Thunderings from DHHS

Come to our Christmas choir concert tonight and feel the spirit of the holiday in music, 7 p.m. in our auditorium. The now-traditional, wildly popular “Wish Box” assembly is tomorrow, during which students’ secret wishes will be revealed and “fulfilled,” and then the first semester comes to a close on Friday. School resumes on Tuesday, Jan. 5. Grades will be ready at the end of the first week of January. Boys’ and girls’ basketball, swimming, and wrestling have games and matches coming up. Check our Web site for game times and locations and support your school. Congratulations to our 2009-10 Sterling Scholar school winners: Brayden Morris, General Scholarship; Erin Kolu, English; Skyler Almquist, Math; Preston Wagner, Science; Megan Buckway, Social Science; Jessalyn Wood, Foreign Language; Tawni Durrant, Music; Brady Johnson, Business and Marketing; Kyle Carter, Computer Technology; Brendon Fisher, Trade and Technical; Alexis Williams, Speech/Drama; Claudia Oliva, Dance; Dayci Patterson, Visual Arts; Morgan Abel, Family and Consumer Science; and Jenessa Kaumans, Agricultural Science. Region winners will be selected in April. Registration for the 2010-11 school year begins in January. Contact the counseling office for more information. The faculty and staff wish you all a bright and merry Christmas and New Year.

(Photo by Alyssa Owens)

Thunderings from DHHS

Holiday spirit is combining with anticipation for the close of the first semester on Dec. 18, followed by Christmas break. The commons area sparkles with Christmas trees decorated by each of the class councils, and our performing arts groups have been busy delivering holiday cheer to the community. Plan on attending our “Night of the Arts” on Dec. 15, 7 p.m. in the DHHS auditorium. Our excellent dance team, La Ragelles, will be featured, and on Dec. 16, the choir will put some jingle in your step with a Christmas concert. Students are looking forward to next week’s “Wish Box” assembly, when students’ secret wishes will be revealed and “fulfilled.” Meanwhile, our winter sports teams are hard at work. Don’t miss the boys’ basketball battle against Salem Hills at DHHS on Friday. Check our web site for game times and locations for girls’ basketball, wrestling, and swimming. With all the excitement in the air, please remind students to keep up their academic efforts until the end of the quarter. Registration for the 2010-11 school year will begin in January. Contact the counseling office for more information.

Thunderings from DHHS

Thank you to the community, who supported our school programs by attending our production of “Bye Bye Birdie,” and a sincere thank you to all those, from students to parents and staff, who helped make the performances a success. Our music students will continue to show their talents during December. Tonight, the jazz band performs at 7:30 in the auditorium and will play at the Dickens Festival at 1:20 p.m. on Friday The DHHS orchestra will concertize at 8 p.m. on Thursday in the auditorium, and the choir will travel to Salt Lake City for a Christmas Tour. A new club, HOSA, is starting at DHHS, for students interested in medical careers. Participation in the club will provide information and activities relate to the field, as well as scholarship opportunities. There are just three weeks left in the second semester, but academic efforts and final projects are underway in earnest, so please encourage students to attend classes and do their best until the last day, Friday, Dec. 18, when their wishes will be granted at a “Wish Box” assembly. Registration for the 2010-11 school year will begin in January. Contact the counseling office for more information.

Thunderings from DHHS

It’s here! “Bye Bye Birdie” is playing on the DHHS stage! Come see the musical show tomorrow, Nov. 19-21 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for students with ID and seniors. Yesterday, seniors spent all day learning about post-high school opportunities at the annual DSC Career Day. For information on scholarship opportunities, please contact the counseling office, and check the link on our home Web page, dhthunder.org. Today is the second-quarter mid-term, and reports will be sent home with students. This week, we celebrated our foreign-exchange students with theme hall decorations, short introductions by the students and their videos of their home countries. If you have students who like to write, check with English teachers on several resume-boosting and/or prize-winning writing competitions available to students. The Key Club is collecting food donations for Care and Share – please help out by sending your donations to school with your student. (No glass jars or Top Ramen, please.) Help the junior class with its prom fundraising by purchasing See's Candies or gift certificates for the holidays. Contact advisor Diane Wallace. We will be having a winter sports assembly next Wednesday, preceding the four-day Thanksgiving break.

