Month: November 2026

Discussions with David: Using Data to Guide Our Work

How do we know our students are growing, learning, and feeling connected to their school community? At Saklan, we use a variety of tools to better understand the student experience and ensure we are meeting the needs of every learner.

Join Head of School David O’Connell on Friday, November 13, at 8:30 a.m. in the Humanities Room for the next Discussions with David.

David will share highlights from Saklan’s recent MAP testing and Student Belonging Survey, offering insight into what the data tells us about student learning, academic growth, and overall well-being. He will also discuss how these findings inform our ongoing work, helping us celebrate areas of strength, identify opportunities for growth, and make thoughtful decisions that support our students.

We hope you’ll join us for this opportunity to learn more, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of how data helps guide the Saklan experience.

Creativity, Connection, and Halloween Fun!

What a fun and festive Halloween celebration we had at Saklan! From the moment students arrived on campus, excitement filled the air as everyone prepared for one of our favorite fall traditions.

The morning kicked off with our beloved Costume Parade, bringing the entire Saklan community together. It was wonderful to see the creativity, colorful costumes, and big smiles as families cheered from the sidelines.

The day was also filled with opportunities to practice two important parts of the Saklan spirit: compassion and connection. Our Kindergartners, first graders, second graders, and eighth-grade choir members visited Moraga Royale, where they performed Halloween-themed songs for the residents. Their performance brought smiles and warm applause, creating a special intergenerational connection.

Back on campus, our Middle School Student Council hosted a spooky celebration for students from Preschool through eighth grade. Activities included trips through a haunted house designed by the students themselves, a bean-bag toss, and spooky story reading! The festivities continued into the afternoon with classroom parties filled with food, games, and plenty of laughter.

A heartfelt thank-you to all the Saklan families who helped make the day so memorable. Your time, creativity, and enthusiasm bring our celebrations to life and remind us what makes the Saklan community so special. What a wonderful day of creativity, connection, and Halloween fun!

Growing Compassion at Saklan

At Saklan, social-emotional learning (SEL) is an important part of helping students grow not only as learners, but also as thoughtful, caring members of our community.

For November and December, Saklan’s SEL focus is being compassionate.

Compassion means recognizing how others feel, showing kindness, and treating people with empathy and respect. It also means understanding that everyone makes mistakes, appreciating our differences, and looking for ways to care for those around us.

Throughout the next two months, students will be encouraged to put compassion into practice by:

  • Thinking about the feelings and perspectives of others.
  • Remembering that everyone makes mistakes and deserves understanding.
  • Letting teachers, parents, and friends know they are appreciated.
  • Respecting that people may have different beliefs and perspectives.
  • Caring for the Earth and all living things.

These simple but meaningful actions help students build stronger relationships, develop empathy, and contribute to a more inclusive and caring community.

At Saklan, we believe that learning to act compassionately is just as important as learning to think critically. By practicing compassion every day, our students take another step toward living our mission: thinking creatively, acting compassionately, and living courageously.

#SaklanSEL

Curious First Graders Create Their Own Book

What happens when a classroom full of curious first graders gets inspired to write a book? A little desert science, a lot of creativity, and plenty of teamwork!

First graders recently explored the Sonoran Desert and its fascinating creatures, from snakes and spiders to bats. Their classroom even transformed into a bat cave as students learned about these nocturnal animals through fiction and nonfiction books! They discovered that bats are mammals that roost and raise pups, explored concepts like echolocation and migration, and practiced important research skills, including taking notes and documenting facts.

Their learning took an exciting new direction with a special visit from illustrator and graphic novelist Mat Heagerty. Inspired by his work, students had plenty of questions about the bookmaking process, from how illustrations come to life to why books have thin pages and thick covers. Their curiosity sparked a new classroom activity: creating an original book titled The Very Lonely Cactus!

Each student illustrated a character and wrote their own dialogue, while the entire class contributed to coloring the finished illustrations. Along the way, they explored character development, setting, sequencing, and storylines, discovering how dialogue helps bring characters to life. From brainstorming and storyboarding to writing final drafts, students listened to one another, shared ideas, and collaborated to bring their story together.

#SaklanCurious

Snack Shack is Back!

Every Saklan student knows how rewarding a snack can be at the end of a busy day of learning and having fun with one another here at school. Our dedicated and resourceful Student Council has been busy planning the return of Snack Shack this year!

Last year, Student Council officers and representatives in grades 1 through 8 selected the final items for sale based on desirability, minimizing waste, and setting reasonable prices ranging from 50 cents to $3.00 per item. Yummy snacks for sale this year will include: Goldfish crackers, gummies, chips, Veggie Straws, Hello Panda, Pirate’s Booty, Rice Krispies treats, La Croix bubble water, Honest Juice, and Martinelli’s apple drinks.

Last year’s Student Council also voted to allocate most of the proceeds from Saklan’s Snack Shack to support two non-profits: Global Preservation Initiative, which is based in Hawai’i and promotes shared human and environmental health, and Global Refuge, which provides support and resources to new immigrants to the U.S. Money earned from purchasing snacks at Snack Shack is converted into donations to support causes that our students care about, inspiring them to Act Compassionately. Stay tuned for which charity or cause this year’s Student Council selects!

Snack Shack will open outside David’s office, or inside the Science Room if it’s raining, from 3:05 – 3:25 p.m. every Thursday.  Saklan students are invited to come by and purchase a snack from our hardworking Student Council members. Cash only, please.

#SaklanStudentCouncil #SaklanCompassion