March 2025 – FRIDAY BLOG

Staff Spotlight: Lisa

Connected to Saklan way back when it was named Carden School. Lover of the Matterhorn at Disneyland. Excited about innovative math instruction. Served as not only a teacher but also the Saklan PA President and Chair for the Board of Trustees. Can you guess who we are highlighting as this month’s Staff Spotlight? Our third-grade teacher, Lisa Rokas, has worn many hats here at Saklan. Read on to learn more about her decades-long journey at The Saklan School.

How did you first hear about the Saklan School?

I have a long history with Saklan. I grew up in Orinda and attended Miramonte High School. My brother, who is 6 years younger than me, attended Saklan (which was named Carden School at the time). Once I had my driver’s license I used to drive him to and from school. Fast forward to when my son was in kindergarten, I decided to look for alternatives to our local public school and my mom suggested I look at Saklan. My son joined in first grade back in 2004, and my daughter joined the following year in kindergarten. I have been connected to the school ever since.

What about the Saklan community has kept you so invested and engaged in different ways over the years?

I have worn many hats here at Saklan. When my kids were students at Saklan I joined the Parent Association, where I held many roles, including auction chair and PA President. I started on the Board of Trustees as the Parent Association representative and eventually served as Board Chair for a number of years. I made lifelong friends with many of my fellow board members on both the board of trustees and parent association, as well as many strong friendships with Saklan faculty and staff. One memorable moment includes dressing up as pink cotton candy ladies for the end-of-year carnival. When my daughter graduated from Saklan in 2014, I couldn’t imagine saying goodbye to a place where I had been so connected for so many years. I decided to go back to teaching, my first profession before having kids. I started teaching at Saklan in the fall of 2014 and have had the honor of teaching here ever since. Saklan is truly a part of my family and my home away from home.

What has been your favorite project based learning unit in your time here and why?

My favorite project based learning unit each year has been our third grade Saklan/ Bay Miwok Unit where we learn about the local indigenous peoples from the Moraga Valley. Our driving question is “How can we show respect to the people whose ancestral land our school is on?” I especially love this project because each year the third graders have found different ways to answer our driving question in meaningful ways; such as writing a land acknowledgement and creating murals and posters including traditional language and symbols representing Saklan culture. This year students researched indigenous plants we hope to plant on our campus. We have had the opportunity to work closely with Vincent Medina and Louis Trevino, the cofounders of Cafe Ohlone who both have Ohlone heritage and who are focused on sustaining their traditional Ohlone culture. The most important lesson the students learn is that Saklan/Bay Miwok/ Ohlone people are still here and their culture and traditions are still being practiced and celebrated.

We know your love for Disneyland runs deep, what is your favorite season to visit the park and the snack and/or ride you look forward to most?

I do love Disneyland! It is one of my absolute favorite places! I enjoy visiting anytime of the year, but my favorite time to visit is during November or December when the holiday decorations are up. It is so festive! I especially love watching Fantasmic on the Rivers of America and also the fireworks from Main Street! My favorite ride ever since I was kid is still the Matterhorn Bobsleds, and my favorite snacks at Disneyland are definitely their fresh-popped buttery popcorn or churros from the snack carts. Thankfully, I have passed on my love of Disneyland to my kids so that they still enjoy going to the park with me.

Watching Our Students Shine

What a wonderful experience it was to gather together at the Lesher Center last Friday to watch our students shine on stage!

Thank you to all of the families for making Friday’s logistics work in order to support the students and watch the performance.

Thank you to the Saklan students for showcasing your creativity and courage by taking the stage in front of such a large audience and singing your hearts out.

Thank you to the faculty and staff for all of the behind-the-scenes work to prepare for the concert, from your flexibility with the schedule to helping with rehearsals. Your support of your students and encouragement to take the stage is greatly appreciated!

A huge thank you to Erin for guiding our Owlet and Hoot Owl students in sharing their songs with our community! Their excitement, bravery, and pure joy for music lit up the stage, creating a heartwarming and memorable performance. We are so proud of our little musicians!

Thank you to Lauren and Linda for working with the second and third grade students on the gorgeous backdrop. Thank you for your continued PBL work, and for the passion you ignite in our students by elevating their voices and choices.

