While directing incoming freshmen to classes during orientation, Rachel Barker, peer group leader, found herself confused because of the new room numbers. Even though Barker was supposed to be guiding new students to their classes, she had trouble knowing where to send the freshman herself. 

“At one point during orientation, I was standing in the hallwayjust pointing left and right to these freshmen [who were] asking for directions when I didn’t even know myself,” Barker said. 

Glenbrook North underwent major renovations this past summer.

The renovation of classrooms was facilitated under the “Total Classroom” initiative, in which new LED lighting was installed, rooms were painted with nature-inspired colors, whiteboards and carpeting were replaced, and new furniture was bought for most classes, Lauren Bonner, associate principal for administrative services, said.

The “Total Classroom” initiative cost GBN $1.8 million to undergo these renovations in 67 classrooms, Bonner said. 

Another initiative that took place was the “Signage and Wayfinding” project, which was a detail-oriented project that changed the room numbers of classrooms into a numerical order and assigned zones of the building with colors in case of an emergency, Bonner said. 

“Changing the room numbers was for first responders to be able to quickly make their way to a certain spot in the building, and for people that are inside of the building to be able to communicate where we are with first responders,” said Bonner. “Sometimes you’d come to a junction in the hallway and there would be numbers out of numerical order, so we made sure to fix all of that … making it easier for first responders to find their way in the building.”

 According to junior Kelsey Motherway, the new furniture has helped improve her focus in most classes.

“I never really got to know [the room numbers] because my classroom freshman year was my bedroom,” said Motherway. “​​But I do like the spinning chairs because sometimes I get a little restless and I notice if my thoughts are racing, I can kind of move around a little rather than being in a fixed position with the old desks.”

According to math teacher Mike Campbell, he has adapted well to the changes and sees a lot of positives in the new classrooms. 

“I really like that the kids have the ability to reconfigure [desks] and have some flexibility,” said Campbell. “I think they did a really nice job choosing [new furniture], so I think it’s a huge upgrade.”