Month: August 2025

Head’s Corner: Letting Curiosity Lead

This past Monday, I visited our Kindergarten classroom and found myself in the middle of something quietly profound. The students were working on their individual year-long learning quests — each one rooted in something they were deeply curious about. One child wanted to know how rats smell. Another wondered why cheetahs run so fast. A third was eager to learn how to be a teacher. These weren’t topics pulled from a textbook or assigned by a teacher — they were questions sparked by innate wonder.

What struck me as so “Saklanish” was how naturally the students took ownership of their learning. These quests weren’t for school — they were for themselves. Each student will pursue their question throughout the year, exploring, researching, creating, and sharing their discoveries with purpose and pride.

Neuroscientist Mary Helen Immordino-Yang puts it simply: “Whatever you’re having emotion about is what you’re thinking about. And whatever you’re thinking about, you might be able to learn about.” Her research shows that when students are emotionally connected to a subject, their learning becomes deeper, more resilient, and more meaningful. She calls this transcendent thinking — the kind that helps students not only master content, but also connect it to who they are and who they’re becoming.

At Saklan, this is at the heart of what we do. Whether it’s a Kindergartener exploring animal senses or a Middle Schooler wrestling with global issues through literature and debate, we begin with the learner — their questions, their voice, and their agency.

As we kick off the school year, I invite all of us to hold space for the questions that come from our children’s hearts. Let’s listen when they ask how to make shoes, why koalas climb, or why the world is the way it is. These questions aren’t distractions from learning — they are the beginning of deep, meaningful learning. When we honor our students’ natural curiosity and support their journey to make sense of the world, we’re not just teaching them facts — we’re helping them become thoughtful, compassionate, and capable learners. And that, after all, is the real purpose of school.

Warmly,

David 

The inspiration for this blog was drawn from kindergartners and the podcast “The Hidden Brain: How Our Brains Work.“ 

Staff Spotlight: Hector

Meet Hector! Blending a mixture of passion, discovery and love for enrichment, Hector not only leads our enrichment program but shows our students how to unlock their potential. Hector really gives our students the opportunity to dream big and have confidence doing so. When he needs to recharge, he finds his peace hidden deep within redwood trees, grounding himself and regaining his power to take what’s next. 

How long have you been at Saklan and what’s a fun fact about you that most students wouldn’t know about?

I have been at Saklan for three years now and am excited to be starting my fourth. There are plenty of fun facts about me that most people probably don’t know, but if I had to choose one, I would say it’s that I used to really love dancing. I’m not sure if I was any good, but what I did know was how much I enjoyed being on stage, performing in front of friends, family, and teachers. I was really proud of it. When I was younger, my mom would often put on some music, and from the moment I’d hear it, I would jump right into dancing – completely lost in the rhythm. There are still some memorable songs that bring back those memories and excitement I felt. I don’t dance much anymore, but when I did, I loved salsa, bachata, and even a bit of pop dancing.

What’s something you could talk about or do for hours without getting bored? 

One thing people should know about me is this: once you get to know me, oh boy, I cannot stop talking. There are so many things I am passionate about and could go on forever about, such as math, but if I had to pick just one, it would be redwood trees. I absolutely love redwoods. I love looking at them, studying and admiring them, and constantly educating myself more about them. Visiting redwood groves are one of the few things that bring me peace, tranquility, and calmness. It’s my go to place when life gets hectic, and I need to recharge or simply zone out. These trees are tall, massive and ancient, thriving with unique ecosystems. They tell a story of history and walking among trees that have stood undisturbed for centuries is just so fascinating. I could go on forever, but I think that passion really highlights how my love for exploring and early childhood experiences shaped me. The passion I have for redwoods is the same passion I have for STEM, and it’s a big reason why I love doing enrichment. Through enrichment, I feel like I can allow kids the chance to further explore their passions, discover something new, or challenge themselves, all while having fun doing it. I saw the value of enrichment as a child and want to create those same meaningful experiences for the students at Saklan.

What role do you think enrichment classes played in your life, personally or academically?

Looking back, enrichment classes gave me the opportunity to explore passions that regular classes didn’t always leave room for. As a kid, enrichment was where I could try new things, be creative and discover what I truly loved. It gave me the desire to continuously want to learn, even as an adult. Enrichment classes showed me that learning could be joyful, creative and personal. With that being said, enrichment gave me confidence. It sparked curiosity and allowed me to be more creative in my craft, job and problem-solving skills. It showed me that learning doesn’t only happen by textbooks but rather through experiences. It’s why I encourage kids to be passionate and curious in my enrichment classes. I want them to gain confidence through these learning experiences.

