Central DeWitt School District -

🍎 It’s Teacher Appreciation Week! Our teachers are a class act who bring out the best in all of our students! Thank you for the endless hours you put in and all of the ways you positively impact our students! Later this week you’ll hear from some of our students on what makes our teachers so special, but in the meantime, here are some ways we can all show our appreciation! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #teacherappreciationweek #weloveourteachers #thankateacher #saberpride

Sign up now for free summer meals through the DeWitt Referral Center & Thrift Store! 🍎 Do you live within the boundary of Central DeWitt Community School District and need a little extra help providing meals for your children over the summer? 🥪 The Summer Lunchbox Program provides families with kid-friendly foods weekly throughout the summer months. 🥛 All families with children (preschool thru grade 12) living in the CDCSD boundary are eligible to receive a weekly lunchbox kit. Families DO NOT have to be clients of the Referral Center to sign up! 🍞 Sign-up now at The DeWitt Referral Center & Thrift Store, 912 14th Avenue, DeWitt, Monday through Friday 9am-5pm. Registration is required. Thank you to the DeWitt Referral Center and the numerous community volunteers who are helping keep our families fed through the summer! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #summerlunchprogram #dewittreferralcenter #thankyoutoourcommunity

Congratulations to sophomore Ryder Peel for winning the Wildlife Forever State Fish Contest two years in a row! Ryder placed third in the state of Iowa for his painting of a rainbow trout. Awesome job, Ryder! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsart #saberartists #saberpride #sabersucceeding

These Central DeWit juniors and seniors had a great time at Future Fest hosted by the Mississippi Bend AEA in Bettendorf last week! The event was a great opportunity for area students to explore career options and community resources that can help prepare them for their future! Virtual reality simulators, hands-on career activities, and door prizes made it a fun and interactive event. Thank you to the AEA for providing this opportunity! Students: Xavier Brown, Tiffany St Clair, Marana Boeding, Will Henningsen, Landon Flynn, Mackenzie Piatt, Nevaeh Scheeper, Dillan Randel #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #mississippibendaea #aea #FutureFest #careerandcollegeready #planningforthefuture #sabersssucceeding

Congratulations to our April 2024 #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

Check out what’s happening at CDHS in the May newsletter! Click here to read: https://bit.ly/3JRkfMx #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #highschool #cdhsnewsletter #maynewsletter2024

On Monday, April 29th, the Sixth Grade Math Bee Team competed in the Annual Math Bee at the Bettendorf AEA. The team consisted of Bentley Paasch, Talia Stroud, Chloe Knepper, Ryleigh Venden and Maddox Grell. The team has been preparing for this competition all year. They are tested over the following areas: Number System, Expressions & Equations, Geometry, Statistics & Probability, Ratios & Proportions and Team Problem Solving. Their hard work paid off as the team placed 3rd out of 30 teams! All individuals scored in the top 25 of the 120 individuals who competed. That is an amazing accomplishment! Congrats to the Sixth Grade Math Bee Team!! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #6thgrademathbea #aea #saberpride #saberssucceeding

💜💛 Thank you to The Education Foundation of Central DeWitt who awarded our teachers over $29,000 in grants this year! The recipients were recognized at The Education Foundation Appreciation Reception, catered by Ms. Sage and her CDHS culinary students yesterday afternoon. These grants help our teachers enhance classroom learning and directly benefit our students in so many ways. In the last 30 years, the foundation has provided more than $829,000 in grants to Central DeWitt educators. Thank you to all of the donors who help make these grants possible and congratulations to all of the recipients! To see a list of the grants awarded visit https://www.cd-csd.org/article/1581924 If you are interested in donating to The Education Foundation of Central DeWitt or creating an endowment fund, please reach out to edfoundation@cd-csd.org or call/text Brett McKamey at (563) 650-5985.

