Knox Elementary didn鈥檛 close its doors for the final time in a quiet way.
That鈥檚 not the Knox style. Instead, Knox Elementary School’s final day as Knox was filled with the sounds of a mariachi band, car horns, clapping and even a few tears.
That happened Tuesday as the school had its final clap-out for students and staff as Knox is closing, part of the 2019 Bond鈥檚 masterplan for east Arlington to modernize schools and give students an optimal 21st-century education. The clap-out included students in cars, trucks and on bicycles riding and driving past the school one last time. They were met by the Knox staff who sent them on their way.
With Knox closing, along with nearby neighbor Roark Elementary, the entire area is being rezoned. Berry and Thornton Elementary schools will be torn down this summer and replaced with new, bigger buildings funded by the 2019 Bond (.).
The physical Knox building will remain open next year as the temporary home of Thornton Elementary this fall, but Tuesday鈥檚 event was the final chapter for the school as Knox. But like all the t-shirts that were being worn read, 鈥淥nce a Bluejay. Always a Bluejay.鈥
There was a dinner, a few speeches and hugs involved, too. Lots of them.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a great change, but it鈥檚 bittersweet,鈥 said Knox principal Rose Ravin, who has been at the campus for 18 years. 鈥淭his has really rocked my world. I started here as a teacher, then an assistant principal and now a principal. We knew this was coming, but you never can really prepare.鈥
The school did its best, including a clap-out for Ravin that brought her to tears. But Tuesday night was all about celebrating. School board president Kecia Mays attended along with board members Sarah McMurrough and Justin Chapa. Chapa attended the school before it became Knox in 2001 and McMurrough鈥檚 mother-in-law taught at the school.
色窝窝无码一区二区三区 Superintendent Dr. Marcelo talked to the Knox staff before the student clap-out began.
鈥淵ou have always performed in a way that has been exceptional,鈥 he said. 鈥淵ou have performed at a high level. The success of the 色窝窝无码一区二区三区 is dependent on you.鈥
Ravin also talked to the families.
鈥淭his is my family, from staff to my neighborhood,鈥 said Ravin, who will take over as principal at the Berry Elementary this fall. That school is moving into the building that is currently Roark Elementary. 鈥淚 get to see the kids who came from here and now they have kids. It鈥檚 a unique situation. This is in my heart.鈥
The building opened in 1960 and has served several purposes before becoming Knox in 2001. Eventually the building will be demolished, and the location will become the home of the new Carter Junior High.
Ravin said the school celebrated the Knox legacy the entire month. She also paid the price for it. The staff played the sixth graders in soccer Monday and Ravin hurt her left ankle. She was on crutches Tuesday for the final clap-out, but she wasn鈥檛 going to miss it.
鈥淚 left it all on the dance floor,鈥 she said.