Category: General

The Golden Age of Hollywood

We are rolling out the red carpet for The Saklan School’s Gala & Auction on Saturday, March 21, from 6:00–11:00 p.m., at the elegant Lafayette Park Hotel.

Step into the Golden Age of Hollywood for an unforgettable evening of timeless glamour, featuring a sparkling cocktail reception, a delicious three-course dinner, a lively auction, dancing, and a few surprises worthy of the silver screen!

Saklan’s Annual Auction is a beloved community tradition, bringing together faculty, staff, families, and friends for a night of connection and celebration. Proceeds from the evening directly support our students’ educational experiences—both in and beyond the classroom.

Tickets for this adults-only event go on sale in February, so cue the babysitter and start planning your look. This is one night you won’t want to miss—it’s sure to be a showstopper.

Seeking Sponsors

Is your business or family interested in lighting up the silver screen by sponsoring or underwriting Saklan’s Gala & Auction?

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsors and underwriters receive valuable exposure within the Saklan community while demonstrating a meaningful commitment to education and community partnership. Benefits include prominent recognition, event tickets, and additional opportunities for visibility throughout the evening.

All sponsors and underwriters confirmed by February 2nd will be recognized on the event invitation.

Have Questions?

If you have questions about the Gala & Auction, please reach out to Emily at ewilliamson@saklan.org.

Concert Program Cover Contest

All Saklan students are invited to showcase their creativity by designing a cover for this year’s All-School Concert program. All covers are asked to incorporate the theme of belonging, have a vertical orientation, and include the concert date “February 12, 2026.”

Program cover entries should be turned in to the main office by Tuesday, February 3rd. If you have any questions about the Concert Cover Contest, please email Emily at ewilliamson@saklan.org.

#SaklanCreative

Studying the World of Islam in 7th Humanities

The 7th-grade students shared their learning with members of our Saklan community at their World of Islam Symposium for the culmination of their World of Islam independent study unit in Humanities. 

For this unit, each student selected a topic they were interested in, then researched and evaluated sources relating to their topic. Next, they wrote and answered their own questions based on what they were learning from examining their print and digital sources. As they gathered more knowledge about their topics, they discussed what they were learning with one another. They then used their questions and answers to write a multiple-paragraph research paper.

At the Symposium, each student displayed their final paper, vocabulary cards, Need to Know questions, and an infographic poster to accompany their short oral presentation about their topic. They then answered follow-up questions from visiting parents, teachers, and their 6th and 8th-grade peers.

The 7th graders want to debunk negative stereotypes of Muslims by fostering a better understanding of Islamic history, culture, and beliefs. We thank our young scholars of Islam for this experience!

World of Islam Topics Studied:

  • The Life of Muhammad 570 – 612 C.E.
  • The Life of Muhammad 613 – 632 C.E.
  • The Spread of the Islamic Empire after 632 C.E.
  • The Islamic Golden Age and the House of Wisdom
  • The Qur’an
  • The 5 Pillars of Islam
  • Islamic Architecture
  • The Blue Mosque
  • The Taj Mahal
  • The Arabic Language
  • Islamic Calligraphy
  • Islamophobia Today

Communicating through Color

Every year, our Saklan community looks forward to the 2nd and 3rd grade collaborative PBL unit that culminates in the all-school concert backdrop! This unit centers on the driving question, “How can we, as a team of artists, create a backdrop that communicates belonging?” While reinforcing the concert theme, this incredible PBL unit showcases how Project Based Learning provides a rich learning experience that culminates in a product with an authentic purpose for our school community. 

The concert theme shifts each year, so naturally, the project path shifts as well to reflect the theme and honor the strengths and interests of the students collaborating on the project in any given year. This year’s theme of belonging led the students to research artists like Jeffrey Gibson, Ashley Mary, and Byron Kim to understand how they communicate belonging through their art. Students have also been developing their expertise in color theory and color mixing. They have brought their own ideas of belonging and previous art knowledge to this process, too, as they grapple with how to use color to communicate.

Inspired by the work of Gibson, Mary, and Kim, students became curious about how the community would interpret these artists’ work. They asked students and teachers which pieces by these key artists most connected to the idea of belonging, took a poll, and reflected on the results. As a group, they considered how the community’s perspectives may help guide their choices as a team of artists.

