FRiday Note - December-18-2009

Head's Corner

Dear Saklan Community:

I am pleased (and relieved) to announce that the CAIS/WASC re-accreditation self-evaluation report is complete and in the mail. The report addresses all aspects of school life and community. Information gleaned from in-depth discussions, the parent survey, and Board responses served as the focus for and foundation of the document. The faculty, staff, and Board worked diligently to complete this enormous enterprise. In March, the Visiting Team will be on campus meeting with parents, students, teachers, staff, and Board members. I am currently working on the schedule for the Visiting Team; once the details are established, I’ll get them to you.

Now that the report is complete and transcripts are finalized and sent out to high schools, I’ll be able to unchain the office door and be more readily available. The last several weeks I have been stuck at my desk editing, revising, and completing paperwork. I can’t wait to get back to visiting classrooms, covering classes, and being with the kids. Thank you for your patience.

Several exciting things happened this week. Grades 1-4 visited Regis Senior Center to serenade the residents. The Pre-K classes had a family cookie exchange and have been studying holiday celebrations around the world. The Student Council can drive was a big success; they (with your generosity) collected 1,387 cans/packages of food that will be delivered to the Alameda County Food Bank later today. The second grade won the pizza party.

The 2010-11 re-enrollment process will begin in February. Specific information, including dates and process, is outlined on our website under the Admissions tab. Should questions arise, please feel free to contact Debbie Parish, Director of Admissions and Marketing.

I close with a reminder. Please get your Annual Giving donation in by December 31st in order to take advantage of tax benefits for 2009.

Have a happy and joyous holiday. See you next year.

David A. Hague
Head of School

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Auction Update

Dear Saklan Families:

We wish you all the very best for the winter break. Here’s to fun times with family and friends and hopefully at least a few chances to sleep in.

Your Auction Chairs would like to let you know that we have sent home an Auction packet with your ECE or Elementary School child. Please be sure to find it in their backpack and take a moment to read the letter and attached information. For all middle school families, we will be mailing the information to you directly.

Thank you and once again, have a wonderful break.

Kate Dey & Carol Goldman
California Dreaming Auction Chairs

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The 2009-2010 Annual Giving Fund

We are ALL in this Together!

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ADMISSIONS

2010-11 RE-ENROLLMENT

We look forward to welcoming back all of our returning students each year, but they must be re-enrolled. Saklan will begin Early Re-Enrollment for the 2010-11 School Year in February 2010.
Early Re-Enrollment has one distinct benefit - the Early Re-Enrollment tuition will rise at a lower percentage than the standard tuition.

Below are the Early Re-Enrollment dates:

• February 5, 2010 - Early Re-Enrollment Contracts will be mailed to all returning families.
• February 19, 2010 - Early Re-Enrollment Contracts will be mailed to all families who have applied for Financial Aid (provided the required documentation has been submitted).
• February 29, 2010 - ALL contracts and deposits are due. The non-refundable deposit amount is $1,500 per student.

This year we will be handling all of the billing in-house, we will nolonger be using TMS. We have also made some changes to each of the payment plans, so please take the time to familiarize yourself with them. If payment is not received on the 1st of the month, a 1.5% late fee will be assessed.

• PLAN A - Full Pay Plan - full amount due by May 1, 2010
• PLAN B - 4 Month Pay Plan - payments due May 1, August 1, Nov 1, 2010 and March 1, 2011.
• PLAN C - 8 Month Pay Plan - payments due May 1, June 1, July 1, Aug 1, Sept 1, Oct 1, Nov 1, 2010 and March 1, 2011.

FINANCIAL AID

If you are interested in applying for Financial Aid for the 2010-11 school year, you should start the application process now. Click here to download the Financial Aid forms or email dparish@saklan.org to
request a set be mailed to you. You may also log onto http://sss.nais.org to start completing the required PFS. January 14, 2010 is the deadline to submit your FA application to the School.

ADMISSIONS REFERRAL PROGRAM

Saklan is a growing community, however, we rely on all of our current families to help us grow each year. If you know a family that would be interested in receiving information regarding the School, please let the Admissions Office know. Our Admissions Referral Program is designed to keep our family growing, and to thank you with a $500 tuition credit for doing so. Click here for more information.

UPCOMING GROUP TOURS

• Friday, January 8 – 8:30am
• Friday, January 15 – 8:30am
• Friday, January 22 – 8:30am

PRESCHOOL PREVIEW DAYS

• Wednesday, Jan 20, 8:45-9:45

The 2010-11 APPLICATION DEADLINE is January 29, 2010.

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Holiday Shopping with eScrip merchants means more!

Joining eScrip is a gift that costs nothing and will continue to add up to $$'s for our school all year long.

Simply:

• Log onto www.escrip.com
• Click on "sign up" and locate our school name “Saklan Valley School” or our group ID # 136952748
• Register your grocery club card and/or debit /credit card

Everytime you shop at an eScrip merchant and swipe your registered card our group receives a percentage of your purchase!

Do you like to do your shopping online?....

Then click on the Online Mall logo at www.escrip.com and start shopping!

It’s as easy as 1-2-3

1. Enroll with www.escrip.com
2. Click on the Online Mall logo at www.escrip.com
3. Shop at your favorite brand name stores and automatically donate to our group

While you are at the Online Mall, download “AutoEARN” to earn contributions every time you shop without having to visit the Online Mall first!

Shop the eScrip Way - Everybody Wins!

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Movies Archive

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