Central DeWitt School District -

Now this is how you kick off the last day of school! CDIS students weren’t just greeted by the Kindness Crew this morning. They were surprised with a whole zoo of inflatables worn by teachers, administrators and staff as they arrived. There were a lot of smiles, waves and high fives that got the morning started off right! Check it out: https://youtu.be/emf3m3X0paQ #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #inflatables #kindnesscrew #lastdayofschool2024 #saberpride #saberssucceeding #schoolisfun

Yesterday these thoughtful 5th graders paid it forward when they delivered 30 “Birthday Boxes” to the DeWitt Referral Center & Thrift Store. The “boxes” are filled everything needed to celebrate a birthday including cake ingredients, candles, balloons and even a card! Earlier in the year, Mrs. Hofer received a Project Jack grant for $250 from The REALTOR® Foundation of Iowa and a $50 grant from the Purple Bean Coffee and More Store. Project Jack, inspired by Jack Lindaman who passed away from spinal muscular atrophy at age 6, gives 4th and 5th graders the opportunity to pay it forward any way the class chooses. Our students decided to they wanted to do something for DeWitt Referral Center clients and so the grants were used to purchase items for the “Birthday Boxes.” We are proud of our students’ enthusiasm to help others and grateful to have teachers who inspire and encourage them! Great job, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #5thgrade #ProjectJack #payitforward #helpingothers #helpingourcommunity #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Our eighth graders have been making the most of their last few days together before they enter high school next year. Recently, they visited the Wapsi River Environmental Center in Dixon, IA and also spent time at DeWitt Bowling Lanes. What a fun way to end the year! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdms #eighthgrade #eighthgradefieldtrip #learningisfun

CDHS chemistry students competed in the water cup challenge, a game of liquid Jenga, last week that kept everyone on the edge of their seats! It was a fun way to investigate the surface tension of water while learning about intermolecular forces. Ana Henningsen was the overall winner! Way to go! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #chemistry #cdhschemistry #saberssucceeding #learningisfun

Time to tune up your instruments and join the DeWitt Area Community Band which kicks off its summer season with practice on Wednesday, June 5th in the CDHS band room. This recreational group, comprised of community members and high school students, was started by former CDHS Band Director Mr. Ed McMahon back in the 1980's and continues today under the direction of CDHS Band Director Josh Greubel. Rehearsals will be June 5th, June 12th, June 19th, and June 26th all in the CDHS band room from 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Concerts are June 14th and June 28th in the CDPAC at 7 p.m. Band members should park in the student lot next to the football field and enter door #43 directly into the CDHS band room for rehearsals. Email josh.greubel@cd-csd.org for further information. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #dewittareacommunityband #summerseason #beginsjune5th

Congratulations to CDHS Science Teacher Zach Taylor who recently received an award from the Iowa Governor's STEM Advisory Council STEM Scale-Up Program. With this award, Mr. Taylor is implementing a web-based program called Positive Physics which provides engaging lessons and problems that enhance the learning experience for his physics students. One of the many things Mr. Taylor likes about this program is that students get immediate feedback and they are given additional opportunities to learn how to do the problems and correct their mistakes. This especially helps struggling students because they are actively learning as they work. It also provides students the opportunity to work in groups, while still having to do their own work because each student’s problem has different values. This will no doubt be a great resource for Mr. Taylor and his students! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsphysics #mrtaylor #saberpride #saberssucceeding #IowaGovernorsSTEMAdvisoryCouncil #STEMScaleUpProgram

🏆 Congratulations to our May 2024 #SaberSpotlight students! #SaberSpotlight recognizes Central DeWitt students who stand out in the classroom and represent what it means to be a SABER! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #SaberSpotlight #studentssucceeding #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary

For almost two years, CDIS students Payton Goldensoph, Braelyn Humes, Charlotte Pauly, Leo Hill and Maddy Mommsen have been writing a play called “The Break of the Space Time Continuum” and finally on Tuesday they saw their hard work come to life. The play, performed by 5th graders, tells the story of significant historical figures traveling through time together. The students who wrote the play said they were inspired by the stories of Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, Abraham Lincoln and President Barack Obama and thought their peers would be interested in learning more about them. Congratulations to the writers for their perseverance in writing the script and for creating a fun way to share important history! And, great job to everyone else involved who put on a wonderful performance! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #5thgradeplay #thebreakinthespacetimecontinuum #saberscript #saberwriters #saberpride #saberssucceeding

It’s Work with Us Wednesday! Here’s another great opportunity at Central DeWitt where you can make a difference. To apply, visit https://phlaptweb36.applitrack.com/CDCSD/onlineapp/ #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #workwithuswednesday #joinoursaberfamily #jobopportunities #schoolcounselor #elementaryschoolcounselor

💜💛 Congratulations to our May 2024 District Student of the Month Izzy Heitz! She is featured in today's edition of The Observer thanks to our friends at First Central State Bank. In just her first year of high school, freshman Izzy Heitz has already distinguished herself as a beacon of positivity and a true exemplar of SABER values. Her outstanding contributions and inclusive spirit are why CDHS Spanish Teacher Nicole Schaller nominated her for Student of the Month. In the classroom, she is a standout student who goes above and beyond in every aspect of her academic life. Teachers can always rely on her to actively participate by answering questions, taking comprehensive notes, and sharing insightful opinions. Her enthusiasm for learning is contagious, significantly enhancing the overall engagement and dynamic of the class. Her peers look up to her as a role model for academic excellence and intellectual curiosity. Outside of the classroom, she continues to shine as an active participant in extracurriculars and is always willing to lend a hand where needed. She is a dedicated member of the literary magazine, The Scribbler, where she contributes her creative talents and editorial skills. In Saber Drama, she plays a crucial behind-the-scenes role by helping with lighting for productions. Moreover, her commitment to inclusivity and service is evident through her role in the Best Buddies program and as a Unified partner for Special Olympics. As a Unified partner she helps students of all abilities compete in soccer, basketball, and bowling at Special Olympic competitions. This role allows her to foster meaningful connections and promote inclusion. Additionally, she volunteers at Hand In Hand, dedicating her time and energy to helping support inclusive programs for children and adults of all abilities. Her efforts in these programs highlight her compassionate nature and dedication to making a positive impact in the lives of others. She is a great example whose actions and attitude make our schools and our community a better place. #gosabers #cdcsdstudentofthemonth #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #firstcentralstatebank #saberssucceeding

