Before the Winter Break, we were treated to a wonderful performance of The Lion King KIDS by the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders. If you weren’t able to join us for the show, or have been excitedly waiting to watch it again, check out the video of the performance below.
Thank you to our 3rd, 4th and 5th grade students for the courage, creativity and dedication they exhibited throughout The Lion King KIDS production cycle.
#SaklanCreative #SaklanCourageous
The Hoot Owls have been learning about science and what it means to be a scientist. The class has talked about parts of the scientific method including making hypotheses, doing experiments, collecting data and comparing data, as well as using their senses to learn about the world around them.
The Hoot Owls explored the concept of liquid and solid by making and playing with oobleck (water and cornstarch). The students were surprised to see the liquid thicken and solidify when force was applied to it.
Next, the class experimented with vinegar and baking soda. They were excited to see the reaction the vinegar made in the baking soda!
Finally, the Hoot Owls counted how many drops of water would fit on a penny, nickel and quarter.
#SaklanHandsOn #SaklanScience
There are several exciting activities happening at Saklan in the coming month, including some rescheduled activities. See below for events not to be missed!
The Kindergarten, 7th and 8th grade student presentations originally panned for today’s CLAS will now happen at the next CLAS on January 27th.
Following CLAS the PA will host Darryl Holcomb, the region’s expert law enforcement officer working to keep kids safe on line, for a discussion on Keeping Kids Safe on Social Media. He will share tips on parent control apps and insights into the bigger picture of kids and social media. Grab a cup of coffee and meet us in the Pavilion to hear from Darryl.
All members of the Saklan community are invited to join the PA on Sunday, February 5th from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. in the Founders Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center for a movie night!
Popcorn and water will be provided for all attendees. Feel free to bring snacks, blankets, chairs, beanbags, pillows, or other items to get cozy (limited folding chair seating will be available). Stay tuned, the movie for the event will be announced soon!
Saklan’s Picture Day will now be on Tuesday, February 21st. The date changed to accommodate the photographer, who is no longer available on the original January date. More information about picture day will be shared at the beginning of February.
This year’s auction will look very different from Saklan’s past auctions. This year’s event will really focus on community-building. To learn more about this year’s event and help plan the details, join the Auction Committee on Wednesday, January 18th at 9:00 a.m. for an Auction Meeting on Zoom.
For 30 years, The Lion King has been a cultural linchpin. Music and lyrics by Tim Rice and Elton John placed the movie firmly in our collective consciousness. The movie is accessible, and the story loosely based on The Epic of Sundiata-The Lion King of Mali, is well known and loved by Western audiences unfamiliar with African culture and stories. Then when The Lion King came to Broadway in 1997, the designers brought new elements from the story. Costumes, set pieces, makeup, and props all were inspired by elements of African folklore. What is more, The Lion King was one of Broadway’s first shows to openly advocate for conscious casting, and more songs were introduced.
Saklan’s production of The Lion King KIDS attempted to honor the Broadway tradition of the show. Our students’ goal was never to “pretend to be animals” or to hide their humanity, but rather to highlight how connected we, as humans, are to the animals that are portrayed. Their headdresses, designed by the students themselves in art class, took inspiration from real African masks and textures, and the choreography brought in the element of circles over and over again, reminding us that we are all a part of the circle of life, along with every animal on the savanna. Through their performance, our students claimed their place in this world as protectors of that circle of life. They spent hours learning lines, music, and choreography, but also discovered elements of the languages of Xhosa, Zulu, and Swahili. They know about the range of lions in Africa, and what role buzzards serve in the circle of life. They know that hyenas are social and deeply misunderstood, and so much more. They took that knowledge and used it to become advocates for the apex predator of the African grasslands, the African Lion.
Saklan students are remarkable because they care about more than themselves. This show was a vehicle to move forward their environmental advocacy, and their determination to do their best shows through in everything they do.
Thank you to everyone who donated cardboard, made masks, gathered costume pieces, painted faces, joined us for the performance, laughed and applauded.
Special thanks to:
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 some updates. 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.
January marks a winding down of admissions activity, as our application deadline for new students is Friday, January 27th. Thank you for continuing to share wonderful information about our school and our program to the broader community. Most of the inquiries I receive come from friends of yours with whom you have shared your positive experiences. I feel your support and your partnership.
Friday, January 20th is our deadline for current families 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 Wednesday, February 1st, current families will receive an offer to re-enroll for the 2023-24 school year. Signed contracts are due by Thursday, February 16th. Please understand that we can only guarantee your child’s spot if we have your contract and deposit by the deadline.
Your children are the heartbeat of our school. Thank you for your support, your cooperation, your trust, and your presence.
In gratitude,
Melissa 🙂
Saklan’s social-emotional learning emphasis for January is self-discipline. Throughout the month, all Saklan students will be learning what that means and practicing strategies for how to slow down and check-in with their bodies. On Thursday, January 26th, the first – eighth graders will meet with their family groups and take part in cross-grade level discussions and activities to gain an even greater understanding of self-discipline. We value these opportunities to help our students understand and integrate new SEL concepts each month.
#SaklanSEL
Irresistible auction items make for a great auction! A huge THANK YOU to the following organizations and families for their in-kind donations received in support of Saklan’s Auction Fiesta:
Saklan’s Auction Committee is looking to acquire more irresistible auction items for our upcoming Auction Fiesta! Here are a few specific things we are looking for:
Please let us know if you have any other ideas for amazing auction items. As our mission says, think creatively! Click here to complete the online donor form, or email ewilliamson@saklan.org to share your ideas with the committee!
#SaklanAuction
The winter session of enrichment classes will begin the week of January 23rd. Many exciting classes are being offered this session, including Beginner Scratch Coding, Creative Writing, Beginner Chess and the Lower School Math Club! The complete class listing can be found below, with class descriptions here.
If you are interested in signing your child up for one of the above classes, please use the button below!
Some of the classes have limited space available, so don’t delay in completing your registration.
#SaklanHandsOn
FRIDAY BLOG 
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