Central DeWitt School District -

🏀 The most thrilling winter rivalry is back – the IHMVCU Shootout! The annual Iowa vs. Illinois girls high school basketball event is happening this Saturday, Jan. 10th and you won’t want to miss it!

24 teams. 12 from Illinois. 12 from Iowa. One border to rule!

✨ Event Spotlight:
The Central DeWitt Sabers Girls Basketball team has been selected for the 8 p.m. main game — a huge honor! Each year, only the top two teams in the area earn this primetime showcase, and our Sabers are ready to bring the heat!

Game Details:
Dewitt Sabers vs. Rock Island Rocks
📅 Saturday, January 10
⏰ 8 p.m.
📍 Augustana College Carver Center
🎟 8th grade and under — free admission

Find more info here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1AL8gZeCpd/

Come cheer for our Sabers as they compete for border domination! Bring your friends, family, and all your Sabers spirit — this is one game you’ll be talking about all season. Let’s pack the stands and show everyone what Sabers Nation is all about!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #SabersBasketball #SaberGirlsBasketball #IowaVsIllinois #BorderBattle #IHMVCUShootout #SaberPride

Our phones are currently down across the district. We are actively working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. In the meantime, please email our school secretaries with any absences or changes to after-school transportation. Their contact information is listed below. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

EKSTRAND
angie.herington@cd-csd.org
allison.swanson@cd-csd.org

CDIS
netty.schneider@cd-csd.org

CDMS
tricia.crank@cd-csd.org

CDHS
renee.meier@cd-csd.org
rachel.grager@cd-csd.org

🎓 Meet senior Emily Sutton, one of our seniors who is on the path to success after graduation! Way to go, Emily!

The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Niya Miller and Zoey Fuglsang. In this role, they 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 #ClassOf2026 #americorpsstudentleaders #careerandcollegeready #postsecondaryoptions #saberssucceeding

🎓 Meet senior Clara LeConte, one of our seniors who is on the path to success after graduation and has great advice for underclassmen! Way to go, Clara!

The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Niya Miller and Zoey Fuglsang. In this role, they 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 #ClassOf2026 #americorpsstudentleaders #careerandcollegeready #postsecondaryoptions #saberssucceeding

🎓 Our next senior spotlight is Nazahra Gambleton, who has a great future ahead of her! Way to go, Nazahra!

The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Niya Miller and Zoey Fuglsang. In this role, they 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 #ClassOf2026 #americorpsstudentleaders #careerandcollegeready #postsecondaryoptions #saberssucceeding

🎓 Meet senior Miles Doherty, one of our seniors who is on the path to success after graduation! Way to go, Miles!

The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Niya Miller and Zoey Fuglsang. In this role, they 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 #ClassOf2026 #americorpsstudentleaders #careerandcollegeready #postsecondaryoptions #saberssucceeding

🎄 It was a sweet experience filled with creativity and laughter when our 5th Grade Kindness Crew visited Fieldstone on Dec. 17th to help residents build gingerbread houses! What a fun and meaningful way to celebrate the season together. 💜💛

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDIS #5thGrade #KindnessCrew #SpreadingHolidayCheer #GingerbreadHouses #SpreadingKindness #CommunityConnections #GingerbreadFun #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

✨ During Saber Day buddy classroom time on December 18, Ekstrand students learned about the many ways our staff and families celebrate the holiday season. Through a special video created by Hannah Rustan, students heard stories about meaningful traditions, favorite foods, and celebrations that reflect the cultural diversity within our school community.

This experience promoted global awareness and communication, encouraging students to listen thoughtfully, ask questions, and share their own traditions. It was a meaningful reminder that, while our celebrations may look different, the spirit of family, joy, and togetherness connects us all.

Thank you to the Ekstrand staff and families who shared their traditions and stories who made this a wonderful learning experience for our students.

Watch here: https://youtu.be/aOtbEas4754

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #EkstrandElementary #SaberDay #BuddyClassrooms #SharingTraditions #DifferentCultures #CelebratingHolidays #HolidayTraditions #HolidaysAroundTheWorld #GlobalAwareness #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding #HappyHolidays

😎 Last week, Principal Hayes set out on a special mission—one centered on gratitude, trust, and connection. She secretly asked all middle school students to submit the name of a staff member they can always trust and count on—and tell why.

The response? Overwhelming! At a special assembly just before winter break, a few students were selected to read their submissions aloud—surprising the staff members with heartfelt recognition. 💛💜

But the students weren’t done yet… they turned the tables and honored Principal Hayes for being a positive, caring leader who makes sure everyone feels included. What a wonderful way to end the year! 👏✨

We are incredibly fortunate to have staff who truly connect with our students, nurture their growth and create a supportive environment that makes every school day meaningful.

🎥 Check out this video showing a few highlights: https://youtu.be/OWeNywOr5m4

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDMS #MiddleSchool #MSAssembly #SpecialAssembly #StaffSurprise #MakingADifference #SaberPride #PositiveImpact #ThankYou #SabersSucceeding

🎓 Meet Hailey Gerard, one of our seniors who has a bright future ahead of her! Way to go, Hailey!

The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Niya Miller and Zoey Fuglsang. In this role, they 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 #ClassOf2026 #americorpsstudentleaders #careerandcollegeready #postsecondaryoptions #saberssucceeding

If you’ve ever been in the high school office, you know it’s a busy place—which is why student office helpers are essential, providing invaluable support to Secretaries Rachel Grager and Renee Meier.

