Central DeWitt School District -

🏆 Congratulations to our September 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

Here are a few important reminders about the upcoming school schedule: • There is no school this Friday, Oct. 18th and Monday, Oct. 21st. • Additionally, there will be no early out on Wednesday, Oct. 23rd. 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 #districtschoolcalendar

Following the recent resignation of Board Member Geoff Blandin, the Central DeWitt Community School District School Board will be appointing a new member to fill the vacancy. We encourage you to review the official notice for further details. The notice can also be viewed at https://www.cd-csd.org/page/board-of-education-members. Letters of Interest must be emailed to the School Board Secretary, Sarah Johnston, at sarah.johnston@cd-csd.org. Alternatively they may be mailed or dropped off at the CDCSD Administration Center, 331 E 8th St, DeWitt, IA 52742. All submissions must be received by 8 a.m. on October 31, 2024.

We are proud to share that one of our own, CDHS Language Arts Teacher Colleen Flathers, presented at the recent Iowa Council of Teachers of English conference on the topic, “Grammar Instruction.” In her presentation, she outlined the benefits of teaching grammar, discussed why students need consistent grammar lessons, and reviewed several online and hard copy programs designed to teach, practice, and reinforce grammar skills. These tools are vital for helping students apply their knowledge to their writing. She is an advocate for a return to more-structured and repetitive grammar lessons, drawing from her experiences in the classroom over the past several years. Interestingly, the keynote speaker, Matthew Johnson, reinforced this message during his breakout session, emphasizing the importance of going back to direct grammar instruction. Flathers has been an active member of ICTE for several years, and since 2019 she has served as the and Awards and Recognition Chair on the governing board. She encourages all language arts teachers to get involved in ICTE. The organization offers something for everyone and is a fantastic way to grow your professional learning community and network with fellow educators. Great job, Mrs. Flathers! We’re proud to have you represent Central DeWitt! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #centraldewittteachers #centraldewittstaff #cdhs #icte #IowaCouncilofTeachersofEnglish #languagearts #languageartsteacher #grammarinstruction #saberpride #saberssucceeding

National Honor Society is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 16th in the CDHS cafeteria from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Scan the QR code to make an appointment or visit www.bloodcenter.org or email leann.depue@cd-csd.org. Thank you for supporting NHS and saving lives by donating! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #nhs #cdhsnationalhonorsociety #nhsblooddrive #saberpride

CDHS senior Katlin Truelsen recently hosted an engaging event for the Ladies in Livestock Mentorship Program, an initiative she created to connect high school girls involved in raising livestock with women working in livestock-based careers. During the event, participants learned how to dress for interviews, enjoyed personalized color consultations, browsed The Baden Baldy Boutique mobile shop, and had professional headshots taken. The event concluded with a presentation from local IVF Technician Brena Smith, who shared her expertise on livestock in vitro fertilization. This mentorship program is part of Katlin’s project for the Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award, which she received earlier this year. She will present her project in November for the opportunity to earn a $10,000 scholarship. Best of luck, Katlin! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #HerbertHooverUncommonStudentAward #LadiesInLivestock #saberssucceeding #saberpride

🏴‍☠️ It’s National School Lunch Week! We’re celebrating the vital role that healthy school lunches play in supporting student success, both academically and beyond the classroom. Get ready to explore the tasty treasures that are awaiting you in the cafeteria. See what’s for lunch in the Central DeWitt CSD app or at https://cd-csd.nutrislice.com/menu. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #cdis #cdms #cdhs #nurtitionservices #schoollunch #SchoolLunchPirates #NationalSchoolLunchWeek #NSLW24 #saberpride

🐷 🐷🐷 The three little pigs made a special visit to Ekstrand Elementary on Wednesday! There were plenty of smiles and squeals of delight while students learned all about these adorable animals and even got to pet them. Thank you to Mr. McCulloh for providing this fun and educational experience for our students! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #threelittlepigs #learningisfun #weloveourcommunity #educationalexperiences #saberpride #saberssuceeding

