The Bulldog Monthly

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Principal’s Message

Dear Bard Community,

Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year at Richard Bard Elementary School! My name is Lucila Gomez-Perez, and I am honored to begin my second year as principal of this extraordinary school. I hope you enjoyed a wonderful summer and are feeling energized for the upcoming year.

At Bard, we are privileged to serve approximately 540 students. Our dedicated staff takes great pride in knowing each child individually and remaining fully committed to meeting their unique academic and socio-emotional needs.

The entire Bard staff is committed to providing the best possible daily experience for our students. We ensure a safe, clean, and welcoming environment where students can thrive.

To maintain the safety of our students, Bard is a closed campus, and all visitors must check in at the main office with a valid ID before entering. However, during the first two days of school, parents are welcome to accompany their child to the morning lineup area. TK and Kindergarten students will gather in the cafeteria each morning regardless of whether they are eating breakfast.

Dismissal:

Kindergarten students will be dismissed at the front of the school from Gate B.

TK students will be dismissed at the front of the school from Gate C. Students in 1st and 2nd will be dismissed from Gate C.

3rd through 5th grades will be dismissed through the front entrance Gate A, the side gate, and the back gate.

PLEASE NOTE: Every Wednesday is an early dismissal day at 12:07 PM for TK/K-3rd and at 12:12 PM for 4th & 5th. On all other days, students will follow regular school hours. Please carefully review the class schedule for each of your children's grade levels.

This is going to be a GREAT year! We are excited to welcome all our students on Thursday, August 20th!

Sincerely,

Principal Gómez-Pérez

Important Dates

8/17: - First Day Packet Distribution 1:00-4:00 PM

8/18: - First Day Packet Distribution 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

8/19: - Tk/K/1st Grade -Meet the Teacher 2:15-3:15 PM

8/20: - First Day of School

8/20: - First Day for SHINE Afterschool Program

8/24: - Board Meeting 6:00-8:00 PM -Port Hueneme City Hall

8/26: - Early Dismissal Tk-3rd 12:07 PM, 4th & 5th 12:12 PM

9/3: - Flag Gathering

9/7: - Labor Day Holiday - No School

9/9: - Early Dismissal Tk-3rd 12:07 PM, 4th & 5th 12:12 PM

9/14: - Staff Professional Development Day #1- No School

9/15: - Back to School Night 5:00-7:00 PM

9/15-10/15: - Hispanic Heritage Month

9/16: - Early Dismissal Tk-3rd 12:07 PM, 4th & 5th 12:12 PM

9/22: - Special Ed Parent Night

9/25: - Principal’s Recess

10/6: - Picture Day

10/12: - Staff Professional Development Day #2 - No School

11/6: - End of Trimester 1

11/11: - Veterans Day - No School

11/23 - 11/27: - Thanksgiving Holidays

Labor Day

Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. It was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century and became a federal holiday in 1894. Labor Day weekend symbolizes the end of summer for many Americans and is celebrated with parties, street parades, and athletic events.

Tk/Kinder Registration

TK AND KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT

Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten 2026-27 enrollment is still open!

Students who turn 4 on or before September 1st may enroll in Transitional Kindergarten.

Students who turn 5 on or before September 1st may enroll in Kindergarten.

TK is offered at Bard, Haycox, Hueneme, Larsen, Beach, Williams, Sunkist, Parkview, and Hathaway Schools.

Enroll for both TK and Kindergarten at Bard. To see a TK and kindergarten classroom in action, please watch this short video:

English Video

Spanish Video

Further enrollment details can be found here: https://www.hueneme.org/page/registration

Registration Hours:

Monday - Friday 9:30 a.m.- 11:00 a.m.

Character Counts Everyday at Bard!

Character Counts Every Day at Bard

Here's this month's Character Counts trait that will be our focus, and the CC definition to share with your family.

This Month's Trait: Responsibility

Do what you're supposed to do and do your best.
Persevere. Keep on trying.
Be self-disciplined.
Think before you act. Consider the consequences.
Be accountable for your words, actions, and attitude.