This year, thanks to CDHS’s Office Helper course, part of our Work-Based Learning Program, students can earn credit while serving as office helpers. This opportunity allows them to build real-world skills like professionalism, communication, organization, and responsibility—all while making a meaningful impact in the office.

Students are trained and supported by Rachel and Renee and complete reflections and grading as part of the course under the supervision of Business Teacher Laura Dion. Experiences like this give students valuable insight into workplace expectations and help prepare them for future career pathways. 💜💛

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #OfficeHelperCourse #WorkBasedLearning #CareerReady #FutureReady #OfficeHelpers #SaberPride #SabersSucceeing

🎶 Holiday cheer filled the media center on Friday as our Elf Band performed festive music to greet students on their last day before winter break. Made up of staff from the intermediate, middle and high schools, these talented educators brought their musical skills together to create a joyful and memorable start to the day. What a wonderful tradition to kick off the break for our students! 🎄

Listen here: https://youtu.be/fzN5AFf65AU

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #elfband #centraldewittstaff #weloveourstaff #saberpride #happyholidays

❄️ Winter break is here! We wish all of our students, families, staff and the entire community a joyful holiday season! Enjoy your well-deserved break, students and staff — we can’t wait to see you back on January 5th!

Central DeWitt Holiday Highlights: https://youtu.be/-DiN22_s4Ao

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #centraldewittwinterbreak #winterbreak #happyholidays

🎓 Meet senior Kelton Collins, one of our seniors who is on the path to success after graduation! Way to go, Kelton!

The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Niya Miller and Zoey Fuglsang. In this role, they 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 #ClassOf2026 #americorpsstudentleaders #careerandcollegeready #postsecondaryoptions #saberssucceeding

Last Friday, several teams of Central DeWitt Intermediate School students put their reading knowledge to the test during Battle of the Books. Students competed in several rounds of questions based on a variety of books they recently read, highlighting collaboration, critical thinking, and a shared enthusiasm for reading.

👏 Congratulations to the winning team, The Novel-teers! The team is made up of 6th graders Callen Gordon, Calvin McCulloh, Hudson Grell, and Brayden Jess.

Participants credited the experience with introducing them to books they may not have chosen on their own. Through these stories, students shared that they developed a greater sense of global awareness by experiencing life through the eyes of the characters, gaining insight into challenges and experiences very different from their own, and developing a deeper appreciation for their own lives.

This engaging event was organized by Extended Learning Program Teacher Tera Hahn and encouraged both a love of reading and exploration of different genres. Well done to all who participated!

And, thank you to DeWitt Bank & Trust Co. for their generous support in sponsoring the prizes for the winners.

#gosabers #cdis #centraldewittcsd #battleofthebooks #keepourstudentsreading #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Central DeWitt is midway through its long-range facility planning process, an effort grounded in community engagement, careful analysis, and a commitment to ensuring our schools continue to serve students effectively for decades to come. To learn what’s been accomplished so far and how you can get involved read the full update here: https://www.cd-csd.org/article/2603808

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #CDMS #CDIS #EkstrandElementary #LongRangeFacilityPlanning #FacilityPlanning #ShapingTheFuture #PlanningForTheFuture #OurSchoolsOurFuture #CommunityEngagement #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

🎓 Our next senior spotlight is Sophie House, who has big plans for her future! Way to go, Sophie!

The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Niya Miller and Zoey Fuglsang. In this role, they 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 #ClassOf2026 #americorpsstudentleaders #careerandcollegeready #postsecondaryoptions #saberssucceeding

🎶⭐ The 6th Grade Choir sang the National Anthem at Friday night’s boys basketball game. What an awesome opportunity for our young singers to showcase their talent, and they did a fantastic job. Way to go, Sabers!

Check it out: https://youtube.com/shorts/QNLnn2BSmT8

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDIS #6thGradeChoir #NationalAnthem #SaberBoysBasketball #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

🎶 On Saturday, Mr. Knowles and two talented Central DeWitt students participated in TubaChristmas at NorthPark Mall! Sixth grader Jonathan Stroud and 8th grader Ryleigh Venden represented Central DeWitt so well and sounded fantastic. What a fun and festive day of music! 💜💛

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDMS #CDMSBand #CDIS #CDISBand #SaberMusicians #TubaChristmas #NorthParkMall #SaberMusic #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

Back in March, we shared the exciting news that Katlin Truelsen, now a CDHS gradute, had published a children’s book, “Buckin’ Bull Buddies,” as part of her FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience in Ag Communications.

Fast forward to today—and that same project has reached an incredible new milestone. 🤠✨

Katlin’s book was featured for sale at two locations during the National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas. One of the book’s main characters, Cade, who joined our 2nd grade classrooms last year to talk about riding bulls, was at the NFR signing autographs.

Adding to the excitement, the book was also featured on Roots Run Deep on the Cowboy Channel during one of their live broadcasts from the rodeo.

What began as a high school FFA project at Central DeWitt, grew into a national success! We couldn’t be prouder of Katlin and everyone involved for the dedication, creativity, and hard work behind this remarkable journey. 💜💛

If you’d like to learn more or purchase the book visit https://www.cacmediagroup.com/buckin-bull-buddies-shop

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #ffa #SAE #BuckinBullBuddies #NationalFinalsRodeo #RootsRunDeep #CowboyChannel #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding