Today, Friday, November 15th, is the last day to order 70th Anniversary Saklan sweatshirts and long-sleeve shirts. Items will arrive at Saklan the first week of December.
Zip-up sweatshirts, hoodies, crew neck sweatshirts, and long-sleeve t-shirts in various colors and sizes are available. To see the entire long-sleeved spirit wear collection, click here!
#SaklanSpirit
Recently, I shared a blog about how emotions drive high academic achievement. In short, when students feel emotionally connected to what they’re learning and who they’re learning with, strong academics follow. This month, I’d like to dive a little deeper into the science behind this connection and explore the role oxytocin plays in academic success.
Oxytocin, often called the “love hormone,” is released in the brain in response to positive social interactions. It plays a powerful role in learning by deepening connection, trust, and emotional well-being—all of which help students thrive academically. When oxytocin levels rise, students feel more connected and supported, lowering anxiety and creating a sense of security. This emotional safety is essential: it allows students to focus, think creatively, and remember what they’ve learned.
But Oxytocin does even more. It strengthens emotional memory, meaning lessons tied to positive, supportive experiences are more likely to stay with students. It also boosts empathy, fostering teamwork and cooperation that strengthens learning. Oxytocin makes learning meaningful and rewarding—values that lie at the very heart of the Saklan Approach. By creating an environment where students feel truly connected and supported, we’re nurturing not only their academic success but also their sense of belonging and purpose, setting them up to thrive both in school and beyond.
Warmly,
David
The 6th graders recently wrapped up their second milestone in their Project Based Learning unit, Artifact or Art Opinion. The driving question for the unit is, “Who do artifacts really belong to?”
During this unit, students explore arguments for and against the repatriation of Egyptian artifacts. They develop an understanding of museums, the history of archaeological practices, museum bias, perspective taking, and of course, dive into the content standards connected to ancient Egyptian civilization. This year, it has been great fun to add in mini lecture recordings and videos from the Egyptologist that Linda and Vickie traveled with over the summer, too!
The unit kicked off in early October with an entry event highlighting a modern example of an artifact purchased by the Met that was, in fact, stolen! This helped the class to wonder how do museums end up with the artifacts they have in their collection? They then selected mystery Egyptian artifacts held at museums outside of Egypt to research. Through studying their artifacts, students began to build an understanding of what these artifacts are and why they are important. During their research, the 6th graders learned about ancient Egyptians and started sorting through some of the complexities of each artifact’s provenance. Students learned sometimes it is tricky to get to the bottom of how a museum acquired a particular artifact!
Recently, the sixth graders met with two experts who helped them start to understand how museum and archaeological practices have changed over time. They visited a small museum in Berkeley at the Pacific School of Religion called the Badè Museum. There, the class met with archaeologist and Museum Director Dr. Aaron Brody to understand the unique history of the collection and their perspective on repatriation.
Sixth graders also zoomed in with archaeologist, Dr. Hannah Wellman, who shared a detailed timeline about changing archaeological practices, mummification, and the impact of context in a museum exhibit.
Students have been working on compiling all their research from the first two milestones into a research paper. After a first draft, teacher conferences, and initial revisions, they participated in a feedback routine called “Big Paper” with the help of David, Emily, and Kim. The 6th graders did a great job providing constructive feedback, glows, and questions to improve each other’s work.
In the final two milestones, students will learn how ancient and modern public art help individuals express their opinions and share their own answers to the driving question with the community. The sixth graders will showcase their work in this project at CLAS on November 22. We hope to see you there!
#SaklanPBL
Saklan’s social-emotional learning emphasis for November and December is belonging. Throughout both months, all students will be learning about belonging and work to find ways to make others feel included. On Thursday, November 21st, 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 belonging, as well as further their sense of belonging and community here on campus.
#SaklanSEL
Friday, November 22nd will be an exciting day at Saklan! The day will include Grandfriends’ Day, a Book Fair, and Fall Follies.
Saklan Grandfriends are invited to join us on Friday, November 22nd from 8:45 to 10:30 a.m. for a morning of fun!
Please remind your grandparents and special friends (a friend or family member that your child looks up to and/or has a grandparent-like relationship with) about this event so they join us!
