Central DeWitt School District -

🌼 Downtown DeWitt is about to bloom—and it’s all thanks to the green thumbs of CDHS horticulture students and the DeWitt Town & Country Club! With a little dirt, a lot of teamwork, and the guidance of these wonderful volunteers our students planted 99 hanging baskets that will brighten the streets all summer long. Way to go, Sabers! Special thanks to the DeWitt Town & Country Club for their help in making this annual tradition a success! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #horticulture #dewitttownandcountryclub #99hangingbaskets #makingourcommunitybeautiful #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎓 Our next senior spotlight is Dalton Ruffner, who has a bright future ahead of him! 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 #saberssucceed

On Monday, senior Katlin Truelsen visited each 2nd grade classroom to read her newly published children’s book — Buckin’ Bull Buddies! After storytime, each student received their very own copy to keep, thanks to a generous grant from The Education Foundation of Central DeWitt. Mrs. Sikkema’s class even got to Zoom with one of the real-life bull riders who inspired the story — an unforgettable moment for these young readers! Buckin' Bull Buddies is based on a true story about two Iowa bull riders who are best friends, share the same birthday, and both dream of winning a gold buckle. This project is part of Katlin’s FFA Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) in Ag Communications. You can grab your own copy of Buckin’ Bull Buddies at https://www.cacmediagroup.com/ or by reaching out to Katlin directly! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #ekstrandelementary #secondgrade #ffa #SAE #BuckinBullBuddies #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

It's Work With Us Wednesday! 🚨Our Nutrition Services team is in urgent need of substitute staff to help keep things running smoothly in our kitchens. If you or someone you know is available to jump in and support our amazing team, we’d love to have you! Contact Nutrition Services Director Dede Wagener at dede.wagener@cd-csd.org. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #workwithuswednesday #joinoursaberfamily #jobopportunities #nutritionservices #nutritionservicessubstitutes

We’re excited to share that the school board approved the 2025–2026 district calendar — and with it comes a few key changes we want to highlight! The first significant change to the calendar is that early outs will now be on Fridays instead of Wednesdays. This shift brings several benefits for students and staff: ▪️ Consistent learning time: Fridays typically have lower attendance and many students leave early for activities, so this change helps ensure more productive learning throughout the week. ▪️ Better logistics: Early outs on Fridays will improve transportation for evening events. ▪️Alignment with EICC and other partners: The change allows more students to enroll in the EICC academies, take EICC courses, and participate in other educational opportunities. ▪️ Focused planning time: Teachers will have more consistent instruction time and an opportunity to wrap up the week with intentional planning and professional development. Second, preschool will run Monday through Thursday, with no preschool on Fridays. This schedule provides a more consistent weekly routine for our youngest learners, which supports a smoother transition to a full five-day schedule when they start kindergarten. And, having Fridays off gives their growing minds a three-day break to rest and recharge, setting them up for more focused, meaningful learning when they return on Monday. We’re confident these changes will lead to a more effective, engaging, and balanced school week for everyone. This calendar along with our athletic and fine arts calendars are available on the district website, www.cd-csd.org, under “Calendars.” #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #schoolcalendar #districtcalendar #schoolcalendar2026 #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎓 Our next senior spotlight of the year is Rachel Clark, who has 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 #saberssucceed

🌟 Happy Administrative Professionals Day! 🌟 Today, we celebrate the incredible administrative staff who keep our schools running smoothly every single day. From answering phones to managing schedules, supporting students, assisting staff, and juggling a million tasks behind the scenes all with a smile — your work does not go unnoticed. Thank you for being the heart of our district. Your dedication, organization, and care make a world of difference in the lives of our students, staff, and families. 💜 We appreciate you today and every day! 💛 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #luckytohaveyou #weloveouradministrativeprofessionals #youarethebest #AdministrativeProfessionalsDay #saberpride #ThankYou

👑 We’re thrilled to introduce the 2025 CDHS Prom Court! Congratulations to Laura Martens, Anna Rickertsen, Adeline Bloom, Lauren Walker, Matthew Boeding, Parker Petsche, Max Burgmeier and Brady Herington! King and queen will be announced at Prom on Saturday, April 26th. The Grand March will begin at 5 p.m. in the Central DeWitt Performing Arts Center on Saturday and will be live streamed here: https://youtube.com/live/Z12p40TfNI0?feature=share #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsprom #cdhspromcourt #grandmarch #cdhsgrandmarch #cdhsafterprom #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Today, CDHS celebrated 12 incredible seniors who have officially committed to continuing their athletic journeys at the collegiate level! At the Signing Day event, athletes thanked those who have helped them along the way before signing their letters of intent. Whether on the court, mat, field, or track, these athletes have worked tirelessly to earn this achievement. We’re proud of your dedication and can't wait to see all that you will accomplish at the next level! ADALYN APPLEBY Sport: Cross Country and Track School: Drake University MAX BURGMEIER Sport: Football School: Iowa Western KADE BURZLAFF Sport: Baseball School: Grand View University CADEN HUFF Sport: Baseball School: Grand View University CALLAN HURSEY Sport: Wrestling School: St. Ambrose University RYAN MCGARRY Sport: Basketball School: Wartburg College CALEB OLSON Sport: Track School: Wartburg College GRACE PATTERSON Sport: Wrestling School: Loras College ANNA RICKERTSEN Sport: Dance School: St. Ambrose University LAUREN WALKER Sport: Basketball School: University of Northern Iowa RYAN WATTERS Sport: Basketball School: Winona State University CHRIS WRAGE Sport: Wrestling School: Loras College #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #seniorsigningday2025 #saberathletes #saberpride #saberssucceeding #onceasaberalwaysasaber

