Head’s Corner: Making Space for the Fire

This morning, Saklan families gathered around a campfire to begin our first “Discussions with David.” It was a time carved out to slow down and build community.

The center of our morning was Judy Brown’s poem “Fire.” The poem describes how a fire needs space between the logs to breathe and grow. Too much wood packed too tightly can extinguish a fire just as surely as a lack of fuel.

That image stayed with me.

In our lives, we spend much of our time thinking about the logs: the email inbox, projects, schedules, events, routines, getting kids here or there, planning dinner, responsibilities, and activities that fill our days. All of those things matter. 

But “Fire” reminded me that the spaces in between are meant to let the fire breathe, and are as important as the logs. The moment we pause to really listen. The conversation that continues around the dinner table after a child shares something that happened at school. The time families spend getting to know one another at CLAS, culminations, or over a weekend playdate. The invitation that helps someone feel included and welcomed in the life of our community. The willingness to ask a question, share a perspective, or just listen with intention—even when family schedules are full, mornings are rushed, and everyone is carrying the ordinary joys and challenges of daily life.

Those spaces are where relationships grow.

As we begin this school year, I hope we can continue creating more of those spaces at Saklan. Our children benefit when the adults around them are connected and working together. Partnership does not mean that we will always agree or see things in exactly the same way. It means that we communicate, listen, and remember that we are all here because we care deeply about our children and this community.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the morning so special. I left feeling grateful for the community we are building together—and reminded that sometimes the most important work begins when we slow down and make a little more space.

Our next “Discussions with David” will be a Drumming Edition on Friday, October 2. Isaac, Saklan’s African drumming teacher, will join us to share how drumming helps develop listening, communication, and collaboration skills—and, yes, we will all have a chance to drum. 

I hope you’ll join us.

Warmly, 

David

#SaklanCommunity #HeadsCorner

Staff Spotlight: Victoria

There’s something special about the little moments in early childhood: a child gaining confidence, discovering something new, or running across the room simply because they’re excited to see their teacher. For Victoria, these moments are among the most rewarding parts of being a teacher at Saklan.

Victoria is beginning her fourth school year at Saklan, and during that time, she has taken on multiple roles, including Owlet teacher, ECE music teacher, and bus monitor. Each experience has helped her grow as an educator and deepened her appreciation for the important role teachers play in children’s early years.

Learning Through Creativity

Creativity is at the heart of Victoria’s teaching. She loves art, hands-on projects, and giving children opportunities to explore, experiment, and—yes—get a little messy.

“I especially enjoy taking something simple and turning it into an experience where the children can create, experiment, and make it their own,” Victoria says.

Whether students are creating something with their hands, trying a new idea, or discovering what happens when they experiment, Victoria encourages them to be curious and embrace the process of learning.

That philosophy extends to the advice she hopes her students carry with them: “Be curious, be kind, and never be afraid to try something new.” She also wants them to understand that mistakes are part of learning—and that some of the best discoveries happen when we try again.

A New Musical Chapter

This spring brought a special new opportunity for Victoria as she stepped into her role as the Music Teacher for the Owlet and Hoot Owl classes.

Her favorite memory from the spring concert was not just the final performance, but everything that happened along the way. She loved teaching the children their songs, watching them build confidence, and seeing their hard work come together on stage.

“It was especially meaningful because it was my very first time stepping into my new role,” she says. “I’m so proud of them and grateful that I got to be part of that process.”

Creating a Classroom They Remember

When Victoria thinks about what she hopes her students will remember about their time in her classroom, it goes beyond a particular lesson or activity.

She hopes they remember a place where they felt safe, loved, and comfortable being themselves. She hopes they remember getting messy, being silly, creating things, asking questions, and having fun.

“Most of all, I hope they remember that their teachers genuinely cared about them and were always excited to see them.”

That sense of connection is also one of the things Victoria appreciates most about Saklan’s community. She especially enjoys CLAS, which gives students opportunities to come together, build relationships, and experience things outside their everyday classroom. She loves seeing teachers and families work together to make those experiences meaningful for students.

Life Beyond Saklan

Outside of school, Victoria loves spending time with family and friends, traveling and exploring new places, and enjoying the little things in life. She is always happy to find a good cup of coffee—or boba!

