Morey Middle School

Oct. 10, 2018

Dear Morey Middle School Students, Families, Staff and Community,

The Morey Middle School principal selection process is underway and we want our community members to know what to expect as we begin the interview process. DPS considers selecting a new principal as one of the essential components when building highly-effective schools. Beginning next week, we will start the process of creating a School Principal Selection Advisory Committee (SPSAC). With any principal selection committee, there are certain steps we must take to ensure that the committee members and the community-at-large are confident and clear with the process.

We value the diverse views of the Morey community. We invite you to apply to be a part of the group that will make up the SPSAC. The role of the SPSAC will be to interview candidates and recommend candidates to the superintendent. Candidates will participate in a variety of additional interview components, such as a learning-walk to gauge their instructional expertise, as well as an interview with a student panel and a community forum.

If you are interested in participating in the SPSAC, please submit your application at https://bit.ly/2Qt2cyv, pick up an application in the Morey main office, or call the Family & Community Helpline at 720-423-3054. Please note that applications are due by 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 22.

To honor the voices of all our stakeholders, we would like your input in determining the characteristics you would like see in the new principal. You may provide your input at https://bit.ly/2OuKyxj (English)/ https://bit.ly/2NiJCaz (Spanish), pick up a hard copy of the survey in the Morey main office, or call the Family & Community Helpline at 720-423-3054. Please submit the survey by 8 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 22.

Please see the below timeline and steps in the selection process. Also read what to expect and what the commitments are, should you decide to be a part of this SPSAC.

Thank you for your support as we work together during this transitional period. We have immense gratitude for Hillary Niebauer, who stepped into the interim principal role in July. Her leadership has been instrumental during this time.

Please feel free to reach out to us with any questions you may have.

Sincerely,

Heather Haines                                                                         Cesar Cedillo

heather_haines@dpsk12.org                                                      cesar_cedillio@dpsk12.org

Instructional Superintendent                                                       Operational Superintendent

Middle School Network                                                               Middle School Network

Timeline for Morey Principal Selection Process

Week of Oct. 1

• Principal job posting available

Week of Oct. 8

• School Based Advisory Committee (SPSAC) applications available
• Community feedback via “School Principal Input Survey” available

Week of Oct. 22

• Applications for Advisory Committee due by 8 a.m. on Oct. 22
• Community Feedback via “School Principal Input Survey” due by 8 a.m. on Oct. 22
• SCLT meeting to determine Advisory Committee SPSAC members and to identify ideal principal profile by 4 p.m. on Oct. 24

Week of Oct. 29

• Advisory Committee and instructional superintendent meet to participate in HR training, identify candidates to interview and finalized school-based interview process from 4-7 p.m. on Oct. 30

Week of Nov. 5 or Nov. 12

• Principal candidate interviews with Advisory Committee and other feedback groups

Week of Nov. 26

• Community forum from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 27
• Learning-walk with instructional superintendent and assistant superintendent on Nov. 28

Week of Dec. 3

• Principal candidates interview with DPS senior leadership and superintendent
• New principal of Morey Middle School selected

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10 de octubre de 2018

Estimados estudiantes, familias, personal y comunidad de la Escuela Secundaria Morey:

Ya está en marcha el proceso de selección del director de la Escuela Secundaria Morey y queremos que los miembros de nuestra comunidad sepan en qué consiste, ahora que empezaremos el proceso de entrevistas. En DPS, consideramos que la selección de un nuevo director es uno de los elementos esenciales para tener escuelas de alto desempeño. A partir de la próxima semana, iniciaremos el proceso de conformar un Comité Asesor para la Selección del Director de Escuela (SPSAC, por su sigla en inglés). Al igual que con cualquier comité de selección de director, deben darse ciertos pasos para garantizar que los miembros del comité y la comunidad en general estén satisfechos y tengan claro cuál es el proceso.

Valoramos los diversos puntos de vista de la comunidad de Morey. Los invitamos a solicitar ingreso al grupo que conformará el Comité Asesor para la Selección del Director de Escuela (SPSAC). La función del SPSAC será la de entrevistar a los candidatos y recomendar finalistas al superintendente. Los candidatos participarán en una variedad de componentes adicionales a la entrevista, como una visita de aprendizaje para evaluar la experiencia que poseen con la instrucción, así como una entrevista con un panel estudiantil y la participación en un foro comunitario.

Si están interesados en participar en el SPSAC, presenten su solicitud en https://bit.ly/2Qt2cyv, busquen una solicitud en la oficina principal de la Morey o llamen a la línea directa para las familias y la comunidad al 720-423-3054. Tengan en cuenta que el plazo para entregar las solicitudes es el 22 de octubre a las 8 a. m.

Para honrar las voces de todas las partes interesadas, nos gustaría contar con su opinión para determinar las características que desean que tenga el nuevo director. Pueden compartir sus comentarios en https://bit.ly/2OuKyxj (en inglés)/ https://bit.ly/2NiJCaz (en español), buscar un ejemplar impreso de la encuesta en la oficina principal de la escuela o llamar a la línea directa para las familias y la comunidad al 720-423-3054. Deben entregar la encuesta, a más tardar, el lunes, 22 de octubre, a la 8 a. m.