Thunderings from DHHS

DHHS is buzzing with activity – academics, sports, music, drama, dance and more! Today, seniors attended a Post-High School orientation during which representatives from 15 colleges presented information about their schools, beginning with financial aid. Look for college scholarship information on our Web site, dhthunder.org. On Nov. 17, seniors will spend all day learning about post-high school opportunities at the annual DSC Career Day. Our band paid tribute to local veterans by marching in today's Veterans Day parade. DHHS students and staff offer a solemn and heartfelt "thank you" to all veterans. On Friday at 6 p.m., La Ragelles of DHHS are hosting a Dance-a-Thon as a service project to raise food and money for Dixie Care and Share. Admission is $3 and at least one can of food. Classrooms are also collecting food donations for Care and Share, organized by Key Club. Help the junior class with its prom by purchasing See's Candies or gift certificates for the holidays. Contact advisor Diane Wallace. Excitement is building for this year's school musical, "Bye Bye Birdie," coming to the DHHS stage Nov. 19-21 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. Finally, thank you to parents who attended parent-teacher conferences last week. Mid-term is Nov.18.

Thunderings from DHHS

Parent-teacher conferences are this week, with final conference times 4 to 7 p.m. tonight. We thank parents for their support of and involvement in their students' education. We also thank the players, parents and coaches of our fall sports teams for their tremendous efforts and for an excellent sports season. Congratulations to all! Swimming is underway, with impressive wins from both the boys' and girls' swim teams. We wish them and all winter athletes a good season. Basketball tryouts are approaching, with an exciting season ahead. For more information on tryouts, contact Coach Melessa. Juniors who wish to participate in NCAA should be registered. See the NCAA link on our school Web site. Contact counselor Jerry Beck for more information. Our Web site also has a link to important scholarship information. Applications for General Sterling Scholar are due to advisor Karen Lowe by Nov. 10. The junior class is beginning fundraising efforts to see them through all their dances and activities at DHHS. Please help by purchasing See's candy or gift certificates from our juniors, or by contacting advisor Diane Wallace. Coming up on Tuesday, Nov. 10 is the Southern Utah String Festival, 10 a.m. at Tuacahn High School.

Thunderings from DHHS

DHHS is celebrating Red Ribbon Week this week with a different activity each day, including short videos illustrating the dangers of substance abuse, student pledges against drug and alcohol use, and a poster contest among the art students. One video showed students the danger of driving while distracted by texting, a danger as serious as DUI. Yesterday saw students and staff lining up to make blood donation to the Red Cross Blood Drive. In an assembly arranged by AP History teacher Chris Cannon, students were able to listen to Stephen Nasser, author of “My Brother’s Voice” (Wordpress), relate his childhood experiences as a concentration camp survivor in Hungary during WWII on Monday. The presentation gave students a moving glimpse into the horrors of the Holocaust. On a lighter note, on Thursday, the juniors will show their creativity in a Halloween assembly, featuring dancing, singing, and a few surprises for the audience. Congratulations to our football team for their win against Hurricane, securing a place in region playoffs, and to our volleyball team, which heads to state competition at UVU on Friday. Our swimmers will compete at the Cedar Invitational on Friday.

Thunderings from DHHS

The first quarter came to an end before the long weekend, and term grades will be posted on Power School and handed out at school Thursday, Oct. 22. As the second quarter begins this week, please encourage your student to begin the new term with renewed effort and commitment to their learning. UBSCT retakes for juniors and seniors who need to pass one or more of the math, reading or writing sections will take place Oct. 20-22. Please help your student to be ready for the assessments. Congratulations to Alexis Williams, who took a first place in her category at the Shakespearean competition in Cedar City, winning a $1,000 scholarship. And congratulations also to our tennis team, who battled to their second straight tennis championship at State, and to our golf team, who finished in third place at State. Last week was Utah Schools Principal Appreciation Week, and we joined with schools across the state in recognizing the importance of school leadership. We honored the contribution of our principal, Ray Brooks, and our two vice principals, Rob Goulding and Dana McConnell, and thanked them for their time and effort in support of the students and staff of DHHS.

