CDIS Family Monthly Newsletter
August 2024
August Edition of 2024-2025 ☀️
At Central DeWitt Intermediate School, we believe that education is a journey, and we are privileged to have the opportunity to accompany your children on this remarkable voyage. Our primary goal is to provide a safe, nurturing, and inclusive learning environment that fosters a love for knowledge and empowers each student to reach their full potential.
CDIS Spotlight: Shining a Light on Success
Welcome to CDIS Spotlight: Shining a Light on Success, the official podcast of Central DeWitt Intermediate School! Join us each month as we celebrate the amazing achievements and exciting happenings within our school community. From outstanding student projects and innovative classroom activities to heartfelt stories and in-depth interviews with our dedicated staff, this podcast is your go-to source for all the wonderful things happening at CDIS. Tune in to hear firsthand accounts of our school’s successes, meet the inspiring people who make it all possible, and stay connected with the heartbeat of our school community. We will be releasing our first episode as the beginning of the school year comes near! Whether you’re a parent, student, teacher, or community member, CDIS Spotlight is here to keep you informed and inspired!
Upcoming Important Dates
August 21st: 6:00-7:00 Unpack Your Backpack Night @ CDIS (Ekstrand's is 5:30-6:30 and CDMS's is 6:00-7:00)
- We are excited to invite you to our annual Unpack Your Backpack Night! This event is a wonderful opportunity for you to connect with your child's learning environment and meet their teachers. Engage with our dedicated teachers. Learn about the curriculum, classroom expectations, and how you can support your child's education at home.
August 23rd: First Day of School
August 28th: Early Dismissal: 1:30
September 17th: CDIS Fall Pictures
Absences
In the event your child will be absent from school please notify our office prior to 8:00 a.m. Additionally, if your child takes school transportation please provide the bus barn (transportation office) with a phone call to notify them as well. Our office phone is (563) 659-4780 and transportation's phone number is 563-659-0706. Please use this communication protocol when your child is absent or when there will be changes to their transportation. Following these procedures ensures students get to where they need to go.
CDIS Building Operational Hours
Doors Open: 7:30 a.m. for students to enter who are eating breakfast
Students Enter the classroom: 7:50 a.m.
Breakfast: 7:30 - 8:00 a.m.
School Day: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Office Hours: 7:15 - 3:45 p.m.
Message from the Principal 🗣️
Dear Central DeWitt Intermediate School Families,
Welcome to the 2024-2025 academic year! I am Spencer Lueders, the Principal of Central DeWitt Intermediate School, and I am elated to extend a warm welcome to both new and returning families. It is with great anticipation and enthusiasm that I embark on my third year as Principal at CDIS. My professional journey encompasses educational experiences, including teaching roles at Ekstrand Elementary, within the Ankeny Community School District, and within the Pleasant Valley Community School District. Prior to my current position, I served as Principal at Cardinal Elementary School in the Maquoketa Community School District. I am eager to continue fostering an environment of learning, growth, and success, and I look forward to another exceptional year together.
At Central DeWitt Intermediate, we hold high expectations for all our students. We believe that every student has the potential to achieve great things, and we are committed to providing the support and resources necessary to help them reach their goals. Our dedicated staff works tirelessly to create a challenging and nurturing educational environment that encourages academic excellence and personal development.
We also deeply value the relationships and partnerships we build with our families. Your involvement and support are crucial to the success of our students and our school. We encourage you to be active participants in your child's education and to collaborate with us to create the best possible learning experience. Together, we can foster a community where every student feels valued, supported, and motivated to excel.
Open communication is a cornerstone of our school culture. We highly encourage you to reach out with any questions, concerns, or suggestions you may have throughout the year. Our goal is to maintain an open and transparent dialogue with our families to ensure that we are meeting the needs of our students and providing the best possible education. Whether it’s through parent-teacher conferences, school events, or informal conversations, we are here to listen and collaborate with you.
As we begin this new school year, we are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to an exciting and memorable year. We are committed to working together to make this a successful and fulfilling year for all our students. Thank you for your continued support and partnership.
Here's to a great 2024-2025!
Spencer Lueders
Principal, Central DeWitt Intermediate School
🚨 CDIS Building Reminders 🚨
Transportation:
When needing to make a change of transportation for your child during the school day, please contact our CDIS office at (563)-659-4780 prior to 2:00 PM. This allows our office staff to notify our building level staff to ensure the change in transportation occurs.
If you have additional questions surrounding bussing, please contact our CDCSD Transportation Department at (563)-659-0706.
Flow of Communication:
For any questions or concerns about your child, we strongly encourage you to contact their teacher directly via phone or email as your first step. Direct communication between parents and teachers is essential in building a strong home-school partnership. This connection allows teachers to better understand your child's unique learning style, strengths, and challenges, enabling them to provide tailored support and valuable feedback. Our teachers (Staff Directory) are happy to support and work alongside you in creating a supportive and effective learning environment that encourages your child's success.
CDIS Behavior: Commitments and Philosophies
At CDIS, we strive to bring about creative ways to encourage students to display positive behaviors that extend beyond our building. CDIS utilizes several components of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. PBIS is used within CDIS to encourage skills that can be used by students now and in the future. It is designed to give students the chance to set goals, meet them, and be acknowledged for individual and team accomplishments.
In addition, we aim to develop leaders beyond our teachers, fostering a community where students are empowered to take on leadership roles. We look forward to partnering with families to bring our students to new heights, working together to support their growth and success.
We strive to live like a SABER in everything that we do!
S=Safety
A=Accountable
B=Believe in Yourself
E=Everyone Matters
R=Respect!
Frequently Used Resources ✅
CDCSD Calendar, CDIS School Supplies Update, Amplify Caregiver Hub, CDCSD Family Resource Guide, and Wacky Wednesday Library Registration: