Lorelei Klinginsmith keeps an eye out for friends while holding the sign to show where her first grade class should line up during the first day of school at Washington Elementary School in Elgin Monday. The school, built in 1891, will close at the end of the school year. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com

Third-grader Maliyah Richardson reaches out to say hi to library paraprofessional Karen Downden as she and her classmates file in for the first day of school at Washington Elementary School in Elgin Monday. The school, built in 1891, will close at the end of the school year. Rick West/rwest@dailyherald.com

Kindergartner Omar Garcia is not enthusiastic about having to leave his mom Isabelle Nuñez for the first day of school at Washington Elementary School in Elgin. Rick West/rwest@daily

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