Morey Middle School

June 3, 2019

Dear Morey Families:

We are so excited to welcome you and your student to school this August!

Registration: is currently set for Wednesday, August 7th and Thursday, August 8th. This year, you can do all of your registering online, including verifying student information, paying school fees, ordering PE uniforms, etc. You should expect an email from our registrar, David Ankele, in July with directions for how to register online. If you would like to do in-person registration, you can come in to Morey August 7 from 8:00 am – 12:00 (noon) or August 8 from 3:00 – 7:00 pm.

Electives: Being a small school, we only have four elective classes (PE, STEM, Art & Drama). Students will not need to pick their electives this year. All students will receive all four electives at some point in the school year. We will have after-school classes for both band and foreign language for anyone interested.

Back-to-School BBQ: Our annual Back-to-School Community BBQ is set for Thursday, August 15 from 5:00 – 6:30 pm. This is a chance to meet Morey teachers, students and other parents. Students can also pick up their new class schedules this night.

First days: The first day for 6th grade students is Monday, August 19th (we call it “Morey-entation”). Our 6th graders will use this day to orient themselves to the building, learn how to use lockers, and build community with their classmates. The first day for 7th & 8th graders is Tuesday, August 20th.

Summer Reading: We want all our Mustangs to participate in our Summer Reading Challenge. Have your child track any book read over the summer with this link, http://bit.ly//2019MoreyReads, to be eligible for raffle prizes. Kids can read audiobooks, ebooks, and print books. Books can be accessed for free by using the DPS Overdrive account or with a Denver Public Library cards. Students can log into Overdrive using their student ID and password.

In-Person Registration Options:

Wednesday, August 7th: 8 am to 12:00 pm in East Gym

Thursday, August 8th: 3 pm to 7 pm in East Gym

Calendar of Events:

August 7 & 8 In-person registration (if unable to do it online)

August 15, 5:00pm Morey Back-to-School Community BBQ

August 19 First full day for 6th graders ONLY

August 20 First full day for all students

September 2 Labor Day – No School

September 10 Back-to-School Night

Where to get more information

The school website, http://morey.dpsk12.org, has a lot of information and should be updated to reflect the 2019-20 school year by August 10th. Bookmark it as one of your favorites!

Among other things, you can get information on:

School Supply List (also included with this letter)
School start and end times (7:45 am to 3:05 pm)
Student systems and procedures
Student handbook
Information about our staff
Carpool information – www.waytogo.org – SchoolPool – password Morey Mustangs
Link to add lunch money to your child’s account

Morey follows the Denver Public Schools district calendar. We will have school events and weekly announcements listed on our website, and will also send out weekly announcements by email and phone. Additionally, shorter updates will be put out more frequently on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/MoreFromMorey).

Please keep your telephone and email contact information up to date.

Frequently Asked Questions

I registered online. Do I still need to come in to the school?

Nope! You can do everything online this year including verifying student information, paying school fees, ordering PE uniforms and applying for free & reduced lunch status. There are some things you will not be able to do online, like: meeting with PTO, preview sports and after-school club options. You are welcome to come in during the open registration times and visit those tables to learn more about those programs. You could also call the front office at 720-424-0700 and someone will direct you to the right people.

How do I pay for school fees online?

Fees may be paid for through www.MySchoolBucks.com. In July, Ms. Leah Prochnow, our school secretary, will invoice your student for school fees. This should generate an email notification to you with a link and directions for how to access MySchoolBucks and pay for those fees.

When does school start this year?

August 19, 7:45 am – 3:05 pm for 6th graders

August 20, 7:45 am – 3:05 pm for all students

Why do 6th graders start earlier than 7th and 8th grade students?

Middle school can be a little intimidating for 6th grade students. Having a special day for 6th graders gives these students an opportunity to orient to school prior to starting classes.

What are the school office hours?

The office hours are 7:00 am to 4:00 pm. If you need to reach someone after hours, please leave a voicemail in the main office and the appropriate person will receive the message the next morning.

What is the Morey Back-to-School Community BBQ?

The Morey Back-to-School Community BBQ for the 2019-20 school year will be held Thursday, August 15 from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm. This event is a chance for students, families, community members and Morey Middle School staff to come together to celebrate the new school year. The BBQ will be held on the school grounds.

When is Back-to-School Night at Morey?

It is Tuesday, September 10th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. This will give you an opportunity to hear from school leadership, walk your child’s schedule, and hear about new and ongoing programs at Morey.

My child receives free and/or reduced lunch. Do I need to re-apply?

Yes, you will need to go to https://www.myschoolapps.com/ and fill out an online form. You’ll need to know your child’s 6-digit DPS ID number to complete the application. If you need any help with the application, please contact our cafeteria manager Rose at 720-339-9247 or email at rosario_diaz@dpsk12.org.

My child is in the HGT program. How can I learn more about this program?

There will be an Highly Gifted & Talented Parent Orientation Night held one evening in the last week of September. Once we get the date finalized on our schedule, we’ll send out more information. Ms. Bertie Fiz, our HGT Coordinator, is also someone you could reach out for help with questions at bertie_fiz@dpsk12.org or 720-424-0706.

