Here's a few good reasons for closed campuses.
The doors can be locked to the outside world (but not both ways as safety dictates easy access to an exit) providing secured access to the building during school hours.
The neighborhood surrounding the school would be quieter, cleaner and safer since driving students and marauding mischievous students on foot would be confined during school hours making the schools less intrusive on the neighborhood.
Closed campuses restrict students who are involved in gangs from their nefarious activities.
It keeps the students concentrating on their studies instead of what they'll do at lunch time.
I could go on,but I think I've made a strong case for closed campuses.

Spark, I agree with you.
Seems like many people expect schools and teachers to raise their kids for them, sometimes. Me? I raised my children to know right from wrong, and they know what type of behavior I expect from them, and what I do not tolerate.
Obviously I know they act different around their friends, but I also know who their friends are and am active in their lives. I don't simply send them off to school each day, blindly.

making it closed campus is not going to make the pot smokers stop smoking pot, the drinkers stop drinking. they will just skip class and do it then. so for all of you thinking that it will make that problem disappear thats crazy.

Living close to a high school I welcome the closed campus... unfortunately it will affect more kids that never caused any problems. On the flip side -- if it means I won't have to come home from work and pick up a trashbag full of lunch waste from my yard and sidewalk every single day - good, then the new highschool additions I'm paying for are going to directly affect me in a positive way.

And to the three kids who just got littering fines on my block last week... thanks for proving my point.

hannah you're spelling does'nt bother me i get you're point .

Trying to keep people in at PHS any way is some kind of oxymoron. When I went there and HAD to have those oh so stylish mesh backpacks, we weren’t supposed to buy our lunch at school and take it into the commons or outside. Well these things were magical. Somehow a person could see a bomb through them but not a pizza, soda and whatever else we felt like eating.
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And as far as littering goes… it didn’t matter what lunch you had the trash cans were always FULL. Most of the stuff that was on the ground was lying around the cans or being blown out. IMO that’s the schools fault for poor planning
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And whenever the school gets money for things they never use it anyway. Like the super high tech cameras they brag about being able to see is the huge radius around the school. The cop just points it straight down to watch the smoker’s smoke, who of course never get a ticket. So what if they’ve got a bigger lunch room they don’t care it’s just like anything else.
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Most people were not late coming back from lunch. In fact one year I remember the big issue was bringing your sodas back to class with you. And that only lasted until someone passed out from the heat inside and not being able to have a drink or go get one.
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The stoners didn’t care if it was at lunch, their 5 minutes between classes, or during class, they would just go went they got the feeling they wanted to go out. So, idk how that is an issue just at lunch time.

Pros to closing campus: 1. reduce number of students who leave and don't come back 2. reduce number of kids who leave and smoke (dope, crack or cigarettes) don't tell me this doesn't happen 3. reduce number of kids who leave and drink (again tell me this doesn't happen) 4. reduce number of kids who leave and get into altercations (speeding, fights...) 5. reduce number of students entering/leaving the school during the day - in these days where most schools have locked doors or visitors have to check in who is going to make sure that a non-student (former disgruntled student/parent...) slips in with the crowd?

hannah...just curious...
Do you like being picked on because you can't spell?
If not, take spelling lessons...rather than call jen on her lack of grammar skills.
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What's your point?
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Just wonderin'

Kids are so lucky i had to walk seven miles too school up two hills ,ah those were the days.

I went to Craig a few years ago, and just because me and my friends left for lunch didn't mean we were drinkers, litterers, and pot smokers. We wanted fresh air, a break from school, freedom to talk, socialize, vent, listen to music, or run home. I actually still use the same tactic today at my full-time career - if I'm having a rough day, I leave for lunch.
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Sure, some of you may have had a closed campus lunch and turned out fine, but I had an open campus lunch and turned out fine, too. You say why give them that priveledge, I say why take it away?

