Puerto Rico: Reflections from the Final Days

Earlier this month, Saklan’s 8th graders completed a meaningful service learning field experience in Puerto Rico. We shared highlights from the beginning of the trip in last week’s blog; below, we invite you to catch up on the final days through reflections written by the students themselves. Throughout the week, students documented their learning, service, and growth in a daily blog, capturing both the work they did and the connections they formed along the way.

Day 3: Filling in Walls with Cement

Today, when we woke up, we were greeted by a delicious waffle breakfast. By the end of breakfast, we were ready to rumble and headed to the construction site. Angel told us that today we were going to be filling in the walls with cement. The jobs for today were: shoveling, passing buckets, and filling in the wall. We worked tirelessly and filled in the first wall in only 45 minutes! During our breaks, we were surprised to receive different snacks like fruit, CapriSuns, and Gatorade. After each break, we switched around our jobs and learned more skills for rebuilding houses.

When we were finished with construction, we were welcomed back to Maria’s house with a very delicious lunch, and a very friendly dog that we called Lil Brunc. Our delicious lunch today was rice, beans, chicken nuggets, and salad. After our lunch, we headed to a local bakery where Ms. O bought us giant donuts the size of Lil Brunc! Then, we went to a nearby supermarket where we bought a bunch of delicious and exclusive Puerto Rican snacks. After that, we went back to the Big Yellow House to get ready for the beach. The beach was super fun, and when we got back, we all ate a really delicious meal. Then we enjoyed the rest of our day with group activities and free time.

Day 4: Last Day in the Big Yellow House

Today was an amazing day to close our stay at the Big Yellow House! We woke up to the delightful scent of French toast and sausages. After applying sunscreen and bug spray, we returned to the work site to finish filling in the wall. During our work, we were given tasty ice pops by Yulissa, the person for whom we were building the room. After a few hours of hard work, we filled in the wall completely.

We ate a lunch that consisted of burgers and French fries, along with fruits of many kinds. We returned to the Big Yellow House and had a few extra hours of beach time, because we had finished early. At the beach, we used our creativity to dig holes and play with rocks in the sand. After a fun time at the beach, we headed home to pack up our luggage for our last night at the Big Yellow House.

The group prepared thank you cards written to the community we worked with over the week. Once everything was ready, we spent time with Miss O and Miss Kim to reflect on our experiences with the community so far through journaling. For our final dinner at the Big Yellow House, we invited the community to share it with us. We had a delicious dinner of chicken breast, pork chops, yellow rice, and potatoes. After everyone had finished their food, our class played games with the other kids in the community. To close up our dinner, we had a final meeting about our overall thoughts on our three days at the work site. Before we said our final goodbyes, the community gave us each a bracelet as a thank you and as a reminder of our time here in Puerto Rico.

After everyone left, we all pitched in to help clean up and turned in for our final night at the Big Yellow House. We cannot wait for our upcoming adventures during our last full day here in Puerto Rico!

Day 5: El Yunque Rainforest

Today we started off with an early wake-up to eat a breakfast of delectable waffles, sausages, French toast, and fruit. We packed up everything and got in the vans for a one-hour drive to El Yunque Rainforest. At El Yunque, we went down a short and muddy trail to a beautiful but cold river, which we swam in for a nice, peaceful morning. After trekking back up the muddy trail, in our vans, we headed to the El Yunque Visitor Portal, where we had to run through random bursts of rain to get inside. At the Visitors Portal, we learned about how the local ecosystem works, shopped at souvenir vendors, and adopted a Puerto Rican stuffed parrot, where all the proceeds go to a recovery fund for this endangered species. Once we headed back to the vans, we ate lunch at Rest. El Terruño. There we ate some traditional Puerto Rican food, and tasted the island’s national drink, the Piña Colada (the non-alcoholic version!).

After the delicious lunch, we had an hour to visit and buy from the kiosks that were on the street. Once we were finished shopping, we made the trip to Casa Coral, which is where we get to stay for one short night! There, we settled in and checked out the beach. We had an early dinner of pizza and got in the van one last time to head to Biobay kayak tours. We paddled a mile and a half each way through tangled mangrove roots with our partners to see the bioluminescence of the microscopic things living in the bay. Back at Casa Coral, we shared about what we had learned on the trip and what we will take back home. We will miss our time here in Puerto Rico!

