Central DeWitt School District -

📣 Concurrent Enrollment Students + Families!
Already earning college credit through Eastern Iowa Community Colleges? Keep that momentum going at NEXT IS NOW — an event built for junior & senior concurrent enrollment students to help plan the next step after high school.

📅 Thursday, Feb. 19
🕠 5:30 - 7 p.m.
📍 Clinton Community College | 1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton
✅ Registration required at eicc.edu/NextIsNow

Students will rotate through short sessions on:
🎓 Financial aid & scholarships
🤝 Student support services
💬 Faculty + student panel (career + transfer pathways)

Plus enjoy an open house with a brief tour.

#ConcurrentEnrollment #EICC #NextIsNow #GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #PlanningForTheFuture #CareerAndCollgeReady

It’s that time again! The Central DeWitt Early Childhood students are thrilled to welcome preschool-age children to participate in our annual “Little Sabers Preschool Lab.”

We are looking for children, ages 3-4 (should be toilet trained) to join us in our classroom at the high school to play and learn during our classroom time. The program will begin on February 23rd and continue two days a week until May 18th (pending weather). There will be one session every other day from 8:15-9:15 and no Lab on Fridays (a more detailed schedule will be shared once enrollment is complete).

Please contact Rebecca Barnes at rebecca.barnes@cd-csd.org to enroll your child or if you have questions. We have just 12 spots available! Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing your kiddos in “Little Sabers Preschool Lab!”

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #littlesaberspreschoollab #earlychildhoodeducation #handsonlearning #learningisfun #CTE #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

💜💛 Wishing Central DeWitt sophomore Cameron Zimmer the very best of luck as he competes at the State Swimming Meet today in Iowa City at the Campus Recreation & Wellness Center!

Cameron qualified in the 100-yard Butterfly and is the only swimmer from the Clinton River Kings swim team to advance to state this year—an incredible accomplishment. We are proud of our long-standing co-op with Clinton, which has spanned several decades, allowing our athletes to compete in swimming. We’re even prouder to cheer on this outstanding Saber athlete!

🎥 Can’t be there in person? The meet will be live streamed at: https://www.iahsaa.org/watch/

Good luck, Cameron—we’re cheering you on! 🏆👏

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #ClintonRiverKings #Swimming #StateSwimMeet #StateBound #SabersAtState #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

⏰ Happening TONIGHT! Join us this evening for the Community Forum on the proposed long-range facilities plan.

📅 February 11
🕕 6:00 p.m.
📍 Boardroom, Door 17

Learn about the plan, ask questions, and share your input as we work together to thoughtfully plan for generations of learners to come. Community feedback will help inform the School Board as it prepares to consider approval of the plan this spring.

Materials from the Long-Range Facilities Planning Committee are currently available on the District’s website for those who would like to review the work completed to date. Visit https://www.cd-csd.org/page/facility-planning

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #LongRangeFacilityPlanning #OurSchoolsOurFuture #CommunityEngagement #SaberPride 💜💛

MercyOne Genesis is hosting a FREE Sports Medicine Symposium on Friday, February 21, from 9:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 👉 Coaches, athletes, and parents are all encouraged to attend!

This event will cover common sports-related topics, injury prevention, and best practices to help keep athletes healthy and performing their best. It’s a great opportunity to learn from medical professionals and gain valuable insights for the upcoming seasons. Scan the QR code to learn more and to register.

To celebrate National School Counselors Week, Ekstrand Elementary students came together for a special project! Each classroom colored 5–7 pieces of a giant poster, which were then assembled into four unique posters and displayed throughout the building. This fun project promoted creativity and teamwork while showing heartfelt appreciation for the school counselors who support our students every day. Great job, Sabers!

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #schoolcounselors #weloveourschoolcounselors #helpingourstudents #NSCW26 #AmplifyStudentSuccess #ThankYouSchoolCounselors #HelpingStudentsThrive #saberpride #saberssucceeding

Only a few more days left to round up your total when you shop at Randy’s Neighborhood Market to support the Central DeWitt Music Boosters.

The Central DeWitt Music Boosters support all district music programs by funding instruments, music, equipment, clinicians, and experiences that ensure every student has the opportunity to participate, learn and grow through music. and succeed in music.

Your spare change can make a real impact! Thank you for supporting the fine arts in our schools! 💜💛

Planning for life after high school can feel overwhelming—for students and families. Whether the path includes college, the military, or entering the workforce, the right information can make all the difference. 🎓

To help families feel confident about what comes next, the Central DeWitt High School Counseling Office is partnering with ICAN® (Iowa College Access Network) to offer a FREE Career & College Planning Presentation for freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and their parents.