Wow, I hope our kids don't read these comments. I would be embarrassed if my kids saw me write some of these things you people have. Name calling, finger pointing and sarcasm. Isn't the point of putting a response on these to express our opinion on the issue at hand, not to rip apart someone else's personal opinion? I believe some of you are correct, the issues start at home. However, we can no longer discipline our kids the way they should be and most times deserve to be, because the law jumps in every time you look at your kid funny. As far as the school lunch issue, I agree on both sides. One, I think lunch off campus should be earned no matter what grade. I did not goto school here, but when I was in High School, you had to have passing grades and no mad marks on your record to have lunch off campus. It really sucked watching your friends go to lunch and you couldn't because of your own fault. Made you think twice sometimes. I understand that there will be kids that will rebel. Second, I also agree that the stress level on kids today are way more than I ever dealt with in school. Maybe we need to let kids have 15-20 minute outside breaks during the day? I mean, don't we get them at work??

DO ANY OF YOU READ THE CONSIDERATIONS POLICY BEFOR POSTING????? The degrading and name calling is sad Everyone is entitled to there opinions without being called morons or idiots and any other name you choose to call someone. If i misspell a word so what. I comment in here to share my opinion not to have people judge me! or call me names. It only tells me that maybe the opinion of the people some people target may hit a raw nerve or have some point to the issues at hand. IMO

THANK YOU IRISHLADY! I REST MY CASE.

How many of the people making the comments had open campus? The ones that did how would you like it taken away? I understand the need to look at the reasons why they want closed campus. A break is needed somewhat as to the confinement of being there as at home they can go outside or go for a walk.At work we are given lunch and breaks (the law).Im 54 and had open campus all thru my middle and high school years.Maybe they need to crack down on the ones who abuse the priviledge of open campus and allow the ones that dont to keep it. IMO keeping kids in for that amount of time makes for a more stressful situation. They give recess in elementary school to give the kids release. Maybe parents and students should have input on this. IMO

summer-I understand yours and others concerns about safety and the past tragedies that have occurred, but I will never see your point on this, so I will agree to disagree. There is a reason certain kids are rebelling and handling situations the wrong way and it starts at home. Period.

Controlling students. Interesting thought. First of all, learn to control your children first. Then, let the school, teachers and people that are in charge of your children when they're not under your supervision, do their jobs. If it requires a little discipline, don't go complaining that a teacher was too hard on your child. Or when a lock-down occurs, don't create a bunch of turmoil because you weren't informed immediately of what was going on when the reason you weren't informed, was because professionals were handling the situation to protect your children. How do you expect anyone to grow up and handle life's problems and situations that they will face everyday? Make them stay at school for a half hour of lunch? Come on.

spark- as I have previously posted - yes - they could bring something in the morning before school - but allowing them to leave at lunch is only giving them ANOTHER opportunity to bring something back after lunch. To say "it's being a little extreme" or "if it's going to happen - it's going to happen" is not the kind of attitude that we should be using. I am sure the parents of the Columbine victims would agree. Keeping the campus closed is simply a measure to prevent something from happening that could potentially happen. Lunch is to eat lunch - not go home, not drive around - I am really having a hard time understanding why this is so hard for some people to grasp. Just because you used to walk home at lunch does not make it ok for students to do it now. I used to play outside when I was little with friends and had to be home when the street lights came on - I HIGHLY doubt any parents would allow their young children to do that now at least unsupervised. I wish school violence was something that we did not need to be concerned about - but it is. I am done posting - just think about it. Is it worth someone's life to let them do whatever and get whatever they want at lunch? My guess would be no.

Give me three good reasons why they shouldn't?

So, basically the only advantages of having open campus is to help the local food joints and giving teenagers freedom? I'd like for 1 person who against closing campus to give me 3 good reasons why we should allow kids to leave for lunch.

