What’s happening around campus?

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Hosted by the South Asian Affinity Group (SAAG), Menlo’s Holi celebration filled the campus with joy. Students shared South Asian food, danced to festive music, tried henna art, and participated in vibrant color throwing and Pichkari fun to welcome spring.

Habits in Motion

Middle School advocacy groups kicked off 2025 with a whole lot of Menlo spirit during AdvOlympics! Students embraced the spirit of collaboration through fun, team-based challenges rooted in the Habits of Heart and Mind. It was an energizing celebration of curiosity, resilience, and teamwork.

A Covert Operation: Secret Spirit Week

Nothing to see here...just a totally normal week in February at Menlo Middle School. Unless you count the teachers, staff, and coaches sneaking around in costume for their very own Secret Spirit Week. But if anyone asks, we know nothing.

Songs of Change

The full Menlo community gathered for a moving assembly honoring the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Highlights included a performance by More Than Music, reminding us how song has long played a powerful role in the fight for social change. Sixth graders kicked off the year with an engaging Outdoor Ed trip in the Santa Cruz Mountains, bonding over s’mores and fun activities focused on teamwork, kindness, and community building.

Menlo Students on a Mission

Student co-founders of Marco’s Mission honored the legacy of Marco ’23 and raised awareness about the impact of substance use. Their message was heartfelt, powerful, and deeply personal.

Joie de Vivre

Middle School French students took their learning to the Cantor Arts Center, where they toured the exhibits, sketched in the Rodin Sculpture Garden, and practiced their French in the most inspiring of settings.

The Friendship Bench We’re so thankful to our incredible facilities team for their craftsmanship on the new bench (also known as the “Friendship Bench”) encircling one of the freshly planted trees on the Middle School Quad. Built with care, it’s more than just a seat—it’s a lasting gift for generations of Knights to come.

Trellis Tech

From concept to construction, sixth grade scientists engineered garden trellises in Whitaker Lab, giving new life to repurposed materials and learning about sustainability!

Pi Day: Pie, Precision, and Pi Digits!

Middle schoolers celebrated Pi Day with pie-eating contests, perfect circle challenges, and a friendly showdown to see who could recite the most digits of π. That’s how we do 3.14 at Menlo!

All You Need Is “L-O-V-E”

Love took center stage at the February House Assembly when Ms. Finch and Mr. Blickensderfer charmed the crowd with their duet of Nat King Cole’s “L-O-V-E.” A sweet surprise that hit all the right notes.

Puppet Masters in Training

Middle School drama students took a deep dive into the world of puppetry, crafting “paper man” puppets inspired by Japanese Bunraku traditions. Working in trios, they explored how movement, music, and body language bring stories to life.

Anatomy of a Performance

During Music@Menlo’s winter residency, students explored what brings a vocal performance to life. Guided by international guest artists, they studied key elements like expression and stage presence and were treated to a stirring performance of Schumann by Menlo’s own Ms. Finch.

We Made Our Own Sunshine

What a day to remember! The Loop was brimming with connection, creativity, and joy as we came together for our All-School Creative Arts Celebration. Middle and Upper School artists and musicians lit up the stage, capping off Creative Arts Week in the most inspiring way! Even the unexpected downpour couldn’t dampen Menlo’s unshakable spirit.

Simple Joys

During Wellness Week, students took a mindful break from their routines to focus on well-being. From looping friendship bracelets to weaving flower crowns, these creative activities reminded everyone that caring for ourselves can be simple—and even fun—when we slow down and make something together.

Spring in Their Step

Upper School students came together for a Spring Fling filled with fun, from duck toss to Flap Attack to Pop-A-Shot. With carnival games, face painting, and even a dunk tank, it was a Random Act of Fun to remember!

Cultivating a Sustainable Future

During Eco Act Week, students explored sustainability across disciplines—from tending native gardens and sampling local produce to meeting with guest speakers and brainstorming environmental solutions. Middle and Upper School students learned how small actions can have a big impact.

Middle School Mic Drop

Could you tell a story in just 100 words? Our Middle School writers did, and their creativity surprised us all. From suspense to humor to heart, the 100-Word Story Showcase featured tiny tales that left a big impression. Read more here.

Middle Schoolers Defend the Campbell Cup!

With sharp focus and spirited play, Menlo’s eighth grade girls’ flag football team earned a decisive 28-6 victory over Sacred Heart to keep the Campbell Cup right where it belongs! Bonus highlight: a high-energy halftime performance by our seventh grade dance crew!

The Future, Engineered

At Makerpalooza, Upper School students showcased their designs, research, and inventions from Applied Science Research, Neuroscience, Engineering, and Experimental Archaeology. From robotic goalies and Alzheimer’s models to sustainable housing and ancient artifacts, this event displayed how our students are thinking about ways they can positively impact the world.

Symphony of Silliness

Middle School teachers took the stage for a hilariously creative performance during the Creative Arts assembly—“playing” classroom props to the tune of The Blue Danube. Unexpected? Yes. Unforgettable? Absolutely.

Sliding into Summer

Seniors made the most of their last day of regular classes with a BBQ and a slip ’n slide on the Quad. It was a joyful afternoon full of laughter, sunshine, and soaking up every last moment together before the final stretch.