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.

COVID-19 Task Force

The COVID-19 Task Force will begin meeting this Monday to discuss Saklan’s response to our current crisis and what the start of the school year will look like. We know there are many questions out there regarding next year and not many answers. It is our full intention to be in person with students as much as safely possible. The work of the task force will be to look at the different scenarios for next year and develop responses that achieve that goal.

We would like to hear from you regarding your questions, concerns, and ideas. Please take this short survey to help our task force.

The members of the task force are:

  • David O’Connell – Head of School
  • Geri Buhl – Board of Trustees Co-Chair
  • Vickie Obenchain – Science Teacher
  • Karen Catanzarite – Kindergarten Teacher
  • Melanie Booth – Parent currently serving on three other COVID related committee
  • Dayna Long – Parent and Pediatrician
  • Jenny Park Choi – Board Member and PA Member

Other members of the administration and community will be invited as needed.

#SaklanTaskForce

Adopt An Arthropod

The 7th grade has been learning about all the different kingdoms of life this spring. Currently, the 7th grade is in the middle of learning about animals, in particular invertebrates. Students were asked to look at the Arthropod (jointed foot) Phyla, find an organism they found interesting, and create a Bitmoji Adoption Ad for the arthropod of their choice.

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Students created themselves in Bitmoji form, so you could tell whose is whose, and shared why their invertebrate would be a great pet for your household! Maybe you have been looking for a bird-eating spider to get rid of that pesty morning wake up call, or a blue scorpion to be the glamorous fashion pet of your dreams. No? Maybe a man eating praying mantis for when your husband drives your crazy… Just kidding, they only eat their own husbands! But you might even find a huge crab you may want to use to scare your children! Find the arthropod of your dreams at the 7th Grade Arthropod Adoption event!

#SaklanAcademics

Our Art Fair Goes Online!

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When the Art Fair was cancelled, Miss Natalie wanted to figure out a way to still share the amazing artwork created by all our artists. A lot of thoughtfulness, patience, hard work, and creativity went into these amazing works of art. Just too good to not share with our Saklan community and beyond!

Artsonia is the world’s largest online collection of student art portfolios. Schools all around the world use this platform. It does need your consent as a parent because of the online public presence your child’s artwork will now have. This week an email was sent from Artsonia and once you give permission to display your child’s artwork online, you are able to view all other artwork that is public as well. The online art gallery will officially launch next Friday, May 22, 2020.

#SaklanCreative

Kindergarten Review

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The Kindergarteners reviewed sight words by playing a fun game called, “Hunt the House.” When in school, the children hunt for sight words around our classroom reading and writing them when found. This week, with the help of the wonderful Kindergarten parents, the Kindergarteners hunted their house and yard for 10 sight words proving reading is fun!

#SaklanDistanceLearning

Virtual Learning Is Fun

The Hoot Owls gain strength, flexibility and balance by doing some interactive yoga at home.

They are also having fun singing and playing instruments during music class with Ms. Megan! It turns out learning from home can be fun for the whole family. Baby brother and big sister accompany Hoot Owl, Piper, while she learns from home.

#SaklanDistanceLearning

First Grade’s Homes Around The World

The first grade students learned about the different kinds of houses people live in around the world. They also learned that people have different kinds of houses depending on the weather, climate, and living conditions.

First graders did their Homes Research Project representing the country they are from. They were also asked what the homes are made from and its location on the world map. Here’s the list of each student’s country:

  • Farid – Jerusalem
  • Peyton – Philippines
  • Wyatt – USA
  • Sean – Australia
  • Eldana – Ethiopia
  • Charlie – Hong Kong
  • Mikey – Peru

Way to go first graders!

#SaklanCreative

Virtual Book Fair

It’s (virtual) book fair time! Need to escape your life without leaving your house? Tired of reading the same book to your children night after night after night? Then head on over to https://www.rakestrawbooks.com/

Rakestraw Books is an independent bookstore in Danville, CA and they are hosting Saklan’s (virtual) book fair. They have literally thousands of titles, suitable for children and adults of all ages. Check out the video below with Susan’s recommendations for the different age groups. (00:00 min. – for PreK, K and LS; 12:00 min. – for LS and MS; 24:00 min. – for MS, HS and Adults)

IMPORTANT: To order, simply fill your shopping cart with as many books as you want, then put the word “Saklan” in the coupon code box and click “apply to order.” This is the only way for Saklan to get credit for your order.

You filled your cart? You put Saklan in the coupon code box? Okay, now click “checkout.” At checkout, you will have two shipping options: Standard Shipping (this amount will change depending on how much you order) and a 99 cent pickup option.

IMPORTANT: The 99 cent pickup option only appears if your order is over $25. If your order is under $25 and you wish to use the 99 cent pickup option, please put PICKUP in the comments section. Your total will be manually adjusted once it is received by the bookstore.

Once a week, or once every other week depending on how many orders we get, all “pickup” orders will be picked up from Rakestraw and taken to Saklan. You will get an email telling you your order is ready for pickup and you are then free to come by Saklan at your leisure and pick up your new goodies.

Please share the virtual book fair with friends and family members! Saklan will receive 10% credit for all orders placed between now and the end of the school year so the more people who order the more Saklan will benefit. Just remember, you must write SAKLAN in the coupon code box for Saklan to benefit.

Questions or comments? Feel free to contact Tara (aka Kaylah’s Mom) at jade4037@gmail.com. Thank you!

#SaklanBookFair

Le Tour de Quarantine

Hats off (or helmets should we say) to Mac and his family for taking the live storytime to a new level. Mac, Melanie and Ben read The Cycling Wangdoos by Kelly Puller in their Le Tour de Quarantine. If you want a good laugh, take a few minutes to enjoy their live reading.

If you would like to do a live reading, please contact David at doconnell@saklan.org.  Live readings are done through Zoom every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:00 pm.

#SaklanCreative