When will my child receive his/her schedule?

Your child’s schedule will be provided at the Back-to-School BBQ, August 15th. If you cannot attend the BBQ, schedules will be provided on the first day of school.

Where can I get more information on your Morey’s innovation plan?

Morey is an innovation school. We have some waivers through the district that helps us begin to personalize learning for students. You can find more information on our innovation plan at http://morey.dpsk12.org.

What is Morey’s cell phone policy?
Students cannot carry a phone anywhere in the school building during school hours. Cell phones are to be locked in newly-renovated student lockers or left at home. This is the third year of our “no cell phones” policy. If parents need to reach their child, they call the main office, and we’ll bring the child to the office.

How do I pay for lunches?

Lunches may be paid for through www.MySchoolBucks.com. Once you’re logged in, you will select “Cafeteria” to load money onto your child’s account.

Do I need to purchase school supplies?

The school supply list can be found on the Morey website (http://morey.dpsk12.org). Our PTO is also selling EduKits at https://www.edukitinc.com/schools/340/Morey%20Middle%20School. If you order before June 10, shipping is free. EduKits will be delivered in time for registration or for the Back-to-School BBQ. Extended ordering is available from June 11 – August 1 for an additional fee and will be delivered to your home shortly before school begins.

What other enrichment opportunities will be available DURING the school day?

Students have several opportunities for enrichment unique to Morey Middle School: Discovery Seminar, and Spring Discovery Week.

Discovery Seminar: Students will have an opportunity to participate in a weekly enrichment class, known as Discovery Seminars. These classes are based upon unique staff skill sets and passions and will be offered dependent upon the level of student interest. Classes will begin the second week of September. Students will take a different Discovery Seminar each quarter.

Spring Discovery Week: During Spring Discovery Week, students participate in four days of exploration of exciting opportunities. The goal is to provide students with unique experiences they might not normally have an opportunity to engage in outside of school, ranging from international trips, to touring unique spaces in Denver; from playing in a rock band to outdoor adventure experiences in the mountains. Teachers develop a four-day experience based on their passions and interests; students have an opportunity to vote for the ones they most want offered. Based on votes, students then sign up for those Discovery opportunities that most appeal to them.

What other enrichment opportunities will be available AFTER the school day?

Mr. Kenny will continue to offer After School Homework Club from 3:10 – 5:30 every day for $75 per month for families needing a later school pick up time.

We received a grant to pay teachers to stay after-school four days a week for academic tutoring (M, T, Th, F) from 3:10 – 4:15 pm.
PTO is organizing more club options for next year, like foreign language, karate, band, gardening, etc. More information on all clubs will be available by registration time in August.

There are some low-cost or free after-school programs in our community. Open Door and cityWild are two different organizations that can pick up kids from Morey and drive them to their locations.

If you have questions about after-school options, call Assistant Principal Monique Roberts-Gibson at 720-424-0724.

What kind of sports are offered at Morey?

We have the typical seasonal sports other DPS middle schools offer: flag football, cross country, softball, baseball, soccer, volleyball, floor hockey, basketball. For questions about athletics, please contact our Athletic Director, Shana Wilhelm, at shana_wilhelm@dpsk12.org.

How do I notify the school if my child is absent?

Please call the Morey Middle School attendance line at 720-424-0736. The attendance line is available 24 hours a day.
Students who are tardy to school should always report to the main office for a tardy slip.

Can I speak with the nurse about my student’s medical needs?

Our amazing school nurse, Katie Morris-Valle, is on maternity leave until mid-September. We will have a temporary nurse placed at Morey in August. The nurse’s office phone number is 720-424-0709.

How can I get involved in the school community?

Morey encourages parents/ guardians to actively participate in their children’s education. The Parent-Teacher Organization will host an informational recruitment night in the first few weeks of school. Be on the lookout for more information about that night. Please consider attending to learn about the many school volunteer opportunities. Our Collaborative School Leadership Team provides opportunities for families to have a hand in important decision-making and monitoring, including budget, hiring decisions, and school climate matters. The CSLT replaces the Collaborative School Committee that is present in many schools, and is part of our innovation plan.

How can I learn more about and provide feedback on the school direction?
“Coffee with the Principal” is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the school and plans for the school. It also gives you an opportunity to connect with the principals and directors. In general, these coffees are scheduled for every other Friday morning from 8:00-9:00 am. Some of the coffees are at Morey and some will be in different locations around the city to accommodate families that do not live nearby. Be in the habit of checking the weekly Morey parent newsletter that goes out for those dates and locations.

Please feel free to contact me regarding additional questions or concerns. I am so excited to partner with you in support your child’s education during the 2019-20 school year. Go Mustangs!

Hillary Niebauer

Principal

Morey Middle School

720-424-0713

hillary_niebauer@dpsk12.org

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

Personalized Learning

Serving Diverse Learners

Rooted in Social Justice

Rich Urban Experience

2019-20 School Supply List

2019-20 School Supply List