📅 Date: Monday, February 9
⏰ Time: 5:00–6:00 PM
📍 Location: Central DeWitt High School – CDPAC/Auditorium

💡 Topics include:
• Career exploration and interests
• Academic preparation and graduation requirements
• College admissions and application processes
• Choosing the right college & planning campus visits
• Understanding financial aid and cost of attendance
• Scholarships and other financial aid options
• Preparing for a successful transition after high school

Families are encouraged to attend together to ask questions, gain clarity, and take the next steps toward the future with confidence.

📩 Questions? Contact Holly Hansen at holly.hansen@cd-csd.org

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #ICAN #CareerAndCollegePlanning #PlanningForTheFuture #FinancialAid #FinancialAidAssistance #SaberFamilies

🍫 These 6th graders enjoyed a sweet, hands-on learning experience with a guest speaker from the Quad City Botanical Center. Students explored how chocolate is made—from bean to bar—and learned about cacao production and sourcing.

The lesson came to life as students taste-tested a variety of chocolates, many from fair trade brands connecting perfectly to the chocolate collection studied in Amplify. From bold cacao flavors to unexpected textures, some samples truly surprised our students!

A big thank you to Central DeWitt PTO for their donation that supported this engaging learning experience!✨

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDIS #6thGrade #Amplify #Chocolate #AmplifyChocolateCollection #QuadCityBotanicalCenter #CentralDeWittPTO #HandsOnLearning #LearningIsFun #saberpride #saberssucceeding

🎭 Happening this weekend! 🎭 Mystery, chaos, and plenty of laughs are taking over the stage as Central DeWitt Middle School presents It’s a Madhouse!

The plot kicks off with the sudden death of a famous mystery writer, bringing his eccentric family together for a will reading—only to discover the inheritance is hidden in a single object. Toss in unexpected guests, over-the-top characters, and nonstop confusion, and you’ve got a fantastic performance where anything can happen.

📅 February 6 & 7
🕡 6:30 p.m.
📍 CDPAC
🎟️ Admission by donation at the door

Join us for an evening of big laughs and bold performances as our talented CDMS students bring this outrageous mystery to life. You won’t want to miss it! 🎬✨

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDMS #CDMSPlay #ItsAMadhouse #CDMSDrama #CDPAC #SaberPride #SaberSucceeding

🎉 Congratulations, Hagan Ackley! 🎉 We’re proud to celebrate Mr. Ackley, Special Education Teacher at Ekstrand Elementary, who received the Mississippi Bend AEA District Watch Award!

Each semester, Mississippi Bend AEA’s District Watch Award recognizes outstanding educators, administrators, and school staff in our partner districts who go above and beyond for students, colleagues, and their school communities.

Mr. Ackley is an incredible educator who consistently goes above and beyond for students, building strong relationships and working closely with colleagues to meet a wide range of learning needs. His thoughtful, student-focused practices help create positive experiences and support success across learning environments.

👏 Thank you, Mr. Ackley, for the meaningful work you do every day!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #EkstrandElementary #HaganAckley #MississippiBendAEA #DistrictWatchAward #SaberStaff #SaberSuperstar #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

💜💛 Good luck, Sabers! 💛💜 Wishing Joellyn Dwinal, Serenity Roberts, and Greenley Grell the very best as they begin competition this afternoon at the Girls State Wrestling Tournament!

CDHS proudly sent them off this morning, and we couldn’t be more excited—this is the most wrestlers our girls program has sent to the state tournament in a single season! 🏆🤼‍♀️

🕟 Matches begin today at 4:30 p.m.
• Each athlete will wrestle two matches today
• With a win, they’ll advance to wrestle tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

🎥 Watch live: https://www.watchighsau.com/?B=3610573

We’re proud of you and cheering you on every step of the way! 💪💜💛

#GoSabers #CentralDeWttCSD #CDHS #SaberGirlsWrestling #SaberWrestling #GirlsWrestling #GoFightWin #StateBound #StateWrestlingTournament #SabersSucceeding #SaberPride

AP Physics 1 students braved the winter elements to put their egg catch projects to the test! After completing a unit on momentum and impulse, students were challenged to design an egg catch capable of safely stopping a raw egg dropped from increasing heights. The results were impressive - Landon Paasch, Luke Pawlowski and Ashton Schneider's eggs survived a drop from the top of the home bleachers!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDHS #APPhysics #Science #EggCatch #LearningIsFun #HandsOnLearning #CriticalThinking #ProblemSolving #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

💜💛 Congratulations to our January 2026 District Student of the Month Mason Brown! He is featured in today's edition of The Observer thanks to our friends at First Central State Bank.

Mason consistently demonstrates a strong commitment to helping others, a quality that guides his actions both in and out of the classroom. Each morning before the school day begins, he voluntarily gives his time to assist with setting up the middle school gym for a variety of physical education activities. He takes pride in his work and approaches each task with enthusiasm, initiative, and care.

Mason’s willingness to help goes beyond completing tasks. He demonstrates strong critical thinking skills by offering thoughtful suggestions to improve equipment setup or modify activities when he identifies opportunities for improvement.

