Starting on Tuesday November 19, students will gain access to the outdoor hallway that was closed off at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year.

Principal DiLollo cited NJ Law 18A: 41-1 in a notice to HHS students at the end of the summer. “All direct access doors to the school must be locked at all times during the school day,” wrote DiLollo. “All students must travel between classes using our internal hallways only.” 

Since the beginning of the school year, administration has attempted to combat the proliferation of crowded hallways by allowing the main stairwell for upwards access only and letting students in the 600s cut through the library. However, hallway congestion has remained an issue and administrators have turned to a new solution.

“We are adding an additional security officer to station outside of the doors,” said Vice Principal Dr. Steven Jablonski. “The law allows us as long as the door is still locked. We can have a door that’s opened with the locking mechanism locked, as long as it is supervised.”

Administration plans for the outdoor hallway to remain in usage for the rest of the school year.

Note: A previous version of this story listed the reopening as Monday, November 18. Administrators have now moved the date to Tuesday, November 19.