Category: Parent Association

Parent Ed on Tuesday

Saklan is excited to share an opportunity for our community to hear from neuroscientist Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, whose recent congressional testimony has sparked a national conversation about how technology is affecting the way children learn.

On Tuesday, March 10, at 12:00 p.m., Dr. Horvath will present a live, interactive talk titled “The EdTech Wake-Up Call: Rethinking Digital Learning for Kids.” Drawing on the research behind his bestselling book The Digital Delusion, he will explore how excessive technology use can impact children’s attention, memory, and learning.

During the session, Dr. Horvath will share clear, evidence-based insights along with practical strategies that parents and educators can use to support deeper, more meaningful learning both at school and at home.

Reserve your spot here for the live interactive talk using promo code SAKSCHL to attend for free (a $10 value). Registration also includes access to the recording, so you can watch the presentation at your convenience if you are unable to attend live.

We hope you will take advantage of this timely and thought-provoking conversation.

#SaklanParentEd

Wine Needed

Love wine? We are excitedly preparing a Wine Ring Toss for this year’s Starlight Gala and Auction, and we would love your help!

Please consider donating a favorite bottle or two of wine (valued at $20 or more) to help build a fantastic collection for this fun and popular event. Bottles can be dropped off in the main office at any time.

Thank you for your support of Saklan’s Starlight Gala & Auction.

#SaklanAuction

Spring Service Social

All Saklan community members are invited to join us for our Spring Service Social this Sunday, March 15th, from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. in the Saklan Pavilion. Light snacks will be provided. Please bring your water bottles. 

Together, we will be assembling kits of food for White Pony Express to distribute to local unhoused neighbors who do not have kitchen appliances.

We would love your donations of the food items shown above to help make this event a success. Thank you for your support!

#SaklanCompassion

The Ed Tech Wake-Up Call: Rethinking Digital Learning for Kids

With Jared Cooney Horvath, Ph.D., educator and author

Tuesday, March 10, 2026
noon–1 p.m. PT
Live Q&A webinar streamed on Zoom

Educational technology has rapidly reshaped classrooms, but is all this screen-based instruction actually helping our kids learn? In this live ParentEd Talk, neuroscientist and “The Digital Delusion” author Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath joins ParentMap and Saklan to challenge EdTech’s biggest promises and examine what the data truly shows. He will explain how excessive technology use can undermine kids’ learning and attention, and share clear, practical ways parents and educators can restore meaningful learning at school and at home. 

You’ll leave with:

  • A simple understanding of the neuroscience behind how kids learn — and how EdTech-based learning can fall short.
  • Eye-opening data on the impacts of EdTech and how parents and educators can encourage schools to strike a healthier balance with technology.
  • Practical strategies you can use at home to boost your child’s learning. 

Reserve your spot here for the live interactive talk using promo code SAKSCHL to attend for free (a $10 value) — and get access to the recording to watch anytime.

#SaklanParentEd

Lights, Camera, Saklan! Join the Starlight Gala & Auction Team

Saklan’s Starlight Gala & Auction is set to debut on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at Lafayette Park Hotel, and we need your help to make it a blockbuster success!

This special evening is one of the highlights of our school year, bringing together community, celebration, and support for Saklan. Behind every great production is an incredible crew, and we’re currently looking for producers, directors, and key grips (aka amazing volunteers) to help bring the magic to life.

Whether you love organizing details, connecting with families, securing auction items, decorating, or helping behind the scenes, there’s a role for everyone.

Director’s Meeting

All Saklan community members are invited to join us for an Auction Planning Meeting on Friday, February 20th, after CLAS in the Pavilion. Join us to learn more about this year’s event theme, vision, and volunteer opportunities, and help shape an unforgettable evening.

Can’t attend the meeting but still want to be involved? We’d love your support! Be sure to explore the available volunteer roles using the button below.

Volunteer Roles

Together, we can make this year’s Starlight Gala & Auction a night to remember.

