Central DeWitt School District -

🎓 Meet Logyn Dingbaum one of our seniors who is on the path to success after graduation! Way to go, Logyn! 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

As you have heard, Superintendent Dr. Dan Peterson has resigned from his position effective June 30, 2024. We are incredibly grateful to Dr. Peterson for the last 16 years he dedicated to Central DeWitt and the numerous and valuable ways he has positively impacted our students, staff, and community as superintendent. You will be missed, Dr. Peterson! Below is a letter he has written to our Saber community: Dear Saber Family, I am writing to share with you a significant personal decision. After 16 years of service, I will be stepping down as the superintendent of Central DeWitt Community School District, effective June 30, 2024. This decision marks the end of a rewarding chapter in my career, one filled with challenges, accomplishments, and the joy of working alongside such a dedicated school community. Throughout my tenure, we have collectively achieved remarkable successes that have propelled our district forward, enhancing the educational experience for our students. Our achievements in academic excellence, program innovation, and infrastructure development have solidified Central DeWitt’s reputation as a leading institution in education. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire Central DeWitt school community. To our staff, your commitment and expertise have been instrumental in our district’s achievements. Your dedication to our students’ growth and well-being has been the cornerstone of our success. To our students, your passion for learning and your resilience in the face of challenges have been truly inspiring. It has been a privilege to witness your growth and achievements. As I prepare for this transition, I am filled with pride for what we have accomplished together and am confident that Central DeWitt will continue to excel and build on this strong foundation. I am looking forward to seeing the district reach new heights in the coming years. Thank you for the support, trust, and collaboration over the last 16 years. It has been an honor to serve as your superintendent and to be a part of this extraordinary school district. With heartfelt appreciation and best wishes for the future, Dr. Dan Peterson Superintendent

REMINDER: There is no school tomorrow, Friday, March 29th. Enjoy the long weekend and we’ll see everyone again on Monday, April 1st! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #noschoolfriday #noschoolmarch29 #enjoyyourlongweekend #seeyoumonday

🎓 Meet Drew McAvan one of our seniors who has big plans for his future! Way to go, Drew! 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

FROM THE CDCSD SCHOOL BOARD: The Board would like to share that Superintendent Peterson has offered his resignation from the Central DeWitt Community School District effective June 30, 2024. The Board will act on Dr. Peterson’s resignation at its Special Board meeting at 6:00 pm on April 1, 2024. In providing his resignation, Dr. Peterson wrote “I want to express my deepest gratitude to the entire Central DeWitt school community. To our staff, your commitment and expertise have been instrumental in our district’s achievements. Your dedication to our students’ growth and well-being has been the cornerstone of our success. To our students, your passion for learning and your resilience in the face of challenges have been truly inspiring. It has been a privilege to witness your growth and achievements.” The Board would like to thank Dr. Peterson for his service and commitment to the Central DeWitt Community School District. He has been a dedicated and conscientious leader committed to improving all aspects of the educational experience. During his time leading our district, Dr. Peterson has found opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of our staff and students. We wish Dr. Peterson well in his future endeavors. The Board recognizes this as an opportunity for new leadership for the Central DeWitt Community School District. A state-wide search will be launched with the help of a search firm recognized for its connections in the educational field within the month. During this process, we will seek community input and keep our staff and the public updated. We look forward to welcoming our next leader who will continue to serve all students in an innovative and supportive learning environment that prepares them for life-long success. Mike Zimmer, Board President Angela Rheingans, Board Vice-President Geoff Blandin, Board Member Roger Hill, Board Member Dan Smicker, Board Member

The first-ever “Chopped” Student vs. Staff Cooking Competition occurred in Family and Consumer Science Teacher Ms. Sage's room yesterday. The competition took place to prepare these CDHS students for an upcoming cooking competition taking place on April 12th at Scott Community College. The students will use their teamwork and cooking skills to compete against other area high school students in hopes of winning the inaugural (SCC) cooking competition. During yesterday’s practice competition the student and staff teams were tasked with cooking a meal within a one hour and 15-minute time limit. Competitors were surprised at the beginning of their time with four ingredients to use in their meal: sweet potatoes, ground chicken, non-alcoholic white cooking wine, and fresh sage. The student team prepared a creamy chicken and sage alfredo pasta with mashed cinnamon and sugar sweet potatoes while the staff members prepared a “rustic” chicken patty drizzled with a maple-Dijon sauce, mashed parmesan sweet potatoes, and a homemade biscuit. When time finished a panel of judges rated the dishes based on appearance, taste, texture and creativity. It was a very close competition but the judges ultimately gave the “Golden Utensils” and the win to the team of staff members. Thank you to Mrs. Jacobsen, Mrs. Wildes, Mr. Kuehl and Mrs. Burbach for helping prepare our students for the competition! And, thanks to Mya Campbell for filling in on the student team yesterday! Best of luck to CDHS culinary students Emma Peña, Karson Hoenig, JJ Coates, Dalton McCollam and Olivia Ortner who will be competing in the upcoming cooking competition! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #chopped #choppedcompetition #studentvsstaff #scottcommunitycollegecookingcompetition #saberpride #saberssucceeding