Through service, collaboration, and reflection, Saklan’s 8th graders deepened their understanding of community, responsibility, and global connection. Their time in Puerto Rico left a lasting impression, one they will carry forward long after returning home.

#SaklanFieldExperience

Winter Enrichment Options

Now that the fall session of enrichment has come to an end, we are excited to share the classes that will be offered during the next enrichment session! For the winter session, the following classes are available:

Check out the class descriptions here. Classes begin the week of January 26th, and have limited space available. Registration for winter enrichment classes is now available on the Saklan Enrichment Webpage.

#SaklanWellRounded

The SpongeBob Musical

All Saklan community members are invited to join us for The Saklan School’s 3rd – 5th grade production of The SpongeBob Musical on Friday, December 19th at 10:30 a.m. The show will take place in the Holy Trinity Cultural Center (next door to Saklan). Doors will open at 10:15 a.m.

If you will attend and haven’t already done so, please RSVP here. There is no cost to attend; we want to ensure we have enough seats for all!

#SaklanCreative #SaklanCourage

Making a Difference

This week, our 6th and 7th graders stepped beyond the classroom and into the heart of service as they spent two mornings volunteering at the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Their hard work, teamwork, and compassion made a meaningful impact.

On Monday, the 7th-grade class rolled up their sleeves and got straight to work, sorting and bagging an impressive 3,200 pounds of apples and oranges. The room buzzed with energy as students picked through the fruit, sorting it into family-sized bags. The class collaborated efficiently and encouraged one another to keep the momentum going.

The very next day, it was the 6th graders’ turn. With equal enthusiasm and determination, they tackled a mountain of produce and successfully bagged 6,860 pounds of oranges! Their focus, teamwork, and positivity were inspiring to watch.

These service-learning experiences help students understand the real needs within our broader community and the powerful role they can play in addressing them.

We extend a huge thank you to the Alameda County Community Food Bank for welcoming us, and to our students for their hard work, kindness, and commitment to making the world a better place, one bag of fruit at a time.

#SaklanCompassion

Creating Together: Saklan Families Bring SpongeBob to Life

Last Saturday, our campus was buzzing with paintbrushes, cardboard, creativity, and a whole lot of teamwork. Over the weekend, students, families, and staff gathered for a Lower School Musical Work Day, transforming our school into a lively workshop filled with color, imagination, and community spirit.

From the moment volunteers arrived, the campus came alive with purpose. Laughter mixed with the sounds of cutting, painting, measuring, and building as teams worked together on the many props and set pieces that will bring Bikini Bottom to life onstage. Giant jellyfish, coral reefs, vibrant backdrops, and whimsical underwater details began taking shape as everyone, kids and grown-ups alike, rolled up their sleeves and dove into the fun.

What made the day truly special wasn’t just the art we created, but the connections we strengthened. Parents and students collaborated side-by-side, sharing ideas, solving problems, and celebrating each finished piece. Older students supported younger ones, families made new friends, and the room glowed with the feeling of creating something meaningful together. Events like this remind us that the heart of the Saklan community lies in our willingness to show up, contribute, and lift one another up.

Thank you to everyone who gave their time, talent, and energy last weekend. Your support makes all the difference, and we are so grateful.

#SaklanCommunity #SaklanCreative

Service Learning in Puerto Rico

Yesterday, our 8th graders returned from a transformative week-long field experience in Puerto Rico. The trip was a powerful blend of cultural exploration, hands-on service, and unforgettable experiences. Throughout the week, students documented their learning and reflections in a daily blog. Below, we are excited to share the first two entries from their travel journal.

Day 1: Exploring Old San Juan

Today was a great start to our Puerto Rico trip! We began the day with a delicious breakfast and then set out to explore Old San Juan. We walked along the blue cobblestone streets and observed historic monuments such as churches, statues and fortresses. El Morro was one of the fortresses that we visited, and it had a gorgeous view of the ocean, many tunnels and staircases, and great spots for photos. Next, we walked among the colorful buildings of Old San Juan to get to our lunch restaurant. We ate tasty Puerto Rican cuisine before exploring the local shops to buy souvenirs. We also stopped at one of the narrowest houses in the world, which is only five feet across the entire way back!

