GJHS has been closing the doors leading into the academic wings with the start of the second semester.

According to Grand Junction High School Dean of Students Tom Lefebre, the school is closing the doors partly to improve student attendance.

“The academic wings doors are closed because partly we want students to show up on time and closing the doors sends a sense of urgency to students. We have already seen lots of improvements in student attendance,” said Lefebre.

There are GJHS teachers, building liaisons, and attendance aids letting students in the academic wings if they arrive late with a pass. Most of the time, a staff member will be at the doors at the start of first and fifth hours because that is where they find the student attendance at the lowest, according to Lefebre. 

“We are also closing the doors because we want students to stop roaming the hallways. We find students not having a pass which causes them to roam across the school. We want students to use the nearest bathroom so they can get to class fast. Partly we want students to have a pass because of safety,” Lefebre said. 

The doors leading into the academic wings on all three floors are in place because it was always planned to lock them for safety reasons.

“I’m an office aide for first hour. Locking the doors actually gives us things to do instead of sitting in the office with nothing to do. It is very exhausting but it’s a way of exercise going up and down the stairs letting kids in. I think it sucks but it keeps people safe,” said GJHS junior Chloe Carpenter. 

Locking the academic wing doors is expected to be a permanent act for GJHS.