Invention Convention

After learning about simple machines, the first graders had a guest speaker, Ms. Ginelle Mills, join their class (via Zoom). Ms. Mills is a former Saklan parent and inventor of the Cool Wazoo, a diaper changing pad that converts into a restaurant high chair, swing and shopping cart cover. The first graders enjoyed learning about the process Ms. Mills went through as she created the Cool Wazoo, and about her experience presenting the invention on the ABC hit show, SharkTank.

Following their meeting with Ms. Mills, the first graders set out to use their imaginations and knowledge of simple machines to create their own inventions. Here are the amazing ideas that the scientists brought to life:

  • Sebastien – The Christmas Ornament Hanger
  • Cassidy- The Cooking Robot
  • Carson – The Ball Machine
  • Elise- The Garbage Robot
  • Jimmy – Mouse Trap Racer
  • Sage- The Rainbow Maker
  • Conner-  The Silver Toothbrush
  • Makena- The Strength Tester
  • Cameron – Cameron’s Candy Picker Upper
  • Kingsley – A Poop Picker Upper
  • Airlie-  The Hug Machine

The students were delighted to share their inventions with their peers during their in-class Invention Convention.

#SaklanAcademic #SaklanCreative

Why We Give

Saklan has been a wonderful, positive, nurturing, life changing, environment for our 8th grader, Blake, who has been attending Saklan since 6th grade. Blake transferred to Saklan in the October 2018 timeframe and it has been hands down the best decision for Blake and our family. The teachers, faculty and administration made the transition to Saklan seamless and in a short few months, Blake was thriving in school. The teachers are dedicated, motivating, encouraging, nurturing, instill discipline, and the coursework is adequately challenging. Blake is always eager to go to school and I am confident his middle school experience at Saklan has laid a strong foundation and prepared him for high school, college and beyond. I sat through the graduation ceremony of the 8th grade class in 2019, where teachers pay a tribute to each student, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the room. Through the course of the ceremony, it was evident due to the small school size, caliber of the faculty, and culture of the school, Saklan teachers become intimately familiar with a student’s personality, strengths, opportunities for improvement, progress, growth and maturity, and provide a strong, positive influence. The student population is very diverse and there are several opportunities students can participate in without judgement or barriers that might be a factor at a larger middle school, such as the school play and concerts. We are very grateful to be part of the Saklan community and thrilled to support the Saklan Annual Giving Fund.

Tia and Jeff Hutchinson

Blake (8th)

Join the Hutchinson family in supporting Saklan by making an AGF gift today!

#SaklanGiving

Holiday Traditions Around the World

The Owls in Ms. Jessica’s class enjoyed learning about holiday traditions from different countries and cultures. The children love to look at the globe and map together! During December, they located Russia, Sweden, Norway, Mexico and Africa. With winter growing nearer, the Owls first took a look at the Russian Winter Festival: colorful lights, decorations, costumes, horse-drawn sleighs (called “troikas”), ice skating, and music are just a few of the ways the season is celebrated. After seeing the impressive ice sculpture display at the Moscow festival, the Owls got the opportunity to work hands-on with different shaped ice cubes to try and create their own sculptures! 

Next the Owls learned about St. Lucia Day, a holiday celebrated in Sweden, Norway, and other European countries. One of the traditions is to celebrate light overcoming darkness in the winter season by lighting many candles and singing songs. The class watched a short clip of children dressed as St. Lucia singing together. The Owls then got to make their own woven heart, a traditional holiday decoration from Sweden. It was a little tricky, but with practice everyone was able to make a beautiful heart!

Ms. Jessica’s class then learned about a Christmas tradition originating from Mexico called Las Posadas. It is a nine-day celebration during which families reenact the story of Mary and Joseph searching for a place to stay. Large groups of people, often in costumes and carrying candles, travel throughout their neighborhoods singing carols and knocking on doors looking for las posadas (the inns). On the ninth day everyone comes together to share food and drinks and the children break open a star shaped piñata. Of course the Owls couldn’t pass up the opportunity to celebrate with a piñata of their own!

The final holiday the class learned about was Kwanzaa. The Owls learned that much like Hanukkah, a candle is lit for each of the seven nights of Kwanzaa. For each night, a different principle is celebrated: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity and faith. They learned that many of the traditions of Kwanzaa are based on customs from parts of Africa, used to celebrate their heritage.

#SaklanHandsOn

Parenting in the Pandemic

On Monday, January 11th, Kehillah Jewish High School is hosting a night with Dr. Michael Thompson, and Saklan parents are invited to attend. Dr. Thompson is a clinical psychologist, school consultant and international speaker on the subjects of children, schools and parenting. 

Dr. Michael Thompson

This event, titled Parenting in the Pandemic for the Long Haul, will be held on Monday, January 11, 2021 at 7:00 PM. Here are the details:

#ParentEducation

Head’s Corner

As we close the books on 2020 I am sure we want to say good riddance. But there are a few things that were bright spots or learnings that are worth mentioning. 

