Back to School - Upper School

We’re excited to welcome you to campus. Here’s what you need to know and do to ensure your year gets off to a great start. Before we dive into the details, please take note of Menlo’s COVID-19 protocols for testing and masking so you are ready for the first day of school.

Upper School: Important Dates

Date	Event
Monday, Aug. 8	Instructions for accessing Upper School schedules were sent in this email with online change request instructions.
Monday,  Aug. 22	Parking permits for juniors and seniors are distributed by the security office. If you haven’t already, please complete this form. Contact Director of Security Mustapha Moutri. Junior Welcome Back Event. 5:30-7:30 pm, US Quad. The Class of 2024 is invited to reconnect before the school year starts. Enjoy dinner, games, and fun! COVID-19 PCR Testing Clinic (6th, 9th, 12th). 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Spieker Center Lobby. All students, faculty, and staff need to obtain a negative test before coming to campus for the first time (orientation activities or the first day of school). Either a PCR or an antigen test is sufficient though those who have had Covid in the last 90 days should use the antigen test. Those new to Menlo who would like to test on campus, should pre-register at Inspire Diagnostics here. See full safety protocols here.
Tuesday,  Aug. 23	Freshman Pre-Orientation Meet and Greet Event. 4:00-5:30 pm, US Quad. An informal fun get-together for students.  Sophomore Welcome Back Event. 6:00-7:30 pm, US Quad. The Class of 2025 is invited to reconnect before the school year starts. Enjoy dinner, games, and fun! COVID-19 PCR Testing Clinic (7th, 8th, 10th, 11th). 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Spieker Center Lobby.
Wednesday,  Aug. 24	Freshman Orientation. 9:00 am-2:30 pm, Martin Family Hall/Athletic Center. (Best to arrive by 8:45 am to check in; activities kick off at 9:00 am.) Lunch will be provided for students. There is an optional parent coffee on the Dining Commons Patio at 9:00 am. Read more about Orientation in this letter from the Freshman Dean. Freshman Tech Help (OPTIONAL). 2:30-3:30 pm. Menlo Technology Department will be on hand if you are having trouble logging into your Okta/Canvas/Email accounts. 9th Grade Knightbook Photo Makeups and Retakes. Students who were unable to take their photos taken in May for Menlo’s online directory or those who would like to have their photo retaken, can do so on Aug. 24 from 1:00-3:00 pm in the Athletic Center Lobby. Knightbook Photos for Seniors: 3:00-5:00 pm, Athletic Center Lobby. Sign up for a time here. Also, see this email about special optional senior mini sessions on campus with Still Light Studios on Aug. 20 and 28. Senior Class BBQ. 5:30-7:30 pm, US Quad. COVID-19 PCR Testing Clinic (Open to All). 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Spieker Center Lobby.
Thursday,  Aug. 25	First Day of Classes. School begins at 8:45 am with a spirit assembly in the Athletic Center (masks required). It will be a Day 0. Please make note of the daily schedule, which was slightly changed from last year. Schedule Change Requests: students can continue to make course change requests online. If you’ve already made a request(s), you should have received an email that we have logged it. We will continue to work on these requests two weeks into the start of the school year and will notify you with updates as soon as possible. COVID-19 PCR Testing Clinic (Open to All). 9:00 am-4:00 pm, Spieker Center Lobby.
Friday, Aug. 26	Junior Parents’ Coffee. 8:30 am on the CADC Patio. Details to come.  COVID-19 PCR Testing Clinic (Open to All). 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Spieker Center Lobby.
Saturday, Aug. 27	Upper School Back-to-School Dance. 7:30-10:30 pm, on the Junior Quad. The theme for the dance will be announced on Friday at the Welcome Back Assembly.
Monday, Aug. 29	9th Grade Parents’ Coffee. 8:30-10:00 am on the CADC Patio. Details to come.  COVID-19 PCR Testing Clinic (Open to All). 8:00 am-4:00 pm, Spieker Center Lobby.
Tuesday, Aug. 30	10th Grade Parents’ Coffee. 9:00-10:30 am on the CADC Patio. Details to come.
Wednesday, Aug. 31	Knightbook Photos for Juniors 10:00-10:40 am and 11:55 am-12:50 pm. Sign up for a time here. You can also drop in before school from 8:15-8:40 am, or 3:00-3:00 pm.
Thursday,  Sept. 1	12th Grade Parents’ Coffee. 8:30-10:30 am on the CADC Patio. Details to come.  Knightbook Photos for Sophomores 10:00-10:40 am and 11:55 am-12:50 pm. Sign up for a time here. You can also drop in before school from 8:15-8:40 am, or 3:00-3:00 pm. Ninth Grade Parent Information Evening. 6:00-7:30 pm, details to come.
Wednesday, Sept. 7	First Upper School MSPA Meeting. 9:30 am, Martin Family Hall and via livestream
Various	Fall Sports: Baseline testing must be complete before the start of practice. See details below. Parent Events and Socials: Check your Grade Level News pages for details. You can also view and subscribe to the full school calendar.

