by Annie Carlson

As an immigrant and an only child of two Gen X parents, I had zero preparation for modern day US high school. My friends had siblings in higher grades, parents who had either gone through the same process or had time to learn how the new systems worked, or had learned by osmosis. I had none of this, and I felt alone in my flailing and trial-by-fire experience. 

But I know now that I wasn’t alone, and the feeling that high school should have an instruction manual is probably all too familiar to incoming freshmen and transfer students. Our LINK Leaders give us a brief description of the school, but they only have so much time. There are so many things that confused me or that I was expected to know because most people in Eau Claire do know. I hope that my struggle to understand this place that we spend so many hours of our lives in will spare you the same fight. 

So here you go, a (likely very incomplete) guide to Memorial High School. 

1. Door 15

Door 15 is the main entrance. It’s the big door with the overhang, on the opposite side of Rudolph Road from HyVee and connected to the main parking lot. It is the door you are meant to go in if you are coming in late, for school events, practices, meetings, etc. If there is something happening in the building, Door 15 is your safest option for getting inside. Oh, and the doors in the big beautiful glass-walled addition just to the left of Door 15? Never open, go to Door 15. That said, most of the other doors are open for these things:

• Beginning of the day
• For certain events—doors 1 and 2 are often open for concerts, musicals, and plays.

Doors are usually unlocked from the inside—don’t make the mistake of leaning on them. Also, don’t let anyone into the building by holding doors open. When in doubt, enter through Door 15.

2. Where Am I?

Memorial has a confusing layout. It helps me to think of it like this: 

There is one main block that has always been a high school. This has two stories and wraps around a central courtyard. It holds our Sciences, Math, History, part of our English, and many other classes. In the hall that goes along Keith Street, you have your administrative offices, including Counselors, the School Nurse, Principal/Assistant Principals’ offices, and mindfulness rooms. 

Then you have the Arts wing. If you come in Door 15, this is the far left of the building. It has been under construction this past year. It is ‘attached’ to the main block by the Auditorium, and stretches down on the outer edge of the building — basically a long hallway. This holds our Performing Arts (Theater is by the entrance to the auditorium, along Keith), Visual Arts, and Culinary Arts classes, as well as Tech Ed. 

Next is on the opposite side of the Main Block.

Past the Commons (lunch room) you will find another long hallway and a ramp. To your right is the newly renovated library and ahead are more classrooms. This is the old elementary school, AKA the Arlington Wing. Here you will find some more English classes, as well as World Languages. 

Now back to Door 15. When you enter here, there is the Attendance office on your right, and then a hallway. On your right now is the Main Gym, to your left the old Aux Gym and Sports Lockers. If you take a right down the first hallway (rather than going straight which will take you to the lunchroom,) you will pass through the PE Cluster, which includes the Main and Aux gyms, locker rooms for PE classes, the weight room, the pool, and the Gym Lobby.

Now, further down the hall, there is a left turn towards the Weight Room and off of that, a hallway that looks like it leads to nothing. This is the Shop Wing. It’s where Engineering and Design, Woodworking, Metalworking, and all the cool classes are held. 

When in doubt, find the Commons and follow the purple signs along the halls.

And that is my version of Memorial. 

3. Bathrooms

Memorial has many bathrooms, most of them difficult to find. In the main block there are eight bathrooms, and for each bathroom for one gender on the first floor, there is one for the opposite gender on the second. So, at the corner of the main block that connects to the cafeteria on the first floor, there is a boy’s bathroom, and a girl’s bathroom on the floor above it. In the PE cluster, there is a gender neutral bathroom across from the Pool doors, bathrooms in the locker rooms, and more further down the hall, across from the Gym Lobby. Down the Arlington Wing, there is a boy’s bathroom, and further down in the World Languages area there is a girl’s bathroom. There is also a bathroom towards the end of the Arts wing. 

4. Printers

During your time at Memorial, you are going to need to print some things. Our printers work off a system where the things you send are available to print at all of the printers, which means you need to know what printer is closest to you. 

