Tuesday, September 29, 2009

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.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

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.

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Thunderings

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.

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

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!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

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.