Wondering what a Saklan Auction might look like? Check out pictures from last year’s event below!

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanAuction

From Blowups to Breakthroughs: A New Way to Navigate Anger in Kids

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026
noon–1 p.m. PT
Live Q&A webinar streamed on Zoom

We’ve all taught our kids the value of deep breaths and calm-down strategies once tempers flare, but how do we stop harmful outbursts from happening so often in the first place, and keep from losing it ourselves?

Join Renée Jain, founder of GoZen!, the beloved platform that helps kids build emotional strength, on February 10 to learn how to rethink everything you thought you knew about anger. In this live ParentEd Talk, Renée will share how to shift from yelling and frustration to confidence and clarity when your child erupts — and explain how anger, once understood, can become a powerful source of insight, communication, and connection.

Attendees will gain:

  • Simple, science-backed strategies for self- and co-regulation to use during meltdowns
  • Scripts to guide kids from reactivity to reflection
  • A clear approach to repairing after conflicts, building emotional resilience and strengthening long-term communication with your child

Anger doesn’t transform just by calming it down — it transforms when we change our relationship with it. Register here for the webinar using promo code SAKSCHL to attend for free. You’ll also gain access to the event recording, so you can watch it anytime, anywhere.

#SaklanParentEd

See You Sunday for Movie Night

We look forward to seeing Saklan families for our annual Movie Night this Sunday, January 25th, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. in the Founders Auditorium at the Orinda Community Center (next to the Orinda Library). 

We will be showing My Neighbor Totoro! Popcorn and water will be provided, along with folding chairs. Children are invited to bring a cozy blanket and a favorite stuffed animal to spread out on the floor and enjoy the movie. Families are also welcome to bring additional nut-free snacks and water bottles.

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

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanPA

Parent Ed on Wednesday: Inside the ADHD Mind

Tools to Help Your Child Thrive

Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026
Noon–1 p.m. PT
Live Q&A webinar streamed on Zoom

Kids with ADHD are full of strengths, yet everyday tasks and actions can be a struggle, adding an extra layer of complexity for their caregivers. Traditional parenting strategies often backfire, leaving families feeling defeated and alone.

Join ParentMap and The Saklan School on Jan. 21 for a thought-provoking and empowering ParentEd Talk. In this live webinar, psychiatrist and ADHD expert Dr. Sasha Hamdani, along with special guest moderator Dr. Erin Gonzalez, will unpack what’s happening in the ADHD brain, explain why common strategies often fall short, and share a game plan that works with your child’s mind — not against it. Whether you suspect ADHD, are navigating a new diagnosis, or are simply feeling stuck, this talk provides clarity and confidence for families and caregivers who need it most.

You’ll leave with:

  • A clear understanding of ADHD’s neurological roots and how they influence behavior, attention, and emotional regulation
  • Practical tools to ease daily struggles like transitions, executive dysfunction, and time blindness
    • Actionable strategies for communication, structure, and supporting independence

Better understanding leads to better support. Register here for the Zoom webinar using promo code SAKSCHL to attend for free (a $10 value). You’ll also gain access to the event recording, allowing you to watch it at your convenience. 

Winter Staff Appreciation

On Wednesday, the Saklan faculty and staff were treated to an incredibly thoughtful and generous day of appreciation. From an espresso bar serving individually crafted drinks to bagels for breakfast, a delicious lunch from Anne’s Catering, and individual gift bags filled with bottles of oil and vinegar, every detail reflected the care and gratitude of our community.

We are deeply thankful to Christine Jensen, the Saklan Parent Association, and all Saklan families for making this special day possible. Your generosity and kindness made our faculty and staff feel truly valued and supported this holiday season.

Moments like these remind us how fortunate we are to be part of such a warm, connected community. Thank you for all you do to support Saklan and the people who make it such a special place for our students every day.

#SaklanCommunity

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