Several local schools begin the 2010-2011 school year this week. Students will be returning from summer break on Monday at Knoxville, Pella, Pella Christian and Pleasantville schools. Some schools, including Pella Christian and Knoxville, are holding partial first days to ease their students into the new year.

At Pella Christian High School, Monday serves as an orientation day for new students and freshman, with the entire student body attending a full schedule on Tuesday. Knoxville Schools will dismiss at 1:00 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Other schools starting this week include Chariton schools, which begin classes on Tuesday, and North Mahaska and PCM schools begin on Wednesday. Classes began last week for students at Melcher-Dallas and Twin Cedars schools.