Central DeWitt School District -

What do the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have to do with the Renaissance? Ask your 5th grader! Last week, these students dove into their Renaissance Unit 5 with some creative and engaging activities that brought history and art to life in ELA! Students explored character traits, picked a turtle that matched their personality, and learned how these heroes got their names from famous Renaissance artists. They even watched a classic TMNT episode where the turtles saved priceless works of art. It was a fun way to connect their previous unit that focused on character traits to this new unit. Students in Mrs. Franker and Mr. Kuehl’s classes created artist graphs based on the character traits they explored. Mrs. Franker’s students worked under their desks to experience the challenge of creating art from an unusual perspective—just like the famous Sistine Chapel ceiling. Fifth grade is off to an exciting start in Unit 5, and it’s incredible to see the creativity and connections our students are making. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #5thgrade #Renaissance #Unit5 #creativelearning #inspiredwriting #learningisfun #saberpride #saberssucceeding

We’re thrilled to announce that CDHS, CDMS and CDIS have been ranked among the Top 100 Schools in Iowa by U.S. News & World Report! 🏆 CDHS was ranked #63 among Iowa high schools. CDIS was ranked #88 among Iowa intermediate schools. CDMS was ranked #89 among middle schools. This recognition reflects the dedication of our students, staff, and community in striving for excellence every day. From academic achievements to extracurricular success, we are proud of what makes our Saber family shine. 💜💛 Thank you to everyone who continues to support and inspire our mission of learning, leadership, and growth. Together, we achieve great things! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #top100 #TopIowaSchools #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎓 Our next senior spotlight is Katlin Truelsen, one of our seniors with a bright 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 #saberssucceeding

💜💛 Congratulations to the members of the Large Group Saber Speech Team, as they qualified 10 of their 11 events to advance to the State contest coming up on February 8th at Cedar Rapids Washington! Every member of the team participated in at least one event that received a Division I rating: Group Mime - Ella Taylor and Nazahra Gambleton Ensemble Acting - Eli Dimmick and Julia Fielding Ensemble Acting - Suzie Cox and Jack Butler Ensemble Acting - Livy Crandall and Hannah Moore Musical Theatre - Adam Wilke and Emily Sutton Musical Theatre - Brooklyn Quick and Jack Butler Radio Broadcasting - Lena Perrone and Chloe Blanchard Radio Broadcasting - Grace Burzlaff, Hannah Moore, Jenny Claussen, Nazahra Gambleton, Brooklyn Quick, and Niya Miller Short Film - Julia Fielding, Hailey Fielding, Faith Petersen, Camila Reyna, and Allie Grager Short Film - Niya Miller, Laura Martens, Lyla Hey, Ella Sunday, Grace Hendrickson, Marie Klostermann, and Lia Van Horn This incredible achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and talent. Let’s shower them with congratulations and support as they gear up for State! Additionally, the Saber Speech Team will be hosting the District Individual Events Speech Contest right HERE on Saturday, March 1st, and we would love to have your help! We are looking for volunteers to serve in a variety of roles, and would also appreciate partnering with additional sponsors. No experience is necessary to volunteer, and no amount is too small to be a sponsor! • For more information about volunteering, please visit the volunteers page of our contest website: https://bit.ly/4jCKmre • For more information about sponsorship, please visit the sponsors page of our contest website: https://bit.ly/42rW16i #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #saberspeech #Division1Rating #statebound #statespeech #LargeGroupContest #DistrictIndividualSpeechContest #March1 #getinvolved #supportoursabers #volunteer #saberpride #saberssucceeding

SAVE THE DATE! Central DeWitt Middle School presents: Murder on the 518, a family friendly mystery by Michelle Giles and produced by special arrangement with Pioneer Drama Service, Denver, Colorado. The events of the play take place on an overnight train ride. Everything seems normal at first until one passenger mysteriously drops dead and then, shortly after, another. Panicking, the remaining travelers decide there must be a murderer onboard, and though they are all strangers, they resolve to work together to solve the mystery before the train reaches its destination and the murderer escapes. We hope to see you there on Feb. 7th and 8th at 6:30 p.m. in the Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdms #cdmsplay #murderonthe518 #saberdrama #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Mrs. Walls’s 5th grade students recently showcased their creativity with a unique activity: writing epitaphs and designing tombstones for Don Quixote as a final tribute after testing. Some even stepped up to deliver heartfelt eulogies in his honor, summing up his life with kind words and poetic flair. Their tombstone designs were incredible, reflecting a mix of humor, thoughtfulness, and artistry. Mr. Lueders made a special appearance and praised their impressive work, noting how past experiences like the poetry café and slam have inspired budding creative writers. Amazing work, everyone—Don Quixote would be proud! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #5thgrade #MrsWallsClass #DonQuixoteTribute #creativelearning #inspiredwriting #learningisfun #saberpride #saberssucceeding

