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Area students head back to the books, districts bring on new staff

A group of DG Elementary students obliges their mothers, fathers, and caregivers (off-frame) for a photo-op as they enter the school on their first day of 2022-2023 classes on Wednesday, August 24. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
Students run past a ‘Welcome Back’ display on their first day of school at DG Elementary School in Dysart this past Wednesday morning. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
A young family says goodbye on the first day of school outside of DG Elementary School in Dysart on Wednesday, August 24. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
A student enters the front doors of DG Elementary School on his first day of school this past Wednesday in Dysart. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
A young student smiles, happily perched atop the Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School sign while having her photo taken by a family member on her first day of school for the 2022-2023 year. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
Dysart City Council member Stacey Dabney (center) smiles while taking a photo of young family members and their friends in front of DG Elementary on Wednesday morning. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
A young boy hurriedly exits his mother’s vehicle out front of DG Elementary School moments before 8:00 a.m. on the first day of school this past Wednesday in Dysart. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
The children of Sara and Bobby Torres smile for a photo on their first day of school at DG Elementary School on Wednesday morning. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
Members of the Myers-Gordy-Pippert Dysart American Legion Post 335 ready the flag at DG Elementary for the first flag-raising of the 2022-2023 school year Wednesday morning. -Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
DG Elementary principal Derek Weber, new this year, raises his hand to call for quiet voices while speaking to the student body moments ahead of the Dysart American Legion's gun salute as part of the annual first day of school flag-raising ceremony. -Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER
Some of Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School’s youngest learners place their hands on their hearts while trying to recite the Pledge of Allegiance during the flag-raising ceremony held out front of the school building on Wednesday, August 24 in Dysart. Members of the Dysart American Legion Post 335 led the ceremony along with principal Derek Weber. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister
Union Community School District’s new staff for the 2022-2023 school year pictured (front row, l-r) Megan McDonell, Madeline Montag, Hattie Rector, Anne Happel, Derek Weber; (back row, l-r) Andrew Castings, Grant Kelly, Holden Caloud, and John Howard. –Contributed photo
North Tama Community School District’s new staff for the 2022-2023 school year pictured during Orientation held on Thursday, August 18, in the North Tama gymnasium. Staff includes (front row, l-r) Brittany Svoboda Kami Roth, Carlee Warnke, Rondalyn Albright, Brenda Knoop, Lynn Hovatter, Jade Clouse, and Allyssa Winkowitsch; (back row, l-r) Taylor Howard, Mary Howard, Quentin Lamb, Brian Trester, Amanda Repp, Maria Yuska, and Emily Laudner. –Photo by Ruby F. McAllister

Under beautiful, mostly sunny skies and amid mild temperatures perfect for all those back-to-school summer outfits, both North Tama and Union school districts welcomed students back to the classroom this past Wednesday morning while also bringing on many new staff members.

Shortly after 8:00 a.m. near the front entrance flagpole at Dysart-Geneseo Elementary School, principal Derek Weber – new this year to the position – gathered the entire student body and staff together for the annual flag-raising ceremony led by Myers-Gordy-Pippert Dysart American Legion Post 335 members.

As the smallest children stood just feet from Weber – many looking around with wide eyes and a bit of first-day bewilderment – he began the ceremony by introducing himself and welcoming students to school.

“Welcome everyone to a new year. A new year, New Union – brand new everything,” Weber said. “We have new students, new principal. … We have a lot of new teachers. … This is going to be a fantastic year.”

There are indeed plenty of new faces for students to get to know at both Union and North Tama this year. Union Schools welcomed nine new staff members while North Tama welcomed 15 new staff members.

New Union staff includes Megan McDonell (Dysart-Geneseo 2nd Grade), Madeline Montag (Dysart-Geneseo Special Education), Hattie Rector (Dysart-Geneseo Preschool), Anne Happel (Dysart-Geneseo 5th Grade), Derek Weber (Dysart-Geneseo Principal), Andrew Castings (La Porte City Spec Ed), Grant Kelly (High School Industrial Tech), Holden Caloud (High School Social Studies), and John Howard (Superintendent).

New North Tama staff includes Rondalyn Albright (PT Preschool Teacher/PT Paraeducator), Brittany Svoboda (3rd Grade), Mary Howard (6th Grade), Quentin Lamb (7-12 Special Education), Brian Trester (7-12 Special Education), Emily Laudner (Secondary Science), Amanda Repp (Family Consumer Science), Kami Roth (Spanish), Carlee Warnke (iJAG), Taylor Howard (7-12 Principal), Jade Clouse (Elementary Paraeducator), Lynn Hovatter (Elementary Paraeducator), Allyssa Winkowitsch (Elementary Paraeducator), Maria Yuska (Elementary Paraeducator), and Brenda Knoop (Secondary Paraeducator).

As Legion members readied their rifles for a salute behind Weber at DG Elementary Wednesday morning, the enthusiastic young principal wrapped up his comments.

“We have pride for our school and our community,” Weber said.” Our mission here at DG is all in, every child, every day.”