Central DeWitt School District -

The Central DeWitt Community School District Board of Education would like to provide an update on the superintendent hiring process. The board recently met with staff at Grundmeyer Leader Services to review the candidate pool and has announced three finalists in its search for the district’s next superintendent. The position was posted and resulted in a total of 11 candidates, including one from outside the state of Iowa. The pool included six male candidates, four female candidates, and one candidate who chose no response. Among them, 10 applicants hold specialist/six-year degrees,while one holds a terminal degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.). The three finalists are Tim Felderman, Dr. Stephanie Mishler, and Derek Philips. Felderman currently serves as high school principal in the West Delaware County CSD, overseeing instructional leadership, staff evaluation, and student discipline for 490 students. Throughout his tenure, he has developed federally recognized apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in collaboration with staff. Felderman holds an advanced studies certificate in superintendency from the University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Drake University. He was recently elected as the 2024-25 vice president of the School Administrators of Iowa and previously served as high school principal in the Howard-Winneshiek CSD. Currently, Mishler serves as interim superintendent of the Fairfield CSD, leading strategic initiatives aligned with student success, positive culture, and fiscal responsibility. Additionally, she spearheaded a successful public information campaign for an increased PPEL referendum, passing with 67% approval in March 2024. Mishler holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Drake University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Iowa State University. Prior to her interim role, Mishler served as curriculum director in Fairfield. As superintendent of Pekin CSD, Philips manages a district of about 600 students and 110 staff members, offering mentorship to new building administrators. Additionally, he has collaborated with the school board and a local contractor on developing short- and long-term facilities plans, as well as increasing the district’s Unspent Authorized Budget. Philips holds a PK–12 superintendent and AEA (Area Education Agency) administrator specialist certificate, along with a master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa. He previously served as principal of Columbus Elementary School in the Chariton CSD. As a next step, the board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with each of the three finalists on Wednesday, May 8. The board then plans to discuss the candidates and reach a final decision soon after the formal interviews. The next superintendent will begin leading the Central DeWitt Community School District effective July 1, 2024. If you have questions please reach out a Central DeWitt school board member. Their contact information can be found here: https://www.cd-csd.org/page/board-of-education-members

Today, we celebrate our unsung heroes who dish out kindness with every plate and keep our bodies nourished - our school lunch heroes! 🥪🍎 From preparing delicious meals to brightening our days with their smiles, they make sure we're fueled for success. Let's give a big shoutout to these incredible individuals who prepare over 273,000 meals each school year! Thank you to all of our Nutrition Services employees! We appreciate you! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #centraldewittnutritionservices ##Grateful #LunchHeroes #SchoolLunchHeroDay #lunchheroes #saberpride #thankyouforallyoudo

At Senior Decision Day this morning CDHS celebrated the Class of 2024 and the post-secondary decisions they’ve made! It’s wonderful seeing all of the different paths our graduates will take and we wish them all the best! Congratulations, seniors! To see more photos from today as well as a list of senior plans visit https://www.cd-csd.org/article/1581033 If you'd like to watch the ceremony, click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/BdBV0X5hfGs?si=1qm5_S-TtvWl1fcb #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #seniordecisionday2024 #cdhs #classof2024 #cdhsseniors #goodluckseniors #saberpride #saberssucceeding

The Scribbler, Central DeWitt High School's literary magazine, is proud to announce the release of Volume 16. The CDHS literary magazine publishes creative work by our Central DeWitt students, and they are “SO PROUD to send this new batch of awesomeness out into the world.” Congratulations to our writers and artists and thank you to all the hardworking student staff behind the scenes. Write on, Sabers! The Scribbler has a new look this year! Check it out: https://www.cdhsscribbler.com/ #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #thescribbler #thescribblervolume16 #saberssucceeding

🎓 Meet senior Wyatt Houser who has a bright future ahead of him! Way to go, Wyatt! The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Aubrey Vance and Tori Rheingans. In this role, Aubrey and Tori serve as a resource for their peers in planning and preparing for post-secondary options. They help with scholarships, college applications, FAFSA, work-based learning opportunities, and more. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #seniorspotlight #americorpsstudentleaders #careerandcollegeready #postsecondaryoptions #saberssucceeding

Congratulations to junior Katlin Truelsen on being selected as the recipient of the 2024 Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award! She is one of only 15 students in the state to receive this scholarship. Her proposed project is a Ladies in Livestock Mentorship Program, which pairs high school girls involved in raising livestock with female mentors involved in some aspect of livestock production across the state of Iowa! The program is being supported by Farm Credit Services of America and will kick off in August. Congratulations again, Katlin! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #HerbertHooverUncommonStudentAward #saberssucceeding #saberpride

