Head’s Corner: Known, Challenged, Growing – What Our Students Are Telling Us

This morning, during my Discussions with David session, I shared a presentation with families called Known, Challenged, Growing. We explored the intersection of academics and belonging, looking at our MAP results alongside our student belonging surveys to consider how feeling known, supported, and connected can strengthen academic achievement.

MAP helps us understand what students know and what they are ready to learn next. Our belonging survey offers another perspective: Do students feel they are an important part of our community? Do they feel known by their teachers? Can they be themselves?

We discussed how these perspectives help us understand the conditions that support learning. We talked about the importance of students feeling secure enough to tackle something difficult, ask a question, or try again when their first attempt falls short. We also considered how strong relationships help teachers challenge students while providing the support they need to succeed.

We also explored the kinds of learners we hope to nurture: students whose curiosity extends beyond getting the right answer or earning a good grade, and who take an active interest in their own learning- to become academic explorers. Our goal is for every child to feel seen, known, and valued—and to experience the meaningful challenge that helps them grow.

I appreciated hearing parents’ perspectives on the connection between academics and belonging. Their questions and reflections helped deepen the conversation, and I would welcome the opportunity to hear from more families. With that in mind, keep an eye out for an upcoming virtual session where we can explore these ideas together.

Warmly,

David

Staff Spotlight: Tausha

This year, Saklan welcomed Tausha to the first-grade classroom, and she is loving every minute of being part of the community! When she and her family moved to California, she hoped to find a school with a small, family-like environment, and she found just that at Saklan.

Tausha looks on as two first grade students read together.

A self-described travel enthusiast, Tausha loves exploring the food, art, customs, culture, and history of different places around the world. She brings that same spirit of exploration into her classroom, creating multisensory learning experiences that encourage students to discover new places, cultures, and the connections between all living things. She believes that helping children recognize the beauty and interconnectedness of the world, including themselves, is an important part of learning.

When asked what advice she hopes her students will carry with them, Tausha shares a quote that reflects her philosophy: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” She believes that every individual has both the power and responsibility to make a difference, and that the choices we make matter.

Above all, Tausha hopes her students will remember how they feel in her classroom. Inspired by Maya Angelou’s words, “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel,” she wants every child to feel loved, valued, important, and empowered. Most importantly, she wants her students to know just how much she believes in them.

For Tausha, teaching is more than a career; it is her calling. And while she is still building her favorite Saklan memories, two experiences have already confirmed that she has found the right place. While substitute teaching last year, she watched a musical rehearsal and was captivated by the joy, collaboration, and magic of the experience. Later, the end-of-year art show brought tears to her eyes as she admired the beautiful work students created and recognized the patience and dedication of the teacher behind it.

These experiences reinforced what she values most about Saklan: its commitment to the arts and its dedication to educating the whole child. She appreciates how Saklan recognizes each student’s unique gifts and creates opportunities for them to explore, grow, and shine.

We are delighted to have Tausha as part of the Saklan community and look forward to seeing all the ways she inspires curiosity, creativity, and confidence in the first graders!

Grandfriends’ Day on Friday

Saklan is excited to host Grandfriends’ Day next Friday, November 20th, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m. We have an exciting morning lined up for grandfriends, including student presentations, classroom time, a photo booth, and other fun activities for students and grandfriends to do together!

Please remind your grandparents and special friends (a friend or family member that your child looks up to and/or has a grandparent-like relationship with) about this event, so they can join us!

If your child doesn’t have a grandfriend who can attend, please don’t worry. All students will join the activities and be paired up to enjoy a morning of cross-generational fun!

RSVP for grandfriends’ day!

We look forward to a joyful morning of storytelling, connection, laughter, and shared memories. We can’t wait to celebrate this special Saklan tradition with our grandfriends!

#SaklanConnection #SaklanCommunity

Exploring the Elements

In eighth-grade chemistry, students explored the periodic table of elements: the ultimate map of matter! Through hands-on lessons and investigations, they learned to read the table like scientists, discovering how atomic numbers and atomic masses revealed important information about each element’s structure, bonding potential, and shared properties within each column. With each lesson, students grew more confident in understanding how the periodic table organized and helped explain the world around them.

To bring these concepts to life, students conducted a series of experiments exploring the unique properties of different elements. They observed glowing plasma through spectroscopes, investigated the flammability of various gases, and worked with dry ice to see how matter responded to extremely cold temperatures. They also used sparklers to discover how different elements produced the brilliant colors seen in fireworks.

Building on these investigations, each student selected an element to research in greater depth. Students created Bohr models, uncovered the stories behind each element’s discovery, and explored its everyday applications from technology and medicine to art and construction.

To celebrate their learning and showcase their creativity, students designed custom T-shirts inspired by their chosen elements.

Through research, experimentation, and creative expression, students discovered that the periodic table is much more than a chart. It is a window into the building blocks of the world around us!

#SaklanHandsOn

Why We Came, Why We Stayed, Why We Give: An Alumni Family Perspective

We came to Saklan because of the promise of the school’s mission: challenging kids to think creatively, act compassionately, and live courageously.

We stayed at Saklan because the leaders, teachers, administrators, and staff consistently turn that mission into a culture and have created a safe, challenging, and supportive learning environment that allows the kids to achieve their greatest potential.

And we give because of the outstanding educational and emotional outcomes my son and other students experience at Saklan. My son felt “cared for”, “belonging”, “connected”, “seen”, and “confident” (his words) as a result of his time at Saklan, and we will continue to support Saklan in its dedicated efforts to provide those outcomes for all students.