At the beginning of the year, Mrs. Paulsen and Mrs. Wilhelm launched “Saber Sips” a coffee, energy drink, and snack shop designed to help their students build communication and money skills. Each week, Ekstrand Elementary staff place their drink and snack orders, which are then crafted and delivered by these hard-working students. Thanks to the popularity of “Saber Sips” and the support of staff, they were able to use their profits to purchase a giant 4-In-a-row connect game for all Ekstrand students to use during recess! We are incredibly proud of these students, not only for choosing to use their profits to benefit all Ekstrand students but also for the remarkable growth they’ve demonstrated throughout this experience! Their dedication and enthusiasm shine through every week as they run their successful small business. 💜💛 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #SaberSips #Inclusion #saberpride #saberssucceeding

At the heart of every thriving educational community are teachers who go above and beyond —not just to educate, but to connect, inspire, and make a lasting difference. For the month of December, we are thrilled to recognize Preschool Teacher Erin Hughes as our Employee of the Month for her outstanding dedication and remarkable contributions to her students and their families. Parents consistently praise Mrs. Hughes’s exceptional communication skills and her passion for teaching. One parent shared how Mrs. Hughes has been a “positive experience” for their child, emphasizing her ability to foster meaningful relationships and provide a nurturing learning environment. Her organizational skills and proactive approach stand out as well. Whether it’s reaching out with timely updates or preparing ahead to ensure seamless classroom plans, she is always one step ahead, keeping families informed and involved. Another parent highlighted a particularly touching example of Mrs. Hughes’s dedication: during a two-hour delay that canceled the morning preschool session, she went out of her way to hand-deliver care packages to students’ homes. These packages, filled with crafts and special goodies, ensured her students didn’t miss out on the joy and excitement of their holiday activities. This thoughtful gesture, done on Mrs. Hughes’s personal time, exemplifies her love for her students and her profession. Through her creative teaching and genuine care, Mrs. Hughes is preparing our littlest Sabers to become life-long learners who look forward to coming to school every day. Her work lays the foundation for their future success, sparking curiosity and a positive attitude toward education that will last a lifetime. Central DeWitt is incredibly fortunate to have Mrs. Hughes as part of our team. Her enthusiasm, professionalism, and heartfelt care make her a true asset to our school community. Congratulations, Mrs. Hughes, on this well-deserved recognition!

The benefits of eating breakfast at school every morning really stack up! Studies show that kids who eat breakfast are more focused, have better energy levels, reduced absenteeism and tardiness, and perform better academically. By eating breakfast at school, students have access to healthy, affordable options while building lifelong habits of starting the day right. Plus, sharing breakfast with friends builds a sense of community! Don’t miss out – make sure your student is fueled for success by eating breakfast at school! To see what’s for breakfast visit https://cd-csd.nutrislice.com/menu #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #nutritionservices #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #schoolbreakfast #eatbreakfastatschool #breakfastbenefits

🎓Our next senior spotlight of the year is Nora McAvan, one of our seniors who has an exciting future ahead! 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

During the fall semester, four seniors, Madison Poll, Lauren Walker, Nathan Jacobsen, and Bry Tobey had the opportunity to intern with local businesses through Cooperative Education. This work-based learning course, taught by Mr. Law, is part of the CDHS Career and Technical Education Program. The internship program is an opportunity for students to gain experience in their field of interest, develop employment skills, explore pertinent college majors if going to college, and potentially determine a career path to pursue. Depending on where their internship is at, students can even get paid. Last week, students concluded their internships by sharing their experiences and what they learned through class presentations. Additionally, some presented at the CDCSD School Board meeting on Monday. To read about their experiences and how students can become an interns visit https://www.cd-csd.org/article/ 1984331 Article by CDCSD Marketing Intern Bry Tobey who is a senior at CDHS.

📢 ATTENTION PARENTS OF INCOMING PRESCHOOLERS! We’re exploring the possibility of offering a full-day preschool program for the 2025-2026 school year, and we need your input! Your feedback will help us gauge interest and plan for this exciting opportunity. 📝 Take the survey today: https://forms.gle/ZHXswjsFe99fMFR79. Deadline to take the survey is February 14,, 2025. Your voice matters—thank you for helping us shape the future of our preschool offerings! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #preschool #centraldewittpreschool #preschoolsurvey #ParentInput #PreschoolPlanning

