SUFFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — The final farewell to Driver Elementary turned into a community celebration for the past 50 years the school has been around.
“We put out about 800 chairs so I’m sure at least 500 were here, probably well over 500,” said Principal Melodie Griffin.
Current, and even former students and staff showed up to say goodbye.
Patricia Brazelle taught there from 1990 to 2000.
“There’s a lot of good memories here,” said Brazelle.
The school will close its doors at the end of this school year.
“It’s a big change, that’s why we’re here tonight,” said former student Gregory Parker.
And students will be heading over to the new elementary school just down the road.
“The ones not in fifth grade, they will transition with us to the new Florence Bowser,” said Griffin.
10 On Your Side shared back in March how the Suffolk School Board decided to partially rezone some public schools. Florence Bowser, Driver and Creekside Elementary would be affected.
District officials said the rezoning was needed for overcrowding, to fill underutilized space and increase diversity.
Principal Griffin says she’ll transition to be the new principal over at Florence Bowser when it opens.
Students didn’t let the crowd down as the night wrapped up.
They made sure to leave great memories for everyone who came out to say their goodbyes.
