Category: Parent Association

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.

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

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

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. 

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

This past week, in collaboration with ParentMap, Saklan co-hosted a compelling conversation with author and progressive education leader Sal Khan. The event focused on the timely topic: “Raising Future-Ready Kids: What Every Parent Should Know About AI.”

Khan shared thoughtful insights not only into the challenges AI presents in education but also the exciting opportunities it offers for teaching and learning. As he noted during the conversation, “We’re at the cusp of using AI for probably the biggest positive transformation that education has ever seen.”

Many parents have expressed how valuable they found the discussion as they navigate the evolving role of AI in their children’s lives.

If you’d like to view (or listen to) the conversation, click here and use the access code: edTalks*2526

#SaklanParentEd #SaklanCommunity

What will learning look like in five years — or even next fall? As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms education, families are faced with big questions: How should my child use AI? How do I know which tools to trust? Could AI replace teachers? What about screen time and privacy?

Join ParentMap and Saklan on Nov. 18 for an urgent and inspiring ParentEd Talk. Khan Academy founder Sal Khan will share how families can harness AI to support learning in healthy, thoughtful ways, while preserving the creativity and curiosity that make childhood special.

#SaklanParentEd