Did you know? 🥁 Every year, a senior member of the Marching Sabers Pride drumline writes an original cadence to be performed during the season. This year, Drumline Captain Natalie Cagle continued the decade-long tradition with her creation, “Flamin’ Hot Cheetos (CAGE-E)”! 🔥 Check it out: https://youtu.be/pGSBjTmkMeM Catch it live tonight at the last home football game of the year, along with their stellar halftime show “EmpowHER!” We also want to wish the Marching Sabers Pride good luck on the upcoming competitions they’ll be performing in over the next few weeks! Go Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #marchingsaberspride #marchingband #saberdrumline #cadence #flaminhotcheetos #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Our first graders have been learning about the wonders of the human body! Over the past few weeks, as part of the Amplify Human Body unit, they had special guests Dr. Jacob Cram from Cram Chiropractic share his knowledge of the skeletal system, Nurse Practitioner Bethany Oberfoell talk about the five keys to staying healthy and Alyssa Cram explained what muscles are and how our bodies need them to function. The kids loved learning how our bones and muscles support us and how staying healthy helps us be our best every day. Big thanks to our special guests for sharing their expertise! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #cramchiropractic #humanbody #amplify #learningisfun #saberssucceeding

💜💛 Congratulations to Central DeWitt High School for being one of only two schools in Iowa to be recognized as a 2024 National Unified Champion School! This is the second time CDHS has earned this prestigious honor! What an incredible achievement and testament to the inclusive spirit of our students and staff! National Unified Champion Schools are chosen based on having “an inclusive school climate and exudes a sense of collaboration, engagement and respect for all members of the student body and staff.” They also have to meet 10 national standards of excellence. CDMS and CDIS were named National Unified Champion Schools last year. We are beyond proud to have schools that continually support, celebrate, and include everyone! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #cdms #nationalunifiedchampionschools #saberpride #saberssucceeding #choosetoinclude #inclusion #everyonematters

A huge thank you to the Clinton County Cattleman for grilling up some delicious food for our Homecoming Tailgate Lunch last week! 🍔🔥 Our CDMS and CDHS students enjoyed an amazing meal, and it wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity and hard work. Thank you for making our Homecoming extra special! 💜💛 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdms #cdhs #SaberPride #Homecoming2024 #Grateful #tailgatelunch #weloveourcommunity

Join us for Central DeWitt PTO Trivia Night on November 1st! This is a fun-filled night with great trivia, laughter, and friendly competition—all in support of the Central DeWitt PTO! Reserve your table by emailing abbyarndt2@gmail.com. Even if you can’t attend, you can still show your support by making a donation. Every bit helps fund classroom materials, fun events, and activities that benefit our students and staff! For questions or to make a donation contact ptoforcentraldewitt@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow the Central DeWitt PTO Facebook page, too! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #ekstrandelementary #centraldewittpto #trivianight #supportoursabers #jointhefun

ATTENTION SENIORS AND PARENTS: Jumpstart Your Future Day is this Thursday, Oct. 10th! Take a look at this helpful handout our AmeriCorp Student Leaders made for seniors to be prepared. Jumpstart to Your Future helps us support all seniors with their future endeavors. There will be volunteers from colleges, industries, and the military to assist students with future planning. It is our goal is to touch base with all seniors and help support them with their next steps to their future. Reach out to holly.hansen@cd-csd.org or AmeriCorp Student Leaders Lauren Walker, Parker Petsche, and Natalie Cagle if you have any questions! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #americorpstudentleaders #JumpstartYourFuture #careerandcollegeready #planningforthefuture #saberssucceeding

Congratulations to Liam Jess and Sarah Dever who were crowned the 2024 Homecoming King and Queen last night! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #homecoming2024 #homecomingkingandqueen

🏈 We’ve got a full night of action, and we need YOU to bring the energy! It all starts with the sophomore game at 5 p.m., followed by the Homecoming Coronation Ceremony and Hall of Fame Inductee recognition! Then our varsity team will take on the Cardinals at 7:30 p.m. The Sabers are ready to battle under the lights, and they need the loudest crowd of the season to back them up! Wear your purple and gold, pack the stands and show everyone what Saber pride is all about! 💪💜💛 See you there, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #homecoming2024 #homecominggame #saberpride #saberspirit