During spring break, members of this year's Central DeWitt Robotics Team were given a unique opportunity travel to Puerto Rico to compete in the FIRST Tech Challenge Puerto Rico Championship. This opportunity came about when an affiliate partner for FIRST in Puerto Rico, Mr. Roberto Gorbea, reached out to other affiliate partners from the United States to help organize the inaugural island championship. After receiving some help and training from Iowa's affiliate partner, Ms. Rebecca Whitaker, he asked for recommendations of Iowa teams that might be interested in participating. Ms. Whitaker reached out to Central DeWitt robotics coach Eddie Mercado, who had family from the island and lived there for a time. Mr. Mercado began to lay the groundwork for the team to participate, and received approval from the administration and school board. Thanks to generous donations from Guardian Glass, John Deere, and the Central DeWitt Robotics Booster Club, $7500 was raised to pay for transportation and hotels. The event was a huge success, and the Central DeWitt team was proud to help make it possible. Their efforts earned the team the Innovate Award, sponsored by RTX. The Innovate Award celebrates a team that thinks imaginatively and has the ingenuity, creativity, and inventiveness to make their designs come to life. The students were also able to connect with new teams and hope to remain in contact with them to help grow FIRST across the island. And, this opportunity gave them a chance to experience a new culture and language, as well as explore some of the island's natural beauty including Old San Juan, the only tropical rainforest in the US national forest system, several of the island's pristine beaches, and a bioluminescent bay that is unique to the island's special ecosystem. What an incredible experience for our students and congratulations to Mr. Mercado and the Central DeWitt RoboticsTeam on a successful competition! CDHS students included: Garrison Chrones, Tyler Ritz, Alivia Crandall, Camila Reyna, Isaac Lewis, and Drew Stroud. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #centraldewittrobotics #centraldewittroboticsteam #FIRSTTechChallengePuertoRicoChampionship #FIRSTTechChallenge #robotics #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Last week 6th grade students learned about cacao production in the Caribbean and created social media posts to share their knowledge about issues happening in cacao production and chocolate manufacturing. Check out their work! Way to go, Sabers! This is lesson was part of Ag in the Classroom taught by consultant Jenna Stevens. Ag in the Classroom is program that helps K-12 students understand the role agriculture plays in their lives. See posts at: https://youtube.com/shorts/9SUyTaASqgc?feature=share #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #agintheclassroom #cacao #cacaoproduction #chocolatemanufacturing #learningisfun #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎓 Meet Emma Huyten one of our seniors who is sharing great advice for younger students! Way to go, Emma! 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 our instrumental and vocal students, as well as Mr. Greubel and Mr. Uttech on a very successful IHSMA State Solo and Ensemble Festival this past weekend! The Central DeWitt instrumental department received 22 Division I Superior ratings, 32 Division II Excellent ratings, 6 Division III Good ratings, and three performed for comments only. Junior Natalie Cagle received the prestigious honor of being chosen as the outstanding performance of the day in her center for her percussion (marimba) solo performance. In May, there will be an Outstanding Performance Recital held in Ames to showcase the Outstanding Performances from all classes across the state. Our vocal students had 10 events earn Division I Superior ratings, 24 events earned Division II Excellent ratings, eight events earned Division III Good ratings, and a few students performed for comments only. We are extremely proud of