Larkin students introduced to 'new' school Wednesday

Pop quizzes and exams are still a few weeks off for the 2,100 Larkin High School students who began their academic year Wednesday.

The school's new administration, however, faced a test of its own right off the bat.

As a way of introducing students to a "new Larkin," freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors rotated through four midday assemblies outlining the school's policies and expectations.

In the auxiliary gym, assistant principal Randal Ellison reminded students that Larkin was their school, and they were ultimately responsible for its success.

"Things have changed since last year," he told a group of juniors.

Changed they have.

In January, Elgin Area School District Superintendent Jose Torres told the school's principal and a dozen department heads they would not be returning to their positions come fall.

Their replacements were hand-picked by new principal Jon Tuin, and approved by Torres. Teachers and administrators spent the summer devising new ways to help the west side school restore its' once strong reputation.

Among the new policies, Ellison said, is one requiring that students caught without IDs to pay for a replacement after 7:30 a.m. each day. The longer they wait, the steeper the price.

Any damage done to school property will be taken from money earmarked for student trips and programs. For instance, Ellison said, money that should be spent on a band trip could get used up if the school has to pay to clean up a bathroom "tagged" with gang signs.

At another assembly in the school auditorium, Chicago-based Hip-Hop Detoxx performers urged students to "keep it 100"-to stay real and have high expectations of themselves.

The group works in a number of city and suburban schools, aiming to correct negative behavior and violence through interactive, music-filled presentations.

In the school's main gym, Tuin spoke about academics, urging students to take challenging classes and prepare to do well on the Prairie State Achievement Exam, all with the end goal of getting into college.

He also gave each class a preview of a music video that will be posted on the school's Web site.

The video, featuring jersey-clad football players bopping to a steady beat in the school's hallways, included the "We are Larkin" chorus, and the lyrics "show them your pride" and "we're on the same side."

By the looks of things, bilingual special education teacher Sundra Arroyo Reyes said, students seemed to be paying attention to the presentations.

Tomorrow, they will take part in several more.

"People are expecting better things than last year," senior Estefania Illescas said.

<div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=316756">Busy year school year gets rolling in Dist. U-46<span class="date"> [8/26/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>