Family Groups have been a Saklan tradition for decades and are an integral part of our Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) program in Kindergarten through 8th Grade.
At the beginning of each school year, students are placed into Family Groups that include students from across the Middle and Lower Schools. These groups meet throughout the year, building relationships and creating connections across grade levels. Each eighth grader takes on a leadership role, teaching a cooperative lesson centered around an SEL concept such as compassion, kindness, fairness, or equality to their group of younger students.
Lessons are designed by Saklan’s SEL coordinators to ensure they are developmentally appropriate, engaging, and meaningful. For eighth graders, leading these lessons provides a unique opportunity to practice communication, collaboration, and leadership while serving as positive role models for younger students.
For younger students, Family Groups offer a chance to form new relationships and learn from older peers in a supportive setting. Over time, these interactions help create a stronger sense of belonging and a cohesive school community.
Family Groups meet together throughout the school year, continuing through May. It is a tradition that students look forward to each year, and one that reminds everyone that at Saklan, we are all part of one community.
