Central DeWitt School District -

💜💛 Congratulations to our March 2025 District Student of the Month Emery Clark! She is featured in today's edition of The Observer thanks to our friends at First Central State Bank. Emery is a student who consistently exemplifies the values of empathy, inclusion, and kindness. Known for her warm and approachable personality, she goes above and beyond to ensure those around her feel supported and valued. She works hard every day to make a positive impact on those around her. "I don’t like when people have bad days” Emery shared. “I like to cheer them up." In the classroom, Emery is a role model, always treating others with kindness and respect. She understands the power of inclusion and makes it a priority to ensure no one feels left out. It’s important to Emery that her peers know she can always be counted on to be a friend. Whether it’s helping a classmate with schoolwork, offering a kind word to someone who is struggling, or simply sharing a smile, she spreads positivity wherever she goes. Her ability to lift others up and create a sense of belonging embodies the very best of what it means to be a SABER. Central DeWitt is grateful for students like Emery who make our schools a better place each and every day. Congratulations, Emery, on this well-deserved recognition! Your commitment to kindness and compassion makes a lasting impact on everyone around you. #gosabers #cdcsdstudentofthemonth #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #firstcentralstatebank #studentofthemonth #sabepride #saberssucceeding

🌟 Happy Paraprofessionals Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate our incredible associates who make a difference every single day! They’re always going the extra mile to ensure all of our students have every opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. Whether it's providing academic support, assisting in extracurricular activities, offering encouragement, or stepping in wherever they're needed, their impact on our Saber community is immeasurable. 💜💛 Join us in thanking these amazing individuals for everything they do! A HUGE THANK YOU TO: Camryn Anderson, Dea Banowetz, Tiffany Barr, Meagan Beal, Kimberly Behrend, Sharri Block, Kathy Blumer-Gronewold, Vicki Rae Brainerd, Carolynn Bretschneider, Nicolette Bretschneider, Jennifer Burke, Megan Cahill, Bailey Carstensen, Kendra Casel, Tammy Cousins, Brenna Dalldorf, Amanda Daniels, Brittney Darrow, Amanda Dwinal, Shannon Edwards, Shawn Everett, Tesha Fischer, Faith Fletcher, Melissa Franzen, Luann Freese, Kristen Green, Michele Gruntorad, Renae Havener, Cynthia Henningsen, Lisa Heston, Abbey Hurning, Melisa Jacobsen, Deborah Jasper, Amber Kaczinski, Abby Kampe, Chelsie Lane, Lisa Leab, Kimberly Lueders, Raelynn McAleer, Grace McCaulley, Amber McClain, Colleen McDevitt, Madison Napierkowski, Japatra Person-Cason, Deb Petersen, Sarah Reed, Jessica Sander, Camryn Schnede, Heather Schnoor, Melissa Shady, Mallory Shumate, Elaine Smith, Cassandra Tibbetts, Mary Townsley, Jessica Venden, Leann Walker, Paula Webinger. Michelle Wiebers, Dawn Wright, Anna Zakharchenko #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #cdis #cdms #cdhs #ThankYouAssociates #WeLoveOurAssociates #saberpride #saberssucceeding #NationalParaprofessionalsDay2025

🎺 CDHS and CDMS students were treated to an electrifying performance by the Iowa National Guard’s “Scrap Metal” 34th Army Band this morning! From powerful melodies to high-energy rhythms, their music created an unforgettable experience for everyone in attendance. A huge thank you to these incredible musicians for your service and for sharing your inspiring talents with our students! 🎶 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #IowaNationalGuard #34thArmyBand #ScrapMetal #thankyouforyourservice #LiveMusic #ElectrifyingPerformance #saberpride

🥎 Softball season is right around the corner, and we’d love for you to be part of the excitement! The Central DeWitt Sabers softball team is looking for support from local businesses and community members to help make this season a success. With a variety of fun and flexible sponsorship opportunities available, there’s something to fit every budget. Best of all, every contribution goes directly toward supporting our athletes. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/4jbUt5n or scan the QR code. Thank you for supporting our Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #centraldewittsoftball #sabersoftball #softballsponsors #supportsoftball #saberpride #sponsorshipopportunity #thankyouforsupportingoursabers

🎓 Our next senior spotlight of the year is Livy Crandall, who has big plans for her future! The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Lauren Walker, Parker Petsche, and Natalie Cagle. In this role, these students 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 #saberssucceed