🚌 Happy School Bus Driver Appreciation Day! 🚌 Today we give a big THANK YOU to the dedicated drivers who start their mornings before the sun rises to make sure our students get to school safely and with a smile. Your patience, kindness, and commitment to safety do not go unnoticed. You’re the first friendly face many students see each day, and the last one before they head home. Thank you for everything you do! Let’s give it up for our amazing bus drivers! 👏👏👏 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #centraldewittbusdrivers #SchoolBusDriverAppreciationDay #ThankYouDrivers #WeAppreciateYou

✈️ SABER COMMUNITY! This is a reminder that students and community members have a chance to join an EFTour to Iceland in the Summer of 2026. Now is the time to start saving for the trip if you would like to join our Adventure Crew. More information about the tour can be found here: https://www.eftours.com/tour-website/2806194FX You can also contact Mr. Mercado for more information at eddie.mercado@cd-csd.org.

💜💛 Thank you to The Education Foundation of Central DeWitt for awarding over $60,000 in grants to our teachers and students this year! The 2025 grant recipients were honored last Thursday at the annual Education Foundation Appreciation Reception, catered by Ms. Sullivan and her talented CDHS culinary students. Guests also enjoyed a special presentation from sixth-grade students, who demonstrated one of the drones purchased with grant funding from the Ed Foundation. It was an exciting, first-hand look at how impactful these grants are in directly enhancing student learning. Over the past 31 years, the Ed Foundation has awarded more than $889,000 in grants to Central DeWitt educators — an incredible investment in our schools and community. A heartfelt thank you to them, and the donors who make these opportunities possible. And, congratulations to this year’s recipients! To see a list of the grants awarded please visit https://www.cd-csd.org/article/2159887

This year marks the 15th anniversary of a car being donated to Central DeWitt After Prom — an incredible tradition that gives one lucky senior a new set of keys! For the first 12 years, this amazing gift was made possible by Kriegers, and for the last three years, Ed Morse Chevy GMC of DeWitt has proudly continued the tradition. 💛💜 At the end of this year’s After Prom, one senior will win the 2013 Nissan Centra — but remember — YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN! We are beyond grateful to have such supportive community partners who believe in creating safe, fun, and memorable experiences for our students. Thank you, Ed Morse, for your continued generosity! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #seniorscanwinacar #cdhsafterprom #classof2025 #centraldewittafterprom #prom2025 #winprizesatafterprom #weloveourcommunity

Things are usually pretty serious in welding class, but today, Mr. Prombo and his students took a break from the grind to have a little fun for Mustache Monday! With creativity and a good sense of humor, they crafted some impressive (and hilarious) mustaches. Just one look at these epic 'staches is sure to brighten your day! Great job, Sabers! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #weldingclass #MustacheMonday #learningisfun #saberpride #saberssucceeding

SOPHOMORES, JUNIORS AND SENIORS! Check out these awesome opportunities available to students this summer! Each event has various restrictions, so please be sure to reach out to Holly Hansen (holly.hansen@cd-csd.org) if you have any questions!

Big congratulations to our talented Saber artists whose incredible work was selected to represent Central DeWitt in the 2025 High School Fine Arts Show at Clinton Community College! Schools from across the area competed in Graphic Design, Mixed Media, Painting, and Drawing categories. A special shoutout to Dalani Beuthien, who earned 2nd place in Graphic Design for her piece "Cow Talk!" Dalani received a $50 Hobby Lobby gift certificate for her award-winning work—way to go, Dalani! To view all the artwork visit https://bit.ly/4ih3Dwx. We’re so proud of all our Sabers’ creativity, dedication, and artistic vision. 💜💛 Saber Art Students with Selected Work: GRAPHIC DESIGN Jayden Anderson Dalani Beuthien * 2nd place Payton Kaczinski Shayna Lopez Kaden Mahler Kobe Mahler Miles Manatt Trevor Marcus Grant Olson Griffin Reed Caelyn Sherwood Lexi Thiskahone JJ VanDerGinst PAINTING Natalie Costas Brooklyn Dykstra Amelia Griffin Ana Henningsen Niya Miller Jacob Moore Vee Ortner Ryder Peel Emily Sons Lexi Thiskahone DRAWING Liliana Hartley Kennadi Olson Faith Peterson Sam Pfeifle Noah Raes #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsart #saberartists #saberart #awardwinning #2025HighSchoolFineArtsShow #ClintonCommunityCollege #CCC #saberpride #saberssuceeding

