Central Community School is excited to announce Peter Thompson as the new Head Football Coach for the 2026 season following approval by the School Board this evening!
Coach Thompson has been involved in Central athletics for the past two years as a Junior High football coach, Junior High basketball coach, and Assistant Track & Field coach. His passion for Central students and commitment to developing student-athletes have made a positive impact across our programs.
Please join us in congratulating Coach Thompson as he begins leading Central football into the 2026 season!
This week, Central is recognizing Digital Well-Being Week!
Technology is a big part of our daily lives, and digital well-being is all about helping students build healthy habits with technology, social media, gaming, and screen time. It also means learning how to stay safe online, communicate respectfully, and find balance both on and off screens.
Throughout the week, students will be encouraged to:
• Take breaks from screens
• Spend time outdoors and with family
• Practice positive online behavior
• Think critically about media and social content
• Prioritize sleep, mental health, and real-life connections
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home and work together to help students develop healthy digital habits that will benefit them for years to come.
Technology is a big part of our daily lives, and digital well-being is all about helping students build healthy habits with technology, social media, gaming, and screen time. It also means learning how to stay safe online, communicate respectfully, and find balance both on and off screens.
Throughout the week, students will be encouraged to:
• Take breaks from screens
• Spend time outdoors and with family
• Practice positive online behavior
• Think critically about media and social content
• Prioritize sleep, mental health, and real-life connections
We encourage families to continue these conversations at home and work together to help students develop healthy digital habits that will benefit them for years to come.
Central’s Summer Food Program starts Thursday, June 4, and there’s still time to sign up! The deadline is Wednesday, May 20.
Any family with children ages 18 and under is welcome to participate. Each Thursday during the summer, families can pick up a week’s worth of free food to help keep kids fed while school is out.
The more families who participate, the stronger this program can continue to be for our community. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenbfsqgPyPaOodpNkxZ_uBsBwg91DbDb6qbj00Cphas6vqXw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111044781075056526881
Any family with children ages 18 and under is welcome to participate. Each Thursday during the summer, families can pick up a week’s worth of free food to help keep kids fed while school is out.
The more families who participate, the stronger this program can continue to be for our community. Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSenbfsqgPyPaOodpNkxZ_uBsBwg91DbDb6qbj00Cphas6vqXw/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=111044781075056526881
The Central boys golf team traveled to Lake Mills last night to prepare for today’s District meet, only to learn this morning that severe overnight weather caused significant damage to Rice Lake Golf Course and forced the tournament to be postponed until tomorrow.
Instead of heading home, the team spent the morning helping with cleanup efforts at the course so it can be ready for play tomorrow. Proud of these young men for stepping up, lending a hand, and representing Central with hard work and character when it mattered most!
Instead of heading home, the team spent the morning helping with cleanup efforts at the course so it can be ready for play tomorrow. Proud of these young men for stepping up, lending a hand, and representing Central with hard work and character when it mattered most!
Today we celebrated the Central Class of 2026 as they officially crossed the stage and turned the page to their next chapter. 🎓
We are so proud of all they have accomplished and can’t wait to see where life takes each of them next. Congratulations to the graduates, families, and everyone who helped support them along the way!
A special thank you to Catherine Baade for capturing these moments so beautifully with her professional photography. We’re grateful to have these memories to look back on for years to come. ❤️🤍
Congratulations Central Class of 2026!
More pictures will be shared soon!
Due to the weather forecast and field conditions, Central’s Commencement Ceremony will be in the gym today at 2:00. Doors will open at 1:30.
The Central girls golf team wrapped up the first round of regionals with their best team score of the season, shooting a 391 and finishing 5th overall!
A huge congratulations to Ella Frieden, who placed 4th individually with an 87 and is advancing to the second round of regionals in Ossian next Wednesday! ⛳️👏
Our last Senior Spotlight for the Class of 2026 is Alivia Wiley! Congratulations, Alivia!
Commencement will be tomorrow at 2pm.
Commencement will be tomorrow at 2pm.
This year’s high school recipient of Mrs. Lechtenberg’s Golden Paintbrush Trophy, honoring the overall “MVP” of the art room, goes to...Central senior Declan Finley!
This award recognizes a student who not only earns their varsity letter, but goes beyond artistic talent alone; someone who demonstrates creativity, growth, leadership, dedication, and a lasting impact on the Central art program.
