Month: January 2021

Head’s Corner

What Kind of Extremist Will You Be?

“So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?”

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Letters from a Birmingham Jail (April 16, 1963)

I think many of us are still processing the violence of January 6th to understand the magnitude of that day. While the events of the day left us feeling upset, angry, powerless, and maybe lost, it was also a day of extremes. Those who stormed the Capitol building and those responsible for electing two diverse candidates to Georgia’s Senate seats. One group was for the preservation of injustice, the other for the extension of justice.

I tend to be an optimist and look for the bright spots in dark times. The January 6th attack has consumed us and has sucked the oxygen out of the air, but the Senate election is the long arc of history where diversity and open-mindedness win the day.

Last week was exhausting to process. From now until after inauguration day- there will be a steady stream of rhetoric filling our screens- some thoughtful and worthy, but much inflammatory and meant to incite. 

While our older children will be bombarded through social media, our younger ones will hear things.Neither group will be able to make sense of what they are hearing or seeing without our help. The videos, memes, and rhetoric of these events can create more anxiety and stress. Our intentionality and consideration about when, how, and where we discuss and tune-in to these events matters. It is crucial that we stay attuned to what they are being exposed to – and help them feel safe and process at an age-appropriate level. 

I know we are exhausted by the politics, protests, and injustices of the last year- and yes, the pandemic. But as parents and teachers of young children, we have an opportunity to help them learn how to work through understanding the complexities of our current world. We also have a timely example in Martin Luther King, who led positively in what was arguably a more challenging period.  

Below are several resources to help or frame the issues in front of us. They each have age-appropriate approaches. I hope they are in some way helpful.

In peace,

David 

The National Association of School Psychologists  – Talking to Children About Violence

The American Psychological Association How to Talk To Children About Difficult News

Commonsense Media – Explaining the News to Our Kids

Winter Traditions

The winter season brings not only cold weather, but also different holidays and family traditions. To celebrate each class member, the third graders created slides or posters to share about holidays and traditions that are unique to their family. They included pictures and text about winter holidays they celebrate, places they like to go in the winter,  winter activities, food they like to make in winter, and any other special family winter traditions. Each slide or poster was as unique as each student!  Check out the slides and posters the students created below.

The third graders really enjoyed learning about each other’s traditions!

#SaklanDiversity

Admissions Update

Dear Saklan Community,

It is a busy time of year in the admissions office, but I write to you with immense gratitude, tremendous hope, and much information! Many of you have been asking questions about admissions, re-enrollment, financial assistance, etc., and so I wanted to clarify our process and what the next month looks like.

Typically January marks a winding down of admissions activity, as our deadline to apply is next Friday, January 22nd. Because we are living in a pandemic, things feel very different this year. I have been overwhelmed with interest in Saklan, both for the current school year and beyond. Not only has it been a great opportunity to share Saklan with so many new families, but it also reminds me every single day what a privilege it is to have our kids here on campus.

So, thank you. For helping to do your part to keep us safe and open, but also for spreading wonderful information about our school and our program to the broader community. Many of the inquiries I have received have come from friends of yours with whom you have shared your positive experiences. Our community is strong, and it has shown now more than ever.

Next Friday is our deadline to apply for Indexed Tuition/Financial Aid. It is important for families to adhere to this deadline so that our Committee can process the paperwork in time for re-enrollment.

On Monday, February 1st, current families will receive an offer to re-enroll for the 2021-22 school year. Tuition assistance will be reflected in those contracts. We are asking families to commit for the 2021-22 school year by Friday, February 12th. Given the volume of applications I have received this year, we can only guarantee your child’s spot if we have your contract and deposit by Friday the 12th. Thank you in advance for your understanding. 

Your children are the heartbeat of our school. Without your incredible trust in Saklan and our teachers, we would not be here. And I know I speak for many parents when I say that being here in person has breathed life back into a lot of our children. So, I thank you for your support, your cooperation, your trust, and your presence. 