Thank you to Isaac for sharing your knowledge of traditional Ghanaian drumming with our students. What a delight to see them drumming, singing, and dancing together!

Thank you to Javier for helping set up for rehearsals, creating the boom whackers, moving instruments, and doing it all with a smile.

Thank you to John Kim for sharing beautiful pictures of the event with us.

And finally, a huge thank you to Dianne for leading her first Saklan Concert with such passion and purpose! The show was incredible, and your dedication helped our students shine bright. We’re so grateful for your talent, guidance, and commitment to bringing music to life at Saklan!

#Saklan Creative #SaklanArts

From Cottage Industry to Factory Floor

Hands-on Learning about the Industrial Revolution

In their Humanities lessons, 8th graders are studying how technological and social changes during the Industrial Revolution transformed the lives of Americans across all social classes in the early 20th century. Alongside their examination of historical events, students are reading the historical fiction novel Uprising, which follows the intersecting stories of three young women before and during the tragic Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in Manhattan on March 25, 1911.

Through hands-on simulations, students have explored how technological innovations altered the manufacturing process during the Industrial Age. They examined how craftspeople who once worked from home were replaced by factory systems, where individuals performed repetitive tasks to perfect a single part of the production process.

Hand-Crafted Products

Each student started as a master craftsperson whose task was to assemble one pair of in-line skates from start to finish. The skates had to be cut out, the blades glued on, and the final product colored. Each student kept track of the time it took for their single pair of skates to be assembled.

A total of 10 pairs of skates were produced, with a production time per pair ranging from 14 to 29 minutes.

Moving to the Factory Assembly Line

Next, the students took their assigned jobs on the factory production line to mass produce in-line roller skates for the “Get In Line Skating Company” in the Humanities Room. Their individual work tasks ranged from cutting out the right or left blade, cutting out the right or left boot, gluing or taping the blades to the right or left boot, and coloring the skates.

Each pair of skates had to pass final inspection by Luke, or they went back to the assembly line. Like real assembly line workers, the students were not allowed to sit down or remain idle during their work time. And talk of “unions” or “strikes” was strictly prohibited.

As the students worked, they considered how American and immigrant workers in the first American factories completed repetitive tasks for 12 hours per day, 6 days a week, often having their pay cut if a product was considered defective by their bosses. The student workers also discussed what they learned about the unsafe working conditions at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, where workers were locked inside to prevent theft. After the fire started in 1911, 146 young women died from being trapped on the top three floors of the Asch Building with only one fire escape and one working elevator.

In the much safer Humanities Room, the 8th-grade students manufactured 18 pairs of skates in 40 minutes.

#SaklanHandsOn

Spring Enrichment Classes

Saklan is excited to announce the launch of two new after-school enrichment classes this spring: Pickleball and Basketball!

These classes, led by Coach Rob, are designed to promote physical fitness, teamwork, and sportsmanship while providing a fun and engaging environment for students of all skill levels. Classes will begin the week of April 7th. Pickleball will take place on Mondays from 3:10-4:00 PM, and Basketball will take place on Wednesdays from 3:10-4:00 PM.

More information, including the class schedule, descriptions, and registration link, can be found on the enrichment webpage.

We hope your child, whether new to the sports or experienced, can take advantage of these wonderful opportunities to develop new skills and make new friends!

Life as a Pioneer Child

The third graders recently took a journey back in time to 1888, stepping into the shoes of pioneer children at the historic Tassajara One-Room Schoolhouse. Dressed in their finest pioneer attire and carrying lunches in baskets or kerchiefs tied to sticks, they experienced a school day just as children did over 130 years ago—when Grover Cleveland was president and the U.S. had only 38 states!

During their visit, students read from McGuffey Readers (published in 1879), practiced math on slate boards with chalk, and even tried their hand at cursive writing using quill pens dipped in ink. It was a hands-on, immersive glimpse into the past that brought history to life in an engaging way!

Recess was just as much fun as the school day itself! The third graders jumped rope, walked on cans and wooden stilts, and even sang songs while playing instruments popular in the 1800s. They also explored inventions and news articles from the time, gaining a deeper understanding of daily life in 1888. By the end of the day, they all agreed—school was definitely fun in the past!

#SaklanHandsOn #SaklanFieldExperience

Internet Safety for Kids

Join The Saklan School for our free Internet Safety for Kids virtual parent education workshop on Wednesday, April 23, at 6:00 p.m. During the presentation, Darryl Holcombe, one of the region’s expert law enforcement officers working to keep kids safe online, will share tips, insights, and strategies to help children stay safe when navigating the internet and social media.

#SaklanParentEducation

70th Anniversary Gala Tickets

Put on your flapper dresses, fedoras, and spats, and join us for The Saklan School’s 70th Anniversary Gala & Auction on Saturday, April 26th, from 6:00 – 11:00 PM at the Lafayette Park Hotel. This swanky, adults-only affair is sure to be a roaring good time celebrating 70 years of The Saklan School. This 1920s-themed event will include:

Cocktail Reception with an Open Bar and Tray-passed Hors d’oeuvres
Plated Dinner with Wine and a Choice of Pan-Roasted Sea Bass, Filet Mignon, or Butternut Squash Ravioli
Silent & Live Auctions
Paddle Raise for New Playground Structures
Dancing
And Live Entertainment by Radio Gatsby

Early bird tickets are now available online; prices go up on March 29th!

Get Your Auction Tickets Today!

The Saklan School’s Annual Auction is a fun, community-building event and the school’s second-largest fundraiser of the year. Proceeds from the auction support the unique programs offered at Saklan, including field experiences, guest experts, Project Based Learning, family groups, and professional development opportunities for our amazing teachers.

Can’t make the auction?

There are several ways to participate in this year’s event even if you can’t attend: underwrite a teacher ticket, donate wine to the wine ring toss, or stay tuned for more information on participating in our online silent auction.

Thank you for your support of Saklan.

#SaklanAuction

Head’s Corner: Fueling Innovation

The Impact of Your Generosity

As we prepare for our milestone 70th Anniversary Gala & Auction, I want to express my profound gratitude for your generous “Fund-a-Need” contributions at last year’s event. Your collective generosity raised an impressive $63,250, enabling us to transform our learning spaces into innovative, project-based learning environments where students collaborate effectively and pursue their authentic curiosity.

Your support has made tangible differences throughout our campus. We provided specialized PBL training for 12 educators, equipped classrooms with technology for seamless video conferencing with guest experts, and installed collaborative furniture that fosters student interaction. These strategic improvements have created dynamic spaces where students now engage in meaningful projects that develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills they’ll carry forward into their futures.

Your generosity has truly transformed our learning environment, empowering your children to thrive and grow in ways that will impact them for years to come. Thank you for making a lasting difference.

Bridges Math Explained

Join Lower School Teachers Riva Zippin, Lisa Rokas, and Annette Robison on Friday, March 28th after CLAS to learn about our lower school math program: Bridges. The teachers will share an overview of the Bridges Math program and demonstrate how it builds a conceptual understanding of math through engaging activities and hands-on learning.

We hope you can join us to see how Bridges provides a modern approach to instruction that empowers Saklan students to become confident, creative, and flexible problem solvers. Coffee and snacks will be provided!

Beliefs, Behavior & Belonging

In humanities, sixth graders have been exploring the early civilizations of the Indian subcontinent and the origins of Hinduism and Buddhism. The class welcomed Saklan parents and guest experts, Manju Rajashekhar and Toshie Baba, to share their personal experiences and perspectives on Hinduism and Buddhism.

Recently, the sixth graders visited a Buddhist Monastery in Lafayette. Students heard more about the story of Siddhartha and various Arhats, participated in seated and walking meditations, and explored more evidence for the 3B Framework and 3 Claims About All Religions they have used to discuss religions throughout the year. Students met with monks and volunteers at the monastery, who showed them the buildings, grounds, and statues.

3B Framework– an individual’s religious identity may be a unique mix of

beliefs- ideas about holy scriptures, sacred texts, teachings
behavior- actions, habits, practices
belonging- sense of community

3 Claims About All Religions

All religions are internally diverse
All religions evolve and change over time
All religions are informed and influenced by the cultures they are situated in

Last week, the class enjoyed a field experience at the Blackhawk Museum where they toured the Into China exhibit as a kick-off to their unit on ancient China. This was followed by a visit from Asian Art Museum storyteller docent Nancy Parker who shared stories that connect to the museum’s artifact collection about Confucius, Buddha, and the Silk Road trade.