“Mason’s initiative to help without having been asked, and his positive and proactive attitude is a very refreshing way to start my day,” Carl Small, physical education teacher, said. “Mason is a great reminder we have great kids, doing great things, every day here at school.”

To Mason, helping others is about earning respect and being a positive presence. He believes that being a SABER means showing kindness no matter what, maintaining a good attitude throughout the school day, and staying focused on learning. These values are evident in his interactions with peers and staff alike.

Looking ahead, Mason hopes to pursue a career in kinesiology so he can better understand how muscles work, stay active, and help others improve their physical health. His interests align well with this goal, as he is actively involved in archery, soccer, band, and participates in the Central DeWitt Middle School play. He enjoys being part of a team because it allows him to support and encourage younger students, reflecting his strong sense of teamwork and willingness to help wherever needed.

Mason’s positive attitude, initiative, and dedication to helping others demonstrate his strong character and make him a well-deserving District Student of the Month.

#gosabers #cdcsdstudentofthemonth #centraldewittcsd #cdms #firstcentralstatebank #studentofthemonth #sabepride #saberssucceeding

🏀 CDMS Student Leadership hosted a high-energy Student vs. Staff Basketball Game last Friday, and the gym was buzzing with school spirit! The students came ready to compete, but in the end, the staff members showed they’ve still got some moves—taking home the win. 😄

Thanks to everyone who played, cheered, and helped make this event such a fun and memorable event—what a great way to end a school week! 🎉

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDMS #MiddleSchoolMatters #StudentLeadership #StudentVSStaff #SaberFun #StaffWins #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding

‼️ 2026-2027 Preschool registration and Saber Cubs Care registration are now open!

💜 PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION:
Your child must be 4 years old on or before September 15, 2025 to enroll. Click this link to register your child: https://forms.gle/joNsHZtBvprTrPJZ6

💛 SABER CUBS CARE REGISTRATION:
Saber Cubs Care registration is open for the Summer 2026 and 2026-2027 school year! Click this link to enroll your child: https://bit.ly/46iNMuc

Summer Child Care is available for children who will be 4 years old by June 1, 2026, through those entering 4th grade in the 2026-2027 school year, in accordance with state regulations.

School-Year Child Care is available for children who will be 4 years old through 3rd grade during the 2026–2027 school year.

For questions or issues with registration please contact Sarah Penniston at sarah.penniston@cd-csd.org or (563) 659-4711.

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #PreschoolRegistration #SaberCubsCareRegistration #EkstrandElementary #Preschool #FutureSabers #Welcome #ChildCare #SaberPride

💚 Happy National School Counseling Week! We are grateful for our school counselors who amplify student success by supporting academic growth, social-emotional well-being, and future readiness every day.

Our school counselors do so much more than many realize—they are mentors, advocates, problem-solvers, and cheerleaders. Their work removes barriers, fosters success, and truly changes lives.

To the more than 131,000 school counselors serving K–12 students across the nation—and especially Mrs. Barbour, Mrs. Cain, Mrs. Wall, and Mrs. Schaible—thank you for your unwavering dedication, compassion, and support. Your impact is immeasurable, and we are so grateful for all you do. 💜💛

Please join us in showing appreciation for our school counselors!

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #schoolcounselors #weloveourschoolcounselors #helpingourstudents #NSCW26 #AmplifyStudentSuccess #ThankYouSchoolCounselors #HelpingStudentsThrive #saberpride #saberssucceeding

👑 On Thursday, our kindergartners rolled out the red carpet for a royal tea party to celebrate the end of their royalty unit. Dressed in crowns, gowns, and regal attire, students stepped into the roles of kings and queens as they showcased everything they had learned.

The celebration concluded with a royal ball, where our young royalty danced to Disney favorites and proudly showed off the dance moves they had been practicing. It was a joyful, memorable experience fit for a kingdom—and one our kindergartners will surely remember!

#gosabers #centraldewittcsd #ekstrandelementary #kindergarten #royalteaparty #saberroyalty #learningisfun #handsonlearning #saberpride #sabersssucceeding

🏞️ Ms. Pickup’s 4th graders wrapped up their ELA and science units on geology with an engaging National Parks project! Students researched a National Park of their choice, learning about the animals and plants that inhabit each area, the landforms found there, and other interesting facts. They then created presentations and practiced how to effectively share their learning with an audience.

To wrap up the project, students invited staff, as well as a few students, to attend their presentations and celebrate their hard work.

This project has become a favorite over the years—thanks to an idea originally suggested by Ms. Pickup’s former student Eloise Ohnemus—and it continues to inspire curiosity, learning, and strong presentation skills.

Great job, Sabers!

#GoSabers #CentralDeWittCSD #CDIS #4thGrade #ELA #Science #Geology #NationalParks #NationalParkPresentations #LearningIsFun #SaberPride #SabersSucceeding