Downstairs in the Main Block there is one printer opposite from the Secret Science hallway (the one with planets painted on it.) Upstairs in the Main Block there are two printers on opposite sides from each other. They are up the stairs nearest to the Auditorium and up those by Door 15 and the Pool. The Library and Commons both have printers, these ones are easily accessible for projects outside of class. There is also a printer in the Arts Wing by the Band room, in the Print Lab in Tech, and about halfway down the Arlington Wing. 

Take advantage of these to help you study or create projects by typing in your school ID number at a printer after sending your document to print. To print in color, select FollowMe Color; both FollowMe Color and Black/White print at all of the printer. If you don’t have a FollowMe printer connected to your device, ask a teacher or Tech in the library to help you. 

5. How do I avoid being run over?

You’ve probably noticed that Memorial’s hallways are very busy. Here are some tips to help you navigate them. 

• Treat the hallways like a highway. Only walk on the right side, go the same speed as other people, check that it’s safe before you pass someone, don’t tailgate, don’t stop in the middle of a walkway, let people merge into your lane, and use the turn lanes appropriately. 
• In the Commons, the area where the Lunchroom becomes road is kind of vague. Just keep moving, and let those trying to get to classes go before crossing. If you’re just standing around talking, move to avoid being run over. 
• If you need to go upstairs, take the stairs closest to you. Go upstairs first and then walk to your class; upstairs is generally way less crowded than the main hallways downstairs. 
• The stairs nearest to the commons are a disaster area, avoid them at all costs. 

6. Which office do I go to?

There are two main offices for students: the Attendance Office by Door 15, and Student Services by the Keith Street entrance. The Attendance Office is for—you guessed it—attendance. Any time you come in late or leave early, you have to get a pass from the Attendance Office. Also in the Attendance Office is the Athletics Department, where you will turn in paperwork and other such things. 

Student Services is for pretty much anything else. Guidance counselors’ offices, the school nurse, mindfulness rooms, and so on. If you need to talk to your counselor, or get a parking pass, or start a club, you go here. 

7. The Library

Our school has an amazing library. The new renovation means it’s only gotten better. From the library, you can check out chargers, laptops, iPads, textbooks, normal books, and all sorts of other things you might need for your day. Be respectful of these materials, as they do not belong to you, and remember to return things as soon as possible. There are also study/project rooms for use and cool activities in the Maker Space. You can visit the library before or after school, during lunch, ELT, and sometimes during study halls if you check in with your teacher first. 

8. Vending machines

There are vending machines in the Commons and in the hallway before the Aux Gym.

9. Coming in late

As far as I know, the protocol for coming in late with an excused absence (illness, appointment, etc.) is having a guardian call the office beforehand and letting them know, they will then write you a pass which you take to your next teacher. If your lateness is unexcused, you will print a Tardy Slip at the Tardy Kiosk and go to your class. 

10. Sports

If you are interested in joining a sport this Winter or Spring, you need to start thinking about it now. You’ll first have to go to the meeting before the season starts, then meet your coach, sign your papers with them, get your Sports Physical from your Primary Care Provider, pay your fees, and turn in forms to Mr. Redwine in the Attendance Office. 

If you plan to do a high school sport, be aware that it is a huge time commitment, and it is not easy. You need to be organized and aware of your schedule every day, plan ahead, and most importantly, remember that you are a student first and an athlete second. Hard work pays off. 

11. Clubs

Now that Club Rush has happened, you might feel like you have a bunch of options, or you might feel like you missed out on something. Here is my one piece of advice regarding involvement in clubs: nothing is that serious. You can join most clubs well into the school year, missing meetings is not a huge deal, and if you want to try something, go for it. Find a member or faculty advisor to ask questions. Also, come join the School Newspaper! 

Whether you’re looking for field experience or to prove your dedication to your dream college, clubs are a great way to use your high school years to the fullest.

