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.

Field Experiences, Guest Experts & Frameworks

Since returning from winter break, sixth graders have been learning about Ancient India, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The sixth-grade humanities curriculum centers on ancient civilizations, the origins of many religions, and drawing connections to modern day. The class took a field experience to the Asian Art Museum on January 8th and have since been using a combination of museum artifacts, textbook materials, articles, and expert visits to better understand early settlements on the Indian subcontinent and the religious practices that originated in that part of the world. 

Experts have included yoga practitioner Richard Rosen and Saklan parents, Manju Rajashekhar and Toshie Baba. Through their experts and resources, students have been searching for evidence of their 3B framework and their three claims about all religions, which they call the 3Bs and 3Cs for short. Using these as touch points, students seek to understand similarities and differences across religious traditions and work to put ancient and modern-day practices into context. The 6th graders will continue to use the 3Bs and 3Cs in their discussions for the remainder of the year. 

3B Framework (3Bs)– supports the idea that an individual’s religious identity may be a unique mix of:

  • 1. beliefs– ideas about holy scriptures, texts, teachings
  • 2. behavior– actions, habits, practices
  • 3. belonging– a sense of community 

3 Claims About All Religions (3Cs) 

  • 1. All religions are internally diverse.
  • 2. All religions evolve and change over time.
  • 3. All religions are informed and influenced by the cultures they are situated in.

Loving Students

During the month of March, all Saklan students are trying to be loving. Classrooms are already filled with conversations about ways we can all be loving to one another and the world around us. Later this month, on Tuesday, March 26th, 1st – 8th grade students gather with their family groups and participate in activities to show love to those in our greater Bay Area community. Stay tuned for more information!

2024-2025 Calendar

As we look forward to the 2024-2024 school year, we want to share the important calendar dates so that you too can begin planning. Below are the dates for school breaks, noteworthy events, and early dismissal days for next year. A more detailed calendar will be shared over the summer.

2024-2025 IMPORTANT CALENDAR DATES

Aug 1670th Anniversary Welcome Back BBQ &
Middle School Orientation
Aug 20First Day of School for 6th – 8th Grade
Aug 20 – 22Middle School Advance for 6th – 8th Grade
Aug 21First Day of School for PS – 5th Grade
Aug 23Middle School Rest Day (NO SCHOOL for 6TH-8TH GRADE)
Sept 2Labor Day (NO SCHOOL)
Sept 16 – 206th Grade Field Experience
Oct 11Professional Development Day (NO SCHOOL)
Oct 14Indigenous Peoples’ Day (NO SCHOOL)
Oct 17 – 18Parent Teacher Conferences (NOON DISMISSAL)
Oct 31Halloween Parade at 8:35 AM (2PM DISMISSAL)
Nov 1Professional Development Day (NO SCHOOL)
Nov 11Veteran’s Day (NO SCHOOL)
Nov 22Fall Follies Talent Show at 1:30 PM
Nov 25 – 29Thanksgiving Break (NO SCHOOL)
Dec 20Lower School Musical at 10:30 AM (NOON DISMISSAL,
NO EXTENDED DAY)
Dec 23 – Jan 3Winter Break (NO SCHOOL)
Jan 6Teacher Work Day (NO SCHOOL)
Jan 20MLK Jr. Day (NO SCHOOL)
Feb 14 – 17  Presidents’ Day Weekend (NO SCHOOL)
Mar 6 – 7 Parent Teacher Conferences (NOON DISMISSAL)
Mar 31 – Apr 4Spring Break (NO SCHOOL)
May 5 – 9Teacher Appreciation Week
May 9Teacher Appreciation Day (NO SCHOOL)
May 26Memorial Day (NO SCHOOL)
May 30Graduation, Last Day of School (NOON DISMISSAL, NO EXTENDED DAY)

Sponsorship Opportunities

Do you know of a business or family interested in sponsoring or underwriting our upcoming Peace, Love, Saklan auction? Underwriters and sponsors not only gain valuable exposure to our network of parents, teachers, and supporters but also demonstrate their commitment to education and community involvement. Sponsors receive benefits including exclusive recognition, tickets with preferred placement, and more. The support of sponsors and underwriters allows more proceeds from the auction to directly benefit Saklan students.

Click here to view the sponsorship form

The Peace, Love, Saklan auction committee invites you to partner with us to make this year’s auction a success, as well as make a lasting impact on the lives of our children. Together, we can create a memorable event while supporting the unique programs offered at Saklan, including: field experiences, guest experts, project based learning, family groups, and professional development opportunities for our amazing teachers.

If you are interested in learning more about our sponsorship opportunities or have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Emily at ewilliamson@saklan.org.

#SaklanAuction

Lunar New Year Celebration

The sixth-grade students joined together during their Language Arts and Humanities classes on Friday, February 9th, to learn, share, and celebrate the Lunar New Year. 2024 is the year of the wood dragon, which happens every 60 years.

Saklan students and teachers brought in elements of their own Lunar New Year family traditions from Korea, China, Japan, and Vietnam. These students shared and explained the symbolism behind red envelopes, special food, celebratory dress, and unique New Year customs. The sixth-grade class read about ancient Chinese oracle bones and the origins of the Chinese language. Then, using the students’ experiences from their fourth-grade calligraphy art instruction, they brushed the character for “good luck” before joining to have a potluck lunch. Students brought special New Year foods, and everyone enjoyed a few dishes from China Moon.

