Month: January 2026

Communicating through Color

Every year, our Saklan community looks forward to the 2nd and 3rd grade collaborative PBL unit that culminates in the all-school concert backdrop! This unit centers on the driving question, “How can we, as a team of artists, create a backdrop that communicates belonging?” While reinforcing the concert theme, this incredible PBL unit showcases how Project Based Learning provides a rich learning experience that culminates in a product with an authentic purpose for our school community. 

The concert theme shifts each year, so naturally, the project path shifts as well to reflect the theme and honor the strengths and interests of the students collaborating on the project in any given year. This year’s theme of belonging led the students to research artists like Jeffrey Gibson, Ashley Mary, and Byron Kim to understand how they communicate belonging through their art. Students have also been developing their expertise in color theory and color mixing. They have brought their own ideas of belonging and previous art knowledge to this process, too, as they grapple with how to use color to communicate.

Inspired by the work of Gibson, Mary, and Kim, students became curious about how the community would interpret these artists’ work. They asked students and teachers which pieces by these key artists most connected to the idea of belonging, took a poll, and reflected on the results. As a group, they considered how the community’s perspectives may help guide their choices as a team of artists.

Using feedback from the community, our second and third graders considered which elements of the different artworks resonated with the Saklan community as a guide to developing their own interpretation of belonging. Students are now designing and producing their own concert backdrop to communicate the concert theme. We hope you join us on Thursday, February 12, at the Lesher Center for the Arts for our All-school Concert and to see the final backdrop installation!

#SaklanProjectWork #SaklanBelonging

Raising Awareness about the World of Islam

If you attended CLAS on December 12th, you heard the 7th-graders share facts they learned from their World of Islam unit in Humanities. Today, more than 1.9 billion people follow the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad, and Islam is the world’s fastest-growing religion. Yet despite its global reach, the origins, beliefs, and faith-based practices of Muslims are often misunderstood in Western societies.

As students prepared for their CLAS presentations, Humanities teacher Jennifer asked them to reflect on a deeper question:

Is there anything you have learned that might help people be more tolerant of Muslims today? If yes, please explain it.

The students’ responses demonstrated thoughtfulness, empathy, and a growing awareness of the power of education and understanding. Here are a few of their responses:

“People can educate themselves and others on the religion of Islam and challenge negative stereotypes.” – Amelia

“They are a very kind community helping the homeless and other things.” – Jason

“I think that the world isn’t perfect, and some people won’t listen to people who won’t be inclusive to others who don’t look the same as them or who are of another nationality. But if people really try to show those kinds of people that others are still human, this world could be a bit better.” – Caleb

“Yes, from reading the book Once Upon an Eid, I have learned that many Muslims, refugees or not, have faced lots of unfair discrimination because of their clothing and what their school textbooks say. However, when I learned about Muslim culture and wondrous celebrations, I realized that people who discriminate against Muslims don’t know how full of life Muslim culture is. Also, they clearly haven’t met a Muslim, because Muslims are normal people just like you and me.” – Willow

These reflections highlight the heart of Saklan’s Humanities program: encouraging students to think critically, ask meaningful questions, and develop empathy through learning.

The 7th graders will share their comprehensive research and learning with the community at the World of Islam Symposium on Monday, January 12, 2026, from 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. in the Humanities Room and Library. All Saklan families are warmly invited to attend and engage with this thoughtful and important work.

Parent Ed: Inside the ADHD Mind

Tools to Help Your Child Thrive

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026
Noon–1 p.m. PT
Live Q&A webinar streamed on Zoom

Kids with ADHD are full of strengths, yet everyday tasks and actions can be a struggle, adding an extra layer of complexity for their caregivers. Traditional parenting strategies often backfire, leaving families feeling defeated and alone.

Join ParentMap and The Saklan School on Jan. 21 for a thought-provoking and empowering ParentEd Talk. In this live webinar, psychiatrist and ADHD expert Dr. Sasha Hamdani, along with special guest moderator Dr. Erin Gonzalez, will unpack what’s happening in the ADHD brain, explain why common strategies often fall short, and share a game plan that works with your child’s mind — not against it. Whether you suspect ADHD, are navigating a new diagnosis, or are simply feeling stuck, this talk provides clarity and confidence for families and caregivers who need it most.

You’ll leave with:

  • A clear understanding of ADHD’s neurological roots and how they influence behavior, attention, and emotional regulation
  • Practical tools to ease daily struggles like transitions, executive dysfunction, and time blindness
    • Actionable strategies for communication, structure, and supporting independence

Better understanding leads to better support. Register here for the Zoom webinar using promo code SAKSCHL to attend for free (a $10 value). You’ll also gain access to the event recording, allowing you to watch it at your convenience. 

Building Self-Discipline

As the new year begins, Saklan’s January social-emotional learning focus is self-disciplined—a skill that supports students in setting goals, managing impulses, and following through with responsibility and care.

Throughout January, students will engage in conversations and activities that encourage them to pause, reflect, and choose actions aligned with their values and goals. By nurturing self-discipline in a compassionate and age-appropriate way, Saklan helps students grow into confident, capable, and self-aware learners—skills that will serve them well far beyond the classroom.

#SaklanSEL

Winter Enrichment Starts Jan. 26

The winter 2026 session of enrichment classes will begin the week of January 26th. Many exciting classes are being offered this session, including Guitar, Reading Club, Basketball, and Yoga!

Class descriptions and registration for the winter enrichment classes are now available on the Saklan Enrichment Webpage. Space is limited in most classes, so don’t delay, register today!

#SaklanWellRounded