Here's everything you need to know about the new school year in Ames

A new superintendent will welcome Ames students as they start the new school year, one that features stricter cell phone guidelines and new facilities.

Classes for Ames elementary students begin on Aug. 23, while the Ames Middle School and High School start the year on Monday, Aug. 26.

Here's a look at what's new or on its way to the Ames Community School District this year:

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New superintendent joins Ames school district

Ames' new superintendent, Scott Grimes , joined the district on July 1.

Grimes was named superintendent on April 19 , replacing Julious Lawson, who took a position with the Zion School District in eastern Illinois.

Grimes boasts more than a decade of superintendent experience, having spent time at Louisa-Muscatine and Dallas Center-Grimes. He most recently served as a consultant to the Perry Community School District.

AMES Center to open this year

The Ames Multi-Purpose Educational Services Center , or AMES Center, is expected to open in November.

The facility, which is in the former Beloit Residential Treatment Center on Northwestern Avenue a few blocks east of the high school, will serve students in the Ames Home School Assistance Program and students with disabilities in the Transition Alliance Program. It will also provide therapeutic classrooms to fit social, emotional and mental health needs. The building will serve as a central food pantry location as well.

The building was purchased from Lutheran Services after the Beloit Residential Treatment Center closed in 2021.

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New playgrounds open and more on the way

A push for more inclusive playgrounds has led to upgrades at Edwards and Meeker Elementary schools and Northwood Preschool, which will be completed once the school year begins.

While the old equipment has not been completely removed, improvements have been made to the surfaces making each more accessible. The new playground features will cater to a wide range of abilities, highlighted by sensory play elements and wheelchair-accessible equipment.

Playgrounds at Sawyer, Mitchell, and Fellows Elementary schools will undergo similar upgrades next summer.

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Associate principal changes

Anthony Jahr will be an associate principal at Ames Middle School this year, joined by Aaron Weddle as a new associate principal. Michelle Fuqua will be the associate principal at Fellows Elementary.

Jahr and Fuqua are familiar names to Ames students .

Jahr most recently served as the associate principal at Fellows Elementary, and Furqua was an associate principal at Ames Middle School.

Weddle is new to the district. He was previously the principal at Fairview Elementary in Grinnell and has experience as a school counselor and teacher.

More: Ames High strengthens cellphone ban for classrooms, hoping to eliminate distractions

New cell phone policy

Students will be required to place their cell phones in a designated area or "phone caddies" prior to each class period. Cell phone use was already restricted during class unless explicitly allowed by the teacher for educational purposes.

Students can use electronic devices before and after school, during passing periods and at lunch.

The new guidelines are meant to improve student engagement and teenage mental health, according to a message that was sent to parents, students and staff on Aug. 8 via ParentSquare.

Important dates for the 2024-25 school year

Sept. 3: Classes begin for preschool

Nov. 27-29: Thanksgiving break

Dec. 23 - Jan. 3: Winter break, classes resume Jan. 6

Jan. 14: Beginning of second semester

March 17-21: Spring break

May 30: Last day of classes, early dismissal

Celia Brocker is a government, crime, political and education reporter for the Ames Tribune. She can be reached at CBrocker@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Ames Tribune: Here's everything you need to know about the new school year in Ames