Just out of curiosity, what does a kid leaving campus for lunch have to do with bombs, guns and school shootings? Thinking they will return to with something to cause harm is taking it a little extreme. They could do the same when they arrive at school in the morning. Some wack-job off the streets could come in and do the same thing at any time. If something like that is going to happen, it will unfortunately happen. There are certain things you can't completely prevent. You can only educate and give some proper direction. If a kid wants to walk home for lunch (like we all used to do), let him do it.

softail - I hope Craig offers some remedial classes for people such as yourself....

I feel sorry for the employer who got stuck with you - but since you are posting on all of these blogs all day - we have to question if you even have a job.

spark- EXACTLY! (did i spell that right?)

Parenting, parenting, parenting. Kids also need to grow up and face some challenges and deal with some pressure. Just like we all did. Them leaving for lunch isn't going to harm a thing. If anything, making them stay there is going to cause them to rebel more.

Mikki- I don't like to name call and I really hate to point out grammar and spelling mistakes - but sometimes you have to do things such as that to prove your point. People like softail are irritating on these blogs because they refuse to take anyone else's point of view into consideration. He/she has the mentality of "that is how it was when I was in school and that is the way it should stay" - when that simply is not practical or as I have previously stated - safe. I am not here to start a fight - I just think that people need to look beyond their own little world and at the big picture. I would hate for Craig or any school for that matter to be the next one we see on the news that has a massive school shooting.

spark - I agree with your comment about how we need to look towards the parents for some responsibility. Yes- I am sorry to say that Craig does have a horrible reputation outside of Janesville. I know negative things such as drug use goes on at all high schools - but for some reason people like to put Craig on this pedestal and act like all the students are so righteous and wonderful. That is simply not the case. Not to mention - who is going to protect these hard working teachers and innocent students when Billy Bob decides to come back after his lunch high on crack and shoot up the school? This is the point I have been trying to make here. It is simply NOT SAFE for the open campus policy anymore - no matter where you are.

Summergal, you were making sense there for awhile, until you started name calling and picking on spelling and grammar.
Now you're acting like a typical forum troll. Just here to start a fight.

SummerGAL77- 1984 Craig. And yes i must be an idiot Im arguing with a MORON!!!!!!

I also recall a time when teachers were allowed to "teach" and use a little discipline without getting the third degree from parents.

Trust me, I understand this. I recently recall some parents complaining about how the schools handled certain harmful incidents and how they weren't happy enough with how things were handled. It starts at home first and there's always going to be the ones that complain about it all.

summergal- Craig has a horrible reputation? My times have changed since the early to mid 90's then. Craig was on top of the list for great reputation. If things have gotten that bad than it's time to start looking towards the parents and their parenting skills. Not the schools.

Did you even graduate high school softail? I ask because you fail to use basic grammar in any of your posts. Every word does not have an apostrophe in it - i.e. - time's, nothing's, happen'ed

softail - I can say whatever I want. I am tired of people trying to defend these stupid policies just because "nothing has ever happened" or "I did it 20 years ago". Your logic is that of a typical idiot. They need a break from the "stress". I can't wait until these kids join the real world and have real "stress". High school can be challenging - no doubt -but I would hardly consider it so stressful that it warrants security and safety risks for the teachers and students alike.

SummerGal77- If Anyone should get a clue, It's you.What the hell does 20 yrs ago have to do with today? Yes time's have changed! Kid's today can't handle the stress we could back then. Let them have a little break from school during the day,nothing's bad happen'ed . So leave it the hell alone!!!

I think Craig has a horrible reputation in surrounding communities and even around the state. Many people view Craig as a trashy drug infested dump. I get a kick out of how people from Janesville think that their schools are so wonderful. Trust me - the JPS is one that many people try to AVOID. I live in Janesville - but there is no way I will ever allow my kids to go to their schools - EVER.

Softail- No I do not have any kids at Craig. I went there a few years back and knows what went on. I think while at school kids should be supervised because god knows what happens in the 30 minutes they leave for lunch. Its just crazy. I know I want better for my child one day.