How❄️ cool ❄️ is it that our 4th-12th grade students raised almost $15,000 for Special Olympics Iowa as part of the Cool School Polar Plunge fundraiser?!!! This morning they were rewarded for their efforts by taking the plunge into frigid waters at a very fun celebration. Sixth graders Aiden Summers and Fysher Martin were the first to leap into the chilly waters because they were the top fundraisers. Way to go, Sabers! Congratulations to all of the participants on a job well done! We are so proud of our students and staff for continually going above and beyond to support, celebrate, and include everyone! And, a big thank you to everyone who donated! To see all the fun visit https://www.cd-csd.org/article/1578672 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #cdms #cdhs #saberpride #nationalunifiedchampionschool #choosetoinclude #coolschoolpolarplunge #specialolympicsia #cdcsdspecialolympics

REMINDER! Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. CDHS will host Senior Decision Day to celebrate the plans our seniors have made regarding their futures. Parents are invited to attend and we will also be live streaming the event here: https://youtube.com/live/BdBV0X5hfGs?feature=share We're excited to celebrate the future plans of our graduating class! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #seniordecisionday2024 #classof2024

💜💛 Congratulations to our April 2024 District Student of the Month Alice Sechrest! She is featured in today's edition of The Observer thanks to our friends at First Central State Bank. For Agricultural Science Teacher Amy Grantz, having a reliable and proactive teaching aide like senior Alice Sechrest has been an invaluable asset and the reason she nominated Alice for Student of the Month. As a teacher’s aide, Alice helps Mrs. Grantz with a variety of tasks from making copies of assignments to helping care for plants in the greenhouse to cleaning in the workshop. Alice not only fulfills her assigned tasks with efficiency but also takes the initiative to tackle additional responsibilities, ensuring that every aspect of the ag classroom runs as smoothly as possible. “Her initiative is second to none,” Mrs. Grantz said. ”When I have a sub, she always asked the sub if they need anything or if she can help in any way. She has even gone to the level of creating material for my sub that was useful to the class.” For Alice, being Mrs. Grantz's aide is not just a responsibility; it's a perfect fit that aligns with her deepest passions. With a love for plants and a genuine enjoyment of caring for and learning about animals, it's an opportunity to immerse herself in a world that fuels her curiosity and ignites her sense of purpose. She plans to become a veterinary technician after graduation and then follow in Mrs. Grantz’s footsteps by becoming an ag teacher. Alice attributes much of her inspiration and drive to Mrs. Grantz, whose classes and mentorship have played a pivotal role in shaping her aspirations. She envisions herself as a teacher one day so she can offer future students the same enriching experiences and invaluable lessons that she herself has received. What truly sets Alice apart is her compassion and unwavering commitment to helping others. Every school day she chooses to spend her open blocks helping Mrs. Burbach with physical education classes rather than leaving for the day. When asked why she volunteers her time, she said it gives her an opportunity to work directly with students which she enjoys and will help her in future endeavors. Alice is a shining example of what it means to be a SABER. She is a dedicated student, a compassionate individual, and a true asset to Central DeWitt. #gosabers #cdcsdstudentofthemonth #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #firstcentralstatebank #saberssucceeding

UPDATED DATE AND TIME! Friday, May 3rd the DeWitt Youth Soccer participants will be recognized at the conclusion of the varsity boys soccer game at 5:30 p.m. The game begins at 4 p.m. followed by the girls varsity game at 5:30 p.m. after the youth recognition. Youth participants should line up on the soccer practice field at 5:15 p.m. We're looking forward to helping recognize all of the youth soccer players! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #sabersoccer #youthrecognitionnight

Happy School Principal’s Day to these remarkable individuals! Today, we celebrate Mr. Miller, Mr. Lueders, Mr. Petsche, and Mr. Pickup who not only lead with wisdom and compassion but also serve as exemplary role models for students. They continually offer support, encouragement and a guiding hand through every challenge. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to education and dedication to creating a positive school environment! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #happyprincipalsday #nationalprincipalsday #schoolprincipalday #saberleadership #weloveourprincipals

💜🎉💛 Congratulations to Assistant Superintendent Jen Vance who was selected as the 2024 Central Office Administrator of the Year by the School Administrators of Iowa! Throughout her years at CDCSD, Mrs. Vance has demonstrated exemplary leadership qualities, inspiring both educators and students to strive for excellence. She has been instrumental in implementing innovative programs, fostering a positive school culture, and ensuring the success and well-being of our entire school community. They could not have picked a more deserving person to receive this award. We are so proud of you, Mrs. Vance! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #jenvance #2024centralofficeadministratoroftheyear #sai #saberssucceeding #saberpride #congratulationsmrsvance

At Central DeWitt we believe every student should have the opportunity to explore post-secondary options before graduation. Last Thursday, sophomores had that chance. Each student was able to visit two of the following locations: Millwrights/Carpenters Union, Black Hawk Community College, Scott Community College, Blong Technology Center, St. Ambrose University, or Western Illinois University-Moline Campus. It was a great experience for our sophomores who learned more about these campuses and all they have to offer! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #sophomores #postsecondaryoptions #planningforthefuture #careerandcollegevisits #saberssucceeding