On Friday, Early Childhood Education students, along with Mrs. Barnes and Mrs. Siegel had an amazing opportunity to visit the Bettendorf Family Museum, where they observed preschool classrooms and saw firsthand how children learn through play. From art and construction to music, water play, and social interactions, the creative learning experiences were incredible for our students to witness! In the afternoon, they visited the Quad City Botanical Center, where they explored the beautiful facilities and participated in a hands-on session. They discovered tropical plants like banana trees, pickle plants, annatto trees, cocoa trees, allspice, and even carnivorous plants! And, they even got to experiment with the Mississippi River replica water stream! What a cool experience! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #fieldtrip #learningisfun #BettendorfFamilyMuseum #QCBotanicalCenter #saberssucceeding

We are proud to recognize First Grade Teacher Mrs. Nelson as our February Employee of the Month! A dedicated and compassionate educator, Mrs. Nelson consistently goes above and beyond for her students, ensuring that each child receives the support they need to grow academically and personally. This is her first year teaching at Central DeWitt, and she has already made a significant impact in the lives of her students. This past month, Mrs. Nelson demonstrated her extraordinary commitment by attending an extracurricular event for each of her students, making the effort to show up and cheer on her students outside of the classroom. Her presence at these events meant the world to her students, proving to them that they are valued and supported not just within the walls of the school, but in all aspects of their lives. One parent shared, "I have never seen a teacher so dedicated to her class before. She attended my son's basketball game, just to support him outside of school. He was ecstatic to see her there and couldn't wait to chat with her after the game. Her dedication will impact these kids for the rest of their lives, proving to them that they are each important and loved by more than just their own families.” Mrs. Nelson emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships with her students, both inside and outside of the classroom. She believes that fostering a sense of family within the classroom helps students feel supported and valued. “Establishing strong relationships with the kids is at the foundation of our classroom,” Mrs. Nelson said. “The kids know from day one that we are a family, and I want them to know I care very much about them in and out of the classroom. Seeing kids do 'their thing' away from school is such a fun experience and offers an opportunity to watch them shine in a way I might not otherwise get.” Mrs. Nelson’s unwavering dedication is a shining example of what it means to be an exceptional educator and a true SABER. Her efforts will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on her students, shaping their confidence and reinforcing the power of kindness and support. Congratulations, Mrs. Nelson, on this well-deserved recognition!

🔥 Saber Welders Shine at Competition! 🔥 This past Friday at the welding competition at Clinton High School, senior Sam Robinson dominated the written test, taking 1st place, and showed his skills in welding, earning 3rd place! Junior Abe Vickers also competed with a strong performance! Great job, guys! Your hard work and dedication are paying off! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #weldingcompetition #weldingskills #saberpride #saberssucceeding

On Friday, six talented Central DeWitt Middle School band members showcased their musical skills at the Loras College Honor Band! 🎵 Congratulations to Chloe Knepper, Shupriya Karki, Nora Prosise, Talia Stroud, Izabella Mayer, and Ember Rucker for sharing your musical talents and representing our school with pride! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdms #cdmsband #lorascollegehonorband #saberpride #saberssucceeding

💜💛 Good luck to Hannah Moore, Jack Butler, and Niya Miller as they perform at the IHSSA All-State Speech Festival at the University of Northern Iowa today! Jack Butler will be performing Prose, while both Niya Miller and Hannah Moore will present Public Addresses. Being selected for All-State is a top honor, as participants are considered the best in the state. Last Friday, CDHS held a send-off for the speech team members to wish them well on this incredible achievement. We’re proud to have you represent Central DeWitt, Hannah, Jack, and Niya! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #saberspeech #allstatespeechfestival #allstate #saberssucceeding #saberpride

🎓 Order graduation yard signs today and support Central DeWitt After Prom! It’s time to celebrate your graduate and these sign are perfect for grad parties, the senior parade, and more! 📅 Order Deadline: April 11th 📍 Pickup: Early May 📩 Send Orders To: cdafterprom@gmail.com 📸 Include: A JPEG photo of your grad (name the file as FirstLast.jpg) 💡 Ideas for Extra Celebration: ✨ Have multiple entrances at your grad party? Get a sign for each one! 🚗 Participating in the graduate parade? Grab a sign for each side of your vehicle! 📷 Submit multiple photos or use the same one for multiple signs! What a great way to celebrate our graduates and support an important and fun cause! #gosabers #centraldewittvsd #cdhs #centraldewittafterprom #seniorsigns #celebrateyoursenior #saberpride

📢 Support Central DeWitt Special Olympics! Join us for a Dine to Donate event at Texas Roadhouse in Davenport on March 31st & April 1st between 3-10 p.m.! Enjoy a delicious meal while making a difference—just mention Central DeWitt Special Olympics, and a portion of your total will be donated to our amazing athletes! Let’s come together to support inclusion, determination, and teamwork. Tag your friends and spread the word! 💜💛 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #centraldewittspecialolympics #supportoursabers #dineanddonate #texasroadhouse #saberpride

