Central DeWitt School District -

Due to the Extreme Cold Warning in place for our area through noon on Friday, Central DeWitt schools will switch to a Virtual School Day on Friday, January 23. Saber Cubs Care will remain open during normal hours for families who need it. Stay safe and warm!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #CDMS #CDIS #EkstrandElementary #VirtualSchoolDay

These 5th grade artists took inspiration from Michelangelo and turned the underside of their desks into masterpieces 🎨✨

Just like Michelangelo painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, students challenged themselves to create art from a whole new perspective. Working upside down gave them a deeper appreciation for the skill, patience, and creativity behind one of the most famous works of art in history.

Art is about imagination, perseverance—and sometimes a little neck strain 😄 Who knew a Sistine Chapel–style experience could happen right under our desks?

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDIS #5thgrade #SistineChapel #Michelangelo #Renaissance #creativelearning #handsonlearning #learningisfun #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Last week, Ekstrand Elementary proudly recognized the first-ever Unified Saber Book Club winners! 📚💜💛

During the first semester, 2nd and 3rd grade students participated in the Unified Saber Book Club by reading from the Unified Book Collection. Students who completed 10 books earned a special Unified Saber Book Club wristband, with winners announced during lunch.

The Unified Saber Book Club is part of Ekstrand’s commitment to be a Special Olympics Unified Champion School. The Unified Saber Book Club encourages students to explore differences, build empathy, and become more inclusive, understanding friends.

The Unified Book Collection—purchased through the generous support of The Education Foundation of Central DeWitt—is housed in the Ekstrand library. Inside each book, families and teachers will find helpful discussion questions and activities designed to spark meaningful conversations and deeper understanding.

Congratulations to our first Unified Saber Book Club winners!

⭐2nd Grade
• Tinsley Asby, Madeleine Fox, Bryant Pranschke, Aiden Claussen, Lily Johnson, Macy Mosier, Kody Schroeder, Garrett Pettitt

⭐3rd Grade
• Finley Hahn, Paxtyn Hoepner, Isla MacMillan, Madison Ruiz, Emmeline Feldpausch, Nora McGonegle, Caroline Yotty, Alana Green

We are proud of these Sabers for their commitment to reading, learning, and inclusion—and we look forward to seeing even more Unified Saber Book Club readers in the future!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #EkstrandElementary #UnifiedSaberBookClub #UnifiedBookCollection #ChooseToInclude #CelebrateDifferences #SpecialOlympics #UnifiedChampionSchool #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

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


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 first Future Ready Day was a tremendous success, giving Saber students meaningful opportunities to explore their interests and begin intentionally planning for their futures. Students in grades 7–12 spent last Friday learning not only about postsecondary options, but also how course selection connects directly to future goals.

2025 graduates shared valuable insight into college life, while current seniors offered practical advice and perspective on making the most of the high school experience. Current CDHS Education Assistants, Office Assistants, and Career Academy students shared their own experiences and encouraged peers to take advantage of similar opportunities.

Business professionals Kale Peterson (River Valley Cooperative), Brigham Tubbs (First Central State Bank), Dr. Stephanie Mishler (Central DeWitt CSD), and Ron Zimmer (Custom Pak, Inc) shared their career pathways and highlighted the wide range of opportunities within manufacturing, education, finance, and agriculture.

Looking ahead to the future of work, Aaron Maurer, STEM Lead at MBAEA, sparked thoughtful conversations about how artificial intelligence is changing the workforce and creating new career opportunities. Chris Caves from the Quad City Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the importance of researching careers and understanding which jobs are in demand locally, encouraging students to explore high-priority careers and workforce needs in our region.

7th and 8th grade students explored careers through hands-on activities and problem-solving experiences that exposed them to a variety of career options, while 8th graders also heard directly from high school faculty about new courses and the many choices available as they plan their high school journey.

Future Ready Day reflects our commitment to helping every Saber explore possibilities, plan with purpose, and feel confident about the road ahead. We’re excited to continue building these experiences for our students and our community. 💜💛

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #CDMS #FutureReadyDay #FutureReady #FutureFocused #IntentionalPlanning #PlanWithPurpose #CareerAndCollegeReady #StudentOpportunities #OutstandingOpportunities #AcademicExcellence #AnExceptionalExperience #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

📅 Mark your calendars! Join us as we celebrate the hard work, growth, and dedication of youth basketball players during the upcoming Youth Basketball Recognition Nights.

GIRLS YOUTH BASKETBALL RECOGNITION NIGHT
📅 Tuesday, January 27
⏰ Players announced before the varsity girls game
🏀 JV Game: 4:30 p.m.
🏀 Varsity Game: 6:00 p.m.

BOYS YOUTH BASKETBALL RECOGNITION NIGHT
📅 Friday, February 6
⏰ Players announced between the sophomore and varsity games
🏀 Sophomore Game: 6:00 p.m.
🏀 Varsity Game: 7:30 p.m.