Thunderings from DHHS

This week is Principal Appreciation Week, and we join with schools across the country in recognizing the importance of school leadership. We honor the contribution of our principal, Ray Brooks, and our two vice principals, Rob Goulding and Dana McConnell, and thank them for their time and effort in support of the students and staff of DHHS. The first quarter comes to an end on Thursday, with term grades being posted on Power School and handed out at school mid-week following the four-day quarter break. The second quarter begins when school resumes on Tuesday, Oct. 20. Please encourage your student to begin the new quarter with renewed effort and commitment to their learning. UBSCT retakes for juniors and seniors who need to pass one or more of the math, reading or writing sections will take place Oct. 20-22. Please help your student to be ready for the assessments. Congratulations to Alexis Williams, who took first place at last week's Shakespearean competition, winning a $1,000 scholarship. And congratulations also to our tennis team, who battled to their second straight tennis championship at State, and to our golf team, who finished in third place at State.

Thunderings from DHHS

It is amazing how quickly the first quarter is coming to a close, Oct. 15. We look to our parent partners to encourage their students to a successful first term by using Power School to check progress on final assignments and upcoming exam dates. Please also encourage students needing to retake the UBSCT, Oct. 20-22, to attend preparation sessions in math, reading and writing during lunch on Tuesday-Thursday. For more information, contact Mr. Beck in the counseling office or English teacher Mrs. Neville. This week is Sadies Dance week, with selection of royalty occurring a bit differently this year. Candidates are earning points by completing short school service projects and collecting donations for care packages for military deployed overseas. Royalty will be announced at today’s assembly. The talented cast and crew of the musical production “Bye Bye Birdie” are rehearsing daily for their opening on the DHHS stage in November. Be sure to enjoy the performance, which runs Nov. 19-21 and 23. Our choir presents their fall concert tonight at 6 p.m. Our first-place golf team competes at state this week. Congratulations to our fall season athletes, who continue to boost Thunder pride with their wins.

Thunderings from DHHS

The end of the first quarter, Oct. 15, is approaching rapidly, and we encourage parents to keep aware of their students' progress. Parents and students can access assignments and class information at www.dhthunder.org. Click on the linked staff directory, the teacher’s name, and the class. Parents and students can go to Power School online and check assignment completion and grades, as well as view scores for the STAR reading assessment, the state end of level tests (CRT), the UBSCT and ACT results. A passing score for the math, reading, and writing sections of the UBSCT is 160. To help prepare students to pass the test, UBSCT remediation classes are starting this week and will be held at lunch on Tuesday-Thursday for the three weeks prior to the test on Oct. 20-22. For more information, contact Mr. Beck in the counseling office. Students are encouraged to enter this year's PTSA Reflections Contest in art, 3-D art, photography, literature, music, film/video, dance and theatre. Entries should express the theme, "Beauty Is …" and are due by Oct. 21. Entry forms are available in the office. For more information, contact Jean Jones, 628-4102. Please also check and pay school fees online at myschoolfees.com.

Thunderings from DHHS

Homecoming week, capped by a formal dance on Saturday, provided many "Magic Moments" for students to remember. Thanks to those who made the week a success and to the community for participating in the annual tailgate party before the football game on Friday. Although the varsity team came up a little short of points, the JV team took a 39-0 win over Dixie. Girls' tennis, soccer, volleyball, boys' golf and cross country continue a successful season, with swimming about to begin. Students are encouraged to enter this year's PTSA Reflections Contest in art, 3-D art, photography, literature, music, film/video, dance and theatre. Entries should express the theme, "Beauty Is …" and are due by Oct. 21. Entry forms are available in the office. For more information, contact Jean Jones, 628-4102. In a move to help teachers monitor student achievement and keep parents informed of their students' progress, the school district revised Power School to now include assessment scores for all our students, accessed with the student's Power School password. Parents and students can go to the online site and view scores for the STAR reading assessment, the state end of level tests (CRT), the UBSCT and ACT results.