Come see several area bands and choirs including our own band and four choirs as Central DeWitt hosts a site for Class 3A IHSMA State Large Group Festival tonight, Friday, May 3rd. Schedule and admission cost below. Good luck, Sabers! CDHS PERFORMANCE TIMES: 5:45pm - CDHS Treble Clef Chorus; 6:30pm - CDHS Bass Clef Chorus; 7pm - CDHS Mixed Chorus (Chamber Choir); 8pm - CDHS Mixed Chorus (Concert Choir); 8:45pm - CDHS Concert Band. #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdhsband #cdhschoir #largegroupfestival #saberpride #goodlucksabers

The Central DeWitt Community School District Board of Education would like to provide an update on the superintendent hiring process. The board recently met with staff at Grundmeyer Leader Services to review the candidate pool and has announced three finalists in its search for the district’s next superintendent. The position was posted and resulted in a total of 11 candidates, including one from outside the state of Iowa. The pool included six male candidates, four female candidates, and one candidate who chose no response. Among them, 10 applicants hold specialist/six-year degrees,while one holds a terminal degree (Ed.D. or Ph.D.). The three finalists are Tim Felderman, Dr. Stephanie Mishler, and Derek Philips. Felderman currently serves as high school principal in the West Delaware County CSD, overseeing instructional leadership, staff evaluation, and student discipline for 490 students. Throughout his tenure, he has developed federally recognized apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in collaboration with staff. Felderman holds an advanced studies certificate in superintendency from the University of Northern Iowa and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Drake University. He was recently elected as the 2024-25 vice president of the School Administrators of Iowa and previously served as high school principal in the Howard-Winneshiek CSD. Currently, Mishler serves as interim superintendent of the Fairfield CSD, leading strategic initiatives aligned with student success, positive culture, and fiscal responsibility. Additionally, she spearheaded a successful public information campaign for an increased PPEL referendum, passing with 67% approval in March 2024. Mishler holds a doctorate degree in educational leadership from Drake University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Iowa State University. Prior to her interim role, Mishler served as curriculum director in Fairfield. As superintendent of Pekin CSD, Philips manages a district of about 600 students and 110 staff members, offering mentorship to new building administrators. Additionally, he has collaborated with the school board and a local contractor on developing short- and long-term facilities plans, as well as increasing the district’s Unspent Authorized Budget. Philips holds a PK–12 superintendent and AEA (Area Education Agency) administrator specialist certificate, along with a master’s degree in education from the University of Northern Iowa. He previously served as principal of Columbus Elementary School in the Chariton CSD. As a next step, the board and stakeholder interview teams will conduct final interviews with each of the three finalists on Wednesday, May 8. The board then plans to discuss the candidates and reach a final decision soon after the formal interviews. The next superintendent will begin leading the Central DeWitt Community School District effective July 1, 2024. If you have questions please reach out a Central DeWitt school board member. Their contact information can be found here: https://www.cd-csd.org/page/board-of-education-members

Today, we celebrate our unsung heroes who dish out kindness with every plate and keep our bodies nourished - our school lunch heroes! 🥪🍎 From preparing delicious meals to brightening our days with their smiles, they make sure we're fueled for success. Let's give a big shoutout to these incredible individuals who prepare over 273,000 meals each school year! Thank you to all of our Nutrition Services employees! We appreciate you! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #centraldewittnutritionservices ##Grateful #LunchHeroes #SchoolLunchHeroDay #lunchheroes #saberpride #thankyouforallyoudo

At Senior Decision Day this morning CDHS celebrated the Class of 2024 and the post-secondary decisions they’ve made! It’s wonderful seeing all of the different paths our graduates will take and we wish them all the best! Congratulations, seniors! To see more photos from today as well as a list of senior plans visit https://www.cd-csd.org/article/1581033 If you'd like to watch the ceremony, click here: https://www.youtube.com/live/BdBV0X5hfGs?si=1qm5_S-TtvWl1fcb #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #seniordecisionday2024 #cdhs #classof2024 #cdhsseniors #goodluckseniors #saberpride #saberssucceeding

The Scribbler, Central DeWitt High School's literary magazine, is proud to announce the release of Volume 16. The CDHS literary magazine publishes creative work by our Central DeWitt students, and they are “SO PROUD to send this new batch of awesomeness out into the world.” Congratulations to our writers and artists and thank you to all the hardworking student staff behind the scenes. Write on, Sabers! The Scribbler has a new look this year! Check it out: https://www.cdhsscribbler.com/ #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #thescribbler #thescribblervolume16 #saberssucceeding

🎓 Meet senior Wyatt Houser who has a bright future ahead of him! Way to go, Wyatt! The Senior Spotlight is created by CDHS AmeriCorps Student Leaders Aubrey Vance and Tori Rheingans. In this role, Aubrey and Tori 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 junior Katlin Truelsen on being selected as the recipient of the 2024 Herbert Hoover Uncommon Student Award! She is one of only 15 students in the state to receive this scholarship. Her proposed project is a Ladies in Livestock Mentorship Program, which pairs high school girls involved in raising livestock with female mentors involved in some aspect of livestock production across the state of Iowa! The program is being supported by Farm Credit Services of America and will kick off in August. Congratulations again, Katlin! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #HerbertHooverUncommonStudentAward #saberssucceeding #saberpride

