Students walk the red carpet at North Tama's main entrance on Friday, Sept. 5, during the first day of school at the district. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

TRAER – The North Tama County Community School District literally rolled out the red carpet for students on Friday, Sept. 5, as they made their way through the front and back entrances for the first day of the 2025-26 school year.

“A couple of years ago, we started a new tradition at North Tama of ‘Rolling Out The Red Carpet’ for all of our students and families as they enter the building,” Principal Taylor Howard explained to the newspaper. “All students walk into the building on a red carpet with bubbles, music playing, and teachers welcoming them into the building!”

It certainly felt like a pep rally as K-12 students entered the campus’s main entrance on Friday. While Principal Howard stood outside on the front sidewalk greeting students and caregivers, beyond the double doors, a red carpet led students into the building where staff including teachers Mary Howard, Dalton Hulme, and Jessica Schults (among others) exuberantly welcomed students with music, smiles, cheering, and general goodwill.

North Tama’s first day was delayed this year past the usual August 23 start date (the earliest Iowa schools may start) to accommodate ongoing construction. In addition to the high school addition – which is not anticipated to finish until Christmas break – Phase I of the district’s master facility plan includes secure entry upgrades across campus, reconfiguration of the locker rooms and weight room to become ADA-compliant, paving of the existing back parking lot, and selective maintenance on other parts of campus.

Principal Howard told the newspaper everything that needed to be completed before the first day met that deadline; however, the back student parking lot – previously gravel – wasn’t quite ready for its debut and still needed “a few more weeks.”

The newly-paved student parking lot located south of the North Tama County Community School District building. The lot, previously gravel, was not quite ready for its debut on the first day of school. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

“The biggest changes our elementary students will notice are that we now have a central unit for both heat and air conditioning in the elementary classrooms,” Howard said when asked about specific updates. “Our window A/C units have been taken out, and rooms will be much more comfortable to be in, as well as more efficient with energy use.”

He continued, “Our secondary students will notice that the entire junior high wing has new carpet, as well as new classroom furniture, and interactive smartboards in each room. Families may notice a new secure entrance in the main entrance to help secure our building.”

When asked if the high school addition remains on track for completion, Principal Howard replied in the affirmative: “We are hopeful that students will be in that building in January.”

“The first day of school is such an exciting time for students, staff, and our community,” he continued. “We have amazing students, teachers, and staff at North Tama, and it is always great to see everyone after summer break.

“The start of this school year is an especially exciting one as our students and staff will get to experience new and updated learning environments that will greatly benefit our students, teachers, and community.”

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

North Tama Principal Taylor Howard, right, greets students and caregivers as they arrive to school on the first day on Sept. 5. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER

The east side of the North Tama High School addition facing US 63 on Friday, Sept. 5, in Traer. Construction is scheduled to complete by January 2026. PHOTO BY RUBY F. MCALLISTER