See all of Memorial’s clubs and their faculty advisors (who can answer your questions about the club) on the bulletin board out in front of the Library.

12. Lunch

If you have Class 5A, you have that class and then lunch. If you have Class 5B, you have lunch and then that class. 

Lunch is open campus, so you can walk to HyVee or Culver’s if you want to, but make sure to be back by 12:15 if you have first lunch or 1:10 if you have second lunch. 

13. Parking

The bane of my existence. If you have a license and will be driving yourself to school, you need to know how parking works. First of all, you have to get a Parking Pass. The paperwork to get one is on the desk in Student Services, and once you read through it, get it signed by a parent or guardian, and have the money ready, you bring it to Mrs. Logan (in Student Services, enter the office to the right of the sign in desk, her office is a few feet down the hall that heads to the right) to get your pass. Important note: if you want one that is only for a semester, you can’t get it just for first semester or until first semester is over. You can only get it once second semester has begun. Passes are $25 for second semester and $50 for the whole year. 

There are two student parking lots at Memorial, one directly in front of Door 15 and one off to the side. My advice: don’t bother with the one out front, there are closer and less stressful spots in the other lot. When you are in the parking lot, be aware of your surroundings, drive slowly, and be respectful. When everyone leaves school all at once, the lines can get crazy, but don’t panic, obey traffic laws, try to let people in in front of you, and triple check before doing anything. You’ll be fine. 

14. Skills Center

If you missed or need to retake a test, the Skills Center is where you need to go. It is located near Student Services, on the opposite side of the hallway and further down towards the Commons. When you need to take a test there, let your teacher know to send it down on the day you plan to take it, and go down right before school, during a Study Hall (let your Study Hall teacher know where you are going first,) or after school. The Skills Center is also open before school starts and for an hour after school. The people who work there are lovely, so don’t be afraid to utilize this resource!

15. Standardized Tests

At Memorial, we take a few standardized tests throughout the year. First, we have the PreACT and mock ACT Writing each Spring and Fall, an optional PSAT test in the fall, the Civics Test for juniors, and the Forward Exam for sophomores every year. We also have opportunities to take AP Exams in conjunction with AP Classes every year. 

Don’t be afraid of these exams. They are all opportunities to learn where your skills lie and how to improve your test-taking skills. There’s a P in PSAT for a reason. Your results also do not mean you are more or less smart than anyone else. Some people are really good at writing, some are incredible mathematicians, and some are amazing athletes or artists. You should strive to be well rounded and improve on your weaknesses, but don’t worry about these tests if you aren’t ever going to use the skills they use.

16. To College, or Not to College

For many, high school is a springboard for higher education. Whether it be technical school, trade school, university, medical or law school, or even a Master’s or PhD, high school is the necessary step for many to get there (with some exceptions, of course.) 

That being said, the pressure put on many students to have it all figured out right away is both unnecessary and unhelpful. 

If you are aiming for higher education, take challenging courses and try to avoid taking classes for an ‘easy A.’ If all you know about your future is that higher ed is not the path for you, take advantage of Memorial’s class offerings to learn about fields that interest you.

Reminder: higher education is not necessary to be a fulfilled adult. Both of my parents work at a University and have for years, and they know plenty of college students who would be better off not in college. Don’t be pressured into it, pursue higher ed because you want to.

If you know what you want to do with your life already, great! Take classes that will build a foundation of knowledge or earn you the credits you need to complete a degree. But be aware that your dreams can change, and you might discover partway through that you want to follow a different path. Keep your options open, and make sure you round out your classes with things in many different disciplines. Don’t neglect languages or arts because you want to pursue mathematics, and vice versa. Be ready for your goals to shift. 