  • Scientists have prevailed and come through with a vaccine at record speed. While this school year will most likely end with us still in masks, it does look like next year we will be back to “normal-ish.”
  • We say kids are resilient all the time, but they have really proved it. They are here, they mask, wash their hands and engage in learning.
  • We talk alot about “connection” here at Saklan, this year we found out just how critical it is to learning.
  • While the country has not acted as one to stay safe, our school community has done a great job following safety protocols. Parents have cancelled travel plans, kept kids with sniffles at home, and quarantined when necessary. 
    • I was ready for a few positive results when we did the school wide testing- and we were all negative.
    • I was sure that when we started in person learning in September, we would have to quarantine classes on a regular basis. We have only had one instance where a class has needed to quarantine for the two weeks. Amazing.
  • Masking and hygiene works well for keeping COVID-19 at bay, but it works well for other ailments too. We have seen very little flu or other issues here at school these past couple of months. Rarely are we making a call to have a parent pick a child up.
  • Teachers have been exceptionally creative in keeping students engaged and learning here on campus, while simultaneously working with students at home. 
  • Our AGF participation has been strong, I can only imagine that has something to do with the fact that families are pleased with our efforts.

Yesterday, as parents were picking up their children for the last time of 2020, there was a sense of accomplishment and hopefulness in the air. I know this year has really been a drag- but there is so much to still be thankful for. 2020 has taught us some valuable lessons. 

 Nevertheless – goodbye and good riddance 2020.   

Simple Machines

The first graders recently learned about simple machines. The class discussed what work is and what makes work harder or easier. Then they learned about the six simple machines, and how each of them helps make work easier, by participating in a serious of experiments and activities.

The first graders learned about levers and balanced a lever on a fulcrum. They had a bubble race and learned how a wheel and axle makes work easier. They also used a pulley to avoid lifting objects, and had an egg drop challenge. The first graders learned that using an inclined plane makes it easier and safer to move a load. They also made a paper helicopter and learned how a screw works. Lastly, the class made funny faces with persimmons and popsicle sticks and learned that the shape of a wedge was easier to use. The first graders had a great time learning about simple machines through these hands-on, fun experiments.

#SaklanAcademic #SaklanHandsOn

Tiny Homes

Saklan students recently created tiny homes in art class. With all of us staying home this break, building a house made a whole lot of sense to the students.

The Tiny Homes Series was completed by most grade levels and was inspired by Ms. Natalie’s grandmother and her personal collection of ceramics. 

This was the artists first 3D project of the year and what’s more fun then clay?! Developing their craftsmanship, the students stretched and explored their capacity to create the tiny homes they had envisioned.

Normally the students would have used glaze, but for this project, watercolor and tempera paint was used to give each home detail and uniqueness. Check out some the the tiny homes below!

#SaklanCreative

Thoughtful

During the month of December, Saklan students have been thinking about being thoughtful. Each class talked about what it means to be thoughtful and played a game of Thoughtful Bingo to help students learn ways to show their thoughtfulness. Some students even created their own Thoughtful Bingo cards, describing ways they could be more thoughtful at school and home.

Students also participated in a “Jar of Compliments” activity to help them thoughtfully recognize their peers.  This was a great activity to have them take note on what others bring to the class, and take time to recognize them.

Following these activities to help the students understand what it means to be thoughtful, each of the first through eighth grade students wrote down one way they can work to be thoughtful this winter. The thoughtful ideas were then grouped together into family groups and wreaths of thoughtfulness were created. Check out the wreaths below!

#SaklanFamilyGroups #SaklanSocialEmotionalLearning

Dinosaur Research

For the Owls in Ms. Jessica’s class, December has been a month of dinosaurs! After seeing how interested the Hoot Owls and Owlets were in dinosaurs the class decided to learn a little more about them. The students learned that dinosaurs are reptiles and hatch from eggs. They did a fun activity using eyedroppers and warm water to free toy dinosaurs from their icy eggs! 

The Owls learned the words carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore and played a game matching dinosaurs with their diets. They also discovered that everyone in our class is an omnivore! The children had some messy fun making dinosaur footprints with paint after finding out that scientists learn a lot about dinosaurs from fossilized footprints.

The Owls have been having a blast researching and pretending to be their favorite dinosaurs, including the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Spinosaurus, and Pachycephalosaurus! 

#SaklanHandsOn

Pandemic Parenting Course

Dr. Chelsey Hauge of Positive Parenthood is offering a free Pandemic Parenting Course. This 6-part course is for parents who wish to support their children in whole, peaceful, and gentle ways during this challenging time.  The course is virtual and self paced, so you can complete it when it works for you!

#SaklanParentEd