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Thunder spirit is in the air at DHHS this week as we celebrate Homecoming. Students and faculty are enjoying a number of activities planned by this year's Exec Council, from Monday's Powder Puff football game between junior and senior girls and a lunchtime barbecue to a pie-eating contest and "car smash." The Homecoming assembly is Wednesday, and a tailgate party for the community will take place at 5 p.m. before Friday's big game against Dixie at 7 p.m. Please come and be part of the Thunder tradition. The Homecoming dance, with the theme "This Magic Moment," is Saturday at Stephen Wade Auto. Our other sports teams continue to top the competition. Boys' golf took region, and girls' tennis won the St. George tournament, beating Skyline for the title. Girls' soccer, volleyball, and JV football continue to bring home wins. In an academic note, please be aware that midterms will be handed out Wednesday at the end of period 4 to be taken home to parents. The first issue of this year's Thunderstruck, the school "newzine," will be handed out to students on Friday and available on the school Web site. When paying school fees, please pay online at myschoolfees.com.

Thunderings from DHHS

We jump back into a busy first quarter after the long Labor Day weekend and hope everyone returns refreshed and ready to make their best effort. One area of obvious effort is our fall sports teams. Girls' soccer, tennis, volleyball, and boys' golf, cross country and football continue to bring home wins for DHHS. Students can show their effort academically by attending lunchtime study hall, designed for those needing extra help. Parents, please encourage your students to attend. Sterling Scholar advisor Mrs. Lowe reminds those interested in applying to the scholarship program to take the ACT by October. A minimum composite score of 17 is required. For more information on the ACT, go to actstudent.org or pick up a registration packet in the counseling office. Students interested in Sterling Scholar should pick up an application packet from Mrs. Lowe. A new student club is beginning at Desert Hills, a debate club, overseen by advisor Mrs. Neville. Now in our second year as a school, Desert Hills' first true homecoming, with the theme "This Magic Moment," is Sept. 19, and the homecoming football game is Friday, Sept. 18. Purchase your Thunderwear and come cheer for your home team!

Thunderings from DHHS

Our focus this year as a Professional Learning Community is increasing student achievement. Pre-testing by academic departments is underway, and the resultant data will be used to set specific achievement goals and interventions. One intervention this year is a lunchtime study hall for students needing extra help, and we encourage parents to see that their students attend. Mrs. Lowe, our Sterling Scholar advisor, reminds those interested in applying to the scholarship program to take the ACT by October. A minimum composite score of 17 is required. Please pick up a Sterling Scholar application packet from Mrs. Lowe. Auditioning has just finished for this year's school musical "Bye Bye Birdie," coming to the DHHS stage Nov. 19-21 and 23. Homecoming, with the theme "This Magic Moment," is Sept. 19, and the homecoming football game is Friday, Sept. 18. We celebrated another "magic moment" in the last minute of our first home football game last Friday, with an exciting 18-12 win over Salem Hills. We also took wins in girls' soccer, tennis, volleyball, cross country and in golf. Congratulations to all our athletes! There will be no school Friday, Sept. 4, or Monday, Sept. 7, in commemoration of Labor Day.

Thunderings from DHHS

After a Thunderous start and an enthusiastic Back to School Night and Club Rush last week, the momentum continues with wins in several sports, including a 16-2 victory over Uintah in our first varsity football game and a "Gold" bracket win for our girls' volleyball team, placing sixth out of 24 teams at the Dixie Fly High tournament. Be part of the Thunder this Friday for our first home football game, when we face Salem Hills. Homecoming, with the theme "This Magic Moment," is Sept. 19, and tickets go on sale Aug. 31. More magic moments are on the way with this year's school musical "Bye Bye Birdie," coming to the DHHS stage Nov. 19-21 and 23. Save the date! For more information, visit drama teacher Sarina Thomas's Web site: web.me.com/sarinathomas and click on "Bye Bye Birdie." Auditions are after school in the choir room, Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 – sign up in the drama room. Get free admission to Utah Shakespearean Festival plays through Friday by mentioning you're with DHHS. For information, call Miranda at 435-586-7880. A reminder about school lunches: Students may no longer charge lunch and should pay for lunch before school at the finance window.