We will be exploring all the traits together throughout the year.

Arriving on Time

Start the day off right!

Bard families, please ensure that our students arrive on campus at 7:30 AM if they are going to eat breakfast at school; if not, they can arrive no later than 7:50 AM. The cafeteria will stop serving breakfast at 7:50.

Arriving on time allows students time to walk to their line and be ready to be picked up by their teacher. Students should be in their seats by 8:00 AM. Students arriving after 8:00 are marked tardy.

Attendance Matters!

Too many absences can prevent your student from succeeding in school and life and slow academic and social progress. This year, we have set a goal of 96%. Missing just two days of school a year can slow your student's progress!

Please have your student attend school every day they can. If you are unsure about your student's health, our school nurse can help make the decision. Please call (805) 488-3583 if you have any questions or if we can help in any way! Go, Bard Bulldogs!

Dress Code

Dressed and Ready to GO!

Friendly reminders for dressing for success when coming to school: Please wear school-appropriate clothing at Bard.

Items that are not allowed:

No gang-related insignia/graffiti on clothing, backpack, or school supplies/work,
No clothing with inappropriate writing (alcohol, drugs, weapons, disrespectful statements)
No clothing, hats, or personal items with team/sports logos
No pajamas (except on celebration days)
No sleeveless tops, see-through blouses/shirts, low-cut or bare midriff tops; spaghetti straps
No torn jeans above the knee
Acrylic nails are not allowed at school due to safety risks, potential for injury, and distractions from learning,

Nothing that distracts from the learning environment is allowed.

If you or your student has any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the office at (805)488-3583

No Bullies!

Anti-Bullying Policy:

Richard Bard Elementary and the Governing Board recognize the harmful effects of bullying on student well-being, student learning, and school attendance, and desire to provide a safe school environment that protects students from physical and emotional harm. No individual or group shall, through physical, written, verbal, or other means, harass, sexually harass, threaten, intimidate, cyberbully, cause bodily injury to, or commit hate violence against any student or school personnel, or retaliate against them for filing a complaint or participating in the complaint resolution process.

If you or your student has any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the office or me at 805-488-3583

Immigration Resources

Immigration Concerns and Resources

At Hueneme Elementary School District, our guiding vision is “Inspiring and empowering every student to thrive every day.” We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that every student and family feels valued, supported, and safe within our schools.

We understand that recent concerns about immigration enforcement in the broader community may create uncertainty or fear for some of our families. I want to take this opportunity to reaffirm our district’s steadfast dedication to safeguarding the rights, privacy, and well-being of every student.

In alignment with Hueneme Elementary School District Board Policy/Administrative Regulation 5145.13 – Response to Immigration Enforcement, we want to emphasize the following:

Student information is confidential and will not be shared with immigration enforcement authorities unless required by a court order, judicial subpoena, or with parental consent.
Staff are required to notify the Superintendent or Principal immediately if immigration enforcement officers request access to a student, school premises, or school records. No action will be taken without first consulting the district’s legal counsel.
Every student in HESD is entitled to equal educational opportunities and protections from discrimination, harassment, or intimidation, regardless of their immigration status. This is supported by California Education Code and federal law.

The right to a free public education is guaranteed to all children, regardless of their immigration status (Plyler v. Doe, 1982). Additionally, under California law (AB 699), schools are not allowed to ask about or disclose the immigration status of students or their families. These safeguards ensure that all children can access their education without fear.

We also want to remind you of the resources available to support our students and families:

At HESD, we are proud to celebrate the diversity of our community, which enriches our schools and inspires us to foster inclusive, supportive, and equitable environments where every student can thrive. Together, we can ensure a brighter future for all our students.

Thank you for your partnership and care as we uphold these commitments.

Sincerely,
Dr. Christine Walker, Superintendent

District Instructional Calendar

September Lunch Menu

Bell Schedule 2026-2027