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.

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.

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.

Thunderings

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!