Wren Wilcox

This water fountain is found near the entrance to the second level of the main gym. The water fountain is not clean and has several stains.

It is no secret that Grand Junction High School is not maintained as well as it should be, and the school can definitely step it up.

While our school has many positive qualities, the overall cleanliness of the building is something that needs more attention. A cleaner building would not only create a more welcoming environment, but it would also help the students at GJHS be more comfortable in a place they spend so much time in.

When I’m walking into this school each day, it rarely feels as clean as it should. For example, it is common to see the same drink stains on the stairs or floors for weeks at a time. Small details like this may not seem important at first, but when they remain for long periods of time, it makes the school feel like it is being overlooked. Even the main entrance, the first thing students and visitors see when they arrive, looks poorly maintained. Fingerprints will stay on the doors for days, and the entryway looks more like the outside of a gas station than the front of a school.

However, this issue does not fall entirely on the janitorial staff. In fact, the vast majority of the problem starts with the students themselves. Many students leave lunch trays on tables instead of returning them, draw on desks, spill drinks without cleaning them up and throw trash on the floor. When this happens repeatedly throughout the day, it becomes much harder for the school to stay clean, no matter how hard the staff works.

Keeping the school clean is a shared responsibility. If students make a better effort to clean up after themselves, many of these problems could be reduced. Something as simple as throwing trash away, cleaning up a spill, or treating school property with respect can make a big difference. When everyone contributes and does their part, the school environment improves for everyone.

GJHS is a place where students spend a large portion of their day learning and socializing. Because of that, it should be a place that feels cared for and respected. With more effort from both students and the school community, maintaining a cleaner and more welcoming environment is definitely possible.