Congratulations to all of our outstanding FFA members who had the honor of attending this year’s State Leadership Conference! our dedication, leadership, and relentless pursuit of excellence make us #SaberProud! Keep reaching for excellence! 💜💛 • State Degree Recipients: Adam Wilke, Caden Bernauer, Delaney Barber, Emily Sutton, Hannah Grantz, Kalli Barber, Kamryn Keester, Katlin Truelsen, Kyle Deppe, Lucas Burken, Price Strohman, Taylor Houser, and Ty Henningsen. • Courtesy Corps: Caden Bernauer, Carlee Garrity, and Ethan Hoeft • State FFA Chorus: Molly Burken • Farm Business Management Test: Kalli Barber(Gold), Delaney Barber (Gold), Rachel Clark (Gold), and Katlin Truelsen (Gold). • Chapter Knowledge Test: Taylor Houser (Gold) • Discovery Test: Eveylnn Smith (Bronze) and Katie Grantz (Silver) • Greenhand Test: Cooper Barber (Gold) and Audrina Gordon (Gold) • Discovery Test: Evelynn Smith (Bronze) and Katie Grantz (Silver) • Proficiency Award in Swine Entrepreneurship: Hannah Grantz (1st) • Proficiency Award in Agricultural Communications: Kaitlin Truelsen (1st) • Stars Over Iowa Finalist: Kaitlin Truelsen #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #dewittcentralffa #ffa #StateLeadershipConference #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎓 Our next senior spotlight of the year is Caleb Kruse, who has an exciting future ahead of him! 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 #saberssucceed

After a year of preparing and mastering math well beyond their grade level, these three teams of sixth-grade students showcased their skills in the CDIS 6th Grade Math Bee on Wednesday. Way to go, students— your hard work and commitment to learning truly add up to something exceptional! 🏅 1st Place: Caleb Adams & Jaren Nebel 🥈 2nd Place: Tucker Thiel & Paxton Lansing 🥉 3rd Place: Charlee Meyer & Rachel Burke Thank you to Mrs. Hahn for hosting the event and to Mr. Townsley for moderating and bringing his enthusiasm and expertise to the competition. And a special shoutout to First Central State Bank for generously donating pizza for a well-deserved celebration after the competition. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #cdismathbee #6thgrade #6thgrademathbee #learningisfun #advancedmath #mathematics #saberpride #saberssucceeding

💜💛 We are thrilled to recognize Pam Goldsmith as our March Employee of the Month! Ms. Goldsmith brings more than just her culinary skills to work—she brings heart, compassion, and a genuine love for the students she serves. If you’ve ever walked through the lunch line at Central DeWitt Middle School, chances are you’ve been greeted by Ms. Goldsmith’s warm smile and cheerful energy. It’s the small, thoughtful gestures she makes—day in and day out—that leave a lasting impact on our students. And they notice. One nomination shared, “Ms. Goldsmith always has a smile on her face and remembers small details about every student. For example, before I can even say anything, she knows that I want a ranch with my meal.” Another student wrote, “She always asks how I’m doing, and I noticed how she does this to everyone. There is no possible way to be mad after she greets you.” These everyday acts of kindness speak volumes about the care and thoughtfulness Ms. Goldsmith brings to her work. She takes time to connect with each student, offering a kind word or a smile at just the right moment. She is truly a beloved presence in the Central DeWitt Middle School cafeteria. Nutrition Services Director Dede Wagener shared, “Pam is extremely deserving of this recognition. Behind every warm meal is a warm heart, and Pam has the biggest, kindest heart. She takes her job very seriously, and when she's absent, students immediately notice and ask when she’ll be back. Thank you for making our cafeteria feel like a welcoming home to these kiddos.” We are so fortunate to have Ms. Goldsmith as part of our Saber family. Her influence goes far beyond the lunch line—it’s reflected in the relationships she builds, the joy she brings, and the care she shows every single day. As Ms. Wagener so perfectly put it, “her kindness is the key ingredient in everything she does.” Congratulations, Ms. Goldsmith! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdcsdemployeeofthemonth #employeeofthemonth #march2025employeeofthemonth #saberssucceeding #sabersuperstar