Also - someone posted how the kids may have forgotten something at home and they need to go pick it up at lunch This is not a reason to have an open campus nor is it a reason to use as a defense of keeping the campus open - students need to be responsible to bring what they need to school in the morning. This is not a difficult concept to grasp. School is for learning and lunch is for eating- not being able to run around at lunch and do whatever you want.

It should be a closed campus. Who is to say that a kid won't go out to his/her car or walk/drive home and get a weapon/bomb after having a bad morning at school and bring it back? Granted - this could happen before school too - but why give any more opportunities to let it happen? Just because you did it 20 years ago doesn't mean that it should still be allowed - times have changed - get a clue people.

The food must be pretty good. You always see teachers pushing their way to the front of the line. They must only have a half hour lunch!

I went to school in Milton where we had a closed campus. The students weren't to fond of it, but in the end I think it helped keep students out of trouble. As of last year, Milton now has three lunch periods because of student space issues in the lunchroom. If space is still an issue with theses "improved" Janesville schools, then add another lunch period and close campus. It has worked for other area schools.

Maybe closing campus will get rid of Craig and Parker's student reputation of being a bunch of drunks and pot smokers...

Bad idea. Let them go where they want for lunch. It's not going to solve the problems of certain kids causing trouble. I just find it so ironic that schools have so many problems compared to not too many years ago. Everything is blown out of proportion compared to then.

they should close it. I always thought it was the stupid to much freedom.I didn't grow up in Janesville .Where I grew up we couldn't leave the lunch room with out a pass.

sahmama-Let me guess your kid is a junior or senior and just the perfect little Darling.

Yep sahmama...those pesky Freshman and Sophomores. No way would Juniors and Seniors smoke and litter. I don't care which way they go, as long as they are consistant and fair in the way that administer it.

This is a great idea. Then maybe all of the freshmen and sophmores will stop smoking and littering all over the grounds during lunch.

If this proposal comes to fruition, and with the law of supply and demand at work, "thekid" will be happy when the cost of weed drops.

what I would like to know is seeing how many of the freshmen and sophmores rely on juniors and seniors for transportation to/from where ever they are going for lunch (if they decide to go to a restaurant), how does the board plan on regulating this?? especially since there are 2 lunch periods... half the students at either school get first lunch, the other half second, which is determined by their class schedules... either way, all grade levels are mixed... do you really think that they'll be able to regulate as to which students are in which grade level when they are all intermixed at lunch time to be able to enforce this proposal??

Leave it an open campus lunch. I could maybe understand making it closed for Freshman. I think it's a good idea to make closed campus lunch a punitive measure... but for the majority of the students, it should be open campus.
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When I attended Craig, I used to walk to my house every day during my lunch break. It was very nice to be able to do that. I don't see why it would be necessary to close the campus.
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By the way, for anyone with the same question as blue birds 66... No, each class of students does not have a different lunch time. There are two lunch times only.

Craig will also have a huge lunchroom when the construction is done. The fact is, alot of the kids just really enjoy the privilege of leaving campus. Whether it's because they just got their license and want to go somewhere. Or perhaps they forgot something at home and need to go pick it up.

It is so typical of our society, blame and punish everyone for what a few abuse.

I agree with twerp13, it should be a privilege, therefore, if the kids are having academic or behavior issues, take it away. The majority of the kids would still have the open campus.

I understand that some may feel to just hire more district lunch help, but I think that would only be a few people , not the many that currently work in the resturants that these kids frequent at lunch time. Also look at the econmics of it,if less people come to a business, the more likely that business will close or down size and let go of even MORE people, which in turn takes a tax base away (I.e. sales tax, property taxes etc..)
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Like I had said before keep the freshman on campus and only alow those who have earned the right to go off do so. Other wise at this point it is more feasible to keep open campus..for all of the community.
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I know it may not be what we had in mind when we increased the cafeteria. But things have changed and for now, maybe we need to look at a much larger picture. I fear that if closed campus was to elimante jobs, that would force even more families to either move away, or to rely on more assistance, especially since jobs are getting harder to come by. And that would not be good for anyone, schools included (for their funding becuse loss of students = a loss of money for the JSD)
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It is just something we should consider when looking at such a drastic change. That's all I am trying to say...we need to look a head and not be "penny wise and pound foolish."

