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,

As I am sure you already know, Saklan is recognized for the outstanding quality of its faculty. I was recently thrilled to find out that our Science/STEM teacher, Vickie Obenchain has been selected for the 2017-18 Teachers for Global Classrooms Fellowship sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs. The selection process for the program was highly competitive with 76 teachers being chosen from over 450 applications from across the United States. The Teachers for Global Classrooms Program (TGC) is a year-long professional development program for U.S. elementary, middle, and high school teachers to become leaders in global education. Global education is integral to building 21st century skills in students, and teachers are the greatest resource to empower our students as global citizens. The TGC program equips teachers to bring an international perspective to their schools through targeted training, experience abroad, and global collaboration. The TGC program is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and implemented by IREX, an international non-profit organization.

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The TGC program begins with a ten-week online professional development course. Upon successful completion of this course, participants will participate in a Global Education Symposium in Washington, D.C. in February, 2018. At the Symposium, TGC Fellows will collaborate with teachers, administrators and education leaders from across the United States in a two-day conference on Global Education. Following the Symposium, TGC Fellows will travel with a cohort of other U.S. teachers for an international field experience and have the opportunity to meet with school teachers and educational leaders in one of the participating host countries. Throughout their fellowship, TGC Fellows will explore the themes and applications for global education in the classroom and bring these back to their own school and community. We look forward to all the new ideas that Vickie will be bringing back to Saklan as she goes through this prestigious program. Congratulations, Vickie!

Don’t forget Fall Follies next Friday at 10:30AM. This is also the end of the First Trimester which means report cards will be on their way. They will be sent out by mail on the Friday after Thanksgiving Break.

Have a great weekend!

Peter

Dia De Los Muertos

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On November 2nd, Saklan students celebrated “Dia de los Muertos.” They built an altar to honor Frida Kahlo who was a famous Mexican artist. The students made orange and yellow paper flowers for the arch. These colors are used to attract the souls to the altar.  They also learned that an altar must have three levels; a picture of the person being honored, their favorite food (pan de muerto), skulls (calaveritas), and a bowl of water to quench thirst. Finally, do not forget to light candles to shine the way to the altar.

The Saklan School Night at Oracle

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Thank you to all the families who came out to support Saklan at the Warriors vs. Heat game on Monday! Our Middle School Choir sang the National Anthem. We also had 12 Saklan students go on the court with the players as their anthem buddies. It was an exciting evening for all who attended the 5th Annual The Saklan School Night at the Oracle Arena.

First Grade Robots

The 1st grade is in the science lab this month learning about robots and coding. Students have taken part in a few challenges. First, with a push button mouse, students had to learn how robots think, and how that is different than we do. They moved their mouse through a track to reach food, water and finally shelter after avoiding danger, such as a cat and fire.

 

Recently, the 1st graders have moved on to Wonder Dashbots. These are app based robots where the students learn to code for different tracks, sounds, lights, etc. Next, they are going to be making them move through an obstacle course.

Honoring Our Vets

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At Friday Flag, the Hoot Owls and 4th Grade took a moment to honor all of our courageous and dedicated Veterans, by singing the military songs for all branches of the armed services: the Coast Guard, the Air Force, the Navy, the Marines, and the Army. We thank them for all that they do to keep our country safe.

Middle School Open House

6th Grade Yosemite Trip

Friday, December 1, 2017

8:30 – 10:30AM

RSVP

We invite all current and prospective parents to join us for an inside look of the highlights of Saklan’s middle school program. Whether you are interested in the lower school or middle school, hearing what our students experience by the time they graduate from Saklan will inspire you.

Head’s Corner

Dear Saklan Community,

The big event of this week was undoubtedly the Halloween and Harvest Festival on Tuesday. This is the second year that we have put on this event and it was tremendously successful by all accounts. This event was sponsored by our Student Council and our students played a big role in organizing the event and running many of the activities.  A big thank you to Kim Parks and Lisa Rokas, who are our Student Council Advisors, to the team of staff and teachers, and to the numerous parent volunteers who helped in many ways.

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Of the many activities that were organized, the haunted house was as big a hit as ever. The costume parade and competition was fun and colorful and our students enjoyed dressing up in unique and creative costumes. Our Lower School students had fun going to the AEGIS and Moraga Royale assisted living homes and singing their Halloween songs. And finally, the middle school deck was turned into a spooky disco which attracted students of all ages and parents as well.

Please remember that next Friday, November 10, the school will be closed in observance of Veterans Day. The day before, you will receive a text message reminding you about this holiday. As of this year, we have implemented a new mass notification system through Renweb that allows us to send emergency and non-emergency text messages in addition to emails. This will be the first school-wide test of the system, so please give us any feedback you may have.

Also, in two weeks on Friday, November 17, we will have our Fall Follies. It will be held at the Willow Spring Auditorium and will start at 10:30AM. I look forward to a big crowd to experience this fun showcase of Saklan talent.

Have a great weekend!

Peter