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How quickly our first year has come to an end. It seems like just the other day when we welcomed students into our beautiful new school and began our first games, our first performances, our first dances – what a year this has been! Many, many thanks to all who have helped make the year successful! To see a wrap-up of the school year, with lots of photos, go to our Web site, dhthunder.org and click on the school newspaper link, Thunderstruck. We congratulate our first graduating class of seniors, who will make the walk on Thursday at 10 a.m. at DHHS. Congratulations also to the honorees at last light’s scholarship and awards celebration. Diplomas and grades for all students will be mailed next week. Students can also register for classes and pay fees online at our Web site. Beginning in July, fees for classes and activities will be listed, and parents may pay on our site or at www.myschoolfees.com. Have your student’s ID number to pay. Checking and paying fees before or as the school year begins will eliminate the last-minute rush. Parents, please also update your contact numbers with us. Best wishes for a safe, fun summer. Go thunder!

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Spring sports teams are finishing their last games, winding up a successful first season under the Thunder banner. Congratulations to all! Our final band concert takes place tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the auditorium, with an art show in the commons through Thursday. This week is a busy one, as we move toward our first graduation on Thursday, May 21, at 10 a.m. Seniors finish their classes on Friday, May 15. Tonight, we honor outstanding senior achievements at the Senior Honors/Scholarship Night. Academic Awards Night, including awards for juniors and sophomores, will take place Tuesday, May 19, at 7 p.m. Tomorrow is the last day for restitution; any other restitution hours must be preapproved by Mr. Goulding. Students should return books, clean out lockers, and pay all fines and fees (contact Mrs. Jackson). The faculty and staff thank our terrific PTSA for their support and assistance throughout the year, and we thank our wonderful Desert Hills parents for everything they do to support our arts, music, academic and sports programs. We feel a little tug on our hearts in saying goodbye to our first graduating class but look forward to the excitement of another year just around the bend!

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Last Friday’s celebration of our first annual Thunder Week was a great success! A senior talent show and hilarious appearance by our faculty’s own “Village People” were followed by a BBQ and faculty-student basketball game – which the oldsters won, by the way. The festive day built a closer rapport and boosted spirit within our school community. Go Thunder! Seniors need to pay all fees and fines and submit all school work by Friday, May 8, in order to graduate. Sophomores and juniors must clear all fines and fees by Tuesday, May 12, 3 p.m. The last day restitution may be served is Thursday, May 14. End-of-level testing continues as we make sure all students get online to complete assessments in math, science, and English. The first Thunderstruck 5K run and one-mile youth run is Saturday, May 9, at DHHS. Your participation will support the DHHS track team. For information, go to goulding4@hotmail.com or call 705-3718. Boys’ soccer begins region playoffs, still undefeated, and we wish them luck. Baseball, softball and tennis continue to give us exciting matchups. Come support all our teams! Finally, for information about possible school closure due to the flu, see our Web site at www.dhthunder.org.

Thunderings

This week, we celebrate our first annual Thunder Week, culminating in Thunder Day on Friday. Games, competitions, faculty-served breakfast, a Jell-o "snowball fight," BBQ, senior talent show, Cheapskate Dance and community Luau highlight our school spirit week. End-of-level testing in English, Math and Science continues through April. Mid-term grades were sent home last week. With just three more weeks of school, it's important for students to make that final "push" to the finish line. Seniors expecting to graduate must pay all fees and fines and submit all school work by May 8. Congratulations to boys' soccer, undefeated in Region. We look forward to region playoffs. We wish the tennis, softball and baseball teams good luck in their upcoming games and to the track team, participating in the BYU Invitation this week. Support the DHHS track team by participating in the first Thunderstruck 5K run and one-mile youth run, May 9 at DHHS. Pre-race registration is $15. For more information, contact Dace Goulding, goulding4@hotmail.com or call 705-3718. Our orchestra participates in Region Orchestra today at Cedar High. Congratulations and thanks to custodian Alan Martin, named WCSD Classified Employee of the Year, and to Sydnee Davis, PTSA Volunteer of the Year.

