Central DeWitt School District -

Due to winter road conditions, Central De Witt Community Schools are delayed 2 hours on Friday, December 20th. AM preschool and morning practices and activities are canceled.

Our kindergartners recently wrapped up their Amplify CKLA Native American unit where stories and visuals brought the culture of tribes like the Lenape, Wampanoag, and Lakota Sioux to life. They explored fundamental aspects such as clothing, housing, food sources, and traditional practices while learning the importance of respecting diverse cultures and understanding community values. Through engaging activities on Wednesday, they created totem poles to represent their family traditions, learned Indian dance to celebrate cultural expression, decorated teepees to explore Native American housing, and wrote about the significance of buffalo in Native American life. Inspired by The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush by Tomie dePaola, they also painted vibrant sunsets. A special thanks to our kindergarten teachers for guiding this meaningful and creative learning experience! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #kindergarten #AmplifyCKLA #NativeAmericanUnit #NativeAmericanCulture #NativeAmericanHeritage #LearningIsFun #saberleaners #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Every school day, our Nutrition Services Department serves up delicious and nutritious lunches for our students, but today’s lunch was extra special! Earlier this year, Nutrition Services Director Dede Wagener issued a fun and creative challenge to the nutrition staffs at Ekstrand, CDIS, CDMS, CDHS, and St. Joseph Catholic School. The task? To develop a unique and exciting lunch menu that would appeal to students. CDIS and St. Joseph teamed up to create “Tachos” which uses tater tots instead of corn chips for nachos. CDMS and CDHS worked together to create a “Saber Mac Attack Burger” and Ekstrand created a “Saber Helper” dish. Each menu was served to students, and the winning menu was Tachos! Today, that meal was served district-wide, much to the delight of our students. Congratulations to the CDIS and St. Joseph nutrition staff on a job well done! This challenge was no small feat as it’s quite a process to create a standardized menu—it truly pushed the nutrition staff out of their comfort zone. But it also fostered collaboration, creativity, and teamwork creating pride in their craft, and have fun while creating a unique menu. They absolutely delivered! “We understand our students are becoming real foodies and we are in competition with other restaurants and home by what we serve,” Mrs. Wagener said. “So, we try our best to introduce new foods or menu items that kids will like and look forward to having on the menu.” Looking ahead, Mrs. Wagener would love to take this to the next level by hosting a student menu competition! Students will work with the ingredients and foods served at school to create new dishes. The best part? These ideas could end up on our menu! Students, stay tuned for more details! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #nutritionservices #centraldewittnutritionservices #kitchenchallenge2024 #lunchmenu #tachos #sabermacattackburger #sabershelper #kitchenchallengewinner #deliciousandnutritious #saberpride #saberssuceeding

🎓Our next senior spotlight of the year is Lauren Burmeister, one of our seniors who has a bright 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

💜💛 At Central DeWitt Middle School, it’s not just the students and staff who are making waves — it’s also the leadership. CDMS Principal Pam Hayes has been recognized as the November Central DeWitt Employee of the Month, a well-deserved honor backed by heartfelt nominations from staff, parents, and students. Since joining the Saber family this summer, Mrs. Hayes has brought a level of energy and positivity that has transformed the middle school experience. Her infectious enthusiasm and genuine care for everyone around her have earned admiration from colleagues, parents, and students alike. “Mrs. Hayes is exactly the principal we needed,” said one student. “She has energy and happiness enough for all of us, and we know middle school can be a difficult time to be happy. She also has made us proud of our school. She never stops being positive.” Her staff highlighted Mrs. Hayes’s exceptional leadership and ability to connect with others. “She has shown so much kindness and compassion to students, parents, and all employees,” Dede Wagener, Nutrition Services Director, said. “She has a unique gift of putting a twist on difficult situations and turning them into positive ones. Her communication is amazing, and she has been a breath of fresh air to our district.” Parents have also taken notice of her thoughtful and inclusive approach. “Mrs. Hayes consistently goes above and beyond to help kids through situations,” shared one parent. “She makes sure to consider every available angle before making decisions, follows up, and truly listens. I feel more heard this year than I have in previous years.” Mrs. Hayes’s commitment to fostering relationships is evident throughout our school community. Again and again, she is praised for how she goes out of her way to make sure staff feel supported and works tirelessly to build relationships with every middle school student. The Saber family is fortunate to have such a dynamic and compassionate leader at the helm. Congratulations to Mrs. Hayes for this well-earned recognition and for making a lasting impact on our school community! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdcsdemployeeofthemonth #employeeofthemonth #november2024employeeofthemonth #saberssucceeding #sabersuperstar

