It smells like pumpkins! Doesn't it?

Flash: Saklan Teacher Wins Major Award—See below

Flash: School Closed Monday for Fall Holiday

Flash: Noon Dismissal and School Closed for faculty professional days, Thursday Oct. 27 (noon dismissal) and Friday October 28 (closed) Extended Day Open

Major Teacher Award

Contra Costa County’s Warren Eukel Teacher Trust (www.eukelteachertrust.org) is announcing this week their three 2005 winners, and among them is our very own Second Grade Teacher Mrs. Carol Schofield. The trust reports that from among some the many nominations they received from all over the county, 8 teachers were selected as finalists to be interviewed, and now three have been selected as winners.

The trust provides a $10,000 grant, unrestricted, to each winner.

A review of past winners (http://www.eukelteachertrust.org/recipients.htm) reveals that Mrs. Schofield is only the fifth ever Lamorinda teacher to be selected for this award in its 15 year history. She also becomes the first ever private or independent elementary (K-8) school teacher to achieve this honor! (Two private/independent high school teachers have been selected in the past.)

Mrs. Schofield will be awarded her prize at the annual awards (and fundraising) Eukel Teacher Trust Dinner at Diablo Country Club on Thursday, November 17, and will have her moment at the podium to make short remarks. For more information on this Narsai David hosted dinner, visit http://www.eukelteachertrust.org/dinner.htm). Tickets are $140 per person. We are expecting the school will purchase several tables for the event; should you wish to join us at the dinner please alert the office by Friday the 21^st so we can put in our table reservations (although they will continue to sell tickets through November 4).

Stipek Event

What a great night we had Thursday evening at the Oakwood Athletic Club. More than 160 parents from all over the East Bay attended our special Saklan Parent Association sponsored parent education event featuring Stanford Dean of Education Deborah Stipek. Coming out of the event, attendees were clearly very impressed and very appreciative of the information they received. We are all very proud to have ascended to the next level of broadly serving our community by supporting and promoting educational excellence. Everyone here offers our big and hearty thanks to Dean Stipek, Oakwood, Vincent Hermosilla for technical support, Pam Yares for PA leadership, and Liz Schloemer and Darcy Cole for their exception efforts coordinating this event. Parents should look forward to our future PA education events, including two in November and one in April!

Picture Galleries

Family Groups K-8 - September

Middle School Skating Party

Pumpkin Patch - Preschool

Pumpkin Patch - Pre-K

Pumpkin Patch - Kindergarten

Honey Bears Pumpkin Activities

Soccer Game - Another Victory!

French Professional Photographer on Campus!

Halloween

Please send your child to school in a non-violent, non-gory costume as we have a wide range of ages on campus and do not wish to frighten our children.

On Monday, October 31st, Saklan Valley students and families may want to enter our campus cautiously as they may find a many creative costumes worn by our children and teachers throughout our school. The Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten will begin their parade at 9:00 a.m. walking around the little yard, then weaving in and out of each of the Elementary and Middle school classrooms. Parents are invited and encouraged to come and take pictures, and even join us parading if you like.

Lower School children grades 1-5, will arrive in costume. After morning recess, teachers will walk the children over to Moraga Royale and Aegis Senior centers on Country Club Drive , then return to school for a tour of campus, followed by their class parties.

Middle School students may come to school in costume as well and are planning special festivities for our Saklan student body. This will be a free dress day for all students.

Students will enjoy a noon dismissal in order to rest up and prepare for their evening activities. Extended Day will remain open until 4:00 that afternoon.

eScrip/Safeway Renewal

Just a reminder that for the school year 2005-2006 eScrip members with registered cards need to renew their commitment to Safeway by November 1st in order to continue to earn contributions for Saklan. eScrip has made the renewal process as quick and easy as possible. There are two ways to renew:

* Call (800) 801-4973
* Visit www.escrip.com and click on "YES! Renew"

Thank you for taking the time to show your continued commitment to Saklan Valley School.

If you would like detailed information on how you can participate in eScrip and/or any of the other programs to help earn money for the school:

Click Here

or contact Elena Toohey at etoohey@sbcglobal.net.

Extended Day News

The Extended Day Staff and students had a fun three days. Our noon dismissal days were full of engaging art projects, exciting sports activities, and filming a movie. All of the students in Extended Day seemed to have a great time. Looking ahead, we have two noon dismissals and a school closure. The first noon dismissal is on Thursday, October 27th. Extended Day will be open from 12:00 until 6:00 p.m. The school is closed on Friday, October 28th. We will have extended day open from 7:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. We are requesting that all interested families sign up in the Extended Day Foyer. It is essential that we know how many students to expect on these special days so we can staff accordingly. And last but not least, Extended Day will be open on Monday, October 31st from 12:00 until 4:00 p.m. As stated before, sign ups are in the Extended Day foyer.

Enrichment Class Updates

We have added a new dance class on Tuesdays beginning October 25th. The first class starts at 2:15 and ends at 3:00. It is open to children ages 3-5. Our elementary class begins at 3:15 and ends at 4:00. This class is open to students in grades 1 through 5. The class focus will be instruction in hip hop, jazz, and some ballet technique. Come join the fun!

* Please look for new enrichment class registration forms on October 21, 2005.