Join the Hill family in supporting Saklan by making an AGF gift today!

#SaklanCommunity

Discussions with David: Using Data to Guide Our Work

How do we know our students are growing, learning, and feeling connected to their school community? At Saklan, we use a variety of tools to better understand the student experience and ensure we are meeting the needs of every learner.

Join Head of School David O’Connell on Friday, November 13, at 8:30 a.m. in the Humanities Room for the next Discussions with David.

David will share highlights from Saklan’s recent MAP testing and Student Belonging Survey, offering insight into what the data tells us about student learning, academic growth, and overall well-being. He will also discuss how these findings inform our ongoing work, helping us celebrate areas of strength, identify opportunities for growth, and make thoughtful decisions that support our students.

We hope you’ll join us for this opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how data helps guide the Saklan experience.

Creativity, Connection, and Halloween Fun!

What a fun and festive Halloween celebration we had at Saklan! From the moment students arrived on campus, excitement filled the air as everyone prepared for one of our favorite fall traditions.

The morning kicked off with our beloved Costume Parade, bringing the entire Saklan community together. It was wonderful to see the creativity, colorful costumes, and big smiles as families cheered from the sidelines.

The day was also filled with opportunities to practice two important parts of the Saklan spirit: compassion and connection. Our Kindergartners, first graders, second graders, and eighth-grade choir members visited Moraga Royale, where they performed Halloween-themed songs for the residents. Their performance brought smiles and warm applause, creating a special intergenerational connection.

Back on campus, our Middle School Student Council hosted a spooky celebration for students from Preschool through eighth grade. Activities included trips through a haunted house designed by the students themselves, a bean-bag toss, and spooky story reading! The festivities continued into the afternoon with classroom parties filled with food, games, and plenty of laughter.

A heartfelt thank-you to all the Saklan families who helped make the day so memorable. Your time, creativity, and enthusiasm bring our celebrations to life and remind us what makes the Saklan community so special. What a wonderful day of creativity, connection, and Halloween fun!

Growing Compassion at Saklan

At Saklan, social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of helping students grow not only as learners, but also as thoughtful, caring members of our community.

For November and December, Saklan’s SEL focus is being compassionate.

Compassion means recognizing how others feel, showing kindness, and treating people with empathy and respect. It also means understanding that everyone makes mistakes, appreciating our differences, and looking for ways to care for those around us.

Throughout the next two months, students will be encouraged to put compassion into practice by:

  • Thinking about the feelings and perspectives of others.
  • Remembering that everyone makes mistakes and deserves understanding.
  • Letting teachers, parents, and friends know they are appreciated.
  • Respecting that people may have different beliefs and perspectives.
  • Caring for the Earth and all living things.

These simple but meaningful actions help students build stronger relationships, develop empathy, and contribute to a more inclusive and caring community.

At Saklan, we believe that learning to act compassionately is just as important as learning to think critically. By practicing compassion every day, our students take another step toward living our mission: thinking creatively, acting compassionately, and living courageously.

#SaklanSEL

Curious First Graders Create Their Own Book

What happens when a classroom full of curious first graders gets inspired to write a book? A little desert science, a lot of creativity, and plenty of teamwork!

First graders recently explored the Sonoran Desert and its fascinating creatures, from snakes and spiders to bats. Their classroom even transformed into a bat cave as students learned about these nocturnal animals through fiction and nonfiction books! They discovered that bats are mammals that roost and raise pups, explored concepts like echolocation and migration, and practiced important research skills, including taking notes and documenting facts.

Their learning took an exciting new direction with a special visit from illustrator and graphic novelist Mat Heagerty. Inspired by his work, students had plenty of questions about the bookmaking process, from how illustrations come to life to why books have thin pages and thick covers. Their curiosity sparked a new classroom activity: creating an original book titled The Very Lonely Cactus!

Each student illustrated a character and wrote their own dialogue, while the entire class contributed to coloring the finished illustrations. Along the way, they explored character development, setting, sequencing, and storylines, discovering how dialogue helps bring characters to life. From brainstorming and storyboarding to writing final drafts, students listened to one another, shared ideas, and collaborated to bring their story together.

#SaklanCurious

Snack Shack is Back!

Every Saklan student knows how rewarding a snack can be at the end of a busy day of learning and having fun with one another here at school. Our dedicated and resourceful Student Council has been busy planning the return of Snack Shack this year!

Last year, Student Council officers and representatives in grades 1 through 8 selected the final items for sale based on desirability, minimizing waste, and setting reasonable prices ranging from 50 cents to $3.00 per item. Yummy snacks for sale this year will include: Goldfish crackers, gummies, chips, Veggie Straws, Hello Panda, Pirate’s Booty, Rice Krispies treats, La Croix bubble water, Honest Juice, and Martinelli’s apple drinks.

Last year’s Student Council also voted to allocate most of the proceeds from Saklan’s Snack Shack to support two non-profits: Global Preservation Initiative, which is based in Hawai’i and promotes shared human and environmental health, and Global Refuge, which provides support and resources to new immigrants to the U.S. Money earned from purchasing snacks at Snack Shack is converted into donations to support causes that our students care about, inspiring them to Act Compassionately. Stay tuned for which charity or cause this year’s Student Council selects!

Snack Shack will open outside David’s office, or inside the Science Room if it’s raining, from 3:05 – 3:25 p.m. every Thursday.  Saklan students are invited to come by and purchase a snack from our hardworking Student Council members. Cash only, please.

#SaklanStudentCouncil #SaklanCompassion