Happy Thanksgiving - Special Edition

The Bulldog Bark

Frank Vessels Elementary School

Issue 15: November 24 - November 28

A Great Place to Learn and Grow!

Go for the Gold!

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As we head into Thanksgiving and reflect on gratitude and what matters, I would like to let you know that we are thankful for you! Thank you for your ongoing support of our students and our school.

Your partnership, whether it’s helping with homework, attending events, volunteering, or simply encouraging your child each day, makes a tremendous difference. We are truly grateful for the trust you place in us, and for the strong school community we share.

On behalf of the entire staff, I wish you and your family a safe, restful, and happy Thanksgiving!

The Vessels FOAM Turkey Trot

Our annual Turkey Trot is almost here, and we can’t wait to celebrate this exciting day with our Bulldogs on Tuesday, December 2!

This is one of our students’ favorite events of the year, and we’ve made a few changes to enhance the experience for our kids and families.

We have raised $51,000 to date, and we appreciate all the support from our fantastic community!

We still have time to reach our $60,000 goal! Please click the link to help us surpass our goal. As a reminder, every cent goes back to our kids and school! Please let your family know over the holiday that we are almost to our goal, and with a little help, we can make it happen!

Event Map

Please take a look at the attached map, which shows:

Family viewing areas
Volunteer check-in table
Entry points and essential locations

This year, families will be allowed inside the center of the track to view and cheer on their little turkeys! We hope this change will:

Give everyone more space and a better view
Increase the positive, encouraging energy for our runners

Safety Reminder

Volunteers will guide families in and out of the center of the track between runs only.

Please do not cross the track at any location other than the designated crossing shown on the map, and only when directed to do so by a volunteer.

Double the Foam

We’re doubling the foam fun this year!

Please consider sending a change of clothes for your child for the drive home, as they are likely to get wet and foamy during their run.

Run Schedule

TK/K: 1:30–1:50
1st–3rd: 1:55–2:15
4th–6th: 2:35–2:55

Show Your Spirit – Wear Your Grade-Level Color

Students are encouraged to wear their grade-level color on the track:

TK/K – Green
1st – Yellow
2nd – Purple
3rd – Tie-Dye
4th – Blue
5th – Navy Blue
6th – Red

We appreciate your support in making the Turkey Trot a memorable event for our Bulldogs.

We look forward to seeing you there, cheering on our runners!

Parent Survey

Please take a few moments to complete the attached parent survey. Your feedback is incredibly valuable in helping us understand what we are doing well and how we can continue to grow.

By sharing your thoughts, you are partnering with us to make Vessels an even better place for students to learn and grow. Thank you in advance for your time and support!

Take the Parent Survey Here!

Attendance Challenge

We won! Congratulations, Bulldogs! Let's keep up the momentum! Be here every day to help our students learn and grow!

Friends of Vessels

At Vessels Elementary, we are fortunate to have both the Parent Teacher Association (PTA) and the Friends of Vessels (FOV) 501(c)(3) nonprofit working together to support our students.

The PTA offers programs and opportunities that benefit all students, including field trips, assemblies, and school-wide events. Because the PTA’s mission is to serve every child, funds raised through membership dues and events are used to support experiences that reach the entire student body.

The Friends of Vessels (FOV), our school-based 501(c)(3) organization, helps “fill the gaps” by funding items and experiences that the PTA cannot cover. This includes grade-level or program-specific needs, such as classroom materials, enrichment opportunities, and special projects.

Because FOV is a nonprofit, donations are tax-deductible, and the group can also apply for grants and business partnerships to bring even more resources to Vessels.

Together, the PTA and Friends of Vessels make a powerful team: the PTA ensures all students benefit, while FOV provides flexibility to support grade-level and classroom-specific needs directly.

We are in the process of planning events and would appreciate your assistance in getting this worthy cause up and running. We already have a dedicated team at work, but we would like you to make it the best year ever! Please use the button below to sign up and be a part of something truly special!