El cronograma y los pasos del proceso de selección se encuentran a continuación. También les pedimos que lean las expectativas y obligaciones que asumirán si deciden formar parte del SPSAC.

Gracias por su apoyo y colaboración durante este período de transición. Agradecemos enormemente a Hillary Niebauer por haber asumido el cargo de directora interina en julio. Su liderazgo durante este período ha sido decisivo.

No duden en comunicarse con nosotros si tienen alguna pregunta.

Atentamente.

Heather Haines                                                                         Cesar Cedillo

heather_haines@dpsk12.org                                                      cesar_cedillio@dpsk12.org

Superintendente de Instrucción                                                  Superintendente operativo

Red de escuelas secundarias                                                      Red de escuelas secundarias

Cronograma para el proceso de selección del director de Morey

Semana del 1.º de octubre

• Se publicará el cargo de director

Semana del 8.º de octubre

• Se harán disponibles las solicitudes para el Comité Asesor para la Selección del Director de Escuela (SPSAC)
• Se publicará la Encuesta de opinión sobre el líder escolar para que la comunidad comparta sus comentarios.

Semana del 22 de octubre

• Plazo para entregar las solicitudes para el Comité Asesor:22 de octubre a las 8 a. m.
• Plazo para llenar la Encuesta de opinión sobre el líder escolar a fin de que la comunidad comparta sus comentarios: 22 de octubre a las 8 a. m.
• Reunión del SCLT para determinar quiénes serán los miembros del Comité Asesor para la Selección del Director, y para identificar el perfil del director ideal: 24 de octubre a las 4 p. m., a más tardar.

Semana del 29 de octubre

• Reunión del Comité Asesor y el superintendente de Instrucción para participar en la capacitación de Recursos Humanos, identificar a los candidatos que entrevistarán y concluir el proceso de entrevistas en la escuela: 30 de octubre, de 4 a 7 p. m.

Semana del 5 o 12 de noviembre

• Entrevistas del Comité Asesor y otros grupos interesados a los candidatos a director

Semana del 26 de noviembre

• Foro comunitario: 27 de noviembre, de 6 a 8 p. m.
• Recorrido de aprendizaje con el superintendente de Instrucción y el subdirector: 28 de noviembre

Semana del 3 de diciembre

• Entrevista del liderazgo sénior y el superintendente de DPS con los candidatos a director
• Elección del nuevo director de la Escuela Secundaria Morey

June 20, 2018

Dear Morey Families:

My name is Hillary Niebauer and I am Morey’s new Interim Principal. I am absolutely honored to serve as Morey’s Interim Principal this coming school year. I have been at Morey for the last three years as the Assistant Principal and Principal Resident and I am thrilled to lead the amazing staff and students at Morey next year.

I have spent all 16 years of my career in middle schools. I was a 7th grade Language Arts teacher for 10 years and then an instructional coach, student advisor and school leader the last six years. I feel my experience has given me valuable insight into middle school kids and effective school leadership.

My husband, Joel, and I have been married 14 years and have two daughters: Abigail (12) and Rayen (10). Both play competitive soccer, spend hours vlogging and love arts & crafts. When I get that rare moment of free time, I enjoy reading, watching sports (huge Broncos fan!), and heading up to my dad’s family cabin in Red Feather Lakes to fish.

I am excited to welcome your student to school this August! Registration is currently set for Thursday, August 9th and Friday, August 10th. You will receive registration packets in the mail by the first week of August. Please remember to bring your Student Verification Form and your fees with you to registration (cash or check only); payment plans will be available if needed.

Registration:

Thursday, August 9th: 3 pm to 7 pm in East Gym

Friday, August 10th: 8 am to 12 pm in East Gym

Late Registration is Friday, August 17th and takes place in the main office only.

Calendar of Events:

August 9 & 10 Registration Events

August 16, 5:00pm Morey Back-to-School Community BBQ

August 20 First full day for 6th graders ONLY

August 21 First full day for all students

September 3 Labor Day – No School

September 12 Back-to-School Night

Please feel free to contact me regarding additional questions or concerns. I am excited to partner with you in support your child’s education during the 2018-19 school year. Go Mustangs!

Hillary Niebauer

Interim Principal

Morey Middle School

720-424-0713

hillary_niebauer@dpsk12.org

Morey Community,

Four years ago, I was privileged to be asked to lead this community of learners. Before I took over, Morey was languishing near the bottom of the performance pile in DPS, and was on the brink of closure. I built a new leadership team, including hiring Assistant Principal Hillary Niebauer in March of 2015, replaced most of the staff, and set about to build systems and structures that would support a positive and academically challenging school culture, including a mindfulness program and strong therapeutic social-emotional supports. Throughout this work, Ms. Niebauer was instrumental in our schoolwide cultural and academic shift, serving as the “yin” to my “yang.” Morey came back from the brink, and has now been rated “Green” under the DPS School Performance Framework for the last two years.