CDHS Graphic Design I students gained valuable real-world experience by collaborating with Ed Morse Chevy GMC DeWitt on a promotional brochure. Working in teams, students created and refined their designs based on client feedback. Congratulations to Dalani Beuthien and Sophia Hovey, whose brochure was selected! This experience taught students about working with clients, showcased their talents and emphasized the importance of collaboration. Thank you to Ed Morse for not only providing this hands-on experience for our students, but also making a donation to the CDHS art department! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #GraphicDesignI #RealWorldExperience #handsonlearning #EdMorseDeWitt #donation #weloveourcommunity #saberpride #saberssucceeding

ATTENTION SENIOR FAMILIES! This is a reminder that today, ICAN is coming to the high school to help students and their families file the FAFSA for free from 1-4 P.M. If there is even a tiny chance that you are going to post-secondary school, you need to fill out the FAFSA to maximize your financial aid. It's free, and you can earn lots of money by completing it! Check this link to see what you need to prepare for: https://www.icansucceed.org/about-ican/services/ican-events-calendar/fafsa-ready-iowa-event-dewitt-086ad6 Take this opportunity to earn free money! - The Americorps Team Parker Petsche, Natalie Cagle, Lauren Walker

Central DeWitt High School and the Saber Speech Team are thrilled to have the opportunity to host the District Individual Events Speech Contest this year on Saturday, March 1st! We are eager to welcome our larger speech family to our school, and to welcome our local community in to see what speech is all about. Your help and support are crucial to make this event a success! Please share any of these links with family and friends who may be interested! Volunteers - Many hands across many roles on contest day will help provide the best contest atmosphere for all! We are looking for help with Welcome/Donation Collection, Room Chair, Timer, Parking, Concessions, and more. We CAN accommodate for anyone wishing to watch specific performances. NO EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY! To learn more about the volunteer roles and to sign up for a shift, please view our CONTEST VOLUNTEER form: https://bit.ly/3PI3ExE Sponsorships - With several hundred visitors to our school for this event, it will be the perfect opportunity for marketing your business and showing your support for Saber Speech! Whether you'd like to sponsor a room in celebration of your Saber Speech Team member, or would like to get your name and logo out in the public eye, your donation will go directly towards supporting our team with needs for hosting contest, entry fees, scripts, performance equipment, and more. To view our sponsorship levels, please view our CONTEST SPONSORSHIP form: https://bit.ly/4atn5DZ Thank you for supporting our Saber Speech! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #saberspeech #DistrictIndividualSpeechContest #March1 #getinvolved #supportoursabers #volunteer #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Yesterday’s basketball games against Muscatine have been rescheduled for this Saturday, Jan. 25th. Let’s pack the gyms, show our purple and gold pride, and cheer on our Sabers! Spread the word, and we’ll see you Saturday! • 11 a.m. Sophomore Boys Basketball at CDHS Gym • 11 a.m. Freshman Boys Basketball at CDMS Gym • 12:30 p.m. JV1 Girls Basketball at CDMS Gym • 12:30 p.m. Varsity Boys Basketball at CDHS Competition Gym • 2 p.m. Varsity Girls Basketball at CDHS Competition Gym #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #sabersgirlsbasketball #sabersboysbasketball #rescheduledgames #saberpride #cheeronoursabers

On Saturday, Central DeWitt was proudly represented by five talented musicians in the Marion Junior Honor Band! Congratulations to Robbie Schultz (6th), Tucker Thiel, (6th), Ben Doerscher (7th), Evan Sandberg (7th), and Izabella Mayer (8th) for being chosen to participate! We are so proud of your hard work and dedication to music! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #cdms #MarionJuniorHonorBand #cdmsband #cdisband #6thgrade #7thgrade #8thgrade #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Last Thursday, a group of our amazing 6th graders attended the Southeast Iowa Choral Directors Association (SE-ICDA) Honor Choir at Assumption High School! These dedicated students auditioned and earned the opportunity to participate. Over the past month and a half, they prepared four challenging songs outside of school hours. On January 16th, they joined about 150 other 5th and 6th graders from the area for a full day of rehearsals, culminating in a fantastic evening concert. We couldn’t be prouder of their hard work and incredible performance! Front Row (L to R): Abbygail Galloway, Adelynn Williams, Megan Morningstar, Ariel Treffry, Elena Thomas, Kourtney Lake, Brynn Schroeder Back Row (L to R): Rachel Burke, Reaghan Beaver, Zoe Gibson, Jayne Togisala, Delanie Rehr, Lainey Schroeder, Bodhi Law NOT PICTURED: Raya Miller and Raylee Swanson #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #6thgradechoir #SEICDA #HonorChoir #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Central De Witt CSD has canceled school for January 21st with ongoing extreme temperatures projected through the noon hour.

REMINDER: There will be no early out this Wednesday, Jan. 22nd. This will be a FULL day of school. The district school calendar can be accessed anytime on our website www.cd-csd.org under the “Calendars” section. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #fulldayofschool #noearlyoutWednesday #districtschoolcalendar