Then we headed to Santurce, another one of the neighborhoods in San Juan, and we walked along the streets to view the huge murals and street art.

After a long day of walking in the heat, we finally returned to the Big Yellow House and relaxed in the ocean. We saw a horse swimming in the ocean, which surprised all of us! After visiting the beach, we showered off and ate a dinner filled with more Puerto Rican food.

Our favorite parts of the day were visiting El Morro to explore the different levels, playing in the warm ocean, and observing the murals of Santurce.

Day 2: Service and Salsa

Today we went to the worksite to begin the construction project. We poured buckets of sand, shoveled concrete, and passed buckets full of wet concrete. It was very challenging in the smoldering heat, but we made sure to stay positive and hydrated. After we finished with construction for the day, we went to a member of the community´s home. There, we learned about Angel, the foreman, and his experience with Hurricane Maria. Angel and many others lost everything in the hurricane, and Angel has helped rebuild over 60 houses since. Afterward, we went to the beach to swim and relax.

When we returned to the Big Yellow House, we had pasta with red sauce for dinner. Following dinner, we learned how to salsa dance, which was quite tiring!

The best parts of the day were visiting the beach and playing in the sand and water. We also enjoyed seeing the completed floor that we made at the construction site.

We are so proud of our 8th graders for their curiosity, compassion, resilience, and willingness to learn through real-world experiences.

#SaklanFieldExperience

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

Head’s Corner: Celebrating Connection, Joy, and Learning

Just before the Thanksgiving Break, our campus was filled with joy, laughter, and heartfelt moments as we welcomed beloved grandparents, family friends, and special adults to celebrate Grandfriends’ Day at Saklan. It was a beautiful morning that highlighted the power of connection across generations and the vibrant learning that happens in our classrooms every day.

From the moment guests arrived, students were beaming with pride, eager to share their school, their work, and the people who guide their learning. The morning began with CLAS, where student voices, hard work, creativity, and compassion were showcased. 

After CLAS, grandfriends joined students in their classrooms for activities designed to spark curiosity, conversation, and connection. Some collaborated on art projects, others explored math games, science challenges, or writing prompts, and many simply enjoyed the chance to sit side-by-side and experience learning through a child’s eyes. Classrooms buzzed with energy as students proudly introduced their grandfriends to classmates and teachers, and shared their daily routines.

The magic of the morning wasn’t just in the activities; it was in the relationships. When students see someone they love and trust engaging with their school world, it deepens their sense of belonging and strengthens their emotional connection to learning. Grandfriends’ Day isn’t just a celebration; it’s an important part of how we cultivate confidence, curiosity, and community at Saklan.

We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and helped make the day meaningful. Your presence enriches our students’ lives in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.

Thank you for being part of our community, and for helping us nurture joyful, connected, and courageous learners. We can’t wait to welcome you back next year!

Warmly,

David

#SaklanCommunity

Authenticity and Student Inquiry

Doing a project is not the same as Project Based Learning. The differences may seem minor at first glance, but the impact on student learning and engagement is tremendous. Two vital components that differentiate “doing a project” from Project Based Learning are authenticity and student-driven inquiry. 

High-level Project Based Learning has an authentic context. It involves tasks, questions, or ideas that connect to the world outside of the school walls: students’ personal experiences, concerns, interests, or identity. Student-driven inquiry means students are engaged in an iterative process of asking questions, gathering and interpreting data, and developing solutions or deeper questions to investigate. 

Two fantastic examples of these elements in high-level Project Based Learning at Saklan are the Kindergarten Names unit and the Owlet Leaf unit. 

Our Kindergarten names unit brings students’ family stories and cultures to the forefront of learning. The students investigate how to become better friends by learning about each other’s names. Closer bonds and deeper friendships are developed by bringing students’ rich family lives and stories into the classroom. They interview their families and each other about their names, learn to read and write each other’s names, explore ways to represent the meaning of their names together, and study how people share their names through picture books.

