Earth Day Family Groups

On April 22, Saklan students came together to celebrate Earth Day with an afternoon of learning, collaboration, and hands-on action in support of the natural world.

The afternoon began with a special visit from Wildmind, an animal rescue organization, which introduced Preschool through 8th-grade students to several remarkable animals and their stories. Among them were Pugsley the turkey vulture, Sonora the grey fox, Taborri the red-tailed hawk, Sylvie the raccoon, and Sherman the California desert tortoise. Through these close-up encounters, students learned about each animal’s journey and the importance of protecting local wildlife. The experience sparked curiosity and compassion, helping students better understand how they can support the health of the ecosystems around them.

Following the presentation, students in Kindergarten through 8th grade gathered in their family groups to focus on Saklan’s social-emotional learning theme of the month: collaboration. Together, they discussed what it means to work effectively as a team and created posters outlining shared commitments to being collaborative community members.

Students then put those ideas into action through a meaningful, hands-on project. Working together, each group mixed wildflower seeds, soil, and water to create California wildflower seed spheres. Each student made four spheres, which were left in the sun to dry. These seed spheres will later be planted at home or shared with others, with the hope that they will grow into wildflowers that provide food and habitat for local species.

By the end of the day, students not only gained a deeper appreciation for wildlife and environmental stewardship, but also experienced the power of collaboration in making a positive impact.

#SaklanCompassion

Art Show Opening Reception

The Saklan School’s Annual Art Show will open on Friday, May 1, at the Moraga Art Gallery, located in the Rheem Valley Shopping Center. This much-anticipated event celebrates the creativity and artistic growth of Saklan students across all grade levels.

An opening reception will be held from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., offering families and community members the opportunity to view the artwork, connect with one another, and celebrate the students’ accomplishments.

The exhibition will remain on display through Wednesday, May 6. Gallery hours are 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday, providing multiple opportunities to experience the collection.

In addition, Moraga’s Art Walk on Sunday, May 3, offers another wonderful chance to visit the gallery and enjoy students’ work as part of a broader community celebration of the arts.

#SaklanCreative #SaklanCommunity

Angles in Action

Saklan’s “Color Out” Spirit Day brought more than just vibrant energy to campus; it set the stage for an immersive and memorable learning experience in fifth grade.

As colorful tape stretched across desks in every direction, the classroom quickly transformed into a giant geometry puzzle. Students were immediately drawn in, asking questions like, “What’s happening?” “Are the lines supposed to match across the tables?” and “I think we’re finding triangles and quadrilaterals!” In true Saklan fashion, curiosity led the way as students eagerly investigated the patterns around them.

It wasn’t long before they discovered that the web of lines was part of a hands-on geometry challenge. Armed with protractors, students measured angles, recorded their findings directly on the desktops, and classified them as acute, obtuse, or right. As they worked, key mathematical concepts came to life: angles along a straight line add up to 180 degrees, and angles around a point total 360 degrees.

With each new discovery, excitement grew. Students identified a wide variety of shapes hidden within the intersecting lines, including kites, trapezoids, quadrilaterals, and triangles of all kinds, from scalene to isosceles, as well as perfectly formed right angles.

What made this experience especially meaningful was not just the math itself, but how students engaged with it. Rather than working through problems on paper alone, they moved, collaborated, and explored concepts in a dynamic, shared space.

This kind of visual and experiential learning helps deepen understanding while building confidence, persistence, and flexible thinking. It also reflects the essence of education at Saklan: rigorous academics paired with hands-on challenges and opportunities for creative problem-solving.

#SaklanHandsOn

Preschool Rolls into Learning

As part of their Transportation Project, the Owlets enjoyed a special “Wheels Day,” focused on the types of transportation they can use themselves.

The sports court came alive with movement as students and staff propelled the wheels of roller skates, scooters, bikes, and skateboards. With teachers guiding and encouraging them, the Owlets practiced riding with awareness and care, demonstrating strong safety habits and teamwork as they looked out for one another.

Driven by student curiosity, the experience naturally led to a deeper exploration of safety gear. When the preschoolers noticed that one classmate was wearing more than just a helmet, they became eager to learn more. Together, they examined wrist guards, knee pads, and elbow pads, discussing how each piece protects different parts of the body.