When she has free time, you might find Victoria at the beach, hiking, or curled up with a good book. She especially enjoys romance and thriller novels.

Whether she’s in the classroom helping a child discover something new, teaching a group of students their first concert songs, or enjoying time with the people she loves, Victoria brings the same spirit of curiosity, creativity, and connection to everything she does.

We are grateful to have Victoria as part of the Saklan community!

#SaklanStaff #SaklanCommunity

Taste of Traditions

Save the date for the 3rd Annual Taste of Traditions Dance and Potluck on Saturday, October 17th. The event will be held from 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. on the Saklan Sports Court. All Saklan families, students, and alumni are invited to join us for this family-friendly community party!

Special thanks to the Saklan Parent Association for hosting this event. Stay tuned for more information!

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanPA

Learning Buddies are Back!

The excitement was contagious this morning as Saklan’s Preschool – 5th grade students met their new Learning Buddies for the year!

A beloved Saklan tradition, the Learning Buddy program brings students from different grade levels together to build friendships, practice responsibility, and learn from one another. From Preschool through eighth grade, Saklan students have opportunities to be both learners and mentors, creating connections that extend beyond their own classrooms.

During their first meeting, buddies spent time getting to know one another before settling in for some shared reading. Older students modeled strong reading skills, using expression, fluency, and confidence as they read alongside their younger buddies. They also practiced an equally important skill: being an attentive and encouraging listener as their younger buddies proudly read aloud.

The smiles and excitement throughout the morning said it all. Older students embraced their new roles as mentors and role models, while younger students were eager to share, read, and spend time with their new friends.

By the end of the morning, there was already one question on everyone’s mind: When do we get to meet with our buddies again?

We can’t wait to watch these relationships grow throughout the year as our students learn from one another, encourage one another, and grow together.

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanLeadership

Upcoming Parent Education Events

Parenting today comes with endless advice, but finding trusted support can be harder than ever. Saklan is thrilled to partner with ParentMap again this year to bring parents together for live online discussions featuring leading experts on the most pressing parenting issues, from ADHD and mental health to EdTech and resilience. 

The ParentMap Talks series kicks off on Sept. 24 with New York Times bestselling authors and viral content creators The Holderness Family, who will share stories and strategies from their book “ADHD is Awesome: How to (Mostly) Thrive with ADHD.”

Register now to unlock all eight live Zoom talks, plus on-demand access to the entire library of recordings to watch anytime, anywhere for free. To claim your complimentary tickets ($80 value), sign up here and enter promo code SAKSCHL. 

2026-2027 Speaker Lineup

ADHD Is Awesome: How to (Mostly) Thrive With ADHD
With Penn and Kim Holderness, viral creators and New York Times bestselling authors
Sept. 24, 2026, noon–1 p.m. PT

Human Raised: Helping Kids Flourish in the Age of AI
With Dana Suskind, pediatric surgeon and New York Times bestselling author
Oct. 15, 2026, noon–1 p.m. PT

When EdTech Disrupts Learning: How Parents Can Speak Up
With Emily Cherkin, M.Ed., The Screentime Consultant
Nov. 10, 2026, noon–1 p.m. PT

Raising Capable Kids: Are We Helping Our Children Too Much?
With Lenore Skenazy, author of “Free-Range Kids” and co-founder of Let Grow
Jan. 21, 2027, noon–1 p.m. PT

Less Awkward: How to Handle Growing Up, From Early Signs to Hard Questions 
With Dr. Cara Natterson, pediatrician and bestselling author 
Feb. 9, 2027, noon–1 p.m. PT

Growing Good Humans: Raising Kind Kids in a Divided World
With Uju Asika, bestselling author and global speaker 
March 10, 2027, noon–1 p.m. PT

Parent Without the Panic: Worry Less and Trust Yourself More 
With Dr. Michael Milobsky, board-certified pediatrician and father of seven
April 20, 2027, noon–1 p.m. PT

The Motherhood Trap: Why You Feel Like You’re Failing — and Why You’re Not
With Reshma Saujani, Time 2026 Woman of the Year and founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First
May 4, 2027, noon–1 p.m. PT

#SaklanParentEd

Discussions with David

We’re excited to introduce a new series at Saklan: Discussions with David.

In this series, Head of School David O’Connell will sit down with members of our community to explore the ideas, experiences, and questions that shape life at Saklan. Through these conversations, we’ll take a closer look at the thinking behind our approach to education, the people who make up our school, and the many ways our community brings Saklan’s mission to life.

From conversations about Project Based Learning and progressive education to discussions about student growth, community, and the experiences that make Saklan unique, Discussions with David will offer an inside look at the ideas and people at the heart of our school.

Join Us for Our First Discussion

Our first Discussions with David event will take place on Friday, September 4, at 8:30 a.m. All families are invited to join us in the Pavilion for a Community Campfire as we come together to begin the school year with connection, conversation, and a campfire!

Save the Dates

Future Discussions with David dates include:

  • October 2
  • November 13
  • December 4
  • January 22
  • February 26
  • March 19
  • April 23

We look forward to gathering throughout the year for meaningful conversations and opportunities to connect with one another.

The Advance: Beginning the Year Together

A long-standing Saklan Middle School tradition, the Advance is a three-day, two-night field experience designed to bring students and teachers together at the very start of the school year. More than simply a trip, the Advance gives students an opportunity to step outside their everyday routines, build relationships, and begin the year with confidence, connection, and a shared sense of purpose.

Throughout the experience, students participate in activities that strengthen relationships with both peers and teachers. From navigating ropes courses and paddling canoes to creating advisory names and norms and tackling team-building challenges, each activity encourages students to collaborate, communicate, and trust one another.

The Advance also invites students to take risks together in a supportive environment. As they try new things, navigate challenges, and share plenty of laughter, students form new friendships and deepen existing connections. These shared experiences help create the strong sense of belonging that allows students to thrive—not only socially and emotionally, but academically as well.

When the Middle School students and teachers returned to campus on Monday, they were a little different from the group that had arrived on the first day of school. They had new friendships, stronger connections, and a growing sense of themselves as a community.

Most importantly, they came back ready to learn, grow, support one another, and make the most of their middle school journey together.

At Saklan, the Advance is more than a field experience. It is the beginning of a community and the foundation for a year of growth, courage, collaboration, and connection.

#SaklanConnected #SaklanFieldExperience

Join us for Back-to-School Nights

We’re excited to welcome families to campus for our upcoming Back-to-School Nights! These evenings are a wonderful opportunity for parents to get to know their children’s teachers, learn more about the curriculum, and gain insight into the year ahead.

Please note that these are adults-only events, designed to give parents time and space to connect with teachers and one another.

Kindergarten – 5th Grade Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 3rd at 6:00 p.m.

Preschool & Pre-K Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 10th at 5:45 p.m.

6th – 8th Grade Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 10th at 6:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you on campus and sharing more about the exciting year ahead at Saklan!

SEL Focus: Inclusive & Accepting

Each month Saklan focuses on a different Social Emotional Learning (SEL) topic, incorporating it into lessons and discussions from Preschool through eighth grade.

Saklan’s social-emotional learning emphasis for August and September is being inclusive and accepting. Throughout these two months, students across all grade levels are exploring what inclusion and acceptance mean and putting these values into practice by listening to others, choosing their words thoughtfully, including others in activities, and recognizing that every person is important.

On Tuesday, September 29, Kindergarten through 8th Grade students will gather in their family groups for cross-grade-level discussions and activities focused on deepening their understanding of what it means to create a community where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and included.

#SaklanSEL

2nd Grade Museum of Me

Second graders began the school year by getting to know one another through Museum of Me, an engaging activity that invited each student to share a little piece of their story.

Each student created a mini museum featuring four meaningful artifacts. Their collections offered glimpses into their families, hobbies, interests, and experiences. Once the museums were ready, students traveled from one collection to another, carefully observing their classmates’ artifacts and choosing one that sparked their curiosity. They then drew and wrote about what they discovered.

The conversations that grew from the activity were just as meaningful as the writing. Students asked questions, made connections, and eagerly discovered things they had in common. They learned new things about one another and found themselves wanting to keep talking, even when it was time for recess!

Museum of Me provided an authentic way for students to practice important second-grade skills while beginning to build a strong classroom community. As they observed, listened, spoke, wrote, and shared, students were also learning something even more important: every person has a story worth knowing.

#SaklanCommunity