Author: The Saklan School Friday Blog

The Saklan School is a private Pre-K through 8 school located in Moraga, CA. Our mission is to think creatively, act compassionately, and live courageously.

When Students Lead the Learning

Sometimes the most meaningful learning moments are the ones that unfold organically, and last week, Saklan’s third graders experienced one of those magical surprises.

What began as a simple vocabulary exercise quickly evolved into a joyful, student-led experience filled with creativity, collaboration, and enthusiasm for learning. As part of the lesson, students were invited to bring new vocabulary words to life by creating short skits. Almost immediately, the classroom buzzed with excitement. Laughter, brainstorming, and endless “What if we…?” moments filled the air as students worked together to imagine scenes and assign roles.

The excitement didn’t end when the lesson was over. Students proudly shared that they continued inventing skits during recess, eager to keep the momentum going.

By Friday, the class had fully taken ownership of the experience. During recess, they collaboratively planned one large skit as a whole group, listening carefully to one another’s ideas and working through challenges together. Later, during quiet time, students independently chose to design and build props, thoughtfully negotiating materials and responsibilities.

This was authentic, student-driven learning at its best: hands-on, deeply engaging, and shaped entirely by student curiosity and agency.

The experience became even more meaningful when the third graders invited their first-grade buddies to be the audience. Watching the students perform with confidence and pride—and seeing every child shine—was a powerful snapshot of teamwork, leadership, and social-emotional growth in action. One student summed it up perfectly, exclaiming, “We should do this every day!”

Moments like these are a joyful reminder of what’s possible when students lead the way.

#SaklanStudentAgency #SaklanHandsOn

See You Sunday for Movie Night

We look forward to seeing Saklan families for our annual Movie Night this Sunday, January 25th, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Founders Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center (next to the Orinda Library). 

We will be showing My Neighbor Totoro! Popcorn and water will be provided, along with folding chairs. Children are invited to bring a cozy blanket and a favorite stuffed animal to spread out on the floor and enjoy the movie. Families are also welcome to bring additional nut-free snacks and water bottles.

We hope to see you there for a fun and cozy community evening! 

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanPA

Being Our Best Selves, One Promise at a Time

Over the past two weeks, Saklan’s Kindergarten class spent time reflecting on an important and empowering question: What does it mean to be your very best?

The exploration began with a read-aloud of I Promise by LeBron James, which sparked a thoughtful conversation about doing one’s best at school, in friendships, and in the wider world. Students also learned about the school LeBron James founded and how it reflects a belief in possibility, effort, and caring for others—values that are deeply aligned with the Kindergarten classroom community.

From there, the students took the lead. Together, they created a shared list of promises they might make to better themselves. Ideas flowed quickly and enthusiastically. Many children focused on helping at home, with promises like “I will do the dishes,” “I’ll clear the table,” and “I can help take out the trash.” Others centered their promises on kindness and empathy, committing to helping people who are hurt or feeling sad, actions they already practice each day.

Each student then selected one meaningful promise, illustrated themselves carrying it out, and wrote their words alongside their drawing. This activity supported key Kindergarten goals, including developing responsibility, practicing self-reflection, strengthening writing and drawing skills, and building social-emotional awareness. Just as importantly, it empowered students to name the kind of people they want to be.

The excitement was contagious—some children even asked if they could make more than one promise. As the class continues to revisit these ideas, students cheer one another on and strive to be their best selves, one promise at a time.

The Golden Age of Hollywood

We are rolling out the red carpet for The Saklan School’s Gala & Auction on Saturday, March 21, from 6:00–11:00 p.m., at the elegant Lafayette Park Hotel.

Step into the Golden Age of Hollywood for an unforgettable evening of timeless glamour, featuring a sparkling cocktail reception, a delicious three-course dinner, a lively auction, dancing, and a few surprises worthy of the silver screen!

Saklan’s Annual Auction is a beloved community tradition, bringing together faculty, staff, families, and friends for a night of connection and celebration. Proceeds from the evening directly support our students’ educational experiences—both in and beyond the classroom.

Tickets for this adults-only event go on sale in February, so cue the babysitter and start planning your look. This is one night you won’t want to miss—it’s sure to be a showstopper.

Seeking Sponsors

Is your business or family interested in lighting up the silver screen by sponsoring or underwriting Saklan’s Gala & Auction?

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors and underwriters receive valuable exposure within the Saklan community while demonstrating a meaningful commitment to education and community partnership. Benefits include prominent recognition, event tickets, and additional opportunities for visibility throughout the evening.

All sponsors and underwriters confirmed by February 2nd will be recognized on the event invitation.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about the Gala & Auction, please reach out to Emily at ewilliamson@saklan.org.

Concert Program Cover Contest

All Saklan students are invited to showcase their creativity by designing a cover for this year’s All-School Concert program. All covers are asked to incorporate the theme of belonging, have a vertical orientation, and include the concert date “February 12, 2026.”

Program cover entries should be turned in to the main office by Tuesday, February 3rd. If you have any questions about the Concert Cover Contest, please email Emily at ewilliamson@saklan.org.

#SaklanCreative

Head’s Corner: Relationships Before Rigor

At Saklan, when it comes to learning, we believe that strong relationships and strong academics are not in competition with one another. In fact, they depend on each other.

Think back to your own school experience. Most of us can picture a teacher we truly connected with: someone who knew us well, cared about us, and held us to high expectations. For many of us, those were the classrooms where learning felt more profound and meaningful.

That’s not a coincidence.

Students spend thousands of hours with their teachers over the course of their school years, and research consistently shows that the quality of those relationships matters. Large-scale studies following millions of students have found that trusting, supportive relationships between teachers and students are linked to higher academic achievement, stronger self-regulation, improved behavior, and a greater sense of belonging—particularly as students get older.