Using feedback from the community, our second and third graders considered which elements of the different artworks resonated with the Saklan community as a guide to developing their own interpretation of belonging. Students are now designing and producing their own concert backdrop to communicate the concert theme. We hope you join us on Thursday, February 12, at the Lesher Center for the Arts for our All-school Concert and to see the final backdrop installation!

#SaklanProjectWork #SaklanBelonging

Winter Enrichment Starts Jan. 26

The winter 2026 session of enrichment classes will begin the week of January 26th. Many exciting classes are being offered this session, including Guitar, Reading Club, Basketball, and Yoga!

Class descriptions and registration for the winter enrichment classes are now available on the Saklan Enrichment Webpage. Space is limited in most classes, so don’t delay, register today!

#SaklanWellRounded

Winter Enrichment Options

Now that the fall session of enrichment has come to an end, we are excited to share the classes that will be offered during the next enrichment session! For the winter session, the following classes are available:

Check out the class descriptions here. Classes begin the week of January 26th, and have limited space available. Registration for winter enrichment classes is now available on the Saklan Enrichment Webpage.

#SaklanWellRounded

Creating Together: Saklan Families Bring SpongeBob to Life

Last Saturday, our campus was buzzing with paintbrushes, cardboard, creativity, and a whole lot of teamwork. Over the weekend, students, families, and staff gathered for a Lower School Musical Work Day, transforming our school into a lively workshop filled with color, imagination, and community spirit.

From the moment volunteers arrived, the campus came alive with purpose. Laughter mixed with the sounds of cutting, painting, measuring, and building as teams worked together on the many props and set pieces that will bring Bikini Bottom to life onstage. Giant jellyfish, coral reefs, vibrant backdrops, and whimsical underwater details began taking shape as everyone, kids and grown-ups alike, rolled up their sleeves and dove into the fun.

What made the day truly special wasn’t just the art we created, but the connections we strengthened. Parents and students collaborated side-by-side, sharing ideas, solving problems, and celebrating each finished piece. Older students supported younger ones, families made new friends, and the room glowed with the feeling of creating something meaningful together. Events like this remind us that the heart of the Saklan community lies in our willingness to show up, contribute, and lift one another up.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time, talent, and energy last weekend. Your support makes all the difference, and we are so grateful.

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanCreative

Save the Date for Movie Night

Saklan’s Parent Association invites you to our annual Movie Night on Sunday, January 25th, from 3:00–5:00 p.m. in the Founders Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center.

Popcorn and water will be provided, and folding chairs will be set up. Families are encouraged to bring a cozy blanket and a favorite stuffie for kids who want to relax on the floor. Feel free to bring additional nut-free snacks and water bottles as well.

We hope to see you there for a fun and cozy community evening!

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanPA

Extraordinary Support

Thank you, Saklan, for your extraordinary support of this year’s Annual Giving Fund (AGF) campaign.

Our goals this year are to raise $230,000 and reach 100% participation from our Saklan community. To date, we have raised over $224,000 with 89% participation—a record for this point in the year! The chart below shows each class’s progress toward our 100% participation goal.

The outpouring of generosity from our community is truly humbling. Your support directly strengthens our ability to inspire students to think creatively, act compassionately, and live courageously.

If you haven’t yet made your AGF gift, it’s not too late! You can donate in any of the following ways:

  • DONATE ONLINE through our secure site; or
  • Write your check made out to The Saklan School with “Annual Giving Fund” written on the Memo line and deliver it to our office.

If you would like to discuss your gift further, please contact Emily at ewilliamson@saklan.org.

On behalf of all of us at The Saklan School, thank you for your incredible support. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference in the lives of our students every day.

#SaklanCompassionate #SaklanAGF

Student Council Spreads Holiday Cheer to Local Seniors

In this week’s Student Council meeting, the officers and reps in grades 1-8 wrote holiday greeting cards to the nearby senior citizen residents of Moraga Royale. They had voted unanimously in their previous meeting to spend one entire meeting sharing their holiday cheer with other community members.

The students colored in and decorated paper cards using templates or drew their own cards. Each card included colorful winter- and holiday-themed images and a warm greeting, such as these:

Dear Neighbors,
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season.

Darcy, a 5th grader

Dear Neighbors,
Happy Holidays! I hope your holiday season is filled with smiles and cheer.

Aliya and your friends at The Saklan School

The holiday vibe was cheerful in the Humanities Room while the students chatted with one another over lunch while decorating and writing their cards.

Happy Holidays from Saklan Student Council!

#SaklanCompassion #SaklanStudentLeadership