School officials are implementing a mandatory closing-time next semester in which all unsupervised students must leave school property by 5 p.m.

The school will enact this policy to increase safety beginning next semester. According to principal Andrew Ishibashi, students are to leave by 5 p.m. and security and custodians will lock all doors by 5:30 p.m.

“Bells will ring at 5:30 p.m., and if the repairman comes and fixes the speakers, the administration will use them to announce the closing time,” assistant principal of building and grounds Michael Yi said.

Students who are in a club or sports team with an accompanying adult supervisor may stay later than 5 p.m. “For a club, the members are under the direct supervision of their approved sponsor and it is a requirement that the adult stay with the students at all times,” Yi said.

Unsupervised students are to clear the buildings by 5 p.m. to ensure that the process is on schedule, as security guards leave at 5:30 p.m. “Security will sweep the entire building to make sure students are supervised and if they are not, they will be asked to leave,” Ishibashi said.

According to Ishibashi, the sponsor must walk the students out of the building if their afterschool activity runs after 5:30 p.m. Girls’ basketball coach Cathy Christensen supports this new policy. Since the faculty meeting on Nov. 20, Christensen has walked out with the team members when practice ends, usually around 7:30 p.m. “I think that this helps ensure safety,” she said. “It is better than having people wandering through the halls.”

Some students appreciate the school’s concern for their safety. Club officer junior Man Yu Guan has stayed at school past 5 p.m. before. “Now, at five, it is very dark out and leaving before five helps keep students safe,” she said.

Other students have responded negatively. “If I do not finish the homework I want to in school, then I will have to carry the books home on the bus, which will be a hassle,” junior Annie Dear said.

To enforce the school’s new policy, security guards and other school officials will patrol the hallways, looking for unsupervised students. “We have already consulted the teachers and the Parent-Teacher-Student-Association,” Yi said. “We will use various communication channels including School Loop to notify the parents.”

Earlier this week, the school issued a letter to students, informing them of this policy. “Every school I know of has an opening and closing time, except for Lowell,” Ishibashi said. “Sometimes when I come out of meetings at night around 8:30 p.m., I still see students around. If any students have any issues with transportation, personal or family problems, feel free to contact me and I will try my best to help.”

The new policy will also impact the morning. “The official opening time of the school is at 7 a.m. when security and janitors unlock the doors,” Ishibashi said. Students are advised not to come to school before 7 a.m. because they can not enter the school.

The school is adjusting the hours the school is open largely for safety and security reasons. “I cannot guarantee everyone’s safety so we will have to take preventive measures,” Ishibashi said.