🔥 Our cross country teams are on fire this season, slashing not just seconds, but minutes off their times, breaking records and racking up the victories—and they're not slowing down! In fact, today they’re taking on something truly EPIC! Starting at 9:30 a.m., our unstoppable runners will take off from the Maquoketa High School football field, carrying the Homecoming game football all the way to Central DeWitt High School! 🏈 They’re expected to arrive around 2 p.m., bringing the energy and fueling our Saber spirit just in time for the CDHS pep assembly! Check out the route they’ll be taking here: https://bit.ly/3XUTNIR We’d love to have our community cheer them on along the way! Let's go, Sabers! Be sure to follow Central DeWitt Saber Cross Country on Facebook as they charge through the rest of the season—there's plenty more excitement to come! Pictured left to right: Keegan Peterson, Nathan Butler, Parker Petsche, Caleb Olson, Jenny Claussen, Grace Knutsen, Addie Appleby, Rylie Dunne #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #sabercrosscountry #crosscountry #unstoppable #homecoming2024 #homecominggame #runningtheball #saberpride #saberssucceeding #saberspirit

👑 It’s Throwback Thursday – Homecoming Edition! Who knew we had so much royalty walking the halls of Central DeWitt? Can you figure out which of our staff members once graced their high school Homecoming courts? Here are the answers: 1. Larissa Krukow, CDIS Nutrition Services – Central DeWitt High School 2. Emily Swanson, CDMS Language Arts Teacer – Central DeWitt High School 3. Laurie Wildes, CDHS Associate - Miles Community High School 4. Bill Petsche, Director of Curriculum & Instruction - Western Dubuque High School 5. Carl Small, CDMS Activities Director and Physical Education Teacher - Maquoketa High School 6. Allison Swanson Ekstrand Elementary Secretary – Northeast High School 7. Tami Jaeger – Ekstrand Elementary Instructional Coach – Central DeWitt High School 8. Renee Meier – CDHS Secretary – Central DeWitt High School 9. Gayle Pepmeier, Executive Administrative Assistant – Durant High School 10. Baylor Crigger, CDHS Social Studies Teacher – Camanche High School 11. Richelle Slaymaker, Ekstrand Elementary Reading Teacher – Washington High School #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #throwbackthursday #centraldewittstaff #homecomingcourt #blastfromthepast #saberpride #saberspirit #homecoming2024

Get ready for some hauntingly good fun tomorrow night! The parade kicks off at 6 p.m., led by none other than our Saber secretaries, chosen as grand marshals by the CDHS Student Council! The parade route will start at the high school and head west on 10th Street to 6th Avenue then south to 8th Street before heading east back to the high school. Before or after the parade, swing by the DeWitt Farmers Market and grab a delicious pork chop sandwich from the DeWitt Nite Lions and The Education Foundation of Central DeWitt in Lincoln Park. While you’re there, be sure to pick up some fresh Saber gear from the Athletic Boosters, stationed right in front of the library. Best of all, proceeds from both the sandwiches and the gear go directly to support our students and teachers! Then head to the Birney Field for some Powderpuff Football – remember admission is one canned good for the Pantry Challenge! Also happening tomorrow night at 7 p.m. is the Central DeWitt Hall of Fame Ceremony in the Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center. We can’t wait to see everyone at these great events tomorrow night! 💜🐾💛 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdis #cdms #ekstrandelementary #homecomingparade2024 #homecoming2024 #saberspirit #saberpride #hauntedhomecoming

⏰ IMPORTANT TIME CHANGE: The 8th grade football game between Central DeWitt and North Scott Red as well as the 7th grade girls volleyball team who will take on Pleasant Valley White will now start at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3rd. Both games are at home so come out and cheer on our Sabers! Let’s go, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdms #8thgradefootball #7thgradevolleyball #gametimechange #saberpride #saberspirit #supportoursabers