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.

Dia de los Muertos

Saklan students have been learning about Dia de los Muertos in their Spanish classes. Dia de los Muertos is a celebratory tradition to welcome the spirits of loved ones who have departed. Ofrendas (altars for the spirits) are built using bright paper, flowers and candles (to show them the way), salt (for preservation and purification), calaveras (sugar skulls that symbolize the sweetness of life), food and drink (for nourishment) and photos of the loved ones. The students learned key vocabulary and then constructed different parts of the ofrenda in Spanish class.

The study of Dia de los Muertos was not only a great way for our students to practice Spanish vocabulary, and take part in a widely celebrated cultural tradition.

#SaklanWellRounded

Why We Give

“For the past nine years, Annual Giving has become a welcomed time of reflection for our family. It’s a time when we pause and think about just how much Saklan means to our family, and to our kids individually. We initially joined Saklan to give Ryan (and eventually Cameron) an academically rigorous experience. We not only found that but gained so much more! We truly feel Saklan works with parents to raise future leaders; individuals with empathy and confidence who are capable of creating community-focused solutions for their generation. The special relationships between the teachers and students have empowered both Ryan and Cameron to embrace their individuality and passions, and be bold about acting on their ideas! The kids love going to school because they are having fun as they learn and they know that their actions, however small or large, can make a difference in the world!  

We feel energized when Annual Giving comes around because it is a time when we can show the school how much we believe in its vision, and support them in shaping a new generation focused on compassion, courage and creativity.  The Saklan community has been our community pillar for nearly a decade and our boys call it their ‘second home.’  What more can we ask for?!“

Sandy and Myron Lo

Ryan (8th) and Cameron (2nd)

Join the Lo Family in supporting Saklan by making an AGF gift today!

#SaklanGiving #SaklanCommunity

A Conversation with Experts on the COVID-19 Vaccine and Children

Wednesday, November 10, 2021 | 5:30- 6:30 P.M. PT

With the recent news that children ages 5-11 are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine, UCSF physicians are hosting a virtual conversation to answer your pressing questions.

Time: 5:30 PM- 6:30 PM PT
Date: Wednesday, November 10, 2021
Place: Zoom

Register Here

Introduction by Kelley Meade, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics; Dean of Academic and Clinical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer, UCSF BCH Oakland

Moderated by Dayna Long, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics; Co-Director, UCSF Center for Child & Community Health, and Saklan Parent

Panelists:
Lisa Arcilla, MD, FACC, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Cardiology, UCSF BCH Oakland
Prachi Singh, DO, FAAP, Assistant Professor, Pediatric Infectious Diseases, UCSF BCH Oakland
Martha Tesfalul, MD, FACOG, Assistant Professor, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, UCSF 

Closed-captioning and Spanish and Cantonese translations will be available.

Register Here

Head’s Corner

Halloween Brought a Boon of Creativity!

I hope you were able to attend today’s special Halloween CLAS. From the visit of a Transformer (Preston) to the combination group outfit of Ketchup and Fries (featuring brothers Chase and Liam), there was tons of creativity on display. Thank you to all members of our community for supporting the students this morning. 

Thank you and Happy Halloween!

David

#SaklanCreative

Volcanoes

The sixth graders have been studying volcanoes. They learned about the different types of volcanoes, the parts of a volcano, where volcanoes are located, and the different types of eruptions that occur. Additionally, the students have learned about the dangers and advantages of living by active volcanoes, and how they create different rocks and formations.

As part of their hands-on study of volcanoes, the sixth graders looked at different types of igneous rocks, tested different fluid viscosity to see how different lavas might flow, and then built their own shield volcano and tested different batches of “magma.” The students determined the speed of flow, what minerals make the lava flow slower, and how those different flows cool into different rocks. The sixth graders also learned about historic volcanoes and ones we still might want to be concerned about.

The students had a ton of fun learning about all things volcanoes!

#SaklanHandsOn

Owlet Creativity

The Owlet class has been exploring the social emotional learning theme of creativity. They read the book The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. In the story, a girl named Vashti thinks she can’t do art. Her teacher encourages her to start small, with just a dot, and see what happens. The Owlets imitated Vashti’s art, starting with one small dot then using watercolor paints to add to their piece. Some students painted more dots of different sizes and colors like Vashti did, but each piece was unique! Every dot painting was then hung up in their classroom.

The Owlets also read Not a Box by Antoinette Portis. In the story, a small rabbit shows that a box is not just a box, but can be anything the imagination allows. Ms. Jessica then placed several boxes of various sizes and shapes out on the yard, and the Hoot Owls and Owlets turned them into rocket ships, buses, sail boats and more!

#SaklanCreativity

Animal Classification

The Saklan second graders have been learning about animal classification. They learned what makes an animal a vertebrate versus an invertebrate, and then about the five types of vertebrates. 

Next, the students learned about habitats, and studied different habitats around the world. They also learned about adaptations, and looked at different adaptations that allow plants and animals to live in their chosen habitats.

#SaklanAcademic

Visiting Moraga Gardens Farm

During September and the first week of October, the Hoot Owls, Owlets, first graders, second graders, third graders and fourth graders took their first field experience of the year to Moraga Gardens Farm! Ms. Meredith led each of the classes on the two-block walk to the farm, and then on a tour of the community garden. The garden was filled with eggplants, cucumbers, kale, apples, pears, tomatoes, and much more.

During the tours, students learned that fruits and vegetables grow from flowers after being pollinated. They saw the difference between seasonal trees, such as a peach tree (summer) and persimmon tree (fall). The children saw how vines grow by attaching their tendrils to other structures and plants, and how plants defend themselves from predators. They went inside the greenhouse, heard the bees buzzing in their hives, and got to sample some of the garden’s produce. Lastly, the students were invited to feed and pet the chickens.

The students all had a great time in the garden. Thank you, Ms. Meredith, for leading these interactive, engaging field experiences!

#SaklanFieldExperience