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

Head’s Corner: Beginning the Year with Connection

The start of a new school year is always filled with excitement. Our students—the lifeblood of our campus—return eager to reconnect with friends and teachers, welcome new classmates, explore the recently added play structures, and settle back into the rhythm of school. It is a joyful time to celebrate and nurture who we are as a community. A school that deeply values connection. If our students are the lifeblood of Saklan, connection and belonging are its heart.

Research tells us that children thrive when they feel known, valued, and connected. A strong sense of belonging gives them the confidence to share their ideas, take risks, attempt difficult things, and recover when life does not go as planned.

The same is true for our larger community. We are stronger when we come together to support one another, learn alongside one another, and share moments of joy.

That is why we are being especially intentional this year about creating more opportunities for our community to connect. Along with CLAS, Taste of Traditions, and our many other community offerings, I am pleased to introduce a new initiative: Discussions with David. These gatherings will offer opportunities to explore topics that shape our children’s experiences and our lives as parents, while helping us deepen the sense of belonging that makes Saklan such a special place. Please join me for the first Discussion with David on Friday, September 4 at 8:30 a.m.

Of course, a strong community is not built through any single event. It grows each time we show up, share our experiences, remain curious about one another, and make room for new voices. I hope you will join us for the celebrations, conversations, and shared learning that will help our community continue to thrive.

I am excited about what we will build together this year. Welcome back!

Warmly,

David

Picture Day

Roots & Shoots Photography will be taking individual and class portraits of Saklan students on Monday, August 24th. These pictures will be used in the yearbook and will be available for purchase.

Pictures will be taken outside in the Redwood Grove during the school day. Please note that 1st – 8th grade students may be in spirit wear or uniform tops for the pictures.

For students who are absent on picture day, makeup pictures will be taken on Thursday, August 27th at 9:30 a.m.

Portrait Ordering Process

Portraits will be available to order online approximately 4 weeks AFTER picture day. Complimentary proofs will be provided for every student, so you can decide whether you would like to order them. If you do order, all portrait packages will be shipped directly to your home (a shipping fee will apply). There will be no school package drop-off.

Questions? Please contact Roots & Shoot directly at grow@roots-shoots.com. They will be happy to assist you!

Join us for CLAS!

All Saklan families are invited to join us next Friday, August 28th, for our first CLAS of the year. CLAS is an all-school assembly focused on Community, Learning, Appreciation, and Sharing that occurs every other Friday on the Saklan Sports Court.

Each CLAS has student hosts, presentations of learning, a birthday celebration, and a song sung by all. CLAS is one of the opportunities that Saklan students have to build their confidence and practice public speaking skills. It is also an opportunity to showcase how supportive, creative, compassionate, and courageous our community is.

CLAS will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the following Fridays:

  • August 28 – Coffee & Tea Provided
  • September 11
  • September 25 – Student Council Candidate Speeches
  • October 9
  • October 23
  • October 30 – Join us for the Halloween Costume Parade and more!
  • November 6 –
  • November 20 – Special Grandfriends’ Day CLAS
  • December 11
  • January 15
  • January 29
  • February 19
  • March 12 – Pi Day Celebration
  • March 26
  • April 16
  • April 30
  • May 14
  • May 21 -Final CLAS of the Year

#SaklanCommunity

Investing in Excellence: Summer Professional Learning

At Saklan, learning extends well beyond the school year. This summer, our faculty embraced opportunities to grow professionally, bringing new ideas and strategies back to the classroom for the benefit of every student.

Kim Parks, Jennifer Lettieri, and Shelby Hastings participated in Responsive Classroom professional development, strengthening their understanding of practices that foster engaging, supportive learning communities in both the Lower School and Middle School.

Linda Lathrop and Tausha Kordisch attended PBL World, a three-day conference dedicated to Project Based Learning. During the conference, they collaborated with educators from around the world and developed innovative PBL units that will inspire inquiry, creativity, and meaningful learning experiences in the year ahead.

Vickie Obenchain attended the NEED (National Energy Education Development) Conference in Nashville, where she explored hands-on, inquiry-based approaches to teaching energy science. She returned with new knowledge and engaging labs that will allow students to investigate topics including nuclear technologies, hydrogen fuel cells, and hydropower engineering. 

These enriching professional development opportunities were made possible in part through the generosity of Saklan’s Annual Giving Fund donors.

#SaklanLifelongLearners

Fall Enrichment Classes

The fall session of enrichment classes will begin the week of September 14th and run through December 10th. Classes available this session include Garden Club, Scratch Coding, Mixed Media Art, and Soccer. The complete schedule of classes offered this fall is below.

Registration for the fall session of classes opens on Tuesday, August 25th at 11:00 a.m. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis and often fill very quickly.

Fall Enrichment Information