Before School Starts, Do This:

1. TURN IN YOUR HEALTH AND ATHLETIC FORMS

• If you haven’t already, please submit your forms through Magnus Health Student Medical Record (SMR), our partner in collecting and managing student medical information. You can also upload Covid-19 vaccination cards to Magnus. Athletic forms and all health forms were due Aug. 1. Questions? Contact the School Nurse.
• Upper School student-athletes will need to complete baseline testing with Menlo’s sports medicine team before any participation starting Aug 6. The School has streamlined its baseline testing, and students may sign up using the scheduling app here. All testing will be conducted in the Athletic Center. For the latest athletics information, schedules, and updates at menloschool.org/athletics.

2. REVIEW COVID-19 HEALTH AND SAFETY DETAILS

• Testing: All students, faculty, and staff need to obtain a negative test before coming to campus for the first time (orientation activities or the first day of school). Either a PCR or an antigen test is sufficient though those who have had Covid in the last 90 days should use the antigen test. Students may test on campus, through their preferred provider, or with a home kit if antigen testing. Inspire Diagnostics will offer PCR and antigen testing clinics Aug. 22-26. Those new to Menlo can pre-register here (there will be no out-of-pocket cost to the Menlo community members.) After the start of school, testing will be optional.
• Masking: Wearing masks on campus will be optional except for indoor assemblies and on Menlo buses. 
• Symptoms? It’s essential that anyone who has any cold and flu symptoms stay home and contact the Health Offices.
• Please review Menlo’s back-to-school Covid protocols here.   

3. GET YOUR CLASS SCHEDULES AND REQUEST COURSE CHANGES

• Please note that we have tweaked our daily block schedule for the year. Upper School classes begin at 8:45 am, there’s more time for lunch, and students are dismissed at 3:00 pm.
• Instructions on accessing individual student course schedules were shared in this August 8 email, which also outlines how you can request changes to your schedule if needed.
• Students can continue to make course change requests online two weeks into the start of the school year. If you’ve already made a request(s), you should have received a confirmation that it has been received, and we will continue to work on these and will notify you with updates as soon as possible.

4. SIGN UP FOR KNIGHTBOOK PHOTOS

• Students in grades 10-12 need to sign up for a time to take a Knightbook photo for Menlo’s online directory. Freshmen, no need to worry about this, you took your photos in the spring. Any 9th grader who didn’t take a photo in May or those who would like a retake can get their photo taken from 1:00-3:00 pm on August 24.
• Still Light Studios, our photography partner, will send students and parents instructions on viewing and purchasing prints through Still Light’s online gallery system in September.

5. GET YOUR LOCKER, BOOKS, LAPTOP, AND SUPPLIES

• Lockers: Students in grades 10-12 can sign-up for lockers starting Aug. 26 by visiting the Upper School Office. There are a limited number of lockers: first come, first served! Freshmen: no need to do this; you’ll sign up at orientation on Aug. 24.
• Books: To see what books are needed for your courses, please visit the Menlo Booklist generator. Your booklist will specify the correct ISBN # of the edition you’ll need for class, and you can keep track of your shopping list and what you’ve already purchased by marking “Need it” or “Have it.” Books can be purchased from any retailer that stocks the correct ISBN (such as Amazon, Powell’s, Bookshop.org, Kepler’s, etc.)
• Technology: You’ll also need to ensure you have a laptop for the start of school. Get some gadget advice and learn about technology at Menlo.
• Supplies: In case you’re wondering what Upper School students will need for the first day, in addition to their fully-charged laptop, students should be ready with a binder or notebook, assigned summer work, and a pencil or pen. There isn’t a master list of required supplies for Upper School students as each student’s needs will depend on their courses. Teachers will let students know what supplies will be needed for each class.

6. FINISH YOUR SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS

• Review and complete your summer reading and assignments. Many classes have multiple summer readings or detailed teacher instructions; please double-check your assignments. 

7. GETTING TO CAMPUS

• Help reduce traffic! GO MENLO is THE way the Menlo community gets to and from school. Commit to walk, bike, carpool, or ride the train or bus. You can also take one of the Menlo buses, from San Mateo/Belmont/San Carlos, Woodside/Portola Valley, East Palo Alto/Palo Alto/Menlo Park, and Cupertino/Los Alto. You can also use the Carpool Map to find other Menlo families for a carpool. Additionally, you can sign up for the Caltrain Shuttle here.
• If you signed up for our bus program, you should have received additional onboarding information by email. All buses will arrive at 8:20 am and leave school at 3:35 pm. If you haven’t received additional information or if you have decided not to have your student ride the bus, please contact Chrissy Orangio as soon as possible.
• For the time being, masks will be required on the bus regardless of vaccination status.

8. WE’LL SEE YOU ON THE FIRST DAY! 

• Upper School begins at 8:45 am with a spirit assembly in the Athletic Center. August 25 will be a Day 0, where each class meets for 35 minutes. The regular 7-day rotating schedule begins with a Day 1 on August 26.

QUESTIONS?

These people may be able to help, or you can email info@menloschool.org. You may also want to check out the Menlo Dictionary to help understand the programs and terminology at Menlo.