You should be allowed to leave for your lunch. Makes no sense at all.

Good luck administering that. Keeping track of the kids will be a tough job. If this happens, I feel bad for the guy who owns the Italian House.

Hey wait a minute, wasn't part of this last building referendum to increase the size of the lunch room so they can "close the campus" for the security of the students. I have been in Parker and I am amazed at the new lunch room. It is probably double the size and it looks very modern. I understand kids spending money at lunch time, but it would also help to hire a few people that would inturn spend money in the community. The ecomonics here are a wash, decrease current lunch business but increase other business by providing a few more people with jobs in the district. It would probably increase revenue to the schools and off set the increase employee costs. I say close the campus since my part of the 70+ million increased the lunch rooms.

Maybe the reason that many other schools have instituted closed campus rules before Janesville was that there were more problems in the other districts. Perhaps the fact that we are/were able to have open campus is a good reflection on our students.

Whether the Italian House (or other nearby restaurants of either high school) may suffer because of a closed campus should in no way contribute to that decision! If indeed the school cafeterias become busier once a closed campus is in force, then additional staff will need to be hired.

The decision needs to be made on what is best for the school, staff and students alike.

Good idea. When I was in school it wss a "closed" campus setting. I don't think it harmed the kids. When we moved here over 20 years ago I could not believe that there was not a curfew at that time for the teens.Now there is a curfew. I don't think we need to "cry" the blues for taking away "rights" of the kids. This will not "harm" their development. It may just be what they need.

twerp13
Nice thought. You hit it right on the head. The only way this economy is going to turn around is for people to spend money. Even if it is just kids spending 5 bucks on lunch. It all matters.

I just wonder if all of these people calling for a closed campus realize how much money local resturants will be hurt. I know that places like Italian House, or any of the fast food places make lots of money and employ lots of people just because of the high school lunch rush.
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I would think that in a time when our economy is going down hill, the last thing we would want to do is jepordize more jobs but instead try keep our local businesses open.
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I am not sure what the right answer is, but I think that freshman should be kept on campus for the first year and that the privliage of leaving for lunch should be taken away if it is abused or for other reasons just like extracuricular activities do.
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At least with this option we are considering the students who want to go out for lunch and balancing that with the needs of the local economy with retaing jobs and businesses.

It's High School not a PRISON!!! Kid's get stress out just like adult's. Open campus let's them leave school to relax for a 1/2 hour.Not everyone smoke's dope or drink's.

I remember when open campus meant leaving even during study hall. That's what it used to be like. Lunch or study hall, you were free to go. Times are a changing.

Leave the campus open. Maybe you all should have closed campus at your work so you don't go out and drink and smoke dope and come back late from lunch. Give me a break. I'll bring that up your to your boss next time I see him.

Open campus has worked for YEARS. I can see freshman having to stay on campus as most have no way to get anywhere but everyone else should have the option to leave at lunch.

The one thing I really don't get is wasn't part of the school expansion to make bigger lunch areas???? Poor planning?? Does this mean they will come back and ask for more money? I say add another lunch period and close the campus.

Even back in the late 80's, if the students had behavioral issues or repetitive bad grades, their open campus privileges were taken away. Much like how students cannot participate in extracurricular athletics if they are not passing classes.

GOOD IDEA! We had a closed campus at the high school I attended; it didn't hurt the kids one bit! There's no reason to let these kids out of school so they can smoke dope, drink, skip or whatever they do nowadays!

Wow, how far behind are the Janesville High Schools when it comes to controlling students? As I traveled around the country I found that almost all high schools had a closed campus to control students from doing things they weren't supposed to be doing. Also, it helped eliminate students coming back late from lunch. How is space an issue? Don't each class of students take lunch at different times?