The Central DeWitt Board-Superintendent Team has been honored with the Team Achievement Award from the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB)! 🏆 Only 46 board teams across the state earned this prestigious recognition. To qualify, a majority of the board earned Individual Achievement Awards, showcasing their dedication to improving their knowledge and skills. Congratulations to: 🌟 Mike Zimmer, President 🌟 Angela Rheingans, Vice President 🌟 Dan Smicker, Board Member 🌟 Roger Hill, Board Member These board members completed a minimum of 15 hours of IASB-led learning events in one year, joining an elite group of 307 board members statewide. Additionally, Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Mishler earned the Award of Honor, recognizing her commitment to learning and leadership. Dr. Mishler is one of only 45 superintendents and one AEA chief in the state to receive this distinction. Thank you to our board and superintendent for your dedication to academic excellence, outstanding opportunities and exceptional experiences for our students! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #centraldewittschoolboard #IowaAssociationofSchoolBoards #IASB #IASBAwards #Leadership #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Congratulations to the Saber girls wrestling team for an incredible performance at the Zimmerman Invite in Maquoketa last Friday, bringing home the TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP! A special round of applause to Macy Poll and Blaire Kueter for finishing as individual tournament champions—what an amazing accomplishment! We are so proud of your hard work, dedication, and teamwork. Way to represent the Sabers! Go Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #sabergirlswrestling #cdhswrestling #champs #zimmermaninvitational #saberpride #saberssucceeing

The Purple Bean staff made the incredible decision to donate all of their proceeds from this past week to support local families during the holiday season. 💜💛 Both the CDIS and CDMS staffs are helping provide Christmas gifts to families in need, and this generous donation will help make the holidays brighter for those in our community. Thank you, Purple Bean, for your generosity and spreading joy! Operated by Mrs. Jackson and her students, the “coffee and more” store delivers snacks, drinks, and unlimited smiles across CDIS and CDMS throughout our school week! Not only is The Purple Bean essential to teaching valuable customer service skills, and marketing strategies to students, but it’s also widely appreciated among our employees! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdms #cdis #thepurplebean #HolidayGiving #HelpingOurCommunity #CommunityMatters #saberpride #saberpride #saberssucceeding

AP Calculus, Advanced Chemistry, and AP Physics 1 students took a trip to Argonne National Laboratory, one of 17 national laboratories operated by the Department of Energy. The students were able to take a tour of the campus and participate in a learning lab over virus variants. One major stop on the tour included visiting the 2nd fastest supercomputer in the world, Aurora. Another momentous stop was seeing Argonne's recently updated Advanced Photon Source. It is one of only five in the country where scientists can study materials and chemical processes using high-energy X-ray beams. It was a fun and educational experience! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #apcalculus #advancedchemistry #apphysics1 #ArgonneNationalLaboratory #fieldtrip #learningisfun #educationalexperiences #saberpride #saberssucceeding

✨Get ready to add a special touch to your holiday season with something new from FCCLA! 🎄 Stay tuned for a new way to showcase your Saber spirit! 💫 https://youtube.com/shorts/m6uLzK0s_sk?feature=share #FCCLA #HolidaySpirit #ComingSoon #CelebrateLeadership #StayTuned

The Central Saber Athletic Boosters Club need your help for one of their biggest fundraisers of the year—the 2025 Saber Shootout! This event will take place on January 4th for the boys' teams and January 5th for the girls' teams. All proceeds benefit Central DeWitt athletic programs, and your support will make this event a slam dunk! HOW YOU CAN HELP • Volunteer a couple of hours to help run the concession stand. • Donate individually wrapped baked goods to sell at the event. Whether you can pitch in on January 4th, January 5th, or both, your time and contributions are invaluable to the success of our Saber athletes! Over the last decade, the Saber Athletic Boosters have proudly donated over $500,000 to support ALL Central DeWitt athletic programs. Events like the Saber Shootout help ensure that our student-athletes have the tools they need to thrive on and off the field. Sign Up Today at: https://bit.ly/4g6ECnx. Thank you for your ongoing generosity and dedication to Saber athletics! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #centralsaberathleticboostersclub #SaberShootout #SaberShootout2025 #SupportOurAthletes #SaberPride