our students and their hard work! Some of the Division I individuals and groups listed will perform for the STAR Recital on April 14th at 2 p.m. in the CDPAC. This event is co-sponsored by the Central DeWitt High School Fine Arts programs and the DeWitt Area Fine Arts Foundation (DAFAF). Proceeds that day go to help support the DAFAF scholarship program. INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCES EARNING DIVISION I RATINGS Brady Herington-Bb Clarinet solo; Brady Herington-Bass Clarinet solo; Chloe Erskine-Flute solo; Addison Licht-Piano solo; Abe Vickers-Piano solo; Natalie Cagle-Percussion (Marimba) solo (perfect score); Evan Kinney-String Bass solo (one point away from perfect); Sabine Housenga-Percussion (Marimba) solo (one point away from perfect); Sabine Housenga-Percussion (Timpani) solo; Sabine Housenga-Percussion (Steel Pans) solo; Abe Vickers-Percussion (Quint Toms) solo; Dylan Stoker-Tuba solo; Flute trio-Addison Licht, Chloe Erskine, & Susie Cox; Drumset Duet-Sabine Housenga & Abe Vickers; Marimba Duet-Sabine Housenga & Natalie Cagle; the Woodwind Choir-Kali Kaczinski, Chloe Erskine, Addison Licht, Adam Wilke, Laura Sutton, Susie Cox, Brady Herington, Rachel Spicer, Leah Marvin, Addison Walls, Adelynne Meyer, Katherine Cloos, Carissa Schmidt, Niya Miller, Avery Heilig, Marie Klostermann, Emma Huyten, Regina Klostermann, Aaden Lanning, Matthew Boeding, & Onyx Kildow; the Clarinet Choir-Brady Herington, Rachel Spicer, Leah Marvin, Addison Walls, Adelynne Meyer, Katherine Cloos, Carissa Schmidt, Niya Miller, Avery Heilig, Marie Klostermann, & Emma Huyten; the Saxophone Choir-Brady Herington, Aaden Lanning, Addison Licht, Dresden Gibson, Niya Miller, Matthew Boeding, Regina Klosterman, & Onyx Kildow; the Percussion A Choir-Sabine Housenga, Benen Greubel, Brady Herington, Laura Sutton, Marie Klostermann, Adelynne Meyer, Natalie Cagle, Zach Huyten, Beck Maricle, Regina Klostermann, Abe Vickers, Jack Butler, & Callan Hursey; the Percussion B Choir-Sabine Housenga, Natalie Cagle, Abe Vickers, Beck Maricle, Jack Butler, Callan Hursey, Brady Herington, Marie Klostermann, & Regina Klostermann; the Percussion C Choir-Sabine Housenga, Natalie Cagle, Abe Vickers, Beck Maricle, Jack Butler, Callan Hursey, & Zach Huyten; and the Brass Choir-Anna Prosise, Caleb Govert, Jenny Claussen, Adrian Santos, Ethan Hansen, Aiden Costas, Alicia Witt, Noah Sunday, Lily Hartley, Evan Kinney, Ashlie Oronzio, Maverick Harris, Tori Brassard, Andrew Hartley, Benen Greubel, Julia Fielding, Lacey Stoker, Livy Crandall, Ayden Johnson, Olivia Lopez, Emily Sutton, Garrison Chrones, Dylan Stoker, & Alex Brown. VOCAL PERFORMANCES EARNING DIVISION I RATINGS Marjory Alger, Sabine Housenga, Emma Huyten, Kali Kaczinski - Mixed Ensemble, Brooklyn Quick; Matthew Boeding – Solo; Caleb Govert – Solo; Sabine Housenga – Solo; Sabine Housenga & Regina Klostermann – Duet; Elston Lindner – Solo; Kali Kaczinski – Solo; Regina Klostermann – Solo; Brooklyn Quick – Solo; Tysen Steffens - Solo VOCAL PERFORMANCES EARNING DIVISION II RATINGS Marjory Alger – Solo; Marjory Alger & Brooklyn Quick – Duet; Matthew Boeding, Jack Butler, Benen Greubel, Nile Hootman, Elston Lindner, Austin Miller, Caleb Olson, Gus Pickup, and Tyler Ritz - Mixed Ensemble; Molly Burken – Solo; Jack Butler – Solo; Suzie Cox – Solo; Suzie Cox & Hannah Moore – Duet; Gabby Ciriac – Solo; Addison Cronk, Isabelle Ostert, Brooklyn Quick, Jordan Smith, Maddie Thiel - Mixed Ensemble; Andrew Hartley – Solo; Kay Tracy - Solo; Grace Hendricksen – Solo; Marie Klostermann – Solo; Beck Maricle – Solo; Laura Martens – Solo; Laura Martens & Valerie Mickelson – Duet; Mel Miller – Solo; Aleigha Navin & Christina Reyna – Duet; Caleb Olson – Solo; Kyle Olson – Solo; Kyle Olson & Tysen Steffens – Solo; Gus Pickup – Solo; Emma Pillers – Solo; Tyler Ritz - Solo #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #ihsmastatesoloandensemblefestival #cdhsband #cdhsinstrumentaldepartment #cdhschoir #cdhsvocaldepartment #saberpride #saberssucceeding

