Month: December 2021

Head’s Corner

The Irony of Fall Follies

Folly, noun –  Lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight, a foolish act or idea.  

It seems to me that our annual Fall Follies is misnamed, as it is the furthest thing from folly. As a matter of fact, the entire production was a definition of our mission to Think Creatively, Act Compassionately, and Live Courageously.

Creativity showed through many of the acts, from Panji singing Bruno Mars or the gymnastics routines, all the way to “How to Fold a Bandana.” 

Compassion was on display by the audience as students summoned their courage to perform. It was not just compassion, but there was an energy of encouragement, a palpable sense of “you can do this.” Backstage I was not only able to see students encourage and support their fellow performers but also look out into the audience – the faces of the audience were saying “you’ve got this.”

And the courage. Getting in front of 250 people, many of them peers along with some parents, is no small feat for a student. There were six acts from Kindergarten- from songs to poems to a ballet number. Cade from 3rd grade with his magic show had such comedic timing. Alicia, who just joined the school a few weeks ago, sang “Into the Light.” These were just a few of the students who demonstrated true courage.  

While we will likely not rename our Fall Follies, they are indeed the opposite.

#SaklanCreativity #SaklanCompassion #SaklanCourage

DINOvember Wraps Up

The Owlets wrapped up DINOvember with some exciting experiments! Ms. Erin did a fun activity with the class using dinosaur eggs made from baking soda, water, and food dye. The Owlets then used eye droppers to add vinegar to the baking soda eggs and watched the eggs fizz and bubble! Ms. Erin explained that this was a chemical reaction that happened when baking soda and vinegar were mixed.

The Owlets noticed that there were lots of pictures of volcanoes in the books they read about dinosaurs. So, the class decided to make their own volcano complete with bubbling “lava.” The Owlets helped to decorate the volcano using paint and natural materials like rocks, sand, sticks, and moss. 

While the Owlets waited for the volcano to dry, they read a book that taught them that lava is hot melted rock from the center of the Earth. The class decided that it would be too dangerous to use real lava for their volcano, but they could use baking soda and vinegar to make bubbles erupt out of the top like lava. Each of the Owlets took a turn carefully measuring the ingredients needed for the reaction.

The Owlets and Hoot Owls were all excited to witness the volcanic eruption!

#SaklanHandsOn

2021 Hopscotch Tournament is Complete!

Forty Six competitors, ages 6 years to adult, started the single-elimination hopscotch tournament back in September. The matches were played during morning and afternoon recesses, averaging about two matches a day. After a few rain delays, match draws and field experiences, the bracket narrowed until finally a champion emerged. 

The 2021 Hopscotch Champion is Nate (6th). Competing in his first tournament, Nate had one draw and five wins. Nikko (6th) placed second with one draw and four wins. Damon (7th) and Thomas (8th) made the top four with three wins each. Honorable mentions go out to players who made it to the top eight, they include: Alexis (4th), Jack Z. (5th), Mori (6th), and Shay (adult). This year brought out a new ringed layout and homemade bean bags. 

All participants are encouraged to continue playing hopscotch, creating new layouts with chalk, and designing new markers.  We are already looking forward to next year’s tournament!

Let’s Go Saklan!

#SaklanWellRounded

Ms. O Flies on G-FORCE ONE

In October, Saklan’s Science Teacher, Ms. O, attended The Embedded Teacher Project workshop at Carthage College in Kenosha, WI. The workshop brings together educators to learn about microgravity (a condition of very low gravity, approaching weightlessness) and how it affects experiments conducted in space. The Embedded Teacher Project provides opportunities for middle and high school teachers to develop and fly small experiments and demonstrations on a parabolic flight (which provides periods of sustained microgravity).  After learning from the professionals, the teachers were asked to submit proposals with experiments to perform in microgravity, on a parabolic Zero-G flight.

Ms. O was one of two science teachers whose proposals were accepted, and she was invited to experience 10 minutes of weightlessness during free fall aboard the Zero Gravity Corporation’s G-FORCE ONE aircraft! The aircraft flies a series of 30 parabolas, which are roller-coaster maneuvers that simulate zero gravity, so researchers can test experiments bound for space.

Ms. O, along with Wisconsin teacher Kristin Grender, joined the Carthage College Microgravity Team in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 17 to conduct experiments that answered questions posed by the teachers’ classes. During the flight, the teachers conducted tests to answer questions such as, “How does boiling and heat transfer work in space?”, and “Can blind and visually impaired people navigate in weightlessness using sound signals?”

When asked about the experience as she prepared to head off to Florida, Ms. O shared:

“I am so excited to participate in the Embedded Microgravity Program to help excite and expand my thinking around space science topics and careers.”

Back on campus, Ms. O told her students that she loved every second of her Zero-G experience, and was thrilled to test their hypothesis.  

Congratulations to Ms. O on being selected for such a prestigious and cool opportunity! Stay tuned to learn more about the experiments Ms. O tested during her ride on G-FORCE ONE, and how the results will impact her teaching here at Saklan.

#SaklanLifeLongLearners #SaklanProfessionalDevelopment

Winter Enrichment Classes

With the fall session of enrichment coming to an end, we are excited to share the classes that will be offered during the second half of the year. For the winter session the following classes will be available:

DayClassGradesTime
MondaysChess with KidzToPros1st-5th3:10 – 4:10 p.m.
MondaysCeramics with Ms. Natalie4th-8th3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
TuesdaysCreative Arts with KidzToPros – CANCELLEDK-2nd3:10 – 4:10 p.m.
TuesdaysCartoon Drawing with KidzToPros2nd-5th3:10 – 4:10 p.m.
WednesdaysYoga with Ms. JessicaPreschool & Pre-K2:30 – 3:00 p.m.
WednesdaysCeramics with Ms. Natalie – FULLK-4th3:10 – 4:10 p.m.

Classes begin the week of January 10th, and have limited space available. If you are interested in signing your child up for one of the above classes, please click on the class name for additional information about the class and sign up options.

#SaklanHandsOn