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.

End of the School Year Reminders

As we count down to the end of the 2024-2025 school, there are a few reminders we would like to share with you.

Uniform Exchange

We are collecting gently used uniform shirts, jumpers, sweaters, sweatshirts and jackets (items with the Saklan logo on them) to be used in the Uniform Exchange. Next week there will be a plastic container in front of the school, please feel free to place any unwanted uniforms in it.

Lost and Found

We have many sweatshirts, jackets, and water bottles in the lost and found. These items will be placed out in the front of the school next week. Please look through them and take what is yours. All items left over after the school year ends will either be added to the uniform exchange or given to charity.

Graduation

All Saklan families and friends are invited to attend this year’s graduation on Friday, May 30 at 10:00 a.m. The event is being held outdoors on the Sports Court, so if you are joining us, please prepare for potential sun (glasses/water bottle) or for breezier cool weather (sweaters/jackets).

You are Cordially Invited to Attend

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025 with you!

When to Speak Up, When to Let It Go

Over the past few weeks, the Kindergarten class has been engaging in thoughtful conversations and activities designed to help them understand an important social-emotional skill: knowing when to report a problem to a teacher and when it’s best to “let it go.”

The journey began with a classroom discussion about how the word “tattling” is often used to describe someone telling a teacher about a peer’s behavior. But terms like “tattletale” carry a negative tone, and at Saklan, teachers want students to feel safe and supported when seeking help. So, the kindergartners and Riva decided together to use the word “reporting” instead—a more neutral and empowering term that acknowledges that asking for help is never a bad thing.

However, the class also recognized that not all situations require adult intervention. Some students were beginning to feel like they were being “policed” by their classmates, prompting the need for clear guidelines around what situations are appropriate to report.

Together, the class created a simple, helpful framework:

  • If someone’s body or feelings are hurt, always report it to a teacher.
  • If there’s a conflict but no one is hurt, try to handle it on your own (and ask for help with conflict resolution if needed).
  • If someone is simply making a mistake, let it go.

Students practiced applying this framework by discussing different scenarios and categorizing them as “report it,” “handle it,” or “let it go.” The thoughtful conversations that followed showed how seriously kindergartners took their role in creating a safe and kind classroom community.

To make the guidelines even more accessible, especially for younger students and non-readers, students illustrated different examples to accompany the categories. These illustrations were compiled into a chart, now displayed in the classroom. If a student ever feels uncertain about whether they should report something, they can refer to the chart to help make the decision themselves.

This exercise not only supported the class in developing self-awareness and empathy but also reinforced problem-solving and communication skills that will serve them well beyond kindergarten.

#SocialEmotionalLearning

Exploring Energy: Cars, Cookies, and the Power of the Sun

Over the past few weeks, Saklan’s sixth graders have been immersed in an exciting unit on energy transfer. Their hands-on exploration began with a journey through the electromagnetic spectrum, recreated right in the classroom. Using tools like prisms to investigate light waves and tuning forks and whirly tubes to observe sound waves, students experienced firsthand how energy moves and transforms.

From there, the class explored the three modes of heat transfer: radiation, conduction, and convection. This led to a deeper understanding of how energy can move from one object or substance to another. Students connected these concepts to real-world examples, such as how chemical energy in fossil fuels transforms into motion in a car or electricity to power devices.

As their understanding grew, so did their awareness of the environmental impact of fossil fuel use. This naturally sparked an investigation into alternative energy sources, with a focus on the power of the sun.

In the final week of their unit, students harnessed solar energy in two creative and engaging projects. First, they built their own solar-powered cars, turning radiant energy into kinetic energy to drive tiny motors—and then put their creations to the test in a thrilling classroom race. Next, they constructed solar ovens designed to capture the sun’s rays and transform them into heat energy. Their goal? Bake a cookie using nothing but sunshine!

These activities highlighted the incredible potential of renewable energy and gave students a sense of innovation, teamwork, and scientific discovery. It’s safe to say that the sixth-grade classroom was buzzing with energy of every kind!

#SaklanHandsOn

Class of 2025 Graduation

You are Cordially Invited to Attend

We are excited to invite you to a graduation ceremony celebrating the Saklan Class of 2025! This year’s ceremony will be held on Friday, May 30th, at 10:00 a.m. on the Saklan Sports Court. We kindly request that those joining us RSVP by May 23rd.

RSVP for Graduation Here!

We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2025 with you!

#SaklanGraduation #Classof2025

Drone Show on Tuesday

Saklan’s SIGMA Club invites all Saklan students and families to a special Drones & Robots presentation with FireBot Labs next Tuesday, May 20th, at 3:00 p.m. on the sports court. FireBot Labs founder and CEO Jonathan Collazo will be on campus to share a live demonstration of autonomous drones and robotics and to answer questions. We hope you can join us!

A Roaring Thank You!

We’re tipping our fedoras and feathered headbands to everyone who helped make Saklan’s 70th Anniversary Gala & Auction the bee’s knees! Whether you joined us for a swanky evening of celebration, placed your bets in the online auction, treated your youngster to a jazzy experience with a Saklan teacher, or generously contributed to our playground Fund-a-Need, your support was the cat’s pajamas!

Thanks to our dazzling community, we raised over $176,000 for our beloved school — with more than $113,000 earmarked for brand-new play structures that’ll have our kiddos jumping for joy!

The auction fun isn’t over yet! There are a few auction opportunities still available. Click on the links below to learn more!

Here’s to you, our fabulous Saklan community — you sure know how to throw a party and rally for an amazing cause. We couldn’t have done it without you!

