Head’s Corner

Summer@Saklan

I am happy to announce that we launched Summer@Saklan this week. We are fortunate to have two excellent co-directors this year, Ashley Villalobos and Jessica Brandt. Both have years of experience working in Saklan’s summer program and are bringing to the table new energy and ideas.   

As many of you know, due to COVID-19, we could not hold camps last year. This year we will be running on a limited schedule with a reduced number of participants. COVID-19 restrictions will mean a lower student to teacher ratio to help everyone stay safe. All the safety protocols that we have put into place during this school year will still be in place over the summer. Students will be masked, distanced and much of their time will be spent outside, or in well-ventilated rooms. Our cleaning and hygiene protocols will continue as well.

As in years past, our focus will be split between activities and learning a new language.  Because of our limited capacity, we will only be offering Mandarin and Spanish. And while transporting students off-campus to field experiences is not possible this year- our intention is to bring some of those experiences on to campus. Whether it be a soccer trainer, photographer or animals from the Lindsay Wildlife Experience, Summer@Saklan students will be engaged and learning this summer. 

If you would like more information about our camps, please click here. 

Warm regards, 

David

#SummeratSaklan

Hoot Owl Scientists

The Hoot Owls have been busy becoming scientists! The Hoot Owls already knew a lot about what a scientist does. When asked, “What is a scientist?”  their answers included:


“Scientists make science.”

“Scientists can make Coronavirus go away.”

“Scientists check out things.”

“Scientists do art.”

“A scientist experiments stuff.”

“A scientist is an archeologist.”

After sharing their prior knowledge about scientists, the Hoot Owls furthered their understanding of the job of a scientist through several hands-on activities. The students learned that a scientist measures, writes, draws, counts, asks questions, notices details, sorts, tests predictions, uses their senses, keeps trying and has fun! 

Check out the pictures of the Hoot Owls taking on the role of being scientists through hands-on experiences below.

The scientists used a scale to measure weight.

They made predictions and drew what they saw after combining baking soda and vinegar.

And when the cold weather brought hail to Saklan, the Hoot Owls used their senses to explore it!

#SaklanHandsOn

Collisions in Space

During their science lab time with Ms. O, the fifth graders learned about the creation of our moon, Earth’s only natural satellite. The students discovered that the moon most likely formed from a collision of a protoplanet hitting Earth twice. The debris from the collision is believed to have formed Earth’s moon. The students looked at pictures of the surface of the moon to understand how collisions in space are inevitable, due to the gravitational pull of celestial objects. Then they investigated what type of asteroid might make a deep crater, wide crater, or one with rays. In groups, the fifth graders dropped spheres of different sizes and masses into their “moon” surface to see the impact the objects have on the surface due to falling from different heights and with varying speeds. 

#SaklanAcademic

Trapped in a Snow Globe

As part of the writing curriculum, Saklan’s third graders each wrote a fun, creative story using the prompt: “If I were trapped in a snow globe.”  The students incorporated many of the techniques they learned during their personal narrative writing unit into their stories, such as: dialogue, writing a lead to hook the readers, adding more details, showing instead of telling, and adding juicy words. After writing their stories, the third graders had the opportunity to practice their editing skills and use a rubric to check over and evaluate their work.

After finishing the writing process, the third grade students illustrated their stories by drawing pictures of their snow globes and added a shrunken-down photograph of themselves. Lastly, the students enjoyed reading their completed stories aloud to their classmates.

Can you spot the third graders in the snow globes below?

#SaklanCreative

Dodging Rain Drops

In physical education class, Saklan students are learning how to dodge rain drops! The outside gymnasium gets wet during the winter and spring, and an umbrella and galoshes go a long way toward ensuring that all students can fully participate in outdoor activities. Parents can help by keeping an eye on the weather forecast and sending their student to school prepared with any wet weather outerwear or accessories students may need.

We are lucky to have redwood trees and a creek trail to explore during outdoor P.E. time, and the proper attire allows students to fully take advantage of the wonderful surroundings!

Fourth graders walk along the creek trail and back to Saklan during P.E. class.

#SaklanWellRounded

Radial Symmetry Printmaking

Third grade has been working with radial symmetry, which is symmetry that starts “radiating” from a central point. In art, the students looked at where radial symmetry is in nature and in human-made items such as Moroccan and Mexican tiles. Using variations of line thickness along with geometric and organic shapes, the students were able to create a symmetrical work of art that encompasses balance and unity. The printmaking process was notably the most exciting part of the project and the third graders were eager to print as many as possible! 

#SaklanCreative

Species Interactions

The sixth graders, as part of their ecology unit, have been looking at species interactions. Working with a partner, the students were asked to portray the relationship of two organisms found in nature. Each pair of students was tasked with taking pictures of their organism portrayal, and then use the pictures to make a comic strip. The sixth graders used their laptops to create the impressive comics below! 

#SaklanAcademic

Saklan Spirit Days

During the month of February, every Friday will be a Saklan Spirit Day. All students and teachers are invited to dress up for the following spirit days:

Feb. 5th: Superhero Day- Dress like your favorite superhero or make up your own superhero! We all are awesome in our own ways!

Feb. 12: Valentine’s Spirit Day – Wear colors associated with Valentine’s Day like red, pink, and white. Hearts are welcome too!

Feb. 19: Sports Day – Here’s a Saklan favorite! Wear your favorite sports team gear, uniform, etc. 

Feb 26: Pajama Day – Here’s another tradition. Wear your pajamas to school! Make sure they are school appropriate and that you wear shoes (no slippers, please).

Participation is optional. If students choose not to dress up, they are asked to wear their uniforms.

#SaklanSpirit

Polar Bear Experiments

Winter has brought a fun science unit about polar bears to the Kindergarten class. The students have watched videos learning that polar bears live in the arctic, hunt for seals, have a good sense of smell and really big feet! One of the favorite parts of the unit has been the experiments the kindergarteners conducted to further understand polar bears. First, the children made predictions to the question, “Does ice melt faster in saltwater or freshwater?” Then they observed ice in fresh and salt water and drew their observations at five minute intervals while the ice melted. The class learned that a polar bear can smell a seal below three feet of ice, so each student, with the help of a yard stick, tried to smell a Swedish Fish in an ice cube three feet below their nose. Next, the children experienced ice cold water with one hand covered in a bag of Crisco or blubber, and the other hand bare.

The students have drawn pictures of polar bears during in-class art projects and made a polar bear paw comparable in size to a real polar bear. 

If you have questions about polar bears, don’t hesitate to reach out to our new polar bear experts, the kindergarteners!

#SaklanHandsOn

Picture Day

Roots & Shoots Photography will be taking individual portraits of Saklan students on Thursday, February 11th. These pictures will be used in the yearbook and are available for purchase.

If you are interested in ordering pictures of your child, HERE IS THE LINK TO ORDER PORTRAITS. You will need to submit this form on or before Thursday, February 11th to avoid a late fee. There is 100% money back guarantee if you are unhappy for any reason.

COVID-19 procedures:

  • All students on campus will get their portraits taken with their class.
  • All distanced learners will be asked to come to school at a special time. You will be notified by Saklan of your time slot by email.
  • All CDC guidelines will be followed by R&S staff including social distancing, wearing masks and washing/sanitizing hands.
  • Composite class portraits will be created in lieu of group class portraits due to COVID-19.

Questions? Please contact Roots & Shoot directly at grow@roots-shoots.com. They will be happy to help!