FRIDAY BLOG

In early February, the seventh-grade class embarked on a field experience in Oahu, focusing on the island’s amazing plant and animal adaptations and evolutionary processes. However, amidst the natural beauty, the students encountered a sobering reality: human impact, particularly in the form of micro and nano plastic pollution. Rather than accepting this unsettling truth, the students began learning about the intricate ways plastic is found in our water systems. The eye-opening mockumentary “The Majestic Plastic Bag” helped students understand how one simple bag can travel so far. Now imagine millions of those bags in our oceans.

Following this eye-opening experience, the seventh graders delved deeper into the consequences of plastic waste on Hawaiian and global wildlife. Through a hands-on dissection of an albatross bolus—a mass of undigested materials regurgitated by the bird—students were confronted with an upsetting sight. Among the typical contents like squid beaks and small bones, they discovered man-made debris, including rope, fishing line, lures, toy tires, and plastic utensils. Witnessing firsthand the ingestion of our discarded plastics by wildlife left a profound impression on the seventh-grade class.

To expand their understanding, students explored various ecosystems and the impact of plastic waste on species such as sea turtles, albatrosses, and even bears in Utah. Then, they analyzed the prevalence of everyday single-use plastic items in their school environment, working collaboratively to gather data on usage and disposal. This information was translated into visual representations and graphs to highlight the scale of the problem. Afterward, students engaged in research and design efforts to devise innovative, environmentally friendly solutions.

Using the entrepreneurial format from the reality TV show Shark Tank, the students received support from Saklan’s panel of Sharks. Unlike their televised counterparts, Saklan Sharks provided constructive feedback and encouragement and asked clarifying questions as students pitched their environmentally conscious solutions. Some environmentally friendly products presented were edible spoons and forks, biodegradable shoe soles, and a refillable ink station for whiteboard markers. We are proud of the thoughtful and creative products each group presented. 

#SaklanCompassionate

Saklan’s annual hopscotch tournament will begin after Spring Break! The single-elimination tournament will continue for several weeks until there is a champion. The competition is open to Saklan students in 1^st– 8^th grades and faculty. Sign up are available in the pavilion and by the middle School drinking fountain.

The game of hopscotch dates back to at least the 17th century, and different variations are played worldwide. For our tournament, we will use a nine-square layout and players are encouraged to make their own markers. Two players will “duel.” Both markers are placed on the first square, and the players rock, paper, scissors to determine who goes first. A player must hop over the marked square and complete the pattern without touching a line. When they return they must retrieve their marker without losing balance and clear the opponents marker. Once back to the beginning, the player tosses the marker to the next square and repeats the sequence. If a player makes a mistake or misses the toss, they lose the turn and it is the opponent’s turn to complete the layout. The first player to complete nine tosses and retrievals wins.

Hopscotch is a fun game that all ages can play against each other. The skills come down to an accurate toss of the marker, agility hopping on the squares, and balance and flexibility in retrieving a marker. The activity seems simple, but is deceptively hard.

Get your markers ready and start hopping!

Saklan’s All-School Concert is this Tuesday, March 19th, at 4:30 p.m. Students will be dismissed at noon from the Lesher Center and asked to return at 4:00 p.m. in preparation for the performance.

Please note the following details for the day:

• All Saklan students need to be at the Lesher Center at 8:45 a.m. on the morning of the 19th. Parents are asked to park and walk their child directly to their teacher at the backstage entrance on Locust Street.
• Normal Saklan Bus & Van service will NOT be operating that day. 
• Students will be Dismissed at Noon from the Lesher Center.
• Extended Day will be available until 3:00, but it is recommended that students go home at noon to have some down time before the concert. Reserve your child’s spot in Extended here.
• All students are asked to report back to the Lesher Center at 4:00 p.m. dressed in all black clothing, with an accessory of red. 

The Concert will begin at 4:30 p.m. Feel free to invite extended family and friends to join us!

Thank you to everyone who helped with our accreditation visit this week. Below are remarks shared by the committee chair, Brad Weaver, during the team’s final presentation on Wednesday afternoon.

On behalf of your Visiting Committee, the California Association of Independent Schools, and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, I would like to thank all of you for your hospitality, openness, transparency, and support during our visit. You welcomed us into your classrooms, offices, meetings, interactions, and your inner hopes and dreams about the future of The Saklan School. You approached our conversations with honesty and frankness about your school’s strengths and your areas of opportunity and vulnerability. This is a very special and sacred thing, and it was truly an honor for our team to get to know all of you and your school at this deep and meaningful level. Your commitment to learning and growing as an organization is clear, and your earnestness about working with us as your Visiting Committee to use this as an opportunity to improve made our work so much easier. Thank you!

We would like to especially thank Kim and Shay who have been a tremendous support to us during our time here. We have been well fed and well cared for. We thank you, all. Thanks, too, to everyone who gave up their working spaces, especially Melissa, Kim, and Emily, those of you who gave so freely of their time and thoughts during our visit. We appreciate your flexibility in hosting us and providing us the space we needed to hold our deliberations. 

I also would like to acknowledge and thank the members of your Visiting Committee. This team was specifically recruited to work with The Saklan School, and we won’t serve together as a group again. They left their own schools and families behind this week to focus on your community and your journey of reflection and improvement. Join me in thanking Neely, Maria, and Simona!

