The Coat of Arms
Volume 46 Issue 6
Menlo School, Atherton, California
Saturday, April 25, 2020
serving Menlo's Upper School since 1973
Editor's Note: As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a heavy impact on both the Menlo and global communities, The Coat of Arms would like to recognize and honor the essential workers who are risking their lives to keep our communities safe. The Coat of Arms hopes that this paper can serve as a source of uplifting news to connect our community in this uncertain time.
COVID-19 Unexpectedly Alters the Semester Abroad Experience by SYLVIE VENUTO
Anna Guiragossian (‘19) found out at 2:30 a.m. that she might have difficulties returning to the U.S. because of the COVID-19 outbreak — eight hours later, she was on a plane home from her semester abroad trip in Paris. For Upper School Director John Schafer, who is spending an unpaid semester abroad with his family, and Menlo alums Sara Hewitt (‘19) and Guiragossian, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered their prolonged stays overseas. Schafer, who went on his “dream sabbatical trip” to Madrid after the end of the first semester, remains in his Madrid apartment with his family, where regulations prohibit more than one person exiting their home at a time, according to Schafer. Schafer’s average day consists of sleeping in without setting an alarm, reading news-
People continue to bike and walk freely in the streets of Ferrara, Italy on March 5. Progressive mitigation measures were introduved by the Italian government on March 9, according to The Lancet Journal. Photo courtesy of Sara Hewitt.
Teachers Adapt Schedules and Daily Life to Online Distance Learning by ELLA HARTMANIS
Distance learning has been a challenging adjustment for students, but how has it affected teachers? Each teacher is adapting differently. Those with classes that heavily rely on face-to-face interactions and handson learning don’t translate well online; however, virtual classes also provide teachers with more flexible schedules, not to mention additional time spent with their families, according to math teacher Leanne Rouser. During the current remote learning schedule, Menlo teachers typically teach four blocks and are given a three-hour period for each of their classes weekly. The three-hour period allows teachers to divide instruction time based on what they think works best for them and their students. Rouser said that she uses 45 minutes of the period to teach a
Teachers, page 3
papers to stay updated on the global pandemic, helping his daughters with their homework and trying to find a way to work out in his apartment. “If I knew that there was going to be a coronavirus breakout, I wouldn't have gone on sabbatical. I would have stayed at school, tried to help out there, and then at least if I was sheltering in place, I could be in my backyard and getting some sun. I’m in an apartment on the fourth [floor] of an eight floor apartment building that never sees the sun,” Schafer said. Still, Schafer has seen a sense of hope in the Madrid streets. Each night at 8 p.m., people come to their balconies and clap in appreciation for the healthcare workers. “It’s a steady, heartfelt applause. It’s like buying war bonds, I guess. You’ve got to feel like you’re some part of a larger effort,”
Abroad, page 2
Menlo Community Members Continue to Work Essential Jobs Amid Pandemic by EMILY HAN
While most students and their families have to stay at home under the statewide shelter-in-place order, some members of the Menlo community continue to go to their jobs that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has deemed essential. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, which operates under the DHS, published a memorandum on March 28 advising the nation about which businesses should stay open, such as those in healthcare, public safety, food, energy and various other industries critical to combating the pandemic. Medical personnel are among those essential workers, spending exhausting hours caring for patients who have the coronavirus and other medical conditions. Medical Director of Stanford Express Care Clinics Dr. Maja Artandi (mother of freshman Laura and sophomore Sophia Artandi) works 12 hours a day, seven days a week.
Dr. Artandi often conducts video visits with patients, many of whom are concerned that they might have COVID-19. After meeting with them virtually, Dr. Artandi decides whether or not they should get tested in person. If testing is necessary, the patient can visit the drive-through testing site at Hoover Pavilion, where Dr. Artandi spends most of her work hours. “It’s interesting to work in a pandemic,” Dr. Artandi said. “We, of course, never expected that.” Nevertheless, out of the 32 health care providers Dr. Artandi works with, no one has
stopped going to work out of personal health concerns. “Everybody’s actually working much harder,” she said. “People actually ask me how they can help more.” In addition to the health crisis, another major problem recently is economic recession. Most people are not essential workers, so countless families are losing their incomes. According to CEO of Palo Alto Housing Randy Tsuda (father of sophomore Benjamin and senior Hailey Tsuda), 25% to 30% of the residents his company serves are experiencing income loss.
Workers, page 3
Palo Alto Housing employees, including CEO Randy Tsuda, prepare a food distribution event for residents the company serves. The site also serves as a drive-through to limit face-to-face contact with residents who have vehicle access. Photo courtesy of Randy Tsuda.
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