More kudos to our kids this week: to Kaytlyn Davies, named 2009-10 FFA state secretary at the state of Utah FFA convention at USU last weekend; to Trent Taylor and Alexis Williams, winners of humorous and dramatic monologues at the state drama competition at DHHS April 17-18; to boys' soccer, undefeated in Region 9 play; and to boys' tennis, also in first place in region. Support the DHHS track team by participating in the first Thunderstruck 5K run and one-mile youth run, May 9 at DHHS. Pre-race registration is $15. For more information, contact Dace Goulding, goulding4@hotmail.com or call 705-3718. We invite you to enjoy our choirs at the region choir festival today at Hurricane High School. End-of-level testing in English, Math and Science continues through April, and we appreciate parents' efforts to make sure students are in attendance at school during this time. Mid-term grades will be sent home tomorrow. Seniors expecting to graduate must pay all fees and fines and submit all school work by May 8. On Friday, we'll hold our student body officer election assembly, and next week, we celebrate our first annual Thunder Week, culminating in Thunder Day games and activities on Friday, May 1.

Thank you to those who took part in our first annual scholarship fundraising dinner last week. Money raised will go to provide college scholarships for DHHS students. Don’t miss the region concert band performance at PVHS tonight and the region choir festival at Hurricane High School on April 22. DHHS will be the scene for State Drama competition, April 17-18, and we need judges for plays and individual acts. No drama experience is necessary. Contact Mr. Eaton at DHHS if interested. We congratulate our regional award-winning drama students good luck – break a leg! The band and new color guard team are selling stadium blankets as a fundraiser. Blankets are vinyl outside and fold into a seat cushion. Each is embroidered with the Thunder logo and sells for $30. Stop by DHHS and get yours now. Support the DHHS track team by participating in the first Thunderstruck 5K run and one-mile youth run, May 9 at DHHS. Pre-race registration is $15. For more information, contact Dace Goulding, goulding4@hotmail.com or call 705-3718. End-of-level achievement testing in English, Math, and Science continues through April. Please help your student to be in attendance at school and at his or her best during this time.

Come support our first annual scholarship fundraising dinner, tonight at 6:30 in the commons; $10 for dinner (or donate what you wish), semi-formal dress requested. Money raised goes to provide college scholarships for DHHS students. RSVP to 674-0885, Ext. 132. Congratulations to our Region Sterling Scholar Runners-up: Kaytlyn Davies, Agricultural Science; Rachel Newby, Art; Alexis Weeks, Dance; and Kelsey Clayton, Business. Congratulations also to our girls’ golf team, which is undefeated! DHHS will be the scene for State Drama competition, April 17-18, and we need judges for plays and individual acts. No drama experience is necessary. Contact Mr. Eaton at DHHS if interested. The band and new color guard team are selling stadium blankets as a fundraiser. Blankets are vinyl outside and fold into a seat cushion. Each is embroidered with the Thunder logo and sells for $30. Stop by DHHS and get yours now. Two reminders for parents: This Friday will be a “snow-day” makeup; students will be out at noon; buses will leave at 1 p.m. Also, please help your student to be at his or her best for end-of-level testing of achievement in English, math and science. Testing begins this week and continues through April.

Congratulations go to many students this week. Mckinzie Madsen took first place in Interior Design at State FCCLA competition, March 25-26, and will compete at nationals in Nashville, Tenn., in July. Congratulations also to our eight orchestra students who won superior ratings at region solo and ensemble, March 24-25, qualifying for state festival: Dayci Patterson, Cassidy Jones, Jenna Miller, Kat Jack, Kelsee Speakman, Missy Roberts, Teri Ryerson, and Lexi Cain. Congratulations to our drama students, whose play took first place at Region Drama, March 27, and to our Sterling Scholars, competing tomorrow at region: Sam Poulton, Thomas Betar, Dawson Flake, Dylan Topalian, Jessica Smith, Ian Burgess, Fita Brown, Teisha Bennion, Amy Tomsen, Kaytlynn Davies, Kelsey Clayton, Rachel Newby, and Alexis Weeks. Finally, congratulations to State History Fair winner Brian Jones, who also won a $2,000 scholarship from Energy Solutions Foundation. DHHS cheer tryouts are Friday, April 3, at 4 p.m. in the gym. Come watch the fun, $3 admission; and see La Ragelles Dance Team perform, April 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m., $5. Spring sports teams continue to provide exciting play. Check the school calendar at www.dhthunder.org for game dates and times.