🎨✨ Congratulations to our talented Saber Artists! ✨🎨 We’re proud to announce that artwork from Central DeWitt High School has been selected for the Quad City Arts 48th Annual High School Art Invitational! Way to go, Amelia Griffin, Lily Hartley, Joellynn Dwinal, Emma Pillers, Kay Tracy, Olivia Ortner, Dalani Beuthien, Griffin Reed, Kobe Mahler, Shayna Lopez and JJ VanDerGinst! Their incredible pieces will be on display now through May 1st—don’t miss the chance to see their creativity shine! For more information visit https://www.quadcityarts.com/ #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsart #saberartists #qcartsawards #qcartshsinvitational #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🚨 TODAY IS THE DAY! 🚨 CDHS Student Council’s Dance Marathon is happening TODAY from 4-6 p.m. in the CDHS gym! Join us for games, live music, and an incredible cause. Admission is free with a suggested donation at the door. Everyone is welcome! Student Council is still working toward their goal of raising $5,000 for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital —every donation counts! You can still support our Sabers' effort by donating here: 🔗 https://bit.ly/426nxEx Let’s make a difference, Sabers! 💜💛 See you there! #GoSabers #CDHS #CDHSStudentCouncil #DanceMarathon #SaberPride #RhythmForACause #SaberStrong #EveryDollarCounts

🎓 Our next senior spotlight is Ellie Lake, who has a bright future ahead of her! The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Lauren Walker, Parker Petsche, and Natalie Cagle. In this role, these students 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

🎶 The CDHS Pop Concert is happening this Monday, March 31st at 7:30 p.m. in CDPAC, and you won’t want to miss it! Our talented students have been working hard to bring you an unforgettable show featuring hits from across the decades—and maybe even a few surprises. 👀🎤🎸 If you find these photos entertaining, just wait until you see the performances! See you there! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhschoir #cdhspopsconcert #popsconcert #saberpride #sabersucceeding

🎉 Exciting news from Saber Speech! 🎉 The Saber Speech Team wishes to thank all of our sponsors, volunteers, and community supporters for helping to make our District Individual Events Contest a success, and for taking an interest in learning more about speech! While we had an incredibly busy day hosting and did not have a chance to connect with everyone, we appreciated knowing that we were surrounded by so many familiar and enthusiastic faces. Our performers rounded out their contest season at the State Individual Events Contest at North Scott High School. Congratulations to our team members who achieved amazing performances and ratings (see below)! Additionally, THREE of our team members were selected for top honors in the state for their performances! All State nominations were awarded to Jack Butler in Prose, Niya Miller in Public Address, and Hannah Moore in Public Address. They will represent Central DeWitt as they perform at the All State Festival at UNI on Monday, March 31st. Jack, Niya, and Hannah will also be recognized with an All State send-off at 7:45 AM in the high school atrium this Friday, March 27th. Please help us congratulate our outstanding performers! Straight 1 Rating Molly Burken - Expository Address and Reviewing Jack Butler - Prose and Reviewing Jenny Claussen - Spontaneous Speaking Niya Miller - Public Address Hannah Moore - Public Address Overall 1 Rating Matthew Boeding - Solo Musical Theatre Marie Klostermann - Solo Musical Theatre Laura Martens - Prose Melanie Miller - Acting Niya Miller - Reviewing Adam Wilke - Solo Musical Theatre Overall 2 Rating Julia Fielding - Prose Marie Klostermann - Radio News #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #saberspeech #statespeech #DistrictIndividualSpeechContest #AllStateSpeech #thankyouvolunteers #thankyousponsors #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Thank you to these local professionals who took the time to share their career journeys with Central DeWitt juniors during the Success Roundtable event today. Your insights and experiences are invaluable in helping our students explore pathways to success! This event would not be possible without the support of the DeWitt Chamber & Development Co. and all who participated. We appreciate your dedication to shaping the future of our students! 💜💛 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsjuniors #dcdc #successroundtableevent #dewittchamberanddevelopmentcompany #dcdcsuccessroundtable

Are you a high school student interested in a career in nursing? Then MercyOne Genesis Adventures In Nursing (GAIN) Camp is for YOU! GAIN Camp offers hands-on experiences in different nursing specialties, plus a sneak peek at other healthcare careers! See flyer for details. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #GAINCamp #MercyOneGenesis #NursingCamp #saberssucceeding

🚀 CDIS students, staff, and parents embarked on an interstellar adventure at this year’s 5th Grade Planet Fair! 🌎✨ Students showcased their creativity by designing unique planets, building 3D models, and presenting their planet characteristics. This hands-on project brought the solar system to life, making learning both fun and engaging. 🌟 Great job to all the students, and a huge thank you to the teachers for making this such an exciting experience for all! Visit our Facebook page to see all the planets! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #5thgradeplanetfair #saberssucceeding #learningisfun