A Common Struggle

Today, we had about 15 parents show up at our Parents Association Virtual Coffee centered around the topic of ‘Sharing Our Home Solutions to Distance Learning.’ You know how these things can go sometimes, the session was more an opportunity for people to share what they were struggling with when it comes to distance learning. And while there were many positives that came out of the conversation, reading the struggles brought a weird sense of comfort. We are not in this alone. 

Here are a few of the more common things our families are grappling with: 

  • It’s been hard to keep the kids focused, sometimes bribing the kids with treats or whatnot is what parents have resorted to.
  • Parents are having guilt regarding large amounts of screen time (not necessarily regarding school work but in general, i.e. video games etc.)
  • Having to keep in mind that some kids love distance learning and do well at it, and others are having more of a challenge and strive on the physical connection/physical learning.
  • Some parents find themselves losing temper and finding it hard to not have “me time” in which they can take a deep breath and gather their thoughts. They are in survival mode and some kids are feeling the stress they are under.
  • Each week is very different. Each load of stress (whether on parents or students, whether from life in general or from classes) is different throughout the weeks.
  • This whole world event is taking a toll on mental health. People are really struggling with not being able to go to coffee with a friend or have hangouts. Virtual ones just aren’t the same.
  • There’s no time for parents to process emotions anymore.

I am not sure if sharing this list solves any of the issues, but I do hope that it makes us feel maybe just a touch closer to those we used to see so often. 

Warm regards,

David 

#SaklanDistanceLearning

Kindergarten News

In the video below, Mrs. C is teaching the Kindergarten class how to make a bunny.

Another one of the Kindergarten lessons this week was learning to draw a bunny. Although the directions were the same, every bunny was unique.

IMG_2850

IMG_2851

IMG_2856

#SaklanDistanceLearning

Owlets Have Fun With Science And Springtime!

The Owlets’ theme for the month of April is ‘Science and Springtime.’ They have started doing some science experiments and spring activities at home.

Their first week has already started with some chemical reactions by mixing vinegar and baking soda together.

IMG_20200406_102901

Another Owlet friend had fun taking the experiment in another direction. She had fun mixing colors together and seeing what colors you get when you do.

image1 (8)

The Owlets also did a static electricity butterfly. This was where they made a butterfly from a construction paper body that was glued to a piece of cardboard, but the tissue paper wings were not glued down. Then they took a balloon and rubbed it in their hair to the static electricity which made the wings move them up and down like it was flying because the balloon got a static charge. From the static charge the negatively charged balloon was able to move the positively charged tissue paper wings to fly. One of our friends didn’t have balloons, but they still found other things to use to move the butterfly wings, like this comb to get the same results and static charge.

image1 (5)

The weeks to come, the Owlets will have more fun with science experiments and springtime fun like this spring egg wreath.

IMG_4616

#SaklanDistanceLearning

 

The Hokey Pokey

This week in PE, the students worked on their dance moves and learned the hokey pokey. Check out this instructional video created by Mr. Crabtree and start moving.

#SaklanDistanceLearning

Upcoming Webinars


Fusion Academy

Invites You to Attend Our Virtual Event

20 Minute Timeout: Executive Function Focus

Short on time and energy, but still need parenting support techniques?
The 20 Minute Timeout speaker series is the perfect solution!

Join us as we virtually host Beth Samuelson for 20 minutes of tips on how to support your child’s executive functioning and focus during the age of distance learning. She will show you how to implement new routines while putting old ones on hold and overcome the anxiety that comes with it. So parents, take a break and put yourself on timeout so that you can take the time out to learn how to make your life a little easier at home!

What To Expect:
20 Minute Presentation
10 Minute Q&A

Join Us

Tuesday April 14th
2:30 pm PST
Via Zoom 

RSVP Below! 
Click Here to let us know you’ll be joining us.
Attendees will receive the zoom link the day before this virtual event!

About Our Speaker, Beth Samuelson

Beth Samuelson’s work in educating and supporting teens, young adults, and parents spans more than 25 years, including the development of the unique SOS4Students model of one-to-one student coaching as well as workshops, advocacy, teacher training, parent workshops, and on-site school programs.

Beth is the founder and director of SOS4Students, and works primarily with teens. Students with ADD, learning disabilities, and executive functioning challenges are amongst those who have found academic success utilizing Beth’s techniques.

Please join FCD Prevention Works for an upcoming two-part webinar series

Healthy Adults for Healthy Kids: Self-Care and Modeling in the Time of COVID-19

healthy adults

As a prevention organization, FCD Prevention Works understands the power of global COVID-19 prevention efforts. We also recognize that, in the face of drastically altered schedules and daily routines, this can be a difficult time to maintain healthy habits, for adults and especially for teens.

Join FCD Prevention Works’ Prevention Specialists as they discuss how your healthy adult behavior can continue to be a protective factor against risky teen choices in this upcoming webinar series.

