Nova Elementary awards students one final time

JACKSON, Tenn. — With Wednesday marking the official end to the school year, across the district students are enjoying their last days of schools. Especially those that will close for good.

“I was hoping they didn’t close Nova, because this school is one of the best in Madison County, one of the best,” said grandmother Diana Bond.

Nova Elementary students, parents and teachers packed the gym Tuesday morning to celebrate a year full of accomplishments. All day, students were recognized during the awards ceremony for their academic achievements and improvements.

“It was a great awards ceremony,” Nova father Kevin Alexander said. “My son has been here, I went to school here, so I love Nova. A wonderful awards ceremony — they always do a top-notch job here.”

“An opportunity to reflect over not only how much their child has grown physically but how much they’ve grown academically, how much they’ve grown socially,” Principal Kippi Jordan said of the event.

With Nova Elementary closing after this school year, the awards ceremony was bittersweet for parents and students. “This is the last — this is it,” Bond said. “They’re closing, and I wanted to make sure that they go out with a bang.”

“I’ve been here for three years, and I really like this school,” second grader Ethan Allen said.

“Because I love Nova so much, it’s pretty much my home school,” second grader Payton Jones said.

“I don’t want Nova to close because this is my second school, and I’m going to miss this school,” second grader Charis Ward said.

Although Nova is closing after nearly 50 years, their principal says Nova stars never fade.

“We’re hoping that they leave here knowing that even though they are going somewhere different next year, they can carry their light with them and shine brighter, making the place they’re going even better,” Jordan said.

Students wore shirts Tuesday purchased by the Parent Teacher Organization to remember their final year at the school.