The California Great Shakeout!

The Bulldog Bark

Frank Vessels Elementary School

Issue 9: October 13 - October 17

A Great Place to Learn and Grow!

Go for the Gold!

Thank you, Han Family, for the excellent Vessels signage!

Dear families,

October is Earthquake Preparedness Month, and our school will join the statewide Great ShakeOut drill to practice staying safe.

Here’s the quick version of what we’re doing—and how you can help at home.

What we do at school in the event of an earthquake

Drop, Cover, Hold On: Students practice getting low, covering their head/neck under sturdy furniture, and holding on until shaking stops.
Evacuate & account: We move to the field area, take roll, and check for injuries.
We have a detailed plan, updated yearly, for search and rescue, first aid, and supervision.
Reunification: If needed, we release students only to adults listed on emergency cards. Please ensure your contact information is up to date.
Communication: We’ll share updates via text, email, and phone; websites and district channels are backup options when phone lines are busy.

How can you prepare at home?

Create a family plan: Select an out-of-area contact and two meeting locations (one near home and one outside the neighborhood). Practice it.
Build simple kits:
Home: water, nonperishable food, flashlight, batteries, first-aid, meds, copies of key documents, cash, radio.
Kid: small backpack with comfort item, snack, contact card, mini flashlight, and needed meds.
Car: water, sturdy shoes, blanket, first-aid.
Secure your space: Strap water heaters, anchor tall furniture, latch cabinets, and move heavy items to lower shelves. Avoid heavy wall hangings over beds.
Know the shutoffs: gas, water, and electricity. Only turn off the gas if you smell or hear a leak.
Practice: Do a 2-minute family “Drop, Cover, Hold On” drill in each room.

Quick tips during a quake

Indoors: Drop, Cover, Hold On; stay put until shaking stops.
Outdoors: Move to open space away from buildings and lines.
In a car: Pull over safely and stay inside.

Thank you for partnering with us to keep students safe and confident, this month and all year.

Veterans Day Flag Ceremony

Join us as we honor the brave men and women who have served our country at our annual Veterans Day Flag Ceremony. Our veterans, and the families who support them, are deeply respected and appreciated in our community.

Our ceremony is scheduled for Friday, November 7, from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m.

If you plan to attend or would like to recognize a veteran (yourself or someone else), please complete this short form here!

Thank you for helping us celebrate and show our respect to those who have worn the uniform.

Harvest Night is Coming Soon!

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 provides programs and opportunities that benefit all students, such as 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.

Parents are encouraged to get involved in either or both groups, whether by volunteering, helping plan events, or supporting fundraising efforts. If you’d like more information, please get in touch with mholman@cypsd.org

2025/26 Academic Calendar