Central DeWitt School District -

🎓 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

Spread some holiday cheer by nominating Central DeWitt employees for December’s Employee of the Month!

Each day, our staff go above and beyond—supporting students, lifting up their colleagues, and creating warm, joyful, and engaging learning environments across our district. As we celebrate this season of gratitude and giving, it’s the perfect moment to shine a light on someone who’s made a difference—big or small—in your world or in our schools.

💜 WHO CAN BE NOMINATED?
• Any full-time or part-time Central DeWitt employee
• Employees may receive this honor once per school year
• Those not selected for a monthly spotlight will still be recognized as Saber Superstars throughout the year!

💛 HOW TO NOMINATE:
Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/ksRVLaYC6XBXkAbw7

🗓 Nomination Deadline: Tuesday, Dec. 23rd

🎁 Your nomination is a true gift—one heartfelt story can brighten someone’s week, acknowledge their impact, and remind them why their work matters so much. Thank you for helping us celebrate the incredible people who make Central DeWitt such a special place to learn and grow!

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #employeeofthemonth #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #nominateanemployee #SaberPride #SaberSpirit #SabersSucceeding

🎓 Meet Taylor Houser, one of our seniors who is making big plans for her future! Way to go, Taylor!

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

❄️ Winter weather is here — make sure you’re set up with Crosswalk K-12! ❄️

Families should have received an email from UniteGPS with the link to register for Crosswalk K-12, our real-time bus tracking tool. If you haven’t activated your account yet, now is the perfect time — especially with snow and ice impacting pick-up and drop-off times.(Be sure to check your spam folder if you didn’t see the email!)

With Crosswalk K-12, you can:
🚌 Track buses in real time
📍 See accurate pick-up & drop-off updates
🕒 Monitor delays due to winter weather
📲 Use digital boarding passes
👀 View student ridership information

⚠️ Reminder: Students must scan their Bus ID every time they get on or off the bus for the system to show accurate info. If your child has a phone, a photo of the badge works great for scanning!

This tool gives families the most current and reliable information—exactly what you need on those unpredictable winter mornings.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4oWqGk7

Stay warm, Sabers! 💜💛

Central DeWitt Community School District is proud to recognize Mr. Thomas Knowles, band instructor at both Central DeWitt Middle School and Central DeWitt Intermediate School, as our November Employee of the Month.

Mr. Knowles may be relatively new to Central DeWitt, but his impact has already been extraordinary. Each year, he works with hundreds of student musicians, bringing a blend of passion, patience, and creativity to the band programs at CDMS and CDIS. Students consistently feel supported, energized, and inspired in his classroom—and parents feel the same way.

One parent shared, “He is not only passionate about teaching but also innovative in his approach, finding ways to meet students where they are and inspire them to reach higher levels of performance.”

Mr. Knowles’ commitment to music education stretches well beyond the school day. This year alone, he has led students through the Parade of Bands concert, NEIBA Honor Band, St. Ambrose Honor Band, Central DeWitt Solo Festival, and performed with students at the Festival of Trees and Quad City Saxophone Christmas—each requiring extensive preparation, rehearsals, and collaboration outside of regular class hours.

A hallmark of Mr. Knowles’ work is the way he models lifelong musicianship. As conductor of the Quad-City Community Band, a private lesson instructor at West Music, and an active performer in several Quad Cities ensembles, he demonstrates what it looks like to carry music forward long after school. His dedication to continuing his own musical journey—including completing his Master’s Degree this month—shows students that creativity, discipline, and joy in music can truly last a lifetime. By living this example daily, he inspires students to see music not just as a class, but as a lifelong passion and a meaningful way to connect with others.

His service to the district extends far beyond music, however. Mr. Knowles is known for always stepping up to help colleagues with tasks and pitching in wherever support is needed. His teamwork, positivity, and willingness to serve make a noticeable difference across our school buildings.

We are grateful for Mr. Knowles’ commitment to helping students reach their full potential and for strengthening the sense of community and pride within our schools.

Congratulations, Mr. Knowles—and thank you for everything you do for our Sabers! 💜💛

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdcsdemployeeofthemonth #employeeofthemonth #november2025employeeofthemonth #saberssucceeding #sabersuperstar

On Saturday, five talented CDMS 8th graders represented Central DeWitt at the Northeast Iowa Bandmasters Association Middle School Honor Band!

It was a long trip to Oelwein, but the students did a wonderful job and performed a truly fantastic concert! 💜💛 Way to go, Sabers!

Pictured left to right:
Talia Stroud, Shupriya Karki, Nya Greubel, Chloe Knepper, and Kenny Marshall

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDMS #CDMSBand #NEIBAHonorBand #NEIBA #SaberMusicians #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding