The Bulldog Bark

Frank Vessels Elementary School



Issue 20: January 19 - 23

A Great Place to Learn and Grow!


Go for the Gold!

Dear Families and Community Members,


As we approach January 19, we invite you to join our school community in honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King was a courageous civil rights leader who dedicated his life to promoting justice, equality, and unity through nonviolent action. His words and actions continue to inspire us to stand up for what is right and to treat one another with dignity and respect.


January 19, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is a time for reflection and service. We encourage our families and community members to join us as we commemorate Dr. King’s message and consider how we can continue his legacy by supporting one another, giving back to our community, and working together to create a more just and caring world for all.


We look forward to honoring this important day together. Remember that there is no school tomorrow, January 19, in honor of the man and his message!

Teacher of the Year


Congratulations, Mrs. Kim, for being awarded the 2025/26 Vessels Elementary School Teacher of the Year! We appreciate her so much and all she does for our kids, staff, and community!

Happy Lunar New Year


Join us as we celebrate Lunar New Year at Vessels on January 23, 2026! We welcome all to join us as we celebrate our SOTM award winners and the year of the horse!

Coffee with the Principal


Join us via Zoom as we discuss Kindness Week, Attendance, Academics, and much more! Please look for a Seesaw this week with the Zoom link!

Kindness Week at Vessels


Kindness Week will take place from Monday, January 26, to Thursday, January 29, 2026, and it is a special opportunity for our school to come together to practice compassion, empathy, and positive action, both on our campus and beyond. Throughout the week, students and staff will participate in activities that highlight the power of kindness, including creating a Kindness Chain to showcase kind words and actions, writing Positive Sticky Notes to uplift others, celebrating moments when individuals are Caught in the Act of kindness, and engaging in Kindness Bingo to encourage daily acts of care and respect.


These activities are designed to help students understand that even small gestures can make a big difference. Kindness strengthens our local community by building trust, belonging, and mutual respect, and it extends outward to impact the world by fostering understanding and unity across differences.


By intentionally focusing on kindness, we teach our students that their words and actions matter and that each of them has the power to help create a more caring, inclusive, and connected world.

Dine Out Night, Tuesday, Januart 27!

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.

Friends of Vessels Events

Save the Dates

Join the Program and Help our Kids!


Please spread the word to friends, family, and co-workers!

Bulldogs in Action

2025/26 Academic Calendar

Dates and Times



January is Self-Control Month


January 19 - MLK Jr. Holiday (No School)

January 23 - Lunar New Year and SOTM Flag Ceremony

January 23 - Coffee with the Principal via Zoom @ 1:30 p.m.

January 26 - 30 - Kindness Week

January 30 - Staff Professional Learning (no school)

February 5 - SEL Night @ 6:00 p.m.

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