At Saklan, we intentionally make the time and space to build those relationships. We want children to feel seen, known, and cared for—not only because it helps them grow into kind, grounded people, but because it directly supports learning.

When students feel safe and connected, their brains are more open to learning. They are more willing to take intellectual risks, persist through challenges, and accept feedback.

Relationships aren’t a “nice to have.” They are a foundation for real rigor.

This is why we believe relationships before rigor isn’t a slogan—it’s a strategy. One grounded in research, lived out daily in classrooms, and central to who we are at Saklan.

Meet Philippa: Inspiring Curiosity in Preschool

Warm, creative, and deeply connected to curiosity and community, Philippa brings a joyful sense of exploration to Saklan’s Early Childhood program. With a passion for Project Based Learning and a love of diving into topics sparked by children’s genuine interests, Philippa helps make Preschool feel like an adventure every day. Whether she’s guiding students through meaningful projects, sharing her creative spirit, or finding inspiration in nature and art, Philippa embodies the curiosity, collaboration, and creativity at the heart of Saklan.

What drew you to Saklan initially?

I first heard about Saklan from my friend Hannah (Saklan’s Business Manager), who had nothing but wonderful things to say. When she told me that Saklan was becoming a project school, I knew right away it was the perfect fit. Project work is truly my favorite way to teach and learn.

One of the things I love most about Saklan is the sense of community. Everyone brings something unique to the table, and we all get to share our passions with each other and with the children.

My favorite part of working in the ECE program is diving into topics the children are genuinely curious about. Their excitement makes every day fun, and I feel so lucky to be part of a place where learning feels like an adventure.

You bring so much creativity to your role. How do you fuel your own creativity outside of school? 

Outside of school, I stay inspired by diving into lots of different hobbies. I love trying new things! Learning new crafts and exploring different art forms is something that really fuels me. Recently, my daughter and I started needle felting together, and for years we’ve been making little clay sculptures. During our Fall Break, we made some ornaments for our tree out of clay and paper mache.

Some of my favorite art to create is nature-inspired sculpture. We spend many weekends exploring new hiking spots, especially along the coast. Beaches, tide pools, and Northern California’s amazing plants always spark fresh ideas. Being out in nature and discovering beautiful new places keeps my creativity going.

What excites you most about projects in the ECE when it comes to the Project Approach style of grounding the learning in a topic that is of interest to the students?

What excites me most about projects in ECE is how naturally young children learn through curiosity. When a topic truly interests them, their questions, ideas, and investigations become so rich and genuine. The project approach allows us to take that spark and turn it into deep, meaningful learning, right at an age when their wonder is at its highest.

It’s inspiring to watch preschoolers make connections, test theories, and share discoveries with so much joy. They explore with their whole selves, through art, movement, storytelling, and hands-on experiences, and the learning becomes something they truly own. Being able to guide and support that process, while following their lead, is one of the most rewarding parts of teaching in the early childhood years.

Studying the World of Islam in 7th Humanities

The 7th-grade students shared their learning with members of our Saklan community at their World of Islam Symposium for the culmination of their World of Islam independent study unit in Humanities. 

For this unit, each student selected a topic they were interested in, then researched and evaluated sources relating to their topic. Next, they wrote and answered their own questions based on what they were learning from examining their print and digital sources. As they gathered more knowledge about their topics, they discussed what they were learning with one another. They then used their questions and answers to write a multiple-paragraph research paper.

At the Symposium, each student displayed their final paper, vocabulary cards, Need to Know questions, and an infographic poster to accompany their short oral presentation about their topic. They then answered follow-up questions from visiting parents, teachers, and their 6th and 8th-grade peers.

The 7th graders want to debunk negative stereotypes of Muslims by fostering a better understanding of Islamic history, culture, and beliefs. We thank our young scholars of Islam for this experience!

World of Islam Topics Studied:

  • The Life of Muhammad 570 – 612 C.E.
  • The Life of Muhammad 613 – 632 C.E.
  • The Spread of the Islamic Empire after 632 C.E.
  • The Islamic Golden Age and the House of Wisdom
  • The Qur’an
  • The 5 Pillars of Islam
  • Islamic Architecture
  • The Blue Mosque
  • The Taj Mahal
  • The Arabic Language
  • Islamic Calligraphy
  • Islamophobia Today

A Splashing Success

Congratulations to our third, fourth, and fifth-grade students on their fantastic performance of The SpongeBob Musical just before Winter Break!

From memorizing lines and stepping into character to finding costumes, designing sets, and applying makeup, it truly takes a village to bring a production like this to life. Our performers showed incredible courage, creativity, and teamwork on stage, and we could not be prouder.

A heartfelt thank you to the parents who supported behind the scenes by running lines, organizing base costumes, and helping with hair and makeup. And thank you to everyone who joined us for the performance and cheered on our talented cast. Your support made this celebration of creativity and collaboration even more special.

Additionally, we have a few special thank yous we would like to share:

  • To Dianne Hurvitz for directing the lower school students’ wonderful performance. Her hard work, dedication, and love for the students were evident throughout the show.
  • To Javier Yacarini for his hard work constructing the stage.
  • To Jayme Feldhammer for her work on the costumes.
  • To Sarah Gardner for her incredible help with providing and applying sparkly fishy makeup!
  • To Meredith Ware for sea anemone support and last-minute sewing on anemone accessories.
  • To everyone who joined us on our Saturday work day to build sets, props, and costumes.

It was a fabulous show! We hope you enjoy the photos from the performance below.

Parent Ed on Wednesday: 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.