Declan has consistently pushed himself creatively, shown strong craftsmanship and perseverance, supported fellow artists, and contributed positively to the culture and community of the art room. From taking creative risks to helping behind the scenes, his work and attitude have left a lasting mark on our program.
Congratulations, Declan!
This award recognizes a student who not only earns their varsity letter, but goes beyond artistic talent alone; someone who demonstrates creativity, growth, leadership, dedication, and a lasting impact on the Central art program.
Declan has consistently pushed himself creatively, shown strong craftsmanship and perseverance, supported fellow artists, and contributed positively to the culture and community of the art room. From taking creative risks to helping behind the scenes, his work and attitude have left a lasting mark on our program.
Congratulations, Declan!
For more than 40 years, KWWL has proudly recognized the Best of the Class from high schools across Eastern Iowa for their outstanding accomplishments and leadership.
Central Community School is proud to announce that the 2026 KWWL Best of the Class recipient is Michael White! Michael was presented with this honor during the Central Awards Ceremony last week.
Congratulations, Michael, on this well-deserved recognition! We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited for your future.
Central Community School is proud to announce that the 2026 KWWL Best of the Class recipient is Michael White! Michael was presented with this honor during the Central Awards Ceremony last week.
Congratulations, Michael, on this well-deserved recognition! We are proud of all you have accomplished and excited for your future.
Congratulations to Maci Keppler and Braxton Bormann on earning a Central Honors Diploma!
In addition to completing Central’s standard graduation requirements, Honors Diploma recipients must meet higher academic expectations, complete additional coursework, participate in mentorship and presentation experiences, and fulfill a variety of college, career, leadership, service, and extracurricular benchmarks throughout high school.
This recognition reflects years of dedication, involvement, and hard work. Congratulations, Maci and Braxton, on this outstanding accomplishment!
In addition to completing Central’s standard graduation requirements, Honors Diploma recipients must meet higher academic expectations, complete additional coursework, participate in mentorship and presentation experiences, and fulfill a variety of college, career, leadership, service, and extracurricular benchmarks throughout high school.
This recognition reflects years of dedication, involvement, and hard work. Congratulations, Maci and Braxton, on this outstanding accomplishment!
Today, Central Seniors made their final walk through the halls as students, surrounded by cheers and applause from classmates, staff, and family members. It was a special moment to celebrate everything the Class of 2026 has accomplished and the impact they’ve made on our school community.
Congratulations to the Central Class of 2026! We are proud of you and can’t wait to see what comes next. You will be missed!
Congratulations to the Central Class of 2026! We are proud of you and can’t wait to see what comes next. You will be missed!
Fourth graders wrapped up Junior Achievement this week. A big thank you to Ashley Augustyn for coming in and teaching us about businesses and how they use the resources of their region!
Congratulations Michael White, today's Senior Spotlight!
🎓 Congratulations, Owen, on your graduation! We are so proud of you and all you’ve accomplished this year. The kitchen crew will surely miss having you as our SOS student — your hard work, positive attitude, and helping hands made a difference every day. Wishing you nothing but success and happiness in your next adventure! 👏🍽️🎉
Our Farm Meats came to grill today! Check out these smiling faces!
Congratulations to the Central boys golf team on advancing to Districts after earning a 2nd place team finish at Sectionals yesterday at Turkey Valley!
The team will compete Monday in Lake Mills with a trip to the State Tournament on the line. Great job, boys, and best of luck as you continue postseason play!
The team will compete Monday in Lake Mills with a trip to the State Tournament on the line. Great job, boys, and best of luck as you continue postseason play!
Please help us congratulate Alvin White, today's Senior Spotlight!
The public is invited to attend Central Community School’s Commencement Ceremony on Sunday, May 17, at Jack Dittmer Field as we celebrate the Class of 2026!
Due to the possibility of inclement weather, a decision on whether the ceremony will remain outdoors or move to the Central Gymnasium will be announced by 9:00 AM Sunday morning.
We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with our graduates, families, friends, and community!
Due to the possibility of inclement weather, a decision on whether the ceremony will remain outdoors or move to the Central Gymnasium will be announced by 9:00 AM Sunday morning.
We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with our graduates, families, friends, and community!
