It was a special start to the 2025 school year at Lowrie Elementary, as the school, which has been part of the community since 1887, will close its doors at the end of the school year.
"It's upsetting because it's so close to our house, but we have to figure it out," parent Nicole Losacco said.
For kindergarteners, this will, sadly, be their first and last year in the building.
It's especially bittersweet for Brenda Rivera.
"This was actually my elementary school, too," she said. "And my other daughter graduated from here, too. So, it is kind of sad that it's getting knocked down."
"It's going to be taken out of circulation so to speak, and the kids will be transferred to other schools," Mayor David Kaptain said. "It's just the changing of the community. It's growing, and this is one of the older schools in Elgin."
Washington Elementary and Hanover Countryside Elementary will also close as part of the district's plans to replace or renovate some of its older buildings.
"Even though we're closing three or four of our schools this year, we have the ability to create new schools and updates to our current schools, so that our kids can have the most innovative spaces to learn," principal Natalie Poli said.
Parents were feeling a little anxious as staff raised the flag for the final time.
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"A little nervous because next year we don't know what it's going to bring," parents Michelle and Don Gibson said. "U-46 is trying their best obviously, but it's been hard to know that the school is closing because it was great having it in the neighborhood, the park. I hope they use this land for something. The kids are really going to be mourning the loss of the little playground that's been nice to have and walkable."
Also starting Monday, 38 elementary schools will have their day extended by 20 minutes, starting 10 minutes earlier and ending 10 minutes later to improve student learning, the district says.
The extension was included in the four-year contract reached with the Elgin Teachers Association last year.
At Hawk Hollow Middle School in Bartlett, it was not only the first day of school but the first day for the new school.
They got right to work in a science class.
It's the first in 20 years for the district.
Thanks to a $179 million referendum passed in 2023, they converted a former elementary school into a middle school, tripling its size.
"I think they were anxious to get back and come in and see the school," Principal Lisa Olsen said.
Palatine High School celebrates 150th first day
Palatine HS celebrates 150 years
Palatine High School is one of the oldest schools in the state, and Monday was their 150th first day of school.
They were founded in 1875, and they had quite celebration to kick it off.
About a thousand students showed up early to celebrate their 150th anniversary by forming the number on the football field.
"It was an amazing experience: 150 years, amazing," Palatine senior Tony Balanganayi said.
Principal Tony Medina helped entice the students to come early by offering doughnuts. But he's pretty sure they would have come anyway.
"Everybody's been really excited about this for a long time. It's just great to see it get started," Medina said.
For seniors, this is a bittersweet time filled with the last time they will do various activities.
"I'm so excited for all my last firsts; this is your last first day," senior Jolene Waddington said.
The Palatine High School building is the third to house the school; it's 48 years old.
Medina has been there for the last seven years, and said this was his favorite first day of school.