The Coat of Arms
Volume 44, Number 6
Menlo School, Atherton, California
Thursday, April 26, 2018
serving Menlo's upper school since 1975
Menlo encourages youth voting by CAROLINE FRANTZ
Students register to vote in the student center by filling out a form. Staff photo by Kate Jeffries
Menlo organizes student voter registration and pre-registration during lunch and class meeting Within the last month, Menlo Student Council and the administration have organized opportunities for students ages 16 and 17 to pre register to vote. Some students felt inspired to pre register, because they want to have an impact on the U.S. elections, and care strongly about their outcome. “Teenagers don’t vote and aren’t represented [in U.S. elections], which would change the vote dramatically,” senior Parker Callender said. “In turn, I think students who are passionate about their beliefs don’t want to sit idly by and be another example of someone that has views but fails to be heard because they decided not to vote.” Junior Beth Sanford gave a similar sentiment. “It’s important for teenagers to be in tune to politics because we are [the] future of the country,” Sanford said. “Teenagers should get involved, and make change early on.” Students wanted to be prepared to
vote when they turn 18. “Because I preregistered, I’ll be ready to vote in the next November election even though my birthday is only right before it,” junior Conor McCusker said. “If I didn’t pre register I wouldn’t be able to vote in that election.” Others feel that pre registering, and ultimately being registered, allows teenagers to better understand the voting system and its power. “It’s important for kids to pre-register because it makes them think about elections and better understand their government at a young age,” junior Miles Dorosin said. In addition to setting up a pre-registering table in the student center during lunch, on Mar. 14 Senior Class Dean Cathy Chen asked all seniors to register to vote during their class meeting. Menlo wants to emphasize that students can and should vote to make a difference in U.S. politics.
What would we do if a shooter came to campus? Following up on Menlo's procedure for an active shooter on campus
AHEAD April 28: Prom Put on your fanciest clothes and get ready for Prom! This year's prom will be held on a boat, and students must meet at Menlo for a 5:30 departure.
May 3: Seniors' Last Day Seniors will finish their last day of classes on May 3rd and begin working on their senior projects.
May 7 - 18 AP Tests For these two consecutive weeks, AP exams will be held at Menlo. There will be morning exams and afternoon exams.
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by CLARA GUTHRIE
Following the center spread in the March 15 issue of The Coat of Arms on gun control, Director of Security Tom Hitchcock answered lingering questions about Menlo’s process to stay safe in the Photo of the gym lockers where student are supposed to evacuate to if in the gym during lockdown. Staff photo by Clara Guthrie. case of a school shooter. A major question surround- the teacher is not present. campus during a lockdown those. I need to know [that] ing the current lockdown “These times require improvi- or drill, or vice versa, Hitch- it’s a drill to feel safe,” junior cock said the procedure is Beth Sanford said. procedure is what to do if the sation,” Hitchcock said. entire upper school, or sim- In a previous year, there was consistent between the two Menlo’s lockdown proceply the entire school, is in an a situation like this when a campuses. The main differ- dure is continually examined assembly when the lockdown lockdown drill occurred dur- ence is that there is more glass and assessed for productivbegins. In this scenario, stu- ing lunch. Hitchcock noted in the middle school, so the ity and safety, with new imdents should file into the two the creativity and teamwork he procedure involves closing the provements underway. “We downstairs upper school or witnessed among the student blinds, turning off the lights, are expanding the methods to activate the [lockdown] middle school locker rooms, body during the drill. “Some and hiding. trying to fit as many people [students] piled desks, chairs, One major change Hitchcock system,” Hitchcock said. As safely inside as possible. etc. in front of doors. Boys made to the lockdown proce- mentioned in the previous “Assemblies are problem- in the restroom made a mass dure when he came to Menlo story on the lockdown proatic. The locker rooms [can block with their bodies holding is that he added a layer of se- cedure, Menlo is interested be locked with] Columbine the door closed,” Hitchcock curity film on all windows on in a system called One Butcampus so that no one can bust ton Lockdown that could keys, but confusion would said. reign as everyone tries to If students are in the college through a window. Without the improve the way in which funnel into them,” Hitchcock counseling building during a film, someone could’ve shat- lockdowns are announced said. People could also flee lockdown, they should hide tered a window entirely with and implemented. Most importantly, Hitchthe gym in the opposite di- in any of the offices, avoid- one hit. Now, if a bullet were to rection of the shooter, if the ing the exposed glass front hit the window, it would only cock wanted students to know of the building, because all make one hole. that he continually monitors shooter’s path is known. A similar issue arises when offices can be locked with a Most Menlo students feel school shootings and terrorist a lockdown occurs during a Columbine key. According to reasonably safe with the cur- attacks to look for trends. By lunch period or break time, Hitchcock, the safest office to rent lockdown procedure; getting in front of the issue, such as tutorial. The main hide in is the one farthest from however, some students still he can be better prepared to problem here is that students the front door of the building. feel hesitation. “The lock- keep Menlo safe. do not have Columbine keys If an upper school student is downs when the teachers don’t to lock any classroom when caught on the middle school know, I never feel safe during
Photo of the Issue
Math teacher Henry Klee gears up to throw his dodgeball in the student versus faculty dodgeball match. Staff photo by Bella Scola.
News: 1-3 A&L: 4-6 Spread: 7-10 Opinions: 11-13 Sports: 14-16