Central DeWitt School District -

Mr. Marshall's Construction II class at CDHS had the incredible opportunity to learn the art of bricklaying, thanks to the expertise of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers Local 3 Iowa! We love seeing our students gain hands-on experience in the trades and explore career paths that build our communities. Huge thanks to BAC Local 3 Iowa for their support and partnership! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #constructionIIclass #bricklaying #learningtrades #BricklayersAndAlliedCraftworkdersLocal3Iowa #collegeandcareerready #handsonlearning #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎓Our next senior spotlight is Matthew Boeding, one of our seniors who is making big plans for his 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

Due to weather and hazardous road conditions, Central DeWitt schools will have a 2-hour delay on Thursday, Feb. 6th. There will no AM preschool and all morning activities are canceled.

All Central DeWitt facilities will close at 4 p.m. today due to anticipated weather and hazardous road conditions this evening. Please stay safe!

📢 NOW AVAILABLE: Our 2023-2024 Annual Report! We’re excited to share the Central DeWitt Community School District Annual Report, highlighting the achievements, growth, and dedication of our students, staff, and community. At Central DeWitt, we are committed to Academic Excellence, Outstanding Opportunities, and Exceptional Experiences, ensuring every student develops the skills needed for lifelong success. This report showcases our progress, celebrates our successes, and outlines our ongoing efforts to enhance the student experience. See the annual report here: https://bit.ly/3Q4dTwA or visit https://www.cd-csd.org/page/about-us Thank you for your continued support in shaping a bright future for our students! 💜💛

Following the recent resignation of Board President Mike Zimmer, 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 4 p.m. on February 19, 2025.

💜💛 Congratulations to our January 2025 District Student of the Month Savannah Shenker! She is featured in today's edition of The Observer thanks to our friends at First Central State Bank. Savannah Shenker has been named District Student of the Month, an honor that highlights her exceptional character, dedication to her studies, and genuine kindness toward others. Described as a "very caring student," Savannah has demonstrated qualities that make her a role model for her peers. She is not only diligent about completing her homework but also seeks understanding by asking questions and collaborating with her classmates when needed. Her commitment to learning goes hand in hand with her thoughtfulness, as she consistently puts the needs and feelings of others ahead of her own. Savannah’s compassion shines through in both her actions and interactions. Whether it’s ensuring everyone feels included during classroom activities or welcoming new students, Savannah fosters an environment of kindness and inclusivity. Her peers and teachers often observe her going out of her way to perform simple but meaningful acts of courtesy, such as pushing in unattended chairs in the classroom. Notably, she does these things not for recognition but because it is simply a reflection of her caring nature. Savannah credits her mom and grandma for inspiring her to be the caring person she is today. Her heartfelt actions and dedication to making her school a better place have not gone unnoticed. She serves as a reminder of the positive impact one individual can have on an entire community. Congratulations, Savannah, on this well-deserved recognition. Her peers and teachers are fortunate to have such a shining example of kindness and leadership among them. #gosabers #cdcsdstudentofthemonth #centraldewittcsd #cdms #firstcentralstatebank #studentofthemonth #sabepride #saberssucceeding

🚂 All aboard for a night of mystery! These CDMS students have been hard at work rehearsing for their upcoming production of Murder on the 518, a family-friendly mystery that will keep you guessing! Join us for an evening of suspense, laughter, and incredible performances on Feb. 7th & 8th at 6:30 p.m. in the Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. You won’t want to miss it! Set on an overnight train ride, what starts as a routine trip quickly turns into a thrilling whodunit when passengers begin mysteriously dropping dead. With a murderer onboard, the remaining travelers must band together to solve the case before reaching their final destination—or risk letting the culprit escape! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdms #cdmsplay #murderonthe518 #saberdrama #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Sixth graders Zane Burzlaff and Paxton Lansing took on Tucker Thiel and Bodhi Law in a lively debate over whether chocolate should be included in school lunch every day! This debate was an extension of the 6th grade Amplify Chocolate Collection and a special Extended Learning Program activity. The students used research to support their claims and presented their arguments in front of their peers. They did a phenomenal job defending their positions and led an engaging follow-up discussion with their peers. Way to go, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #ELP #extendedlearningprogram #StudentDebate #CriticalThinking #FutureLeaders #saberpride #saberssucceeding #AmplifyChocolateCollection

🏀 SABER NATION, WE NEED YOU! The #1-ranked Johnston Dragons—the defending 5A state champs—are making the trip from Des Moines to face our Sabers girls basketball team on Thursday, Feb. 6th! Let’s show them what SABER PRIDE looks like and PACK THE GYM! We need every Saber fan there to turn up the energy and cheer our Sabers to victory! SPREAD THE WORD! Share this post, bring your friends, and let’s make this a night to remember! GO SABERS! GAME TIMES 4:45 p.m. – JV1 6:30 p.m. – Varsity #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #sabersgirlsbasketball #sabersbasketball #packthegym #feb6th #turnuptheenergy #sabernation #saberpride #saberssucceeding #cheeronoursabers