Building on this interest, students used Model Magic to design and create their own safety gear. As they worked, they paid close attention to details like shape, straps, and padding. Through this hands-on activity, they discovered an important concept: protective gear is designed with a hard outer layer for safety and a soft inner layer for comfort.

Through play, observation, and creativity, the Owlets are not only learning about transportation—they are developing an understanding of safety, design, and how thoughtful choices help keep us protected.

#SaklanProjectWork #SaklanCuriosity

Safe at Home

First graders at Saklan are deepening their understanding of homes and safety through meaningful, real-world connections as part of their Homes Project Based Learning unit.

One area of interest for the students has been wildfires: how they start, how they impact homes, and what people can do to stay safe. To bring this learning to life, students welcomed guest expert (and Saklan parent) Firefighter Mason, who shared valuable safety tips and prevention strategies. He explained how firefighters work to protect the community and what families can do to reduce risk at home. This visit helped students better understand the critical role firefighters play and made the learning both relevant and memorable.

A highlight of the visit was Mason’s demonstration of his firefighter gear. Students watched with awe as he suited up, describing each piece, from his heavy boots to his helmet and fire-resistant clothing. They were especially surprised to learn how much the gear weighs and how it helps keep firefighters safe while they do their important work.

The learning continued with another special guest, Saklan’s Science Teacher, Ms. O. As part of the unit, students explored how to protect themselves and their homes during extreme weather conditions. Before her visit, students generated thoughtful questions, which Ms. O answered in engaging and accessible ways.

Through videos and images, students were introduced to a range of natural events, including tornadoes, earthquakes, strong winds, and hurricanes. These visuals helped bring complex concepts to life and sparked meaningful discussions about how such events can affect homes and communities.

Ms. O also guided students in thinking about how to prepare for different weather conditions, whether staying cool during extreme heat, keeping warm in cold temperatures, or making safe choices during emergencies. These lessons helped students see how science connects directly to their everyday lives.

Through these expert visits, first graders are not only learning about homes, but they are also developing the knowledge and awareness needed to stay safe and care for their communities.

#SaklanProjectWork

Taste of Traditions Tomorrow

We hope to see you at our annual Taste of Traditions Dance & Potluck tomorrow, Saturday, April 18, from 5:30–8:30 p.m. on the Saklan Sports Court!

This special evening is a celebration of our vibrant community and is open not only to our current families but also to newly enrolled families who will be joining Saklan next year. It’s a wonderful opportunity to connect, share traditions, and enjoy time together.

Expect a fun, relaxing, family-friendly event filled with:

  • A DJ (with song requests!)
  • Glow toys, lights, and a fog machine
  • Delicious food from our community
  • Games, activities, and plenty of time to connect

Bring a favorite family dish or a traditional recipe to share, or simply come as you are. The most important ingredient is YOU, and we can’t wait to gather as a community.

If you’d like to contribute a dish, please sign up using the button below.

Sign Up to bring a dish to share

See you tomorrow!

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanPA

Designing Dreams

Third graders at Saklan are stepping into the role of architects with a new Project Based Learning unit that asks a compelling question: What if you could design a home that fits someone’s life perfectly—every inch intentional, every detail meaningful?

The unit began with imagination at the forefront. Inspired by If I Built a House by Chris Van Dusen, students sketched their own dream tiny homes. Their ideas ranged from whimsical treehouse escapes to cleverly designed underground hideaways, each reflecting a unique blend of creativity and personal vision. As their designs took shape, students began to think more deeply about the purpose behind their choices.

From there, the learning shifted toward real-world application. Students explored why people choose to live in tiny homes and considered the challenges of designing within a limited space. They examined how architects must carefully balance wants and needs, making thoughtful decisions about how every inch is used.

This work is closely tied to their current math studies. By applying concepts of area and perimeter, students are discovering how mathematical thinking plays a critical role in planning functional spaces. Measuring, calculating, and adjusting their designs has helped them see math as a practical and powerful tool for problem-solving.

A highlight of the unit was a visit from guest expert Chris Avant of Canyon Design Build. Students had the opportunity to explore real blueprints and materials, including wood samples, glass, and color palettes. This hands-on experience brought an added layer of authenticity to their work and deepened their understanding of the design process.

Now working in collaborative teams, students are taking on the role of architects in earnest. They are developing thoughtful questions, interviewing “clients,” and learning to listen carefully to design homes that truly meet others’ needs. This phase of the project is strengthening their communication skills and fostering purposeful collaboration.

