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.

Head’s Corner

Dear Saklan Community,

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As we rapidly approach the end of this school year, I would like to share some important staffing news with you for the next year. First of all, I must announce the retirement of Carol Schofield after teaching 2nd grade at Saklan for these past 20 years. Retirement is naturally a great achievement and just reward after a long and successful career of teaching, and thus an event of joy and celebration. For Saklan, however, it represents the loss of one of its most accomplished and respected teachers. Having spent countless hours in the 2nd grade class, I can truly say that Carol is one of the most competent and creative teachers that I have worked with in my career. Saklan has been very fortunate to have had her services for these past 20 years.

There is, however, a silver lining to this announcement in that moving into 2nd grade for next year will be Yette Prizeman, who has been our Kindergarten teacher these past two years and whose previous experience was in the lower elementary grades. Having Yette take over 2nd grade will ensure for a smooth and seamless transition for next year. The open Kindergarten position will be taken over by Karen Catanzarite, our Hoot Owl teacher and Early Childhood Director. Prior to her work in the pre-kindergarten, Karen taught Kindergarten for 10 years and thus is more than qualified for this role.

SASTA-AshleyJenningsWe will also be saying goodbye to Ashley Jennings who has been with us for two years as an assistant teacher in the preschool and Kindergarten, and teacher in the extended program. Ashley will leave Saklan to finish her teaching credential. In light of the outstanding work and talent that Ashley has shown at Saklan, I would not be surprised to see her back in the near future in a teaching role.

SASTA-ChristineKuckukAlso leaving Saklan, after being in our community for many years, will be Christine Kuckuk, our Director of Marketing. Christine’s efforts in crafting, refining and promoting the Saklan image has helped establish the outstanding reputation and visibility that Saklan has today in the Lamorinda and surrounding areas. Our congratulations, mixed with a bit of envy, to Christine and her family on their move to the ever beautiful Lake Tahoe region.

This Saturday, May 12th is the date of the Moraga Community Faire and Car Show. Saklan will again have a booth at this fun event. Please drop by and say hello!

Have a great weekend!

Peter

Writer’s Celebration

Fifth graders had their Writer’s Celebration this week. Students shared their published stories as a culminating activity of their best fifth grade stories. Students worked together in writing clubs and with their peer editors to revise and edit each other’s stories. Many of the writing elements students learned were: creating interesting story leads, sensory words, interesting vocabulary, repetition, figurative language, “said” is dead, and character development. The published stories were illustrated and bound into a keepsake book. Way to go authors!!!

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Moraga Rotary Field Day

On Wednesday, May 9th, The Saklan School sent seventeen athletes to the annual Moraga Rotary Field Day. This is always a huge event with all the third, fourth, and fifth graders in Moraga competing in six different events. We had two medalists this year. Sadie in third grade won bronze in the super sack race, and Sammy in third grade won the gold in the spectacular soft ball throw.
Good job to all the competitors!

Owlets Bug Hunt

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For the month of May, the Owlets are learning about plants and insects. On Thursday, they went on a bug hunt with Ms. Sarah Shaffer of Sarah’s Science (also Carson’s grandma). The students explored the grassy areas and collected a lot of cool bugs. They even caught a jumping spider. It was a lot of fun!

Spring PA Talk

“Importance of Global Education and an Update on the Reading Program Review”

Presented by Vickie Obenchain and Kim Parks

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 After Flag on Friday, May 18th

Willow Spring Church (across the street from Saklan)

RSVP

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand from our outstanding teachers why Saklan education is truly one of a kind. First, Ms. O will discuss the importance of Global Education, what it looks like at Saklan and what she learned by going to Senegal. Then, Ms.Kim will review what the Curriculum Committee learned about Saklan’s reading program and present the recommendations for next year and beyond. Together, the approach and programs give our students the “Saklan Academic Edge.” Come join us!

Please email Sandy Lo (sandralo@gmail.com) if you have any questions.

Head’s Corner

Dear Saklan Community,

This past week has been one of the best weeks of school this year for all faculty and staff. All week long, we have been thrilled and pampered by the wonderful messages of appreciation, meals and gifts organized by our parents. All of the faculty and staff feel gratitude and thankful for the wonderful community that supports our efforts and inspires us to do our best in our work at Saklan.

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On the theme of Teacher Appreciation Week, I would like to share with you a video clip by poet Taylor Mali titled, “What Teachers Make.” I shared this a few years ago but it is still relevant and very much sums up the complexity, passion and importance that the job of teaching entails. Please enjoy and share.

Next Friday, on May 11th, we will be holding our Saklan Arts Festival from 3:00-7:00PM. Please come and be astounded by the wealth of creativity that has come from our student body during their Art program this year. On the same evening, we will have our Family Fun Night with a movie and BBQ which makes this an event not to be missed.

Next Wednesday, May 9th, all students in Grades 3-5 are invited to participate in the annual Rotary Field Day. This event involves all schools in Moraga and is a fun event for our students. The event takes place starting at 3:30PM at the Joaquin Moraga Intermediate School. Mr. Crabtree and I will accompany our students, and everyone is invited to come out and cheer for the Saklan team.

Have a great weekend!

Peter

One Room Schoolhouse

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On Monday, the third graders went back in time to 1888 and experienced life as a pioneer child at the Tassajara One Room Schoolhouse. They came dressed in their finest pioneer clothes and brought their lunches in a basket or a kerchief tied to a stick. They learned that the schoolhouse is 130 years old and was built when Grover Cleveland was president. The students got to write on slate boards with chalk and also use a quill pen dipped in ink. Some fun recess activities included tug-of-war, jump rope, and walking on cans and stilts. They also sang songs popular in the 1800’s. The third graders had a great day and decided that school was fun in 1888!
Many thanks to our parent chaperones Keely Dreisbach, Charlene Poziumschi and Jen Barry, who all looked fabulous in their pioneer dresses and bonnets!