Sippican Elementary School Thanks V.A.S.E. for Ongoing Support of Student Learning and Programming

MATTAPOISETT — Superintendent Michael S. Nelson wishes to recognize the Volunteers at Sippican Elementary (V.A.S.E.) organization for their ongoing support of student learning and programming.

V.A.S.E.’s primary objectives are to provide Sippican students with enrichment beyond the classroom environment and to support teachers and staff. 

“In my 22 years as a school administrator, I have never experienced a parent-run school support group as comprehensive and involved as our V.A.S.E. Team at Sippican School,” said Sippican Elementary School Assistant Principal Peter Crisafulli. “They provide the school with amazing financial support through fundraisers. They provide opportunities for student educational enrichment by creating and staffing high-quality after-school programs. V.A.S.E. is setting a very high standard in the world of local school support groups, and we are very lucky to have them!”

Each year V.A.S.E. volunteers raise money for annual field trips for every grade at Sippican. With the exception of sixth grade, field trips are offered at no charge to students and staff chaperones. In addition to covering field trip expenses, V.A.S.E. conducts the work needed to schedule and book each field trip and, where applicable, manages permissions slips through the use of the online platform, FamilyID.

Some of the field trips include visits to the Plimoth Patuxet Museums and the Mayflower, the Cape Cod Natural History Museum, the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra and a three-day field trip to Camp Burgess. Other day trips to local zoos, museums and the beach were all funded and coordinated by V.A.S.E. volunteers.

“V.A.S.E. is such a wonderful part of our school community,” said Second Grade Teacher Ashley Sweatland. “They help facilitate amazing opportunities for our students- from fundraisers, to field trips, school-wide events and after school programs. V.A.S.E. helps enrich the lives of all of our students, and as teachers, we are so grateful for our partnership.”

Over the past two years V.A.S.E. has coordinated presentations from many performing artists who have engaged with students during school meetings, classroom visits and community events. Presentations and performances from the Fall River Mad Scientist Program, Kanaley School of Irish Dancing, Author Bill Harley, Band Blast Performing Artist El Caribe, Arts in Action: Boston Artist Bren Bataclan, New Bedford Youth Ballet and more.

V.A.S.E. also organizes a separate program called After Class Enrichment (A.C.E.). A.C.E. is free and runs once per week for four weeks, twice per school year. Any Sippican Elementary student is able to attend, and dozens of kids participate each year. Students take part in a number of courses and activities in areas such as arts and crafts, drama, foreign language, athletics, reading and more. 

Some of the A.C.E. fall 2023 courses included a book club, jewelry making, 3D printing, robotics club and intramural sports. The winter 2024 sessions included gratitude crafts, introduction to French, a collective art project and others.

“We appreciate the V.A.S.E. volunteers for their consistent effort in coordinating and funding these educational and memorable activities for our students,” said Superintendent Nelson.

In addition to the many activities V.A.S.E. provides for students, they have also funded a holiday shop, career day, Reading is Fundamental, Vocabulary Day Support and Funding, sixth grade graduation and breakfast, field days, recess bags, character counts and the V.A.S.E. Braitmayer Grant Fund, which sponsors Reading is Fundamental and provides books to students through its Character Counts program.

V.A.S.E. holds multiple fundraisers throughout the year, making it possible to secure these day-to-day activities for students. The Boosterthon is their largest fundraising effort that raises funds for all enrichment activities and grosses over half of all monies needed to support V.A.S.E.’s annual budget.

This year’s Boosterthon theme is “World Changer Workshop”, taking place from March 1-12. Students will learn about what it takes to make a difference by being introduced to a number of character lessons. This fundraiser is the students’ most favorite event, that includes an in-door glow-in-the-dark “Fun Run”. Student participants run laps for donations made toward V.A.S.E.’s enrichment programs.

“As President of V.A.S.E., I am proud that our organization has continued the longstanding tradition of providing enrichment beyond the classroom for the students of Sippican School,” said V.A.S.E. President Joanna Vergoni. “V.A.S.E. volunteers include parents and family members from both current and past Sippican students, community members from all across the tri town including Tabor Academy, Old Rochester High School as well as retirees and volunteers from other local non-profits. Our programming would not be possible without the support of these individuals and organizations and for this I am forever grateful.”

Other fundraising efforts include carwashes, Halloween parties, family movie nights, student/family/staff basketball games, scholastic book fairs and restaurant nights.

“The V.A.S.E. organization is near and dear to my heart!” said Marion School Committee Chairperson April Nye. “Having been a member for eight years and the president for five, I know firsthand the hard-work and commitment that these volunteers make! The enrichment programs, various performances and school field trips that they sponsor through their fundraising efforts, makes our school community overall a better experience for ALL of the Sippican students!  As mentioned in my recent Chairperson‘s report, this is V.A.S.E.‘s 50th year in operation and I tip my hat off to every past, current, and future member!  Without the volunteers and all of their hard work, Sippican School would not be the amazing place that it is!  V.A.S.E.’s support to the staff, the teachers and the children does not go unnoticed and I thank them for all of their hard-work and continued efforts!”

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