In gratitude,

Melissa 🙂

#SaklanAdmissions

Life Lessons of 2020 in a Zine


What is a zine? A zine is short for Magazine and is a self-made booklet that tells a story, informs about an issue, and is fun to make! It’s origin dates back to 1776, with Thomas Paine’s self-published pamphlet, Common Sense, which advocated for the thirteen colonies to become independent from Great Britain. 

In returning from Winter Break online and entering into the new year, 1st-8th graders were asked to reflect on what lessons they learned about themselves and the world in 2020 and what they were excited about striving for in 2021. 2020 forced the world to face reality, good or bad, and with so much to learn from, the children triumphed over all of these obstacles to share what they found most rewarding, difficult, and inspiring. In seeing these zines created, we hope it inspires us all to continue to persevere, fight for justice, and take care of each other and ourselves.  

#SaklanCreative #SaklanThoughtful

Why We Give

As a family, we couldn’t be more grateful to the teachers, staff and community at Saklan for everything they have done to support each of our four children in their unique journeys as students and compassionate young adults.

While academic excellence is critically important to parents when considering a school, what we most appreciate about Saklan is the understanding that academic success is at its best when it is built on a foundation of social and emotional support in an environment tailored to the needs of each and every student.  

That is the gift we’ve received from the Saklan community and what we believe will be most influential helping its students find meaning and success in their lives. 

In addition to bringing challenge and change, 2020 has been a time for us to reflect on what we value the most in our lives. Community, critical thinking, adaptability and commitment to a compassionate world view and sense of responsibility. These are all values reinforced and modeled at Saklan and now more than ever, we’re inspired to give back in recognition of all we have received.

Kesa Yorozu & Robert Miller

Tyrrell (Class of ’15), Leo (Class of ’20), Hana (5th) & Mori (5th)

Join the Yorozu-Miller Family in supporting Saklan by making an AGF gift today!

#SaklanGiving

The New Saklan Library

Welcome to the new Saklan Library! Two years ago a few parents started work on reorganizing and cataloging the entire library. These parents spent countless hours during the school year and over the summer hidden under piles of books. The library now has over 3800 books (and growing) in its catalogued collection. New books were added to all grades, including many books on diversity and social emotional learning. The elementary school has weekly library time, where they can check out and return books. The students are most excited about the new fiction series which they can then take home. 

Browse the collection online to put books on hold for your child through the Library Catalog and they will be delivered to your child’s classroom to take home.

Need help? Send questions to library@saklan.org. The library is here to foster a love of reading and love of books! 

#SaklanLibrary #SupportedByAGFGifts

Collaboration Blocks

Have you heard about Saklan’s collaboration blocks? These large blue blocks have been a favorite recess activity since they were introduced at the beginning of December.

The blocks are manufactured by Imagination Playground, and are designed to allow for open-ended play, giving children the freedom to create and pursue their own play activities. These blocks have produced numerous creations, giving our students the opportunity to not only have fun, but to further develop their logic and mathematical skills, problem solve, use their imaginations, and develop inter and intrapersonal skills.

Working together with classmates to build with the collaboration blocks has provided Saklan’s students with many opportunities for creativity, fun and learning. Check out the pictures below to see some of the creations the students have built.

The collaboration blocks were made possible by gifts to Saklan’s Annual Giving Fund. Saklan relies on the generous support of the community to provide the many extras, like the collaboration blocks, that make Saklan such a vibrant place for children to learn and develop. Thank you to all our generous AGF donors.

#SaklanCreative #MadePossibleByAGFGifts

Invention Convention

After learning about simple machines, the first graders had a guest speaker, Ms. Ginelle Mills, join their class (via Zoom). Ms. Mills is a former Saklan parent and inventor of the Cool Wazoo, a diaper changing pad that converts into a restaurant high chair, swing and shopping cart cover. The first graders enjoyed learning about the process Ms. Mills went through as she created the Cool Wazoo, and about her experience presenting the invention on the ABC hit show, SharkTank.