⭐ IMPORTANT DETAILS
✔️ Send team rosters to becky.green@cd-csd.org by Thursday, Jan. 23 to be announced
✔️ Free admission for players
✔️ Players should wear a Sabers shirt or team jersey

We're looking forward to recognizing our future Saber players on the big court! 💜💛

REMINDER: There is no school on Monday, Jan. 19th. Enjoy the long weekend and we’ll see you on Tuesday for the start of the second semester!

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #noschooljan19 #noschoolmonday

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

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 Central DeWitt School Board-Superintendent Team has been honored with the Team Achievement Award from the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB)! Only 37 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. Board members completed a minimum of 15 hours of IASB-led learning in one year, joining an elite group of 287 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 41 superintendents 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

🎓 Meet Lawson Perrone, one of our seniors who has a bright future ahead of him! Way to go, Lawson!

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

Congratulations to Associate Kendra Casel our December 2025 Employee of the Month!

Kendra plays a vital role in our school community and in the success of the Resiliency Room. Each day, she helps create an environment where students feel welcomed, supported, and respected from the moment they arrive. Her warm demeanor and steady presence set the tone for a space where students know they are valued, regardless of the challenges they may be facing.

Kendra has an exceptional ability to support students during difficult moments. When students arrive feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or shut down, she meets them with patience and understanding. She takes the time to listen, help them process their emotions, and guide them toward a place where they can rejoin their learning with greater confidence. Her ability to read situations and respond with exactly what a student needs—whether that is encouragement, quiet support, or reassurance—makes a meaningful difference in their day.

In addition to providing emotional support, Kendra ensures students’ basic and academic needs are met. She is attentive to students who may need a snack, extra reassurance, or help organizing their work. She also supports students in communicating effectively with teachers, empowering those who struggle to self-advocate to do so respectfully and confidently. Because of her guidance, many students are better able to navigate challenges and remain engaged in their learning.

Kendra’s dedication is evident in everything she does. She takes pride in maintaining a clean, welcoming, and well-organized space and is always proactive in meeting the needs of students and staff. Her strong work ethic and attention to detail help ensure the Resiliency Room functions smoothly and remains a positive place for students to reset and refocus.

What truly sets Kendra apart is her care for others beyond her daily responsibilities. She consistently looks for ways to support colleagues, often offering small gestures of kindness that boost morale and remind others they are appreciated. These thoughtful actions reflect her genuine commitment to building a supportive and connected school community.

Kendra also gives generously of her time, frequently staying late to ensure students are supported and the Resiliency Room is running effectively. She approaches even the most challenging days with positivity, resilience, and a willingness to go above and beyond for those around her.

Kendra Casel’s compassion, dedication, and unwavering commitment to students make her an invaluable member of our schools. She doesn’t just support students—she helps shape a culture of care and belonging within our building. For these reasons, Kendra is truly deserving of being recognized as Employee of the Month.

Congratulations, Kendra! We are grateful for your dedication and care, and truly lucky to have you in our Saber family. 💜💛

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdcsdemployeeofthemonth #employeeofthemonth #december2025employeeofthemonth #saberssucceeding #sabersuperstar

🚀 We are thrilled to launch Future Ready Day on Friday, January 16! This brand-new, immersive experience is designed to help 7-12th grade students explore their interests, discover strengths, and connect classroom learning to future opportunities. From interactive workshops, escape rooms, and games to career panels and planning sessions, students will see how today’s choices open doors to careers, college, apprenticeships, and beyond.

✨ Just a few of the highlights include:
• Outstanding Opportunities Fair where classmates from the Central DeWitt Education Assistant program and those who have participated in Career Academies will share their experiences with peers.

• Guest speaker Aaron Maurer, STEM Lead at Mississippi Bend AEA, will shed light on the impact of artificial intelligence on future careers, including jobs that are emerging and how AI is being used in the workforce.

• Current Seniors, Alumni and Local Business Professionals Panels will provide high school students with first-hand insight about course selection, career paths, and opportunities available for both high school and four-year degrees within industries, and so much more.

• Future Ready Business Panel will feature Chris Caves from the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, who will share the Quad Cities jobs report and discuss high-demand and growing careers in our region.

• High School Course Preview: To support the transition to high school, 8th grade students will hear directly from high school faculty about course offerings and specialized programs available to them next year.

Future Ready Day is all about intentional planning, bold exploration, and empowering students with the tools and confidence to plan their next steps—both in high school and beyond.

💬 We encourage parents and guardians to take time to talk with your student about Future Ready Day—why it matters, what they’re curious about, and how these experiences connect to their future goals. These conversations at home help reinforce the importance of intentional planning and exploration.

We appreciate your support as we partner together to help every Saber student explore possibilities and plan with purpose! 💜💛

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #CDMS #FutureReadyDay #FutureReady #FutureFocused #IntentionalPlanning #PlanWithPurpose #CareerAndCollegeReady #StudentOpportunities #OutstandingOpportunities #AcademicExcellence #AnExceptionalExperience #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

🏆 Congratulations to our December 2025 #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

Our 2nd graders were paws-itively excited to receive their Two-by-Two pets yesterday! Through the Two-by-Two Character Development program, Ekstrand Elementary supports 2nd-grade students in growing strong character by focusing on two key areas: how they care for themselves and how they care for others.

