Join the Hoot Owls in participating in a winter clothing drive organized by the local non-profit, Hip Hop for Change. The drive benefits unsheltered families and individuals in our neighboring communities. New clothes, gently used clothes and new toiletries will be accepted through January 7th. If you would like to participate, please place your donation in a sealed bag and drop it off in the donation bin outside the Hoot Owl classroom. See below for more guidance.
#SaklanCompassion
The fifth graders recently finished their novel study of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This story is about four children who are transported into a fantastical land called Narnia. It is filled with rich characters and an exciting theme of good vs. evil. During the novel study, the students learned about the concept of story elements in literature. They created posters depicting the components: story setting, story characters, story problem, story solution and themes. Last Friday, the students presented their posters during Flag.
Awesome job, fifth graders!
#SaklanAcademic
In fourth grade, students focus on California history. After learning about many early California explorers, students chose one of their favorites to research in more detail. The fourth graders used books to research, as well as primary and secondary sources found on the Internet. Once students felt like they really “knew” their explorer, they designed and created a poster in which they wrote a “recruitment” advertisement for potential crew members. The posters combined many skills that the fourth graders have been practicing including persuasive writing, technology, art, mapping, public speaking, and design. When their posters were finished, students spoke to the class as if they were townspeople and they themselves were their chosen explorer. As their explorers, students tried to convince people to join their expedition, told them information about “themselves,” and warned them of the real-life dangers that they might encounter on their journey. Check out a few of their presentations below!
The students came away from the presentations laughing and smiling, discussing explorers, and with a greater understanding of the early days of their own state of California!
#SaklanAcademic
The Student Council is hosting a food drive for the Monument Crisis Center. This organization serves families in East Contra Costa County. Since many families are struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic and need help, the student council decided that donated food would be the most practical. There will be large bins in the breezeway near the main office starting early next week and ending on Thursday, December 17th. The following food items are requested: peanut butter, tuna, canned food (including soup, stew, vegetables, etc.), dry pasta, and rice. If your family does not want to donate food but still wants to help out, please click here to make a monetary donation. Thank you for showing compassion to our local community!
#SaklanCompassion
Eighth graders Levi, Makenna, Reese, and Evy are working on creating the next edition of Saklan’s Literary Magazine. The theme for this edition is time! The eighth graders are looking for submissions of poetry, short stories, photographs, digital designs, and/or artwork connected to the theme, to be featured in the upcoming edition. Submissions should be placed into the large envelopes in each teacher’s classroom. All Saklan students are invited and encouraged to participate!
#SaklanCreative #SaklanLeadership
“We joined Saklan in 2007 when our oldest, Finn, started Kindergarten. Saklan has gone through many changes since then, but it has remained constant as a source of support for our family. It has helped shape our children–Finn (class of ’17), Evy (8th), and Lilah (5th)–into the people they are today.
Finn is now a senior at Athenian and is doing virtual college interviews. I overheard him during a recent one talking about how his role in the middle school musical back in 8th grade–he was “The Man in the Chair” in The Drowsy Chaperone–was an experience that truly changed his life. To hear how he still considers playing that role as such a pivotal experience three and a half years later was a poignant reminder of what an impact Saklan had on him.
He was never interested in theater, but Mrs. Chaffey encouraged him to take on increasingly challenging roles. Learning how to memorize pages of monologues and portray this character and dance on stage took a ton of courage and emotional vulnerability. The unwavering support and guidance he received made it possible for him to do something he never knew he could do. It not only helped him build confidence; it allowed him to learn to understand the life of a character’s emotions, as well his own. It gave him a new passion.
Saklan also gave Finn an incredible academic foundation for high school. He is leaning towards continuing in science in college, but he is just as interested in the humanities and is still passionate about theater and poetry. We credit this wide range of interests to the inspiring teachers at Saklan. They encouraged him to dive into new things and supported him to strive to do his best even when he didn’t think he was good at something.
Our girls–Evy in 8th and Lilah in 5th–have literally grown up at Saklan. Like Finn, they have also had many experiences since their preschool days where they were challenged and were able to shine, and they’ve grown tremendously academically and creatively. The enriching experiences outside of the classroom, along with the Saklan teachers’ support, have been transformative and inspired them to love to learn.
We are grateful that Saklan has helped all three of them to become respectful, compassionate, and engaged students and people. They are aware of themselves, have the confidence to contribute, and want to understand the world.
We are not sure we are ready to have a child move onto college and another on to high school this next year, but we are confident that they are ready and have an incredible foundation. What the Saklan teachers and community have given our kids is hard to measure. To quote Finn’s Saklan graduation speech, ‘Saklan will always be home.‘”
Lori and Eric Anders
Finn (Class of ’17), Evy (8th), and Lilah (5th)
#SaklanGiving #SaklanAlum
Before the Thanksgiving break, the Hoot Owls and Owlets in Ms. Jessica’s class considered some of the things they are grateful for. They read the book We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga, by Traci Sorrel. “Otsaliheliga” is the Cherokee word for expressing gratitude. The book taught the students many other Cherokee words, and showed some of the traditions and celebrations that members of the Cherokee Nation experience throughout the year.
After reading the story, the Owls made their own handprint Thanksgiving turkeys while sharing what they are grateful for.
#SaklanGrateful
FRIDAY BLOG 
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