STUDENT SHADOWING AT MENLO-ATHERTON HIGH SCHOOL

2009-2010

When choosing a high school, we recommend visiting for a day.  The Shadow Program will give a student the opportunity to experience life at Menlo-Atherton High School.  A visit can be very important in helping a student determine which school will be the best fit. 

Shadowing information is available each year beginning in September.  Registration forms and Shadow date requests are not accepted and processed until October.  Shadowing takes place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays from November through February.  Interested eighth grade students fill out an information page and return it to Lorry Orcutt at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it who will schedule the Shadow date.  Shadowing is available by appointment on a first come, first serve basis.  Students are paired with 9th grade "hosts" for a typical day at M-A based on gender, middle school, and academic, athletic and extra-curricular interests.

STUDENT SHADOWING FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)

How do I schedule a Shadow visit?

Please e-mail Kelly Todd at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   She will e-mail you the required Shadow Information Form to fill out.  When the form is complete, please return it to Lorry Orcutt at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it   This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it.  She will book the Shadow date then send you verification that the completed Shadow Information page has been received and a date has been booked.  You will receive a reminder e-mail one week before your scheduled Shadow date.  The available dates are filled on a first come, first served basis.  Shadow spaces are limited and fill up quickly so sign up early. 

When will Shadowing occur?

Shadowing information may be requested beginning in September, but Shadow information will not be distributed until October.  Shadows will be welcomed for visits beginning November and ending in February. 

When will I find out when our Shadow experience will take place?

As soon as you return the completed Shadow Information page to This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it , Lorry Orcutt will respond that the form has been received and give you the date that the Shadow experience will take place.  She will also send a reminder the week before your student will be visiting M-A.  The Shadow will receive a call from his/her host when they are first paired then again the night before the scheduled visit.

Who will guest be shadowing?

Visitors will be paired up with a current freshman.  The Shadow will go to the classes and lunchtime club meetings that the host has scheduled for the day.  We do our best to match Shadows with hosts who has similar interests in academics, athletics and/or extra-curricular activities.  We also try to match Shadows with hosts who graduated from the same middle schools. 

Is it possible to shadow with a specific student?

Shadows may request a specific student to serve as the Host. We will do our best to meet your request; however, this is not a guarantee. All of our shadow hosts are freshmen. We feel that this gives the most accurate representation of an incoming student’s school day. Not all of our freshmen have signed up to participate in the Shadow Host program. Each host is responsible for one guest at a time, so if they have already been paired with a visitor, we will find another host with similar interests. We make every effort to match eighth grade students with one of our freshman based on their interests (class schedules, extra-curricular activities, gender, etc.). We use gender as one of the criteria for matching to make gym classes and bathroom visits run more smoothly.

What time do Shadows need to arrive and be picked up?

Shadows are required to sign in at the Administration Office in the front of the school at which time they will be given a copy of the Host’s schedule and a pass to show the Host’s teachers.  Most students will be shadowing a six period schedule, but we do have a few students who have a seven period schedule.  When the host calls to introduce him or herself, the Host will let the Shadow know which schedule they will be sharing.

If the host has a 1st thru 6th period schedule: Shadows will meet the host at 7:35am in the front Administration Office.  The shadow needs to be picked back up at the front Administration Office at 2:25pm to drop off the Shadow Pass and complete a feedback form.  
If the host has a 2nd thru 7th period schedule: Shadows will meet the host at 8:30am in the front Administration Office.  The shadow needs to be picked back up at the front Administration Office at 3:20pm to drop off the Shadow Pass and complete a feedback form.

What do Shadows wear?

We ask that all visitors comply with our dress code.  Our dress code states that students must “dress in a manner that reflects positively on themselves, their parents and their school.”  Students are expected to “dress in a manner conductive to the advancement of their education and dress in neither a manner that is disruptive nor a safety hazard to others.”  If you need further clarification please feel free to ask. 

What will a Shadow do during the visit to Menlo-Atherton?

Below is a sample schedule of a typical day at Menlo-Atherton.
Your student should meet the Host at the pre-determined time in the front Administration Office.  This is the place to sign in for the day, meet the Host and pick up the Shadow Pass.  All Shadows MUST SIGN IN before the shadowing experience begins.

Below is the bell schedule for the day:

Most students will be shadowing a person with a 1st to 6th period schedule. Students will be brought back to the Administration Office to drop off the Shadow Pass and complete a Feedback Form.

What should a Shadow bring with them?

Menlo-Atherton has a scheduled Silent Sustained Reading (SSR) period every day before fourth period.  The Shadow should bring a book to read for SSR and in the event that the Host has a test or quiz.  The Host will also let the Shadow know what he/she typically does for lunch.  Students either bring a lunch from home or bring money to purchase lunch at our on-campus facilities.

What should we do if the student is sick or an emergency arises the day of the scheduled Shadow date?

As soon as you know that there might be a reason that the Shadow will not be able to keep the assigned date, please call Lorry Orcutt at 322-5311 x. 5113 or e-mail her at This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it .  We will let the Host know that the date has been canceled.  Due to the number of Shadows visiting M-A, we will try our best to reschedule, but it might be for a date several weeks later.

What happens if all Shadow dates are full or we miss the Shadowing window?

We will host a single day in the third quarter for these students to receive an after school campus tour and have questions answered by knowledgeable, current students.  On Saturday, May 15, we will also be hosting Integrate the 8 which is another opportunity for incoming 8th graders to be welcomed into the Menlo-Atherton community.
Please understand that our freshman teachers welcome Shadows into their classrooms four months during the school year.  Our spring schedule is filled with High School Exit Exam, STAR, Advanced Placement testing, and preparation for final exams, therefore we end Shadow visitation during the third quarter.  We host shadow visitations on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays only due to our block schedule.  Shadow spaces are limited and fill up quickly so sign up early.