🚌 Looking for some extra income? Let us steer you in the right direction! We’re looking for part-time school bus drivers, and it’s easier than you might think to get started— just follow the four steps outlined in the flyer. Driving a school bus is a rewarding way to form connections with our students, staff members and support our school community. If you're interested or would like more information, please contact Director of Operations and Transportation Brent Rheingans at brent.rheingans@cd-csd.org or call (563) 659-0706. Thank you for considering this meaningful role that provides educational and extracurricular opportunities for our students! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #centraldewittbusdrivers #busdrivers #joinoursaberfamily #becomeabusdriver #startyourjourneytoday

National Honor Society is hosting a blood drive on Tuesday, Dec. 17th in the CDHS auxiliary gym from 9 a.m. to 1:30 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

Sixth graders were thrilled to host Clinton County Sheriff's Detective Scott Wainwright, who shared fascinating insights into how law enforcement collects evidence, evaluates credible sources, and solves mysteries! His presentation tied perfectly into their study of Sherlock Holmes, brought to life through Amplify, connecting classroom learning with real-world investigative techniques. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #sixthgrade #Amplify #SherlockHolmes #handsonlearning #learningisfun #realworldexperiences #saberdetectives #saberpride #saberssucceeding

❄️ ATTENTION SABER COMMUNITY! Central DeWitt FBLA is hosting another winter supply drive and they need your help! Please drop off new and gently used winter items listed on the flyer at any Central DeWitt school office between December 11th and December 19th! You can also bring items to any home sporting event and drop them off in the bins in the high school atrium! Thank you for supporting our Sabers and helping our community! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsfbla #fbla #wintersupplydrive #helpingourcommunity #saberpride #saberssuceeding

This past Saturday, 8th grader Lucas Nelson proudly represented Central DeWitt Middle School at the NEIBA Honor Band in Oelwein. His hard work and dedication to music truly paid off, and we couldn’t be more proud of his accomplishment! Way to go, Lucas! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdms #cdmsband #NEIBAHonorBand #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎓Our next senior spotlight is Alyssa Lippens, one of our seniors who is looking forward to a great 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

This morning the DeWitt American Legion and Auxiliary recognized our incredible 5th-grade teachers for their many years of dedication to fostering patriotism through the annual Flag Essays written by their students as well as other educational opportunities they've provided. As a token of appreciation for their hard work and impact, each teacher was presented with a $50 Amazon gift card. Way to go, Mrs. McDonough, Mrs. Franker, Mr. Kuehl, Mrs. Hofer and Mrs. Walls! And, a big thank you to the DeWitt American Legion Auxiliary for generously honoring our teachers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #5thgrade #5thgradeteachers #FlagEssays #DeWittAmericanLegionAuxiliary #ThankYou #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Have you heard?! Thanks to the Central Saber Athletic Boosters Club all games in both the CDHS Competition Gym and CDMS Gym will be live streamed – for FREE! Now you can cheer on our Sabers from wherever you are through hudl.com or the HUDL fan app! And, sponsorship opportunities will be available soon, giving you a chance to support our athletes and spotlight your business. Stay tuned! Let’s go, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #centraldewittathletics #sabersports #centralsabersathleticboostersclub #livestream #HUDL #HUDLapp #cheeronthesabers #saberpride #saberspirit

🎓 REMINDER SENIOR PARENTS: If you haven’t ordered your student’s cap and gown yet, now’s the time! The deadline for current pricing is Jan. 8th and after that prices increase – so don’t wait! Order your cap and gown at https://bit.ly/3BaugEa or pick up an order form in the Guidance Office. If you have questions, please contact Mrs. Schaible at marybeth.schaible@cd-csd.org. Let’s get ready to celebrate the Class of 2025! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #classof2025 #seniors #capandgownorders #graduation2025