After navigating a few obstacles and waiting on the Iowa legislature, we are excited to finally share the 2024-2025 Central DeWitt School Calendar. The calendar can also be found anytime on our website under “Calendar” in the menu. As determined by the state, the earliest we can start the school year is Aug. 23, 2024. That will make our last day of the 2024-2025 school year June 4th. As you know, Iowa weather can be unpredictable and while the last day of school is planned for June 4th, there may be days we need to make up at the end of the year. Please take that into consideration when making plans for next summer. If you have any questions please contact Superintendent Dan Peterson at dan.peterson@cd-csd.org or (563) 659-4705. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #schoolcalendar #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary

It’s National Therapy Animal Day! Join us in celebrating our amazing therapy dogs and the dedicated Central DeWitt employees who care for them! National Therapy Animal Day recognizes the positive role therapy dogs play in offering emotional support, reducing stress, contributing to cognitive development, improving socialization, and enhancing overall well-being, contributing to a positive and supportive learning environment. It’s also safe to say that Malibu, Hershey, Digit and Otis are some of the most popular staff members at Central DeWitt! Thank you for all you do for our students and staff! Pictured: Technology STEM Teacher Terri Smith and Digit, Ekstrand Elementary School Counselor Tanya Glennon and Malibu, 5th Grade Teacher Christina Walls and Hershey, and Special Education Teacher Tara Michel and Ottis #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #therapydogs #nationaltherapyanimalday #thanksforhelpingourstudents

Help our students reach their fundraising goal! This Wednesday from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Central DeWitt will participate in the Cool School Polar Plunge. The polar plunge is a fundraiser to benefit our Special Olympics athletes and Unified partners as well as the 9,100 other Special Olympic athletes and Unified partners throughout the state. Every 4th-12th grade student who raised $25 or more will leap into the icy waters of a portable plunge pool provided by Special Olympics Iowa. Central DeWitt High School Principal George Pickup, Central DeWitt Intermediate Principal Spencer Lueders and the Central DeWitt Middle School therapy dog, “Digit,” will be taking the plunge because their respective schools have met their fundraising goals for this year. Homerooms that have raised at least $250 will be choosing a staff member to plunge as well! In 2022, Central DeWitt raised over $10,000 and was the first school district in Iowa to have the Cool School Polar Plunge. You can help is reach out goal this year by donating here: https://www.classy.org/campaign/2024-central-dewitt-cool-school-plunge/c548745 or by contacting any 4th-12th grade Central DeWitt student! The Cool School Polar Plunge will take place in the parking lot behind the middle school by the tennis courts. We hope you can come out and celebrate our students' fundraising efforts! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #coolschoolpolarplunge #centraldewittspecialolympics #specialolympicsiowa #saberpride #sabersucceeding #taketheplunge

Fifth graders are getting ready to read the "The Case of a Missing Fossil," where they will act as detectives gathering clues and evidence as the plot unfolds. In the end, they will write a police report to present to the sheriff (teacher). They are doing all of this while also exploring how matter can be transformed by physical and chemical changes which connects to the matter unit in science they learned earlier this year. To prepare them for this assignment, Clinton County Sheriff's Detective Scott Wainwright spoke to the students about how detectives solve crimes. He showed them how to secure a crime scene, how to look for and gather evidence and even fingerprinted a few students! He ended his time at CDIS answering a lot of questions about all of the fascinating cases he has worked on over the years. Good luck to our Saber sleuths and thank you to Detective Wainwright for taking the time to teach our students how to be great detectives! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #fifthgrade #5thgrade #thecaseofthemissingfossil #sabersleuths #saberdetectives #handsonlearning

‼️ Beginning tomorrow ALL Central DeWitt morning transportation route times will be moved forward by five minutes for the remainder of the school year due to the closure of 6th Avenue and 11th Street. This will allow extra time to navigate detours and traffic congestion caused by the construction and ensure we are getting our students to school on time. For more information about the street closure please visit the City of DeWitt Facebook page or their website https://www.cityofdewittiowa.org/ If you have questions regarding school transportation routes, please contact the CDCSD Transportation and Operations Department at (563) 659-0706. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #busroutes #transportationroutes #timechange #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary

ATTENTION STUDENTS AND PARENTS: The end of the year is fast-approaching and that means all K-12 school library books MUST be returned by FRIDAY, MAY 17TH. Thank you for your cooperation! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #librarybooksduemay17 #returnyourbooks #mediacenter

CDHS Horticulture students have been working hard to get ready for the grand opening of the FFA Greenhouse happening Wednesday, May 1st from 1:30-5 p.m.! An assortment of hanging baskets, potted arrangements, petunias, geraniums and vegetables will be available for purchase on a first come, first served basis. For questions please contact Amy Grantz at amy.grantz@cd-csd.org or (563) 659-4732. We look forward to seeing you there! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #horticulturestudents #ffa #ffagreenhouse #ffagreenhousegrandopening #saberpride #saberssucceeding