Following their meeting with Ms. Mills, the first graders set out to use their imaginations and knowledge of simple machines to create their own inventions. Here are the amazing ideas that the scientists brought to life:

  • Sebastien – The Christmas Ornament Hanger
  • Cassidy- The Cooking Robot
  • Carson – The Ball Machine
  • Elise- The Garbage Robot
  • Jimmy – Mouse Trap Racer
  • Sage- The Rainbow Maker
  • Conner-  The Silver Toothbrush
  • Makena- The Strength Tester
  • Cameron – Cameron’s Candy Picker Upper
  • Kingsley – A Poop Picker Upper
  • Airlie-  The Hug Machine

The students were delighted to share their inventions with their peers during their in-class Invention Convention.

#SaklanAcademic #SaklanCreative

Why We Give

Saklan has been a wonderful, positive, nurturing, life changing, environment for our 8th grader, Blake, who has been attending Saklan since 6th grade. Blake transferred to Saklan in the October 2018 timeframe and it has been hands down the best decision for Blake and our family. The teachers, faculty and administration made the transition to Saklan seamless and in a short few months, Blake was thriving in school. The teachers are dedicated, motivating, encouraging, nurturing, instill discipline, and the coursework is adequately challenging. Blake is always eager to go to school and I am confident his middle school experience at Saklan has laid a strong foundation and prepared him for high school, college and beyond. I sat through the graduation ceremony of the 8th grade class in 2019, where teachers pay a tribute to each student, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Through the course of the ceremony, it was evident due to the small school size, caliber of the faculty, and culture of the school, Saklan teachers become intimately familiar with a student’s personality, strengths, opportunities for improvement, progress, growth and maturity, and provide a strong, positive influence. The student population is very diverse and there are several opportunities students can participate in without judgement or barriers that might be a factor at a larger middle school, such as the school play and concerts. We are very grateful to be part of the Saklan community and thrilled to support the Saklan Annual Giving Fund.

Tia and Jeff Hutchinson

Blake (8th)

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

#SaklanGiving

Holiday Traditions Around the World

The Owls in Ms. Jessica’s class enjoyed learning about holiday traditions from different countries and cultures. The children love to look at the globe and map together! During December, they located Russia, Sweden, Norway, Mexico and Africa. With winter growing nearer, the Owls first took a look at the Russian Winter Festival: colorful lights, decorations, costumes, horse-drawn sleighs (called “troikas”), ice skating, and music are just a few of the ways the season is celebrated. After seeing the impressive ice sculpture display at the Moscow festival, the Owls got the opportunity to work hands-on with different shaped ice cubes to try and create their own sculptures! 

Next the Owls learned about St. Lucia Day, a holiday celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and other European countries. One of the traditions is to celebrate light overcoming darkness in the winter season by lighting many candles and singing songs. The class watched a short clip of children dressed as St. Lucia singing together. The Owls then got to make their own woven heart, a traditional holiday decoration from Sweden. It was a little tricky, but with practice everyone was able to make a beautiful heart!

Ms. Jessica’s class then learned about a Christmas tradition originating from Mexico called Las Posadas. It is a nine-day celebration during which families reenact the story of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay. Large groups of people, often in costumes and carrying candles, travel throughout their neighborhoods singing carols and knocking on doors looking for las posadas (the inns). On the ninth day everyone comes together to share food and drinks and the children break open a star shaped piñata. Of course the Owls couldn’t pass up the opportunity to celebrate with a piñata of their own!

The final holiday the class learned about was Kwanzaa. The Owls learned that much like Hanukkah, a candle is lit for each of the seven nights of Kwanzaa. For each night, a different principle is celebrated: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. They learned that many of the traditions of Kwanzaa are based on customs from parts of Africa, used to celebrate their heritage.

#SaklanHandsOn