#SaklanCommunity

Rounding Up Library Books

The end of the year is approaching fast, which means students are running out of time to return library books! As we head into the last two weeks of school, please check in with your student to see if they have any library books at home. Meredith and Joy request that all Saklan Library books be returned by next Friday, May 23rd.

Thank you for another wonderful year of book reading!

SIGMA: Fluffy Slime Finale!

At their final meeting of the school year, the students in Saklan’s SIGMA Club wrapped up with a hands-on science project that was equal parts fun and educational: making fluffy slime!

This gooey activity wasn’t just about creating something to take home—it was also a creative way to explore basic chemistry. Students learned that slime-making is a great introduction to chemical reactions. By combining everyday household ingredients like glue, shaving cream, and contact solution, students created a substance that behaves as neither a true solid nor a liquid, offering a fascinating look at how different materials interact.

The lesson was led by SIGMA Club founders Leo and Benji, who walked the club members through each step of the slime-making process. As you can imagine, things got very sticky! But the mess turned into a meaningful learning opportunity. Students were encouraged to problem-solve as they experimented with different ingredient ratios to adjust the texture of their slime. Through trial and error, they discovered how to balance the ingredients to get just the right stretch, fluff, or bounce.

To top it all off, students were given the freedom to customize their slime with vibrant colors and textures, making each one unique. Not only did the activity reinforce scientific thinking and experimentation, but it also provided a satisfying sensory experience that had everyone smiling.

What a fun and memorable way to close out the SIGMA year; great job, Leo and Benji!

#SaklanHandsOn #SaklanStudentLeadership

Head’s Corner: So Much Appreciation

I will start this week’s blog by recognizing and appreciating all the parent love that came onto campus this week via food and gifts. Thank you very much, our hearts and tummies are full.  As I enjoy all the love and gratitude, it makes me think of everything I appreciate about everyone here at Saklan.  Hence, it might be fitting to share some of the things I appreciate about those I work with.

Each person on this team brings something unique and meaningful to our school community. Here’s a snapshot of the qualities I appreciate in each of them:

  • Annette – Brings a 100% can-do attitude, always willing to do more, and is genuinely a Math Guru.
  • Christina – Cares deeply about student growth, both academically and social-emotionally.
  • Dianne – Meets pressure with creativity and calmness, a rare and steady force.
  • Emily – Has a vision for what’s ahead and catches every detail before it’s missed.
  • Erin – Solid, dependable, and incredibly caring—always there when needed.
  • Ester – Brings a breath of calm to every interaction, soothing and grounded.
  • Hector – Infuses fun into everything he does and is always ready to lend a hand.
  • Isaac – Offers a unique and powerful approach to both music and life.
  • Ivonne – Passionate about all things Spanish.
  • Javier – Can fix almost anything, but his true superpower is uplifting spirits.
  • Jennifer – Committed to turning good writers into great ones—one word at a time.
  • John – Helps students solve problems with agency, notices details about students we sometimes miss.
  • Joy – Always calm, always positive, always caring.
  • Kim K – Absolutely dependable and level-headed—our steady anchor.
  • Kim P – Deeply passionate about children and education; dedicated, caring, and always ready to help others.
  • Lauren – Creative and caring, always thinking outside the box.
  • Linda H – A voice of wisdom when it comes to understanding what children truly need.
  • Linda L – Deeply committed and tenacious—takes on the hard stuff with thoughtfulness and care.
  • Lisa – Knows her students through and through; thorough and fully committed to children.
  • Maggie – Takes on challenges with humility, humor, and a healthy attitude.
  • Maria – Brings a deep love and warmth to every interaction.
  • Meredith – Her passion for children and books has made reading a central tenet of Saklan life.
  • Mylesa – Radiates happy energy and an infectious “we got this” attitude.
  • Peta – Her wealth of experience makes every conversation about students a learning experience.
  • Philippa – A hidden talent of excellent writing paired with high creativity.
  • Riva – Brings extraordinary care and attention to every one of our kindergartners.
  • Rob – Models how to deliver high expectations with warmth and genuine care.
  • Saul – Calls himself the Math King (rightfully so!)—he takes students to the deep end of the pool.
  • Shay – Resourceful and adaptable, and keeps us all organized.
  • Vickie – Has a passion not only for science, but for all things learning, kids, and exploration.
  • Victoria – Quiet but deeply helpful and incredibly knowledgeable.
  • Yette – A great sense of humor, task-oriented, and a problem solver.
  • Zuly – Always positive and caring, with just the right dose of humor—and a laugh that lights up the room.

With gratitude and appreciation to everyone, 

David

Saklan Student Art Shines

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Moraga Art Gallery last weekend for Saklan’s Annual Art Show! This special event marked the first time Saklan’s Art Show was held in an actual art gallery, but as usual, it was a fantastic event, showcasing the creativity and hard work of all Saklan students.

Your Feedback Requested

Since this was the first year of having the Art Show in an art gallery, we would love your feedback about the event (even if you weren’t able to attend). Please use the button below to complete our 1-question survey.

Art Show Survey

Appreciations

Thank you to Lauren for making the Art Show a reality. Her expert guidance and belief in the students through the art-making process, helping them to explore their creativity and express themselves, were evident in the art. We also appreciate the time she took to organize the art and determine the layout for the Art Show.

Thank you to David and Javi for transporting all the art and blackboards over to the gallery prior to the show, and back to Saklan after the show.

Thank you to Amy Schofield, Brian Lovrin, Javi, and David for helping Lauren arrange all the art for display.

Thank you to the Moraga Art Gallery for hosting the event and sharing their space with our student artists.

Thank you to the Saklan students for sharing their work with us. The time and detail that went into each of the pieces, as well as their propensity to think creatively, were on display during the show!