TAMA NEWS-HERALD- Fall classes begin for South Tama Community School District students and staff on Wednesday, Aug. 24. Registration continued for all grades through today (Aug. 18.) Meskwaki Settlement School students are already back in class. Their school year began on Aug. 17. A school-wide open house is scheduled for next Wednesday, Aug. 24 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Settlement School at 1610 305th St., Tama. South Tama staff is set to be back on the job making class preparations tomorrow. Watch for profiles of new South Tama staff members in The News-Herald and Chronicle. Classes at the Iowa Juvenile Home / State Training School for Girls in Toledo are conducted year-around. At the request of The News-Herald, South Tama School Superintendent Kerri Nelson commented on the upcoming school year- “I am really looking forward to starting school on Aug. 24. The staff has worked hard to create some new learning opportunities for our students and we are all ready for them to be back in session. I am very pleased that the district is able to continue offering preschool this year. The funding from the state for preschool was reduced for this fiscal year, but we are still able to provide a quality program for our students. “The High School has added an elective science course and has been able to add two additional college courses (Calculus and English Composition) that will be taught by Iowa Valley Community College staff on our campus. This is an excellent opportunity for our students to expand their learning and earn college credit. “The district is also pleased with the new AlertNow communication system that is in place. It will help us more effectively communicate with our students and their families about what is happening at school in a more efficient way. We hope to use the system to remind parents of weather related delays and cancellations as well as events such as registration, conferences, and more. “There will be some changes in the student activity program. “Previously, the district was a member of the Little Hawkeye Conference, and is now a member of the North Iowa Cedar League (NICL). There is information about the NICL on the district’s website. “We are also looking forward to demonstrating our STC Trojan Pride with the students and the community at the homecoming game on Sept. 30. We invite you to join us at the game. “The district greatly appreciates the community support for our students and schools. It makes a difference in what we are able to do for our students.”