How❄️ cool ❄️ is it that our 4th-12th grade students raised almost $15,000 for Special Olympics Iowa as part of the Cool School Polar Plunge fundraiser?!!! This morning they were rewarded for their efforts by taking the plunge into frigid waters at a very fun celebration. Sixth graders Aiden Summers and Fysher Martin were the first to leap into the chilly waters because they were the top fundraisers. Way to go, Sabers! Congratulations to all of the participants on a job well done! We are so proud of our students and staff for continually going above and beyond to support, celebrate, and include everyone! And, a big thank you to everyone who donated! To see all the fun visit https://www.cd-csd.org/article/1578672 #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdis #cdms #cdhs #saberpride #nationalunifiedchampionschool #choosetoinclude #coolschoolpolarplunge #specialolympicsia #cdcsdspecialolympics

REMINDER! Tomorrow at 10:30 a.m. CDHS will host Senior Decision Day to celebrate the plans our seniors have made regarding their futures. Parents are invited to attend and we will also be live streaming the event here: https://youtube.com/live/BdBV0X5hfGs?feature=share We're excited to celebrate the future plans of our graduating class! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #seniordecisionday2024 #classof2024

💜💛 Congratulations to our April 2024 District Student of the Month Alice Sechrest! She is featured in today's edition of The Observer thanks to our friends at First Central State Bank. For Agricultural Science Teacher Amy Grantz, having a reliable and proactive teaching aide like senior Alice Sechrest has been an invaluable asset and the reason she nominated Alice for Student of the Month. As a teacher’s aide, Alice helps Mrs. Grantz with a variety of tasks from making copies of assignments to helping care for plants in the greenhouse to cleaning in the workshop. Alice not only fulfills her assigned tasks with efficiency but also takes the initiative to tackle additional responsibilities, ensuring that every aspect of the ag classroom runs as smoothly as possible. “Her initiative is second to none,” Mrs. Grantz said. ”When I have a sub, she always asked the sub if they need anything or if she can help in any way. She has even gone to the level of creating material for my sub that was useful to the class.” For Alice, being Mrs. Grantz's aide is not just a responsibility; it's a perfect fit that aligns with her deepest passions. With a love for plants and a genuine enjoyment of caring for and learning about animals, it's an opportunity to immerse herself in a world that fuels her curiosity and ignites her sense of purpose. She plans to become a veterinary technician after graduation and then follow in Mrs. Grantz’s footsteps by becoming an ag teacher. Alice attributes much of her inspiration and drive to Mrs. Grantz, whose classes and mentorship have played a pivotal role in shaping her aspirations. She envisions herself as a teacher one day so she can offer future students the same enriching experiences and invaluable lessons that she herself has received. What truly sets Alice apart is her compassion and unwavering commitment to helping others. Every school day she chooses to spend her open blocks helping Mrs. Burbach with physical education classes rather than leaving for the day. When asked why she volunteers her time, she said it gives her an opportunity to work directly with students which she enjoys and will help her in future endeavors. Alice is a shining example of what it means to be a SABER. She is a dedicated student, a compassionate individual, and a true asset to Central DeWitt. #gosabers #cdcsdstudentofthemonth #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #firstcentralstatebank #saberssucceeding

UPDATED DATE AND TIME! Friday, May 3rd the DeWitt Youth Soccer participants will be recognized at the conclusion of the varsity boys soccer game at 5:30 p.m. The game begins at 4 p.m. followed by the girls varsity game at 5:30 p.m. after the youth recognition. Youth participants should line up on the soccer practice field at 5:15 p.m. We're looking forward to helping recognize all of the youth soccer players! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #sabersoccer #youthrecognitionnight

Happy School Principal’s Day to these remarkable individuals! Today, we celebrate Mr. Miller, Mr. Lueders, Mr. Petsche, and Mr. Pickup who not only lead with wisdom and compassion but also serve as exemplary role models for students. They continually offer support, encouragement and a guiding hand through every challenge. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to education and dedication to creating a positive school environment! #gosabers #centraldewittcsd #cdhs #cdms #cdis #ekstrandelementary #happyprincipalsday #nationalprincipalsday #schoolprincipalday #saberleadership #weloveourprincipals