This is the time of the school year that feels like it goes very fast. In just one week, schools will break for a week to allow families time to celebrate Thanksgiving. By the time we return from break, it will already be December 1!

Just three short weeks of school later, we will hit winter break, and school will be closed for two more weeks. Before we know it, we will be well into January!

With the turn of the new year, we will start preparing for construction to take place at both the elementary school and high school. At the elementary school, we will see the entire Transitional Kindergarten/Kindergarten area fenced off for construction. The two TK classes will move into the main building at the elementary school. District staff will remove everything that will be saved in January, and United Building Contractors should begin the demolition and groundwork phase of the project in February.At the high school, district staff will start the process of moving bleachers to the baseball and softball fields in January. Shortly after, we should start seeing prep work for the new grandstand, announcer’s booth, shade structure, and visiting bleachers.

While all of this is going on, we will be full speed into the winter sports season at the high school.

Light to be fixed at DHS stadium
The lights at the DHS stadium were replaced last spring, but we almost immediately had one light that went out. The company that installed the new lights will be back next week to fix the light.

Repair Work over Thanksgiving Break
United Building Contractors is scheduled to be on campus over Thanksgiving break working on two projects. They are scheduled to repair the roof damage on building 200 at the high school. The damage to the roof was caused when part of the redwood tree next to it broke and hit the roof last winter.

The other project is to repair the curb on the southeast corner of the Durham Intermediate Gym. 

DES (from Samantha Brown)
Girls Basketball Tournament
The Panther Basketball Tournament is underway, and all three DIS teams are competing this year. Traditionally, the tournament includes only 7th and 8th grade teams, but due to a last-minute withdrawal, our 6th grade girls stepped in and won their first game and now will face our 7th grade team for 3rd place —way to go Panthers!

• Championship Round: Saturday in the DHS Gym

• 7th Grade Bracket: DIS 7th Grade vs. DIS 6th Grade for 3rd Place — Saturday at 12:00 PM

8th Grade Team: First game on Friday at 3:00 PM vs. Willows
Come out and cheer on our Panthers

Staff Professional Development
While students were home this past Monday, our teachers spent the day engaged in professional learning focused on using AI tools to enhance instruction. The session, led by the Butte County Office of Education alongside DHS teachers, provided valuable strategies we look forward to implementing in the classroom.

CJSF Food Drive
CJSF will kick off their annual Food Drive next week. Students are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate through their first-period class. Thank you for supporting families in need this season.

Upcoming Dates

• November 13–15: Panther Basketball Tournament

• November 24–28: Thanksgiving Break — No School

• December 19: Minimum Day

• December 22 – January 2: Winter Break — No School
  

DIS (From Josh Rowe)
Girls Basketball
Our Lady Panthers played with determination against Bidwell Jr. High this week, coming up just short. Next week, the team will travel to Palermo on Wednesday before we host our Panther Invitational from Thursday through Saturday. We hope to see our community come out and cheer on our athletes!

The Manor Project
The annual Manor Project, a collaborative effort between our History and English Departments, is now complete. Over the past several weeks, students in Mr. Ramsden’s and Ms. Schnitzius’s classes explored medieval history as they prepared for the Medieval Feast held on November 6. This engaging cross-curricular experience allowed students to bring history and literature to life in creative and meaningful ways. Great work to all involved!

Pumpkin Drop Field Trip
Our 8th grade students visited Chico State on Halloween to learn about physics through the campus’s annual Pumpkin Drop event. Students observed demonstrations led by members of the Chico State Student Physics Society, participated in campus tours, and gained valuable insight into college life and opportunities offered at Chico State.

Upcoming 4-Day Weekend

A reminder that Monday, November 10 is a non-student day. Teachers will be on campus for professional development. There will be no school on Tuesday, November 11 in observance of Veterans Day.

As we observe Veterans Day, we extend our sincere gratitude to the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces. Your courage, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting our freedoms inspire us. Thank you for your service and for the example you set for our students and community.

Upcoming Dates

• November 10 – Non-Student Day (No School for Students)

• November 11 – Veterans Day (No School)

• November 13–15 – Panther Basketball Tournament

• November 24–28 – Thanksgiving Break (No School)
  

DHS (From Marty Wilkes)

Counseling:

This semester is rapidly winding down. It’s hard to believe there are only 3½ weeks left until finals! If your student is unhappy with their grades or struggling in a class, now is the time for them to reach out to the teacher for help. Also consider having a discussion with your student about how they plan to study and prepare for upcoming finals.

Also, another reminder to seniors and their families that UC and many CSU applications are due Monday, December 1st, which happens to be the first day back from Thanksgiving Break. That only leaves one more week to get help from Ms. Spade or Mrs. Ladd if needed. Don’t wait until the last minute to submit those applications as the systems often experience glitches with so much traffic on the final days. Students who need help should stop by the Library as soon as possible. 

Athletics:
Volleyball: 
The Volleyball playoff brackets came out and in CIF infinite wisdom within the spirit of competitive equity our girls were placed in the Division 4 brackets and played back to back games against schools from Santa Cruz with over a thousand students each. The Girls gutted out a five-set win on Tuesday night against Santa Cruz High, but lost a five-set heart breaker Thursday night to Harbor High.  The Girls had a great run finishing with a 31-7 record and winning their first-ever Division 4 playoff game.  

Football: 
Football will be playing at Colusa tonight at 7 in the first round of the Northern Section Division IV playoffs.

FFA:
We took five teams to the North Valley Opening and Closing Contest. Novice placed 2nd overall. Olivia Bowhall earned High Chair in her role as Treasurer. Luke St Clair placed 4th in the Co-Op Marketing Contest. 

Novice team that placed: 
President: Luke St Clair, VP: James Osbon, Secretary: Hailey Heyland, Treasurer: Olivia Bowhall, Reporter: Josie Landon, Sentinel: Ashlyn Wilk

Up and coming in the Ag Department:
FFA Meeting November 19th @ 6:30
Boots and Bowties Planning Meeting Nov. 17th @ 5:30
Poinsettia Sale - 12/5 2:30 pm - 5 pm and 12/6 9 am - 2:30 pm - Prices $10-$20 based on size
Thanksgiving Floral Arrangements Pick up is 11/21

Student Services and Supports (from Marilyn Bertolucci)

Weekly Update Archive