 After lunch, Christina led a combined group of sixth and eighth grade students through various meanings behind New Year traditions. Students learned how colors and gestures symbolize different ideas in Asian cultures. Christina shared a Vietnamese tradition that happens on Tet, or the first day of the New Year. This tradition honors your ancestors or loved ones by having family members create a beautiful altar and share offerings. With this knowledge, students made fruit offerings and wrote the names of deceased people they wanted to honor. The “five-fruit tray” on the ancestral altar during the Tet Holidays symbolizes the admiration and gratitude of the Vietnamese to Heaven and Earth and their ancestors.

Overall, the Lunar New Year was a special day for all who participated and learned about or shared their culture with their classmates. Activities like this help increase a sense of belonging in our community as students learn more about one another and gain understanding, allowing them to be more empathetic to one another. Thank you to all the sixth-grade students willing to be courageous and share about their own culture and family.

#SaklanCommunity

Bikes, Buses and Scooters

From guest experts talking about kick flips on skateboards to riding down trails on BMX bikes, the Owlets have had a great time learning about the different ways to get around as they continue their transportation study!

The Owlets continued to welcome guest experts to share the unique forms of transportation they use, including one of our fourth grade students who rides a BMX bike and has even received trophies for it! He talked about the safety gear needed when riding a BMX bike, and showed the Owlets his bike, boots and helmet. The owls learned that just like David’s motorcycle, you need to wear a helmet and a special jacket to keep safe on a BMX bike. 

The Owlets love to see the big yellow bus pull up in front of the school and were very interested to see inside the bus. Our bus driver, Mike, was happy to not only show the Owlets the inside of the bus, but to take them on a short ride. The preschoolers had a blast riding on the school bus!

On Tuesday, the Owlets excitedly welcomed guest expert Jordan to their classroom. Jordan shared his fold-able bike with the students, showing them how it can go from a full-size, ride-able bike, and then fold up small enough to be held with just one hand. The Owlets were very interested in the bike, and especially fascinated with ringing the bell!

On Wednesday, the Owlets were excited to bring their own bikes and scooters to school for Wheels Day! The preschoolers happily dawned their helmets for the chance to ride their wheels in the school parking lot!

#SaklanGuestExperts

The Suns are Back

Saklan hadn’t played basketball games against another school since before the pandemic, but this month the Suns returned to the court! Recently a team of Saklan 4th – 8th graders played two games against the Contra Costa Jewish Day School Grizzlies. Both games were close and well played. Saklan had a big turn out of courageous students willing to put on jerseys. A big thank you to: Aliya 6th, Braden 7th, Cameron 4th, Hailey 6th, Jameson 8th, Jack 7th, Kiran 8th, Lucien 6th, Mori 8th, Oliver 8th, Riley 5th, Sam 8th, Sean 5th, Sebastien 4th,  and Yiannis 8th.  These students, without any formal practice, took on a middle-school aged varsity level basketball team and won one home game and lost a close away game. Way to go Saklan!

Basketball Club continues on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 3:00 p.m. All 4th – 8th graders are invited to join in the fun out on the Sports Court. As we move towards March, Volleyball Club will start alongside Basketball Class on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Stay tuned for more info about volleyball games planned for April and May. Go Suns!

#SaklanCourageous #SaklanSports

Saklan’s Snack Shack

Every Saklan student knows how rewarding a snack can be at the end of a busy day of learning and having fun with one another here at school. Our dedicated and resourceful Student Council heeded the requests from the entire student body–and Snack Shack is back!

Student Council officers and representatives in grades 1 through 8 decided on the final items for sale based on desirability, minimizing waste, and being able to set reasonable prices ranging from 50 cents to $2.00 per item. Yummy snacks for sale include: gummies, chips, Hello Panda, La Croix bubble water, and Martinelli’s apple drink. The money earned from the Snack Shack will be donated to a charity chosen by Student Council (stay tuned for an update on the chosen charity in March).

Snack Shack is open outside David’s office from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. every Thursday.  Students in grades 1 through 8 are invited to come by and purchase a snack from our hardworking Student Council members. Cash only, please. 

Thank you, students and parents, for supporting our Student Council.

Snack on!

#StudentLeadership #StudentCouncil

Looking for Wine Donations

Love wine? We are excitedly preparing a Wine Raffle for this year’s Peace, Love, Saklan auction, and we would love your help! Please consider donating a favorite bottle or two (rated 90 points or higher by Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate or Wine Enthusiast or valued at $30 or more) to this year’s collection.

Please bring your wine donations to the Saklan Office. Thank you for your support!

#PeaceLoveSaklan

Parent-Teacher Conferences

Why the student should be an integral part of “parent-teacher” conferences.

As a 3rd grader at Bulman Elementary School, I vividly recall waiting for my parents to return home from parent-teacher conferences. I was anxious about what my parents and Ms. Whickersham were going to talk about.  I adored my teacher and knew she loved me, but I was far from a perfect student.  

Sitting at home, I felt a sense of powerlessness, worrying about the discussions happening about my education without me. When my parents finally returned, they would share the teacher’s observations, and I would hastily add my own thoughts, eager to fill in what I believed were overlooked details. This often led to a sense of disconnection among my teacher, my parents, and myself, as if we were not fully understanding each other.

There were three important constituencies in this conversation, but one (me) was never represented except as a sidebar to the conversation. I missed a critical chance to talk about what was going well for me, what I was struggling with, or understand their perception of what they saw at home or school. Most importantly, I was not given the opportunity to take ownership of my learning.

At Saklan, when we invite students (K-8) to be involved in conferences, we send the message that we are in this together to celebrate their successes and support their challenges. As importantly, we are preparing them for life, teaching them the power of reflection and self-advocacy. 

Involving students in these conversations will empower them to take charge of their own learning journey and strengthen the partnership between teachers, parents, and students.

Warm regards,

David