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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
One main goal of our project work at Saklan is authentic learning that connects to the students’ world outside of the school walls. One beautiful example of how deep academic work and authentic learning come together is the current 2nd-grade PBL unit called The Secret Life of Seeds. In this unit, the students are working to answer the driving question: If a seed could tell its own story, how could we use it to teach others about seed dispersal?
Through a blend of science labs, expository reading, imaginative story boarding and script writing, Saklan’s 2nd graders are learning how seeds travel and move through their growth cycle. They visited the Berkeley Botanical Garden, dissected foods to learn how fruit is a “suitcase” for seeds, and playfully considered how seeds move from place to place- some seeds hitch a ride on fur, feathers, or even shoes, while others are eaten and later deposited in new locations.
These hands-on experiences, which are at the core of every Saklan PBL unit, help students see the world around them in new and complex ways while also driving authentic inquiry. Recently, students have wondered: Why do some fruits have many seeds while others only have one? Why are some seeds tiny and others large? How does the fruit help the seed survive its journey?
Next, students will be taking all their science learning to create stories of their own about different types of seeds and the journeys they take to grow. This work reflects the heart of Saklan’s approach—where academic content and creativity come together, and where students’ voices and ideas shine.
In the coming weeks, all three divisions will be sharing their project work culminations. Families are warmly invited to join in celebrating student learning and to experience firsthand what makes Saklan’s project work so meaningful.
On the Friday before Spring Break, Saklan students took the stage for one of the community’s beloved traditions—Spring Follies.
As always, the event was filled with energy, creativity, and joy. Students wowed the audience with their singing, dancing, and a wide range of performances that highlighted both their talents and their personalities. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it was clear that many students felt right at home in the spotlight.
What made the event especially meaningful was the courage each performer showed. Stepping onto the stage takes confidence, and our students embraced the opportunity to take risks, try something new, and share a part of themselves with the community.
We are incredibly proud of all the performers for their outstanding efforts, and equally grateful to the audience for creating such a supportive and encouraging environment.
Be sure to check out photos from this joyful event below!
A big thank you to our 8th-grade emcees, and to Dianne, Linda L., Riva, Saul, and Shelby for working with the performers, moving props, and organizing a wonderful show. Your leadership and behind-the-scenes efforts made the event truly shine!
Throughout the month of April, Saklan students are focusing on an essential social-emotional skill: collaboration. At its heart, collaboration is about working together with respect, openness, and a shared sense of purpose.
In classrooms across campus, students are practicing what it means to truly listen—to hear and value the ideas of others while also sharing their own thinking. They are learning that strong collaboration isn’t just about having good ideas, but about being willing to try someone else’s approach, even when it’s different from their own.
Students are also exploring the importance of taking turns in leadership, recognizing that everyone brings unique strengths to a group. Whether leading or supporting, each role matters in helping a team succeed.
Encouragement is another key part of this work. Students are practicing how to lift one another up, celebrate effort, and help their peers do their best. They are also discovering the value of sharing their own talents while learning from those around them, building both confidence and appreciation for others.
Perhaps most importantly, collaboration at Saklan means making sure everyone feels included. Students are learning to notice who may be left out and to take steps to ensure every voice is heard and every person is part of the process.
By developing these habits, students are not only becoming stronger collaborators—they are becoming thoughtful, empathetic community members who understand that we are always better when we work together.
The Hoot Owls are making waves with their current Project Work, taking a deep dive into the fascinating world of the ocean.
During a recent session in the Science Lab with Ms. O, the Pre-K students explored the anatomy of a squid through a hands-on dissection. They examined key features including the ink sac, eyes, throat, beak, and pen—the structure that helps the squid maintain its shape. Students even determined whether their squid was male or female. In a particularly memorable moment, some students used the squid’s pen and ink sac to write, bringing their learning to life in an unforgettable way.
Back in the classroom, one Hoot Owl stepped into the role of expert, leading a mini-lesson on sharks. Complete with detailed drawings of a frill shark and a mako shark, the student shared fascinating facts with classmates—such as the existence of over 500 shark species, the size range from the massive whale shark (up to 40 feet) to the tiny dwarf lantern shark (about 8 inches), and insights into how sharks hunt and what they eat. The presentation sparked curiosity and led to an enthusiastic Q&A session filled with thoughtful questions.
Collaboration has also been a key part of this project. The Hoot Owls partnered with their fourth-grade buddies to research sharks and squid. Each student selected a topic and worked alongside their buddy to gather interesting facts. Together, they created detailed posters featuring their findings and illustrations.
These impressive posters are now displayed around campus, showcasing the students’ hard work, curiosity, and growing expertise. Through hands-on exploration, peer collaboration, and student-led learning, the Hoot Owls are truly diving deep into discovery.
FRIDAY BLOG 
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