Thunderings

Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with the family of Tucker Thayer, who was laid to rest over the weekend. The community is invited to support the Thayer family by purchasing a beautifully bound binder of recipes, available at DHHS for $14.95 through the first two weeks of December. Moving forward, we look to exciting events unfolding at DHHS. This has been PTSA Family week, and we have enjoyed the visits of parents to their students' classrooms yesterday and today. We thank parents for their continuing support and join PTSA in encouraging families to find time to spend together, sitting down for at least one meal together each week. Please join us Dec. 5 at Barnes & Noble bookstore in St. George for our DHHS Book Fair, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. A portion of proceeds from sales throughout the day will be donated to our school to help us purchase books for our library. Our chamber choir will perform that evening, an exhibit of student art will be on display, and children can be mesmerized by storytelling by one of our librarians. On Wednesday, Dec. 3, our Jazz Band will perform at 7 p.m. in our auditorium. Help support our boys' golf and basketball programs by joining in a four-man scramble at Sunriver Golf Course, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. Lunch and prizes will be included in the $320 cost per team. For details, signups and sponsorship, contact coaches Ron Denos or Steve Melessa at 674-0885. A new Ballroom Dance Club is sweeping students off their feet at DHHS, meeting on Wednesdays and Thursdays after school. As we look to Christmas, we will have a canned food drive during the first two weeks of December, so please send a few cans of food to school with your student. We will also have a Christmas tree decorating contest – we could use a donation of three large trees – and will grant students' "wishes" during a "wish box" assembly on Dec. 19. Our wish this week is for all our students and our DHHS families to have a peaceful and joyful Thanksgiving.

A Week of Sadness and Appreciation

The hearts and prayers of the Desert Hills High community go out to the family of drama student Tucker Thayer, who was killed in a tragic incident before Saturday's performance of "Oklahoma!" Despite this tragedy, many wonderful experiences were had by students who participated in the play, and we appreciate the direction of drama teacher Mr. Eaton and music directors Mr. Winslow and Mrs. Candland as well as the performances of the entire talented cast and crew. We will miss this young man but will move forward in continuing to provide a positive learning environment for all our students. We're looking ahead now to our Fine Arts Celebration on Dec. 2, featuring our band and jazz band, choirs, orchestra, and the amazing artwork that has been on display throughout the school. Taking place this week is the Junior Miss Pageant, Friday and Saturday, Nov. 21 and 22, at 7 p.m. in the auditorium. We'll also hold our first National Honor Society induction tomorrow, Nov. 19, at 6 p.m., to recognize the academic achievements of these honor students. Second quarter mid-term grades will be sent home with students on Friday. In sports, team selections are being finalized as we prepare for wrestling and girls' and boys' basketball, with opening basketball games on Tuesday, Nov. 25. We look forward to our school's first season in these sports. Our swimmers continue to do well at their meets. Next week is PTSA Family Week, and families are encouraged to share at least one meal together. Parents are also invited to visit their children's classrooms to observe as well as share a personal real-life application of what students are learning. For more information, contact DHHS at 674-0885. Please mark your calendar for Dec. 5 and plan to do some Christmas shopping at Barnes and Noble in St. George, as a portion of proceeds from all sales that day will go to our school to help fill the bookshelves of our media center. DHHS students will perform and read their work from 5 to 9 p.m.