I directed our staff to engage in school-wide empathy work, and together we worked with parents to determine how to build a data-driven system of acceleration, where students were met with academic challenges that were rooted in their demonstrated needs. We even engaged students in a two-day design challenge that brought out their best ideas for innovative school transformation. We worked to disengage from a larger school system of culture of adherence to a singular scope and sequence, exploring ways to personalize student learning experiences through voice and choice and allowing students to drive their own learning through their passions and personal lenses as codified in their collaboratively developed Individual Learning Plans. Together, Ms. Niebauer and I led a design team that achieved Innovation Status as a means to bring this vision to life. This work has been some of the proudest work I have engaged in during my professional life.

Four years ago, I left my family in Indiana to join this school community, and we were separated for nearly three months before they sold the house and could join me. In the last four years, I have commuted from our home in Aurora for a drive that typically takes 40-45 minutes in the morning and up to 75 minutes on the way home. There have been many evenings away from home for recruitment events, school functions, and Morey family opportunities, and through it all, my family has been very patient. For four years, I gave my heart and soul to this community, but now it is time to embrace an opportunity to spend more time at home.

This week, I accepted the position of Principal at Challenge School in Cherry Creek, a K-8 magnet for gifted and advanced learners, a position for which my time at Morey paved the way. This opportunity gives me a chance to lead elementary learners in addition to middle school, a new professional experience for me. It is also a commute that takes all of 17 minutes in morning or evening. This will allow me to spend more time at home, to spend more time at work without sacrificing as much at home as I have previously, and to involve my family more in my school community.

Leaving Morey is bittersweet, but I am pleased to announce that Hillary Niebauer has been named Interim Principal until a more thorough search can be engaged in next year, a search for which she will be a candidate. Ms. Niebauer has co-led our drive for innovative practices, is a champion of social-emotional supports for middle school students, is deeply committed to the development of professional relationships in our community, and understands the deeper needs of both highly gifted and talented learners and of those who come from a trauma-based environment. Lastly, she is a resident of the Park Hill neighborhood and is proud to serve what is essentially her home community. She has been a powerful partner in the last three years at Morey, and it will be hard to find a teammate to match her systems thinking, her quick wit, and her passion for children. Four years ago, I pledged that when I finally left Morey, it would be a better place than it was before, and not only am I proud to have achieved that with an amazing team, but I am relieved to leave it in the capable hands of Interim Principal Hillary Niebauer, who will send communication home soon.

I am sad to have to say goodbye after the close of the school year without much of a chance to say goodbye in person, but I will be watching Morey continue to grow from afar. Thank you for all that you have taught me, and I wish you well.

Please find links to official Denver Public Schools communications regarding this leadership change below.

Morey Interim Principal Announcement- FINAL ENG 6 12 18

16406_1_Morey Interim Princi_SP

Noah Tonk
Proud Principal, 2014-18
Morey Middle School

Dear Morey Community,

I wanted to provide an update about the class schedule for Friday, April 27. Due to significant anticipated teacher absences, DPS is cancelling all classes for Friday, April 27, including at our school.

DPS has been working in partnership to press our state government to restore education funding to our schools. The statewide teachers’ association, the Colorado Education Association (CEA), is planning a statewide rally of educators on Friday, April 27, to advocate for greater state funding and expects that many of our teachers will participate.

We had originally planned an early release on Friday, but due to the number of teachers planning to take the entire day off on Friday, DPS did not believe we would be able to keep our schools open on Friday. This is the case with most of our surrounding districts as well.

We want to support you through this change. Below is some information to help you plan for this non-student day.

Meals available for students:

To ensure our students have access to a meal this day, our school is partnering with Dora Moore to provide breakfast and lunch at no cost on Friday, April 27. Dora Moore will be providing breakfast from 8 to 8:30 AM on Friday and lunch from 10:45 to 12:30 PM on Friday. Please reach out to Dora Moore if you have questions.

Childcare options:

If you have concerns about childcare during this time, please contact the Family and Community Engagement team’s family hotline at 720-423-3054, and they can point you to additional resources. If you have additional questions, contact.

Families that are currently enrolled in Discovery Link can sign up for full-day care, which will be held at designated locations throughout the city. Interested families can learn more and sign up for care at discoverylink.dpsk12.org.

Athletics:

All middle school athletics are cancelled.

Shakespeare Festival:

The 34th Annual Shakespeare Festival is scheduled as planned. More information will be shared soon regarding transportation for families on April 27.

If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at 720-424-0700 or at noah_tonk@dpsk12.org.

Sincerely,

Noah Tonk

Principal

Morey Middle School

It’s time to get excited about Discovery Week! Take a look at all of the selections available this year.

8th graders pick Thursday, April 5
7th graders pick Friday, April 6
6th graders pick Friday, April 6