RSVP for Grandfriends’ Day Here!
On November 22nd Saklan will host a 1-day Book Fair. This will be a great opportunity to purchase books to be used as holiday gifts or to donate to a Saklan classroom.
All Saklan families are invited to join us for Fall Follies, our annual talent show, on Friday, November 22nd at 1:30 p.m.
November 22nd is sure to be a fun-filled day at Saklan!
#SaklanCommunity
All Saklan students are invited to showcase their creativity by designing a cover for this year’s yearbook. All covers are asked to incorporate the theme of 70 Years of Saklan, have a vertical orientation, and include the text “The Saklan School 2024-2025.”
If you have any questions about the Yearbook Cover Contest, please email Lauren at lhaberly@saklan.org.
#SaklanCreative
On Thursday morning, the Saklan students were very excited to don their Halloween costumes and participate in our annual Costume Parade! The parade route took the students out the admissions door, through the front parking lot, and back to the sports court. The students and teachers waved to the onlookers, as families cheered and took pictures along the route.
Once on the sports court, Rob called each class up to show off their creative costumes and dance moves, and then Dianne led some Halloween songs!
Later in the day, the kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd graders walked over to Moraga Royale where they performed Halloween-inspired songs for the residents. The students were met with applause and cheering from the crowd!
In the afternoon, the middle school students hosted lower school students for some trick-or-treating and invited them to go through the haunted house!
A big thank you to all the families who participated in the day’s events. From cheering on the students in the costume parade to providing snacks and decorations for class parties, your involvement is greatly appreciated.
#SaklanCommunity
We are so excited for our Taste of Traditions Dance and Potluck tomorrow, Saturday, November 2nd! The event will be held from 5:30 – 8:00 p.m. on the Saklan Sports Court. It is sure to be fun for all ages!
Attendees are invited to bring a dish to share that reflects a family favorite or traditional dish shared in your family. Whether you’re able to bring a dish or not, your presence is what truly matters. The most important ingredient at this event is YOU, and we can’t wait to come together!
If you’d like to bring a dish to share, please sign up using this Sign Up Genius.
We hope to see you tomorrow for this fun and festive event!
#SaklanCommunity #SaklanPA
This past week, the Owlets and Hoot Owls learned about Dia de los Muertos, a celebratory tradition to welcome the spirits of loved ones who have passed. Zuly shared that her family celebrates by building an ofrenda or altar. She puts pictures of her loved ones who passed away on the ofrenda and also some of their favorite things to remember them.
To tie in with their learning about Farmers’ Markets, Zuly shared with the Hoot Owls that the markets in Mexico are filled with a lot of different mini figurines that kids use to make their altars for school during this time of year. She also shared that the markets are filled with marigold flowers, papel picado, sugar skulls, and pan de muerto. She brought in some pan de muerto to share with the class, and most of them thought it was delicious!
The Owlets and Hoot Owls used watercolors to color paper and make their own papel picado and used markers to color skulls. Additionally, the Owlets helped make a marigold chain and the Hoot Owls made sugar skulls!
To celebrate their learning, they put up an altar in the breezeway using all the materials they created!
Check out their altar when you join us for Taste of Traditions this weekend or on Monday morning!
Middle school artists are currently stretching their reflection skills through learning the artform of “gelli-printing.” Gelatin printing is a form of printmaking that uses a flexible, reusable surface to create layered, textured images. Although the process is quite simple when practiced, the many variables of printmaking, such as applying the appropriate amount of ink, rolling it smoothly without creating lines or drying out the ink, and holding and rubbing the print long enough (but not too long), can be challenging to master. To help with this process, students keep a daily log in which they set a goal and then reflect on and record their progress. Each time they set a goal, they review practices to help them achieve it during that class period.
As part of the unit, students are experimenting with various materials and techniques. For example, students use stencils to mask out areas and found materials, such as leaves, fabric, and string, to create layered textures.
For their final product, students will write a process statement for a single print of their choice. Soon, they will continue the unit by learning a reductive form of printmaking: linoleum block printing.
#SaklanCreative
FRIDAY BLOG 
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