Fourth quarter classes began yesterday, and we look forward to another exciting, productive quarter at DHHS. Our spring sports teams are already achieving exciting wins. Please come cheer on the teams. Check the school calendar at www.dhthunder.org for game dates and times. In fine arts, Canyon View hosts region vocal solo and ensemble competition today, and our drama students showcase their talents at region competition at Hurricane High Thursday and Friday. Coming up in mid-April is end-of-level testing of sophomores and juniors to assess student achievement. A reminder about the dress code: As the weather warms, be sure shorts, skirts, and tops are in compliance. Parents are invited to PTSA parent night Thursday at 7. The topic will be cell phone use liability.

Spring is stirring, and so are things at DHHS. Baseball, softball, soccer and tennis matchups are in full swing. For game dates and times, check the school calendar online at www.dhthunder.org. In fine arts, members of our orchestra will compete at region instrumental solo and ensemble today at Dixie High. Tomorrow, we will host the Special Education Road Show performance, 6 – 9 p.m. The community is invited to both events. A reminder to parents about the dress code: As the weather warms, be sure shorts, skirts, and tops are in compliance. The third quarter ends March 13, followed by a much-anticipated spring break. Fourth quarter classes begin on Tuesday, March 24. We thank parents and the community for your continued support of our school.

Thunderings

Our Jazz Band performs tonight at the Region Jazz Festival at SCHS. Thursday, our Sterling Scholars will be honored at the district recognition program, 7 p.m. at SCHS. Our debate team heads to WSU on Friday for state finals, where several members of the team will compete. Mark your calendars for a special performance by Country legend Jim Owen with the DHHS Jazz Band, a fundraiser for our Fine Arts Department, Saturday, March 7, at 2 p.m. and Monday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15. Baseball, softball, soccer and tennis matchups begin Monday, March 9, with baseball hosting Enterprise at 4 p.m. and softball on Tuesday at 3 p.m. Tennis hosts Cedar, Tuesday at 4 p.m. Our Concert Choir will perform on Tuesday, March 10, at 7 p.m. Finally, congratulations to sophomore Brian Jones, whose historical paper took first at the Southwest Regional History Fair and will advance to state level competition April 23. The third quarter ends March 13, followed by spring break.

Thunderings

Congratulations to our debate team, who placed third at region, Feb. 20-21, placed second in the 3A division and qualified for state competition, March 6-7. Several members of the team placed first and second in their categories at region. Mark your calendars to attend the Sterling Scholar district recognition program, Thursday, March 5, at 7 p.m. at Snow Canyon High. Also coming up is the Region Jazz Band Festival, March 4 at SCHS, and the Southern Utah Dance Festival, March 6-7 at DHHS. Tryouts for spring sports begin March 2, and first games begin March 9. Students must be eligible to try out for teams and should check with counseling if they have any doubt of eligibility. The third quarter ends March 13, followed by spring break week. To access Power School, go online to our Web site, www.dhthunder.org and use the link to Power School.

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DHHS’s first annual Preference assembly took place Wednesday, during which the results of the students’ votes for “best smile,” "most talented," and more were announced. Tryouts for spring sports begin March 2, and conditioning for softball, baseball, boys’ soccer, golf, tennis and track are being held after school in preparation. First games begin March 9. Students must be eligible to try out and should check with counseling if they have any doubt. Mid-term notices of students with failing grades have been sent to parents; please check with the teacher or check Power School for missing and upcoming assignments and current grades, and encourage your students to step up their efforts for a successful third quarter. To access Power School, go online to our Web site, www.dhthunder.org and use the link to Power School. The PTSA needs volunteers to serve in a variety of ways. Contact Sydne Davies at libertysings@hotmail.com for information.

