With every box checked on the back-to-school shopping lists, every glittery notebook and Spider-Man pencil tucked safely into colorful backpacks, families and students began the school year in Mason City this week.

Mason City High School opened for classes Monday, while kindergarten through sixth grade students and their families attended parent-teacher conferences prior to the first day of school for the second year in a row. Principal Austin Peterson said the arrangement is designed to help students get comfortable with their new teachers and classrooms before the big day.

High schoolers were greeted at the front doors by Principal Dan Long, Mason City High cheerleaders, and the Riverhawks mascot The cheer squad flashed its pom-poms and cheered for every entering student. Long was in h

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