Our youngest learners, the Owlets, have been engaging in a deep exploration of leaves. For our ECE students, part of an authentic unit means pursuing a topic that they experience in their daily lives. During this time of year, when the trees are changing colors and leaves are falling to the ground all around us, student questions about leaves are abundant. They first began their study by sharing their own knowledge about leaves before generating questions. Next, the class engaged in experiences that helped them answer their questions, and then made physical representations of their growing knowledge of leaves. 

For both of these units, students engaged in multiple rounds of inquiry and had the rich opportunity to explore a topic with personal meaning while also tackling academic, social, and emotional learning goals. You are invited to join us on December 11th at 8:40 a.m. to celebrate the culmination of both of these project units. We hope you join us! 

  • One element of the Names unit included inspiration from artist Cindy Sherman.
  • Students designed costumes for portraits that communicated the meaning of their names.
  • See this work and more on Dec 11th!

#SaklanProjectBasedLearning

Spotlight on Riva: Guiding Kindergartners With Joy & Purpose

If you’ve ever stepped into Saklan’s Kindergarten classroom, you’ve likely felt it: the spark, the laughter, the hum of curiosity and care. It’s a space where little moments become big milestones, and where joy seems to live in every corner. That joy is no accident. It’s fueled, every day, by a teacher who brings heart, intention, and deep respect for childhood into everything she does.

Recently, we sat down with Riva, Saklan’s Kindergarten teacher, to learn more about what inspires her, what she loves most about working with our youngest learners, and why Saklan’s approach to Project Based Learning feels so special.

You bring so much joy to the Saklan campus- what fuels your joy and excitement the most when it comes to your teaching day? 

“My joy comes from the relationships I get to build with my students and their families. Kindergarteners arrive each morning with such openness and enthusiasm, and I love being part of a community that celebrates their strengths, quirks, and emerging identities. Saklan is a place where students are truly known, and getting to guide them through their first steps in school — emotionally, socially, and academically — is a privilege that motivates me every day.”

What do you love the most about working with Kindergarten?

“What I love most about working with kindergarteners is the unique magic of this developmental stage. Everything is new, everything is possible, and their sense of wonder is contagious. I get to watch them discover their own abilities, whether they’re decoding a word for the first time, writing a brave sentence, or learning how to take a deep breath and reset. Kindergarteners grow in such joyful, visible ways, and being part of those early milestones feels incredibly meaningful.”

She also shared a favorite program that brings this magic to life: Kinder Korner.

“One of my favorite parts of teaching kindergarten at Saklan is our Kinder Korner program. Our students become “big buddies” to the Hoot Owls, teaching them what life in kindergarten is like. It’s beautiful to see my students step into leadership roles with such care and pride. They show empathy, patience, and confidence as they guide their younger buddies through activities, routines, and little moments of discovery. Watching them light up when they realize they are the ‘experts’ is truly heartwarming. Those cross-grade connections deepen our community and remind me how capable and kind young children can be when given the chance to lead.”

You have had a lot of experience with projects at previous schools- what makes Saklan’s approach to PBL special?

“What I love about Saklan’s approach to Project Based Learning is the way it connects our standards to work that feels genuinely meaningful for young children. Our projects grow from what students are naturally curious about, and that makes the learning feel joyful and authentic for all of us.”

She highlighted The Names Project as a powerful example.

“The Names Project is one of my favorites for exactly that reason. Kindergarteners are already captivated by their own names, so it becomes a perfect entry point into letters, sounds, phonics, and even math as we compare and graph the number of letters in each name. But what makes this project so special to me is the sense of community it builds. As students learn to read each other’s names, discover the stories behind them, and create portraits inspired by their name meanings, they also learn about one another in a really meaningful way. The academic growth is wonderful, but the connections they build are the true heart of the project for me.”

You can see this joyful learning in action by joining the Kindergartners for their Names Project culmination on Thursday, December 11th, at 8:40 a.m.

From the joyful morning greetings to the thoughtful projects that build community and confidence, it’s clear that Kindergarten at Saklan is filled with intention, wonder, and deep care. And at the center of it all are teachers like Riva, who make learning feel magical—one moment, one question, and one joyful discovery at a time.

#SaklanStaff