Reflection, review, and improvement is a continual journey. Today represents one point in time on that journey and our understanding of the Saklan School community represents that. It is our sincere hope that we have served the purpose of being critical friends and a mirror back to you about how you live out your mission, vision, and values, how you integrate the standards of the California Association of Independent Schools and accepted best practices of independent schools into your work, and the degree to which you are committed to improving your school, and ultimately the experience and lives of the children whose care and healthy development their parents have entrusted you.

Foremost, the Visiting Committee agreed that our interactions with you as members of the Saklan community were highly authentic, and we witnessed real days in the life of your school. Each of you, trustees, students, faculty, staff, and administration, live out your mission, vision, and values. Your mission is bold, clear, and compelling: “to challenge students to think creatively, act compassionately, and live courageously.” Your belief about the convergence of time honored progressive philosophy and emerging research into how children learn being a source of joy and engagement is powerful and unique even in a field that has as a source of pride the uniqueness and independence of our schools. Some things we heard loud and clear are your fidelity to your project based learning approach, your commitment to belonging within your community, and your collective willingness to lean in and dig into hard work together. We applaud your intentionality and your attention to these sacred aspects of your school. You won’t lose what you hold dearest and keep closest to your hearts. 

It was our observation that Saklan students are curious, engaged, and active in their learning, as well as respectful, responsible, caring, resilient, collaborative, and reflective. Students who greeted us as we passed by and welcomed us warmly when we visited classes. We loved seeing the evidence of their work and listening to their inquiry. The third grade presentation was a highlight and we wish we could have seen a CLAS, which parents spoke about with such love. There were countless examples of students throughout our visit endeavoring to courageously do the right thing and striving to be creative with their learning and compassionate with their interpersonal interactions.

Parents who we met spoke passionately about your mission and values and the unique and special heart of Saklan being instrumental in their decision to enroll their children, to remain here, and even to return after making the mistake of departing. One said, and this sentiment was echoed in other meetings we had, that the problem with visiting the school as a prospective parent was after they couldn’t see them anywhere else. That is an admirable position to be in, especially for a school that has undergone a lot of change and faced a lot of challenges over the years. 

Your campus is small but mighty: a beautiful setting for learning, with ample opportunities for academic, athletic, artistic, outdoor and extracurricular pursuits. You aspire to make this setting even better for your students and their learning. However, there also exist limited endowments and cash reserves. You have a special opportunity ahead for galvanizing your extended community to make a difference in your future. Make the most of it.

We also heard the beginnings of plans to enhance diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging within your community, practices, and policies. Our Visiting Committee applauds your intentions and encourages careful and thoughtful planning to focus your efforts. You have a diverse student body, providing them with the opportunity to see themselves and their experiences reflected in the curriculum and resources and even in the adults in the community is a vital part of helping them feel that they truly belong. You join an ever growing community of independent schools that share this focus and the commitment to remaining relevant and meaningful in delivering their missions to the broadest community possible. CAIS is here to support you in your efforts and know that they have made it a priority in their revised accreditation protocols.

Enrollment has been and remains a challenge. You have a respite for the time being with strong budgets, use the time wisely to devise aggressive plans to market the school and promote your incredible offerings. You have so much to offer and we want you to be successful in having the broadest reach possible in delivering your mission.

I will close my introduction with a special acknowledgement of your Head of School David O’Connell. He has seemingly limitless energy and enthusiasm for learning and a passion for the mission of the school. What you have already accomplished since his hire six years ago is remarkable. The parents who spoke with us yesterday agreed the school wouldn’t be here without him. Retention of a school leader requires care and thought. Pay close attention to supporting him in the years to come and making sure he is able to focus on leading the school.

As I mentioned throughout our visit, we will not share today a recommendation regarding your status of accreditation. We next submit our report to CAIS. Everything is carefully reviewed by the Elementary Board of Standards for both CAIS and WASC, as well as by CAIS staff. The Board of Standards then makes a recommendation to the CAIS Board of Directors who reviews it and votes at their annual meeting on your school’s status of accreditation. The Saklan School, and even us as the Visiting Committee, will find out the official results at that time. 

What’s next after that? As I mentioned earlier, today is just a point on a journey of continual reflection, review, and improvement upon which the Saklan community has already embarked. You will receive instructions about preparing and submitting your Future Planning Document which will incorporate the major recommendations we made today and any other recommendation you find helpful in the planning for your future, as well as your aspirations for the years ahead and our recommendations as a Visiting Team. You have already shared that you are considering priorities for your next strategic framework and intend. Use this visit as a launching point and the recommendations we make. 

We thank you again for hosting us and for your commitment to being the best school you can be. All the best to you as you continue on your journey. 

Brad Weaver

Saklan has much to be proud of, and we thank you for your trust and collaboration as we work together to inspire students to think creatively, act compassionately, and live courageously.

#SaklanThinkActLive

Saklan’s All-School Concert is Tuesday, March 19th at 4:30 p.m. Students will be dismissed at noon from the Lesher Center and asked to return at 4:00 p.m. in preparation for the performance.

Please note the following details for the day:

• All Saklan students need to be at the Lesher Center at 8:45 a.m. on the morning of the 19th. We ask all parents to park and walk their child directly to their teacher at the backstage entrance on Locust Street. Normal Saklan Bus & Van service will not be operating that day. 
• Students will be Dismissed at Noon from the Lesher Center.
• Extended Day will be available until 3:00, but it is recommended that students go home at noon to have some down time before the concert. Reserve your child’s spot in Extended here.
• All students are asked to report back to the Lesher Center at 4:00 p.m. dressed in all black clothing, with an accessory of red. 

The Concert will begin at 4:30 p.m. Feel free to invite extended family and friends to join us!