As the unit progresses, students are transforming their ideas into tangible creations through detailed blueprints and physical models. With each step, their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills continue to grow—demonstrating the power of learning that is both meaningful and deeply engaging.

Up Close with Arthropods

Students across multiple grade levels at Saklan recently had a hands-on encounter with the fascinating world of arthropods, thanks to a special visit from guest experts from SaveNature.org.

Preschool, Pre-K, and seventh-grade students all took part in this engaging learning experience, exploring how different arthropods survive and thrive in their environments. The visiting experts introduced students to key concepts such as camouflage, defense mechanisms, and adaptation, bringing science to life in memorable ways.

The highlight of the visit was the opportunity for students to interact directly with a variety of live creatures. With a mix of curiosity and courage, students were able to pet, hold, and even smell some of the arthropods, including stink beetles, two types of walking sticks, grasshoppers, a whip scorpion, and an African millipede.

These up-close encounters sparked excitement and wonder, giving students a deeper appreciation for the diversity and ingenuity of the natural world. Experiences like this not only build scientific understanding but also inspire curiosity, encouraging students to ask questions and explore the world around them in new ways.

#SaklanHandsOn

The Brain, Perception, and Human Connection

Fifth graders at Saklan are investigating a powerful question: What if everything we see, feel, and react to isn’t exactly what it seems?

Their study began with an exploration of the brain as both remarkably capable and inherently imperfect. Through hands-on learning, students mapped the different lobes of the brain onto eggs, creating a tangible model to better understand how the brain functions, and what happens when it doesn’t.

From there, students moved into a full engineering cycle, planning, designing, and testing “crash helmets” to protect their egg “brains.” Using materials like balloons, cotton balls, bubble wrap, and pompoms, they built creative prototypes with focus and purpose. The classroom quickly transformed into a hub of innovation and collaboration.

The excitement peaked during crash testing. When one “patient,” affectionately named Eggie, sustained a fracture through the temporal lobe and prefrontal cortex, students immediately shifted into diagnosis mode. Drawing on their growing understanding of brain function, they predicted how such injuries might impact memory, impulse control, and decision-making. In that moment, science became immediate and real.

Students were especially captivated by how the brain interprets, and sometimes misinterprets, what we see. When examining the viral image known as The Dress, the class was split, with about 20% seeing white and 80% seeing blue. In another activity featuring color illusions, students debated what they saw with complete confidence, only to discover that others perceived the same image entirely differently.

These moments sparked both curiosity and reflection. Students began to grapple with an important realization: our brains construct our experience of the world, and those constructions can vary from person to person. If it’s possible to feel completely certain and still be mistaken, or simply see things differently, what does that mean for how we navigate disagreements and treat one another?

This question lies at the heart of the project.

Earlier this year, fifth graders worked to restore the Redwood Grove, using physical tools to care for a shared environment. Now, they are beginning to design a different kind of toolkit: one that helps people pause, understand what is happening in their brains, and respond with greater awareness. Like redwoods, strong communities are built through connection, not just proximity.

“Decoding Boys” Parent Ed Talk

The next Parent Ed talk is scheduled for Wednesday, April 22. Due to an unexpected scheduling conflict, Dr. Cara Natterson — pediatrician, The New York Times bestselling author, and one of the country’s most trusted voices on child development — will lead this conversation instead of Richard Reeves.

You may already know Dr. Natterson’s work: she’s the author of “The Care and Keeping of You,” the book series that has helped over six million families navigate growing up. Her book “Decoding Boys” tackles the question at the heart of this session: why boys retreat during adolescence, and what parents can do to stay connected.

As a pediatrician, Dr. Natterson is seeing firsthand how different the landscape is for boys today. Many are coming of age in a world shaped by early exposure to porn, immersive gaming, and constant access to technology, often without the emotional framework to process what they’re experiencing. These forces influence how boys understand themselves and their relationships, often contributing to the withdrawal and shutdown that parents notice during adolescence.

This session will focus on:

  • Why boys go quiet — and what’s actually happening underneath
  • How puberty begins earlier than most parents expect, and what that means
  • Practical ways to keep communication open through adolescence

Use the button below to register for the Zoom webinar. You’ll also gain access to the event recording, so you can watch it anytime, anywhere. 

Decoding Boys RSVP
(Promo code sakschl)

#SakanParentEd #SaklanPA