By connecting lessons to animals, children can easily understand ideas like kindness, responsibility, empathy, and self-control in a fun and relatable way. Students learn skills like responsibility, self-control, kindness, and respect—helping them succeed in school and become positive, caring members of our community.

When we support both personal growth and positive relationships, everyone benefits. 💜💛

A huge thank you to the DeWitt Pet Hospital and DeWitt Veterinary Clinic for your generous donations—this experience wouldn’t have been possible without you!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #EkstrandElementary #TwoByTwoCharacterDevelopment #StrongCharacter #Kindness #Empathy #Respect #Responsibility #SelfControl #SaberPride #SabersSuceeding #Donation #ThankYou #DeWittPetHospital #DeWittVeterinaryClinicPC

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

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

From January 5–11th, 2026, four Central DeWitt FFA members, seniors Caden Bernauer, Kyle Deppe, Ty Henningsen, and sophomore Audrina Gordon, traveled to Denver, Colorado, to compete at the National Western Stock Show. The team earned this opportunity by placing second at the Iowa FFA State Livestock Judging Contest and was coached and chaperoned by Douglas and Kim Deppe.

The week began with an Iowa State Judging Workout, where the team judged 12 classes and delivered oral reasons with feedback from collegiate coaches. After a 13-hour drive west, the group stopped at Magnus Feedyard in Wiggins, Colorado, a 35,000-head operation, to judge feedlot cattle, followed by a visit to Colorado State University for a final workout.

Friday marked contest day at the National Western Coliseum. The team judged 12 challenging classes and presented six sets of oral reasons. Their hard work paid off with several honors: Audrina placed 8th in Sheep, Kyle earned 6th in Swine and 9th in Oral Reasons, the team placed 2nd in Swine, 6th Overall, and Top 10 in Oral Reasons. While not exactly the finish they hoped for, it was a strong performance that proudly represented Central DeWitt FFA and Iowa.

After the contest, the team enjoyed exploring Denver, including Mile High Stadium and the Stock Show Expo, before heading home proud of their accomplishments and unforgettable experience.

What a cool experience for our Sabers! Congratulations to these FFA members and their coaches for their dedication and hard work, which earned them the opportunity to compete among the nation’s best!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #FFA #CentralDeWittFFA #NationalWesternStockShow #JudgingContest #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

🎨 Congratulations to senior Amelia Griffin whose t-shirt design, “Reeling In Creativity,” was selected as the winner of this year’s Figge Factory T-Shirt Design Contest!

Her artwork will be the featured Figge Factory t-shirt sold in the museum store this year. In addition, Amelia will receive a one-year household membership to the Figge Art Museum, a cash prize, and a printmaking party for her and her friends/family.

Congratulations again, Amelia! We're proud of your hard work and creativity!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #SaberArt #FiggeFactoryTshirtDesignContest #FiggeArtMuseum #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

Through the hard work of our students and staff, Central DeWitt has achieved one of the top Iowa School Performance Profile ratings in Eastern Iowa. Take a look at where our Sabers are succeeding:

📉 ATTENDANCE MATTERS
Chronic absenteeism at Central DeWitt is significantly below the state average, reflecting an exceptional experience that keeps students engaged and eager to attend school each day.

📚 ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
Central DeWitt students continue to excel in English Language Arts, Math, and Science, with both proficiency and growth rates 5–7% higher than state averages—a strong indicator of effective instruction and meaningful learning.

🎓 PREPARED FOR WHAT’S NEXT
Our post-secondary readiness scores far outpace state averages, highlighting the outstanding opportunities available to students as they prepare for college, careers, and life beyond high school.

We’re proud of you Sabers and excited to keep building on this momentum! 💜💛

Iowa School Performance Profile is the state’s official report card showing how public schools are performing on key educational measures. While it provides a valuable snapshot of district performance, it does not fully capture the depth of student learning and success happening every day at Central DeWitt. To learn more visit https://www.iaschoolperformance.gov/ECP/StateDistrictSchool/DistrictSummary?k=9261&y=2025

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #iowaschoolperformanceprofile #AcademicExcellence #OutstandingOpportunities #AnExceptionalExperience #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Our School Board believes that great leadership is built through reflection, learning, and collaboration. This week, Central DeWitt Community School District board members spent an evening strengthening their governance practices with guidance from IASB Associate Executive Director for Board Leadership & Legal Services, Tammi Drawbaugh.

Through conversation, study, and planning, the board focused on effective leadership, their responsibilities as a governing body, and clear expectations for superintendent evaluation. This intentional work helps ensure strong systems and continued progress for our district. It also supports the district’s vision of providing academic excellence, outstanding opportunities, and an exceptional experience for both students and staff.

We appreciate our board’s continued commitment to thoughtful leadership, transparency, and decisions that move our Saber community forward. 💜💛

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CentralDeWittCSDSchoolBoard #SchoolBoard #SaberService #Leadership #FutureForward #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding