(SBA) - As the summer winds down, families in Sergeant Bluff are gearing up for the first day of school on Monday, August 25th, at the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District. With new policies and health requirements in place, parents and students have several key updates to prepare for a smooth start to the 2025–2026 academic year.
A major change this year comes from a new statewide law signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, which mandates that all Iowa public K–12 schools ban cell phone use during instructional time. The law, part of House File 782, aims to reduce distractions and improve student engagement and mental health.
Local schools must implement policies that meet or exceed this minimum standard. While phones may still be allowed before and after school or during lunch, students will need to keep them out of sight during class. The Iowa Department of Education is providing sample policies and guidance to help districts comply.
Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about the new rules and ensure they understand the importance of staying focused during learning hours.
To attend school, students must meet the Iowa Department of Public Health’s immunization requirements, which are enforced by the Sergeant Bluff-Luton Community School District. For the 2025–2026 school year, the following vaccines are required:
DTaP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
Polio
MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
Varicella (Chickenpox) – Two doses required unless the child has a documented history of the disease.
Hepatitis B
Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Pertussis) – One dose required for students entering grades 7–12
Parents must provide a valid Iowa Certificate of Immunization or an approved exemption form before the first day of school. Students who do not meet these requirements may not be allowed to attend classes until documentation is provided.
To help ease the transition, the district’s open house has been rescheduled to Wednesday, August 20th, giving families a chance to meet teachers, tour classrooms, and drop off supplies. Each school has posted updated supply lists on the district website at sblschools.com. Bus routes and schedules are also available online, and parents should confirm pickup and drop-off times in advance.
Experts recommend easing children into a school-year sleep schedule at least a week before school starts. With these preparations, Sergeant Bluff families can look forward to a successful and exciting start to the new school year.