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Thank you to parents who attended SEOP parent-teacher-student conferences last week. We enjoyed meeting you and participating together in the learning process. Surprise your student with a singing Valentine on Friday, delivered by the DHHS chamber choir for $3. Call Mrs. Jackson at 674-0885, ext. 126, to purchase a musical love note. You can also purchase a handmade candy corsage for $3 or boutonniere for $1 to express your love. The final boys’ home basketball game for the season takes place against Canyon View on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Five of our wrestlers will compete in state finals at UVU this week – Go Thunder! The PTSA needs volunteers to serve in a variety of ways. Contact Sydne Davies at libertysings@hotmail.com for information. Parents, please use the Power School link on our school Web site, dhthunder.org, to stay current with your students' progress in all classes.

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Thunderous applause goes to our DHHS swim team, who brought in our first region championship. We appreciate the great efforts of all our athletes. SEOP parent-teacher-student conferences will take place next week, on Tuesday, 12:30 – 3 p.m. and 4 to 7:30 p.m.; and Wednesday, 12:30 – 4 p.m. Tenth graders and students needing retesting will take the BSCT test Feb. 3-5. Classes will end at 11 a.m. on those days for all students. We have established an incentive program to improve attendance, with weekly recognition of students with perfect attendance. Thank you to Bajio restaurant for donating the incentive coupons. The PTSA will mail a newsletter to parents in February. They need volunteers to serve in a variety of ways. Contact Sydne Davies at libertysings@hotmail.com for information. Parents, please use the Power School link on our school Web site, dhthunder.org, to stay current with your student's progress in their classes.

Thunderings

The new quarter at DHHS is off to a “Thunderous” start, with promising performances by our swim team, girls’ and boys’ basketball and wrestling. The WCSD Honors String Orchestra will perform with guest conductor, DSC’s Dr. Paul Abegg, Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The orchestra features the best string players in the school district. We congratulate our DHHS cheerleaders, who qualified for a United Spirit Association National Cheer competition last Saturday in Las Vegas. The team, coached by Cassidy Legg, also received second place in their advanced varsity cheer division. Please donate blood during our ARUP Blood Drive on Tuesday, Jan. 20, and community members are invited to attend our Community Council meeting, Wednesday, Jan. 21, at 3 p.m. at DHHS. Tenth graders will take the BSCT test, Feb. 3-5. Parent-teacher conferences will take place on those dates also. To bolster our students’ academic success, we are enforcing our tardy policy, so please encourage your students to be on time to their classes. If you have questions about the policy, please give us a call. We ask parents to use the Power School link on our school Web site, dhthunder.org, to stay current with their student's progress in their classes.

Thunderings

The second semester begins this week at Desert Hills High, and we’re looking forward to the second half of our inaugural year. Grades for last quarter will be sent home on Thursday. We encourage parents to use the Power School link on our school Web site, dhthunder.org, to stay current with their student's progress in all classes throughout the semester. Parents needing help with their password can call the counseling office for assistance (674-0885). We “Thunder” into action with a talent show on Wednesday, and boys’ and girls’ basketball, wrestling and swimming continue their seasons. Tenth graders will be preparing for the BSCT test on Feb. 3-5. Parent-teacher conferences will take place on those dates, as well. To bolster our students’ academic success, we will be enforcing our tardy policy, so please encourage your students to be on time to their classes. If you have questions about the policy, please give us a call. Congratulations to our DHHS 2009 Sterling Scholar winners, who will continue on to regional Sterling Scholar competition in April: General Scholarship, Samuel Poulton; Runners-up, Nick Andersen and Nicole Vance; English, Thomas Betar; Runner-up, Bronson Beatty; Social Science, Dawson Flake; Runner-up, Noah Davis; Foreign Language, Joshua Jeppson; Trade and Technical, Dylan Topalian; Family and Consumer Science, Jessica Smith; Runner-up, Sierra Bodnar; Speech/Drama, Ian Burgess; Music, Fita Brown; Mathematics, Teisha Bennion; Runners-up, Jaden Johnson and Jordan Reese; Science, Amy Tomsen; Runner-up, Candace Tolman; Agricultural Science, Kaytlyn Davies; Runner-up, Thomas Skousen; Business and Marketing, Kelsey Clayton; Runner-up, Annalisa Bondad.