If you have no idea what you want to do beyond continuing school, like I did for the vast majority of my time in school, that is also perfectly fine. My best advice is to take classes that fit your level of academic effort in each subject (for instance, if you hate reading and analysis, don’t take AP European History, but if you love science, take a bunch of science classes,) and keep your class load rounded. Take a math, science, ELA, and Social Studies class each year for most of your high school career. Think about which classes you liked the most, and don’t rule anything out as unachievable or childish. A brief anecdote about my path towards a career: I had no idea what I wanted to do. My plan was to go to college, take a bunch of classes, and figure out what kind of degree fit them the most closely. Then, last year, I rediscovered a childhood obsession of mine, and it struck me that people can just do this thing as a career. Now I’m working towards my dream school and I know pretty clearly what my path in life will look like. Take classes that you want to take, keep thinking about it, and don’t panic if you’re unsure. 

There are so many ways to use high school to get where you want to go.

Everyone should keep this in mind when planning for their future: think of high school as an opportunity to move towards your future, not an obligation to avoid truancy.

17. What classes do I take?

Planning your schedule is very important if you want to take advantage of Memorial’s Class offerings. In general, remember these things when scheduling season comes around. 

• Plan ahead. I recommend planning all of your classes for high school ahead of time so that you know you will have enough credits and will be able to take the classes you want. 
• You need a certain amount of credits in each area to graduate.
• For universities, it looks good to take a Math, Science, English, and Social Studies class each semester. You should also not neglect foreign languages or arts. Showing dedication to a subject that requires creative thinking or multidisciplinary skill is great for displaying your ability to excel in college. 
• You can take online or over-the-summer versions of a few basic requirements, such as PE or Health. You can also take alternate courses in order to get to the level you want in a subject — such as an online Biology course in order to take AP Biology without having to double up on sciences or wait until Junior year. 
• Take advantage of AP, CVTC, and dual credit courses. 
• There are often ways to get credits that aren’t on the class list. Talk to your counselors and see what you can do. 
• Don’t be afraid of challenging courses. A lot of the ‘this class is really hard’ warnings are meant for people planning to take classes for an easy credit. If that’s not you, I would encourage you to take classes that interest you, regardless of rigor and effort level. You are capable of so much more than you know. 
• That being said, keep in mind how much time you will have to study and complete your work, and how much work you are willing to put in as a student. If you hate reading textbooks and doing homework, or if you have a job and participate in sports year round, make sure you are aware of the workload you will have. 
• If you are wondering whether or not you should take a class, ask a teacher or counselor. They can usually tell you if a course is what you are looking for. 

18. How should I communicate with teachers and clubs?

Anyone looking to keep up with school events and opportunities should get Parent Square and Outlook (or another email app) on their phone, or check them on their laptop regularly. Read the newsletter too!

If you’re gone for a day, check Canvas or ask your teacher (either beforehand or through email,) what you missed. Keeping track of make up work will make your life so much easier in the long run. 

19. School Dances

We have 3 dances every year at Memorial. First is Homecoming, then Winter Formal, then Prom in the Spring. Anyone can go to Homecoming and Winter Formal, but Prom is only Juniors and Seniors. To go to a dance, you have to buy a ticket. Tickets are sold the week before each dance outside the library’s new Maker Space by the Commons. To get into a dance, you have to show your Student ID, either through Skyward or with an ID card. Bag check is in the Aux Gym, along with games and alternative activities for people who can’t dance, like me. 

20. FlexiSched

FlexiSched is the program we currently use for ELT attendance. You probably already got a tutorial, but it’s accessed through your Clever Portal using your ECASD sign in. 

You have to sign up for something every day, even if you are just signing up for your homeroom. I usually sign up for everything on Mondays during ELT. 

Use FlexiSched to get help studying, retake tests, or to get a quick Study Hall during ELT.

21. Food Pantry 

Memorial’s Food Pantry is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00-3:30. Anyone who is food insecure is welcome to visit the pantry.  Donations are welcome and encouraged! 

22. Lost and Found

Lost and Found is located by Door 15, on your left as you come in the second set of doors.

Have more to add? Contact the Talon at 9195504@ecasd.us or come to a Journalism meeting Tuesdays after school in room 1725.