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New intermediate school feels like ‘finally Christmas’

Byron Center — Before cutting the ribbon in front of administrators, staff and community supporters, Tom Trout said how proud he was to be the first principal of the new Nickels Intermediate School.

“I felt like a kid waiting for Christmas every year since the bond passed,” he said. “Today, it’s finally Christmas.” 

Nickels Intermediate Principal Tom Trout cuts the ribbon to officially open the new fifth- and sixth-grade building
Nickels Intermediate Principal Tom Trout cuts the ribbon to officially open the new fifth- and sixth-grade building

Inside the Nickels’ media center, several people shared remarks and gratitude for all the moving parts that made the new building a reality.

“Teachers have been involved with this project from its grassroots,” Trout said. “We’re here for kids and are excited for the community.”

Sixth-graders Lilia Damsgaard and Alexa Barr also spoke and offered their thoughts about being two of the first students to attend school at the new Nickels. 

“I was one of the first students to tour this school when it was only under construction and I’m really excited to be a part of the first sixth grade group to actually go to this school,” Alexa said. 

Lilia added: “I’m so excited to have the privilege to learn in an environment with so many new resources.” 

Funded by an $80 million bond proposal passed in May 2020, the new fifth- and sixth-grade building, at 3100 84th St. SW, is built to house 900 students.  

Outside of the media center and down the hallways, families toured the new cafeteria, fine arts room, gymnasium and STEM classrooms. Both floors feature brand new lockers, break-out study rooms and flexible seating spaces. 

In one of the study rooms, the Neisen family said they enjoyed being able to look at the school’s windows and see nature outside.

“This school is a lot bigger than our old one and we’ll be the first class to go here,” sixth-grader Grace Neisen said. “I’m really looking forward to having classes upstairs and all the new rooms.” 

Nickels Intermediate fifth- and sixth-grade staff welcome students and families at the open house
Nickels Intermediate fifth- and sixth-grade staff welcome students and families at the open house
Families explore the hallways of the new Nickels Intermediate School
Families explore the hallways of the new Nickels Intermediate School
Fifth-grader Emme Sucki tours her new school with her mom and siblings
Fifth-grader Emme Sucki tours her new school with her mom and siblings
The new Nickels Intermediate School has two floors, with the majority of sixth-grade classrooms upstairs
The new Nickels Intermediate School has two floors, with the majority of sixth-grade classrooms upstairs
 The new Nickels Intermediate School is located at 3100 84th St. SW
The new Nickels Intermediate School is located at 3100 84th St. SW

Read more from Byron Center: 
Fifth- and sixth-graders to start school in new building
New buildings, new friends to be made

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Alexis Stark
Alexis Stark
Alexis Stark is a reporter covering Byron Center, Caledonia, Godfrey-Lee, Kenowa Hills and Thornapple Kellogg. She grew up in metro Detroit and her journalism journey brought her west to Grand Rapids via Michigan State University where she covered features and campus news for The State News. She also co-authored three 100-question guides to increase understanding and awareness of various human identities, through the MSU School of Journalism. Following graduation, she worked as a beat reporter for The Ann Arbor News, covering stories on education, community, prison arts and poetry, before finding her calling in education reporting and landing at SNN. Alexis is also the author of a poetry chapbook, “Learning to Sleep in the Middle of the Bed.”

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