At last night’s school board meeting, it was decided the last day of the 2023-2024 school year will be Wednesday, June 5th to make up for the snow days we experienced this winter. Since that falls on a Wednesday, it will be an early dismissal at 1:30 p.m. The last day for staff members will be Friday, June 7th. Thank you for understanding and we appreciate your flexibility! If you have any questions, please reach out to Superintendent Dr. Dan Peterson at dan.peterson@cd-csd.org or (563) 659-4705. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #lastdayofschool #lastdayofschool2024

Congratulations to Juniors Jayden Flammang and Ben Boyd on a job well done at the welding competition held last Friday at Clinton High School! Jayden earned 1st place for his welding and Ben earned 2nd place for his welding. Way to go, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhswelding #weldingcompetition #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Last Friday, Ms. Pickup’s 4th grade class took special guests on a “trip” all over the United States when they presented their national park research projects. While studying geology recently, one of Ms. Pickup’s students came up with the idea to research national parks. The class then chose how they wanted to present the information and decided to invite staff, administrators and other students to see their work. Ms. Pickup’s students not only learned about the different national parks we have, but also about the variety of animals and plants that inhabit the areas, landforms present, as well as other interesting facts. Great work, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #4thgrade #nationalparks #nationalparkpresentation #saberpride #saberssucceeding #learningisfun

ATTENTION SENIORS! Sycamore Media is now accepting applications for a paid part-time summer intern. Do you have an interest in journalism and/or photography? This would be a great opportunity to learn hands-on! See flyer for details. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsseniors #seniors #classof2024 #summerinternship #handsonlearning #sycamoremedia #careerandcollegeready

🎓 Meet Adrian Santos another one of our seniors who has a bright future ahead of him! Way to go, Adrian! 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

Good luck to sophomores Molly Burken and Jack Butler who are performing at the IHSSA All State Individual Speech Festival at the University of Northern Iowa campus in Cedar Falls today! Molly will be presenting her Review, and Jack will be performing Prose. Last Friday, CDHS held a send-off for the speech team members to wish them well! We’re proud to have you represent Central DeWitt, Molly and Jack! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #saberspeech #individualallstatespeechfestival #allstate #saberssucceeding #saberpride

EICC’s concurrent summer classes are a great opportunity for high school students to take college credit courses for free! All courses are first come, first served so do not wait to register! Please see the flyer for more information. If you have any questions please reach out to holly.hansen@cd-csd.org. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #eiccconcurrentsummerclasses #summerlearning #summeropportunity #freecourses

🎓 Meet Sabine Housenga one of our seniors who has great advice for younger students! Way to go, Sabine! 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

‼️ ATTENTION: CDHS Senior Awards Day needed to be rescheduled and will now take place on Monday, May 13th at 12:45 p.m. in the CDPAC. Seniors’ last day and picnic will still be Friday, May 17th. Please spread the word! Thank you! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #classof2024 #seniorawardsday #scholarships #seniorrecognition #saberpride #saberssucceeding

We are excited to announce that Bill Petsche has been named as the next CDCSD Director of Curriculum and Instruction! Please join us in congratulating him! Bill Petsche has contributed 18 years to the Central DeWitt CSD across various roles, most recently as Middle School Principal and Director of Secondary Special Programs. His achievements include initiating a successful internship program and a Future Business Leaders of America club. As an administrator, he has enhanced educational practices and systems within the district, focusing on curriculum development and instructional methodologies. Petsche is anticipating a doctoral degree in educational policy and leadership studies from the University of Iowa this December. Additionally, he holds an education specialist degree in educational administration and a master’s degree in education with a focus on technology integration. "I am deeply honored to step into the role of Director of Curriculum and Instruction for the Central DeWitt Community School District," said Petsche. "Having devoted nearly two decades to serving this community and its students, I am passionate about advancing our educational mission and building on our successes. I look forward to creating a dynamic and inclusive learning environment that nurtures and empowers every student." Board members worked with Grundmeyer Leader Services to conduct the search. Petsche interviewed with a stakeholder interview group consisting of instructional coaches, administrators, and a school board member on March 18. Pending school board approval, Petsche will officially begin serving as Director of Curriculum and Instruction on July 1, 2024. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #directorofcurriculumandinstruction