News : Area Schools Kick Off New School Year with Patriotism and Excitement

School buses line up to collect students outside Tilford Elementary

The first day of school is always filled with a unique mix of excitement, jitters, and new beginnings, and Monday was no exception for Benton County students. From Shellsburg Elementary to all of the Vinton buildings, the doors opened to familiar faces and eager newcomers, marking the start of the 2025–26 school year.

At Shellsburg Elementary, the morning began on a patriotic note as Principal Ryan Davis welcomed students, staff, and community members to a special flag-raising ceremony. Members of the Shellsburg American Legion proudly presented the school with a brand-new American flag for the year ahead. As the flag was hoisted high against the late-August sky, the crowd paused in respect as the National Anthem played, setting a tone of unity and pride for the day.

Principal Davis shared a few words with those gathered, welcoming students to another year of learning at the Shellsburg location. Teachers stood alongside their students taking their first steps into their educational journey.

Meanwhile, just a few miles away, Tilford Elementary in Vinton was abuzz with first-day energy of its own. The hallways were alive with the sounds of lockers clanging, children’s laughter, and joyful reunions as students reconnected with friends and teachers. For many, it was a day of firsts—first backpacks, first classrooms, first lunch cards—and for returning students, a chance to dive back into familiar routines.

The district marked the opening day with an early dismissal, giving students a chance to ease back into the school rhythm after a summer of freedom. Parents waved from sidewalks and car lines, some with a touch of nostalgia, as they sent their children off to begin a new chapter.

With the flags raised, the classrooms filled, and the first day behind them, the Vinton-Shellsburg school district has begun yet another year filled with learning, growth, and community spirit.