If you need assistance providing meals for your children over the summer, we encourage you to sign up for the Summer Lunchbox Program. Or, Central DeWitt families are also eligible to receive free meals through other area school districts during the summer. Meals at area school districts must be eaten in-person at the serving location. Please see the flyers for more information. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #summerlunchbox #summermeals #mealassistance #nutritionservices

Registration is open for these Saber Summer Camps! For more details and to sign up visit https://www.gobound.com/ia/schools/centraldewitt/camps #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #summercamps #sabersummercamps

Today, on Memorial Day, we honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. The poppy is a part of Memorial Day history and a symbol of lives lost in war since World War I, something Ekstrand students learned thanks to the Poppy Project by the DeWitt American Legion Auxilary. As part of the project, art teacher Ms. Janaszak had a contest for students to create their own poppies. The artwork will be on display at the DeWitt American Legion. First place winners received a movie pass donated by the DeWitt Operahouse Theatre and second place winners received an ice cream treat. Congratulations to the contest winners! KINDERGARTEN: Aubriella Schnoor (1st Place) Ellie Schweitzer (2nd Place) FIRST GRADE: Nova Rogers (1st Place) Greyson Barr (2nd Place) 2ND GRADE: Braxton King (1st Place) Sienna Steward (2nd Place) 3RD GRADE: Mackenzie Frame (1st Place) Lane Adams (2nd Place) Pictured: Auxiliary Legion representative Jessica Sunday, Greyson Barr, Lane Adams, Mackenzie Frame, Braxton King, Aubriella Schnoor, and art teacher Courtney Janaszak. Not pictured: Ellie Schweitzer, Nova Rogers, Sienna Steward #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #poppyproject #poppycontestwinners #saberssucceeding #memorialday #dewittamericanlegionauxilary

💜🏆💛 Congratulations to Brooke Bloom, Isabelle Pierce and their coaches for making Central DeWitt history as the 1A State Tennis Doubles Champions! You fought hard and earned this! What an awesome way for Brooke and Isabelle to close out their high school tennis career and senior year! We are so proud of you! Way to go, Sabers! #statechampions #1Adoublesstatechampions #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhstennis #girlstennis #makinghistory #saberpride #saberssucceeding

REMINDER: There is no school on Monday, May 27th and we encourage you to attend the Memorial Day events in Grand Mound at 9:30 a.m. or DeWitt at 10:30 a.m where the CDHS Band will be performing the National Anthem as well as other patriotic music. Visit the DeWitt American Legion and Auxiliary Facebook page for event details. Have a safe holiday weekend! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #memorialday #noschool

This is your last chance this school year to nominate Central DeWitt employees for the Employee of the Month! This district-wide program gives CDCSD parents, students and community members the opportunity to help us recognize our outstanding employees. Nominations are due Thursday, May 30th! Nomination form: https://forms.gle/ksRVLaYC6XBXkAbw7 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #employeeofthemonth #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #nominateanemployee

UPDATE: With the storm passing, students are returning to their classes and we will be transporting students to their building if they were sheltered somewhere else. If there are additional students who need transportation that did not make it to school before the storm, parents can contact the bus barn at (563) 659-0706.

Please know that all buses and vehicles are in and we have all students sheltering in our buildings, We will get students were they need to be after the storms pass. We will continue to update as needed. Please stay safe!

The Purple Bean paid it forward this week when they used some of their profits to award three $50 grants to teachers Mrs. Hofer, Mrs. Haley and Mrs. Franker at CDIS. The Purple Bean is a “coffee and more” store operated by Mrs. Jackson and her students that delivers snacks and drinks ordered by employees throughout the school week. Recently, Mrs. Jackson’s students have been learning about philanthropy and giving back to others and felt teachers could use the extra funds to assist with special end-of-the-year activities. Mrs. Haley will be purchasing t-shirts for the CDIS Sign Language Club. Mrs. Franker will be using the grant to purchase items for her end-of-the-year auction that rewards her students’ positive behavior. Mrs. Hofer’s class, in partnership with Mrs. Walls’ class, are using the money to create “Birthday Boxes” they will donate to the DeWitt Referral Center and Thrift Store. The “boxes” contain everything needed to make a birthday cake inside a 9x13 disposable pan. By donating these to the Referral Center, they hope it gives everyone an opportunity to celebrate birthdays with a cake. It’s wonderful to see the growth of The Purple Bean and its valuable, diverse impact on students, teachers, and our community! Way to go, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #thepurplebean #thepurplebeangrants #teachergrants #kindness #inclusion #givingback #payingitforward #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🏆 Congratulations to these outstanding Central DeWitt Employees! #SaberSuperstars recognizes Central DeWitt employees who make a difference, positively impact the lives of those around them, and serve as a role model to others. Thank you for all you do at Central DeWitt Community School District! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #SaberSuperstars #saberpride #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #operations #nutritionservices #saberfamily #weloveouremployees