What’s a memorable moment you’ve had during an enrichment class?

One memorable moment that stands out happened during one of my coding enrichment classes. We were working on code that turned out to be a little tricky, and several students needed extra help. While I was busy moving around the room trying to assist everyone, a couple of students who really loved coding stepped up in a way I’ll never forget. Instead of waiting for me, they just asked if they could teach their classmates how to write the code. With my hands full, I told them to go ahead. They were so excited to share what they had learned, guiding others step by step. What made it memorable was that they showed real initiative and leadership. They took ownership of the moment, supported their classmates and created this great atmosphere of teamwork and encouragement. Watching them step into that role so confidently reminded me that enrichment is not only about the fun things we do, but also about the growth, collaboration and joy that comes from learning together.

#SaklanWellRounded

Building Belonging: Saklan’s Focus on Inclusion

Each month Saklan focuses on a different Social Emotional Learning (SEL) topic, incorporating it into lessons and discussions from Preschool through eighth grade.

Saklan’s social-emotional learning emphasis for August and September is inclusive. During these two months, all Saklan students are discussing what it means to be inclusive by exploring ways to include others, such as inviting multiple people to play, sharing, and ensuring everyone is included in activities.

On Thursday, September 25th, kindergarten through eighth–grade students will meet with their family groups and participate in cross-grade level discussions and activities to gain a deeper understanding of being inclusive.

Mark Your Calendars: Back-to-School Nights at Saklan

We are excited to welcome families to campus for our upcoming Back-to-School Nights! These evenings are a wonderful opportunity for parents to get to know the teachers better, learn more about the curriculum, and gain insight into what the year ahead holds for their children. Please note that these are adults-only events, as they are designed to provide time and space for parents to connect with teachers and one another.

Lower School Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 4th at 6:00 p.m.
For Kindergarten – 5th Grade families

Early Childhood Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 11th at 5:45 p.m.
For Preschool & Pre-K families

Middle School Back-to-School Night
Thursday, September 11th at 6:00 p.m.
For 6th – 8th Grade families

We look forward to seeing you there and sharing more about the exciting year ahead at Saklan!

E-Bike Safety

With the start of the new school year upon us, the Moraga Police Department wants to ensure that students and their families are aware of the laws regarding the use of E-Bikes. E-bikes are relatively new and the laws governing their use are still evolving at the State level. E-bikes have generated numerous complaints regarding reckless use, particularly by young riders.

E-bikes are defined as a bicycle equipped with fully operations pedals (used to propel the bicycle) and a motor that does not exceed 750 watts of power and they fall into three categories: Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 and are defined in the California Vehicle Code  (Section 312.5). To help you in identifying which class of E-bike you or your child have or looking to acquire, E-bikes are required to have a label attached which lists the class of E-bike, the top assisted speed and the wattage of the electric motor.

The different E-Bike classes are:

  • Class 1 is pedal assisted with an electric motor assisting the rider when pedaling. These bicycles have a maximum speed of 20 MPH which, when reached, the electric motor no longer assists the rider. Young riders must wear a helmet.
  • Class 2 is equipped with a throttle controlled electric motor that can assist the rider or exclusively propel the bicycle but not above 20 MPH. Young riders must wear a helmet.
  • Class 3 is equipped with a speedometer and an electric motor that assists the rider while pedaling and cannot solely propel, but the bike ceases to assist over 28 MPH. Riders must be at least 16 years or older to ride. Regardless of age, all riders must wear a helmet.

E-bikes are required to follow the same rules of the road as traditional bicycles / vehicles (per the California Vehicle Code Section 21200. Vehicle Code Section 21200 in essence states, “A person riding a bicycle… upon a highway has all the rights and is subject to all the provisions applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this division…”) E-bike riders, as with other car drivers, are responsible for knowing the rules of the road and following them. One rider who didn’t follow the rules of the road abruptly turned in front of an on-coming vehicle without concern, was struck by the vehicle and was injured and was at fault for the collision.

The Moraga Police Department and our neighboring police agencies have seen a spike in E-bike related complaints involving juvenile riders, including riding against or opposite the flow of traffic, passengers riding without a seat, and riding too fast or ‘recklessly’ on sidewalks, forcing pedestrians to move out of the way to avoid a collision and injury. Remember that higher speeds on an E-bike can result in greater injuries to the rider in a crash compared to a regular bicycle.  

Vehicles outside of the description found in the Vehicle Code or E-bikes that have been modified in any way to increase power or speed, have footpegs as opposed to functioning pedals for propulsion are not considered to be E-bikes or bicycles and are not legal to be ridden on streets and are subject to impound in addition to citations for the rider.

For more information about e-bikes, other similar vehicles, and their safe operation, the Town of Danville has created an informational page on their website.  You can view the information at https://danvilletowntalks.org/notmykid. 

Our goal is the overall safety of our community. Please help us to keep kids on E-bikes safe by ensuring that your children ride their E-bikes safely, responsibly and legally. Through these efforts, we can hopefully prevent accidents resulting in injuries to riders and others on the road. We hope our parents/guardians know the importance of ensuring your children understand these rules for their safety while riding with the hope of reducing any potential injuries, or worse, that could result. Officers will be actively enforcing not only vehicular violations, but also violations involving E-Bikes.

Sincerely,

Moraga Police Department

329 Rheem Blvd

Moraga, CA 94556

Advancing Into the New Year

A long-standing Saklan Middle School tradition is to begin each year with a three-day, two-night field experience called the Advance. The Advance is designed to help students move forward—stepping into the school year with confidence, connection, and a positive mindset.

Over the course of the trip, students participate in activities that strengthen relationships with both peers and teachers. From navigating ropes courses and paddling canoes, to creating advisory names and norms, to playing team-building games, every moment is intentionally structured to foster collaboration and trust.

The Advance encourages students to take risks together in a supportive environment, sparking new friendships and deepening bonds that will last throughout the year. This shared experience helps students develop a strong sense of belonging, which in turn allows them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Yesterday afternoon, the middle school students and teachers returned from the Advance as a slightly different group than when they left Tuesday morning. They formed new friendships, built a new community, and gained a renewed sense of confidence. While they were certainly tired from all the fun and activities, they came back with energy and excitement for the year ahead. Most importantly, the middle school team returned ready to thrive and grow throughout their middle school journey.

At Saklan, the Advance is more than just a field experience—it’s the foundation for a year of growth, courage, and connection.

#SaklanConnected

Picture Day on Monday

Roots & Shoots Photography will be taking individual and class portraits of Saklan students on Monday, August 25th. These pictures will be used in the yearbook and will be available for purchase.

Pictures will be taken outside on the play yard during the school day. Please note that 1st – 8th grade students need to be dressed in uniform for the pictures.

For students who are absent on picture day, a makeup day will be held on Monday, September 8th.

Portrait Ordering Process

Portraits will be available to order online approximately 4 weeks AFTER picture day. Complimentary proofs will be provided for every student, so you can decide whether you would like to order them. If you do order, all portrait packages will be shipped directly to your home (a shipping fee will apply). There will be no school package drop-off.

Questions? Please contact Roots & Shoot directly at grow@roots-shoots.com. They will be happy to assist you!

See You at CLAS!

All Saklan families are invited to join us next Friday, August 29th, for our first CLAS of the year. CLAS is an all-school assembly focused on Community, Learning, Appreciation, and Sharing that occurs every other Friday on the Saklan Sports Court.

Each CLAS has student hosts, presentations of learning, a birthday celebration, and a song sung by all. CLAS is one of the opportunities that Saklan students have to build their confidence and practice public speaking skills. It is also an opportunity to showcase how supportive, creative, compassionate, and courageous our community is.

CLAS will be held at 8:30 a.m. on the following Fridays:

  • August 29th – Coffee & Tea Provided, Parent Mingle to Follow!
  • September 12th
  • September 26th
  • October 17
  • October 31 – Join us for the Halloween Costume Parade and more!
  • November 14
  • November 21 – Special Grandfriends’ Day CLAS
  • December 12
  • January 16
  • January 30
  • February 20
  • March 6
  • March 20
  • April 17
  • May 1
  • May 15
  • May 22 – Final CLAS of the year

Perk Up with Parents

All families are invited to stay after the first CLAS for Perk Up with Parents – an opportunity to mix and mingle with other Saklan families. This will take place on the sports court from approximately 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Coffee and treats will be provided. We hope you can join us!

#SaklanCommunity

Saklan’s Fall Festival

All Saklan families are invited to join us for the Fall Festival on Sunday, September 28th, from 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. This event will again be held at the Hacienda Las Flores.

This event is a favorite of Saklan students of all ages. We hope you will join us for face painting, fall crafts, food, lawn games, and more!

A huge thank you to the Parent Association Board for planning and hosting this event.

SaklanPA #SaklanCommunity

Fall 2025 Enrichment

The fall session of enrichment classes will begin the week of September 8th and run through December 11th. Classes available this session include Crocheting, Soccer, Art, and LEGOs. The complete schedule of classes offered this fall is below.

Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, and some classes already have a wait list. To enroll your child in a fall enrichment class, please click on the button below.

Fall Enrichment Registration

#SaklanWellRounded