Webinar One: Adult Self-Care for Healthy Kids

Topics will include:

· What is self-care?

· Self-care and substance use: myths and realities

· Adaptable self-care for the “new normal”

· Teaching age-appropriate self-care to kids that protects them from substance use

· How to start healthy habits now that will apply to healthy teens later

Webinar Two: Healthy Adult Role Modeling for Healthy Kids

Topics will include:

· How to model and encourage daily protective factors against teen substance use

· Resiliency tips that teens can apply now and later

· Making stress management a routine

· Teachable prevention moments within a family’s “new normal”

· The power of authenticity and effective parent-child communication

We invite school adults to share this invitation with any parents or caretakers they think may benefit from these sessions. 
REGISTER

#SaklanDistanceLearning

School Closures Extended Through May 1

Dear Saklan Community,

As you may be aware, seven Bay Area counties, including Contra Costa County, announced on March 25th that they have made a unified decision to extend school closures through May 1st, 2020 in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the maximum extent possible. 

The Saklan School will also follow this recommended timeline with the hope that we may be able to return to campus on Monday, May 4th. While we were prepared for this extension, it is still hard to realize we will be off-campus for a longer period of time. Our decision to reopen campus to in-person teaching will be made after carefully considering information provided by county and state officials. Until then, we are prepared to find new and creative ways to stay connected to one another and learn together.

We will be in touch in the coming weeks with more updates. Thank you for your ongoing support and understanding as we navigate this challenging situation. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or concerns. 

Stay Well,

David

#SaklanDistanceLearning

The Act Of Art Making!

Art can change a person’s outlook and the way in which they experience the world. The act of making art has the power to heal, bring hope, create willpower, and spread positivity to one another. It is important to note that making art doesn’t start or stop in the “art room.” Right now is an absolute testament to that. Our studios as artists can be in the bedroom, backyard, or at the kitchen table. As this time is one that limits our capabilities with respect to resources, it also gives us a chance to appreciate the fundamental aspects of life, family, and community. Do consider making art with your kids to experience the emotions they have in the process. I am sure they will teach you a thing or two!

The little Saklan artists have been more than excited to share their artwork online. These videos are bringing BIG smiles to our Google Classrooms! Here are a few projects they have found joy in making and sharing this past week. Enjoy!

Kindergarten & 1st Grade – Make a Card for Someone Special

Wishing you could send a happy message and bring a smile to someone’s face right now? Students were asked to think of someone near or far that they miss. Using lines, shapes, and colors, kids created a one of a kind card for their special friend or family member. With parent help, they can send their card to that special person.

Sisters that do art together, thrive together! 1st grader Peyton and Owlet Logyn sharing what shapes and colors they used for their card.

fullsizeoutput_19
Eldana’s card to her friend Gabby
cameron art
Cameron’s card to his grandma

2nd Grade Picture Books

One thing that kids have stronger than most adults is their vast imagination and right now is a great time to exercise it! Students chose a subject they wanted to draw for their picture book. Each page was to have a drawing and a sentence telling a short story. In this project they are able to tell their own story right now, while illustrating those ideas in their own creative way.

fullsizeoutput_1a
Kai sewing the spine of his book

Mabel reading her Book About Dogs

Willow reading her book Princess Panda

#SaklanDistanceLearning

Hoot Owl Sea Creature Research Project

Sea Creature Research Project (Mar 24, 2020 at 12_50 PM) - Edited

Here is one of the most dedicated distance learning student working on her sea creature research project. Miss Traci asked students to pick a sea creature that they wanted to learn more about and find out: Where does it live? What does it eat? Is it a predator, prey or both? Is it a fish, mammal, crustacean or other? Is it venomous? What does it look like? Draw a picture of the creature.

Sea Creature Research Project (Mar 24, 2020 at 12_51 PM) - Edited

The Hoot Owls have been talking about different ways to do research in class. Books, Internet, experiments, ask an expert. Miss Traci really liked assigning this project because it actually wasn’t something they are able to do in class with each student because it takes so much individualized attention. It worked as a distance learning project because they could work one on one with a parent and take all the time they needed. Their theme for March is sea life.

#SaklanDistanceLearning

Kindergarten Goes Shopping

IMG_1686

The Kindergarteners have been learning about money. The children gathered some toys and their parents put a price tag on each toy. The children went shopping with real coins: pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters to purchase the toys. The children were encouraged to figure out two different ways to pay for a toy. Some students really enjoyed having a toy store in their house!

#SaklanDistanceLearning

Flower Dissection

On Tuesday, 7th graders had a virtual Science Lab with Miss O. The students did a flower dissection using a Stargazer Lily. They identified the different parts of the flower, learned their function, and how each part contributes to its reproduction. Check out the video above to learn more.

#SaklanDistanceLearning