Our sixth graders had a sweet experience last week when a guest speaker from the Quad City Botanical Center who expanded on what students have learned during their Amplify Chocolate Collection! Students got a firsthand look at a real cocoa bean and learned all about how cocoa is grown, harvested, and transformed from bean to chocolate bar. Engaging pictures and real-life examples made this a rich and immersive learning experience! A huge thank you to The Education Foundation of Central DeWitt and Central DeWitt PTO for helping fund this project and making hands-on learning possible! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #AmplifyChocolateCollection #QuadCityBotanicalCenter #chocolate #EducationFoundationofCentralDeWitt #CentralDeWittPTO #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Happy National School Counseling Week! This week is a time to recognize the incredible impact school counselors have on students' lives. Our school counselors do so much more than many realize. They are mentors, advocates, problem-solvers, and cheerleaders, guiding students academically, socially, and emotionally while helping them plan for bright futures. Their work removes barriers, fosters success, and changes lives. To the 120,000+ school counselors serving 50 million K-12 students across the nation, and especially Mrs. Barbour, Ms. Glennon, Mrs. Wall, and Mrs. Schaible, thank you for your unwavering dedication, support, and compassion. Your impact is immeasurable, and we are grateful for all you do! 💜💛 Please join us in showing appreciation for our school counselors who help our students grow and succeed. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #schoolcounselors #weloveourschoolcounselors #helpingourstudents #NSCW25 #ThankYouSchoolCounselors #HelpingStudentsThrive #saberpride #saberssucceeding

It’s time to nominate Central DeWitt employees for the January 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 Friday, Feb. 7th! Nomination form: https://forms.gle/ksRVLaYC6XBXkAbw7 We look forward to receiving your nominations! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #employeeofthemonth #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #nominateanemployee

💜💛 Congratulations to Grace Patterson on qualifying for the Girls State Wrestling Tournament and making history by becoming the first two-time state tournament qualifier! You hard work and dedication are inspiring! Show your support for Grace by ordering a State Qualifier shirt today: https://stores.teamelitesports.com/central_dewitt_girls_wrestling Deadline to order is February 2nd. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #sabergirlswrestling #girlsstatewrestling #girlsstatewrestlingtournament #statebound #sabersatstate #goodluckgrace #saberpride #saberssucceeding

📢 REMINDER FOR PARENTS OF INCOMING PRESCHOOLERS! If you haven’t already, please take a moment to fill out this survey regarding your interest level in us providing a full-day preschool program for the 2025-2026 school year. We’re exploring the possibility and your feedback will help us gauge interest and plan for this exciting opportunity. Take the survey today: https://forms.gle/ZHXswjsFe99fMFR79. Deadline to take the survey is February 14,, 2025. Your voice matters—thank you for helping us shape the future of our preschool offerings! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #preschool #centraldewittpreschool #preschoolsurvey #ParentInput #PreschoolPlanning

🎓 Our next senior spotlight is Lily Gruntorad, one of our seniors who is making big plans for her 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

What do the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have to do with the Renaissance? Ask your 5th grader! Last week, these students dove into their Renaissance Unit 5 with some creative and engaging activities that brought history and art to life in ELA! Students explored character traits, picked a turtle that matched their personality, and learned how these heroes got their names from famous Renaissance artists. They even watched a classic TMNT episode where the turtles saved priceless works of art. It was a fun way to connect their previous unit that focused on character traits to this new unit. Students in Mrs. Franker and Mr. Kuehl’s classes created artist graphs based on the character traits they explored. Mrs. Franker’s students worked under their desks to experience the challenge of creating art from an unusual perspective—just like the famous Sistine Chapel ceiling. Fifth grade is off to an exciting start in Unit 5, and it’s incredible to see the creativity and connections our students are making. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #5thgrade #Renaissance #Unit5 #creativelearning #inspiredwriting #learningisfun #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎓 Our next senior spotlight is Katlin Truelsen, one of our seniors with a bright 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

💜💛 Congratulations to the members of the Large Group Saber Speech Team, as they qualified 10 of their 11 events to advance to the State contest coming up on February 8th at Cedar Rapids Washington! Every member of the team participated in at least one event that received a Division I rating: Group Mime - Ella Taylor and Nazahra Gambleton Ensemble Acting - Eli Dimmick and Julia Fielding Ensemble Acting - Suzie Cox and Jack Butler Ensemble Acting - Livy Crandall and Hannah Moore Musical Theatre - Adam Wilke and Emily Sutton Musical Theatre - Brooklyn Quick and Jack Butler Radio Broadcasting - Lena Perrone and Chloe Blanchard Radio Broadcasting - Grace Burzlaff, Hannah Moore, Jenny Claussen, Nazahra Gambleton, Brooklyn Quick, and Niya Miller Short Film - Julia Fielding, Hailey Fielding, Faith Petersen, Camila Reyna, and Allie Grager Short Film - Niya Miller, Laura Martens, Lyla Hey, Ella Sunday, Grace Hendrickson, Marie Klostermann, and Lia Van Horn This incredible achievement is a testament to their hard work, dedication, and talent. Let’s shower them with congratulations and support as they gear up for State! Additionally, the Saber Speech Team will be hosting the District Individual Events Speech Contest right HERE on Saturday, March 1st, and we would love to have your help! We are looking for volunteers to serve in a variety of roles, and would also appreciate partnering with additional sponsors. No experience is necessary to volunteer, and no amount is too small to be a sponsor! • For more information about volunteering, please visit the volunteers page of our contest website: https://bit.ly/4jCKmre • For more information about sponsorship, please visit the sponsors page of our contest website: https://bit.ly/42rW16i #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #saberspeech #Division1Rating #statebound #statespeech #LargeGroupContest #DistrictIndividualSpeechContest #March1 #getinvolved #supportoursabers #volunteer #saberpride #saberssucceeding

We’re thrilled to announce that CDHS, CDMS and CDIS have been ranked among the Top 100 Schools in Iowa by U.S. News & World Report! 🏆 CDHS was ranked #63 among Iowa high schools. CDIS was ranked #88 among Iowa intermediate schools. CDMS was ranked #89 among middle schools. This recognition reflects the dedication of our students, staff, and community in striving for excellence every day. From academic achievements to extracurricular success, we are proud of what makes our Saber family shine. 💜💛 Thank you to everyone who continues to support and inspire our mission of learning, leadership, and growth. Together, we achieve great things! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #top100 #TopIowaSchools #saberpride #saberssucceeding