

Click to see important upcoming dates.
Click to follow us on Instagram.