Morse High School

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Naneka Williams to the Morse family!

Ms. Naneka Williams has been in secondary education for the past 18 years. Ms. Williams’ began her journey in education as a substitute teacher before relocating to Los Angeles Unified to teach English Language Arts. During her tenure in Los Angeles, Ms. Williams held numerous positions in education: Classroom Teacher, Title 1 Coordinator, AVID Coordinator, English Department Chair, Gifted and Talented Coordinator, and WASC Committee member.

A native of San Diego, Ms. Williams holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from San Diego State University. In 2011, she earned her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership, with an emphasis in Educational Administration, from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. 

Having a passion for teaching and learning, Ms. Williams instills in students the empowerment of self, and the mindset that no matter their circumstances, they can achieve. Ms. Williams is dedicated to setting high expectations for students and believes in the collaboration of teachers, students and parents to achieve academic goals. Her philosophy is that all students should have the choice to a collegiate path regardless of economic barriers.

Ms. Williams has four children that she enjoys spending time with: a UC Santa Cruz graduate, a Chico State graduate, a Junior currently attending Cal State Long Beach, and a high school Freshman. 

Resonating Quote: “If you’re always trying to be NORMAL, you will never know how AMAZING YOU CAN BE.” ~ Maya Angelou

So let’s go out there and be AMAZING!!!

Free Online Tutoring for all students in California!

Click the link below to take advantage of this free of charge opportunity! 

TIGER TALES

On Thursday, September 8, 2022, Morse lost a dedicated and beloved staff member. Ms. Twyla Tarkington, affectionately known as Ms. T., was beginning her

43rd

year with the San Diego Unified School District. She was a pillar in our community and had been an integral part of the Morse Community serving as a paraprofessional with our Moderate to Severe classrooms, and as an advisor to our Auxiliary teams. Ms. T. truly believed in her students and

made an irreplaceable difference in their lives.

Read below to hear just how important Ms. T. was to Morse's community.

"I know many of you knew Twyla but for those that don't I just wanted to share a few things that made her special...Twyla was so fashionable, always matching and dressing to the nines. She even made her casual outfits look so stylish. She had a love for her culture and made beautiful masks, bags and decorations that embodied the beauty of being African-American. She spoke her mind unapologetically and that is why I loved her the most...she always kept it real and let you know how she felt. I had the privilege of having her as a para-educator in my classes and she always took a no nonsense approach to working with kids and would share stories about her childhood and her sons so they could learn from her. She was also an amazing artist who made beautiful banners for our football games and she even made posters for two of my daughter's birthdays that I will treasure forever. Her sons and grandbabies were her pride and joy and she beamed when sharing about how they were doing. She also helped students get scholarships each year through her Lamplighters affiliation.  She will be missed but never forgotten. I'm playing Purple Rain by Prince on my way home since Twyla was a huge fan. Rest in power beautiful Twyla."

-From Ms. Bañuelos, Morse High Teacher

The Wellness Center (Rm 100) is a safe, non-judgmental, inclusive space for all high school students. We cultivate a positive school climate & our students come first.

We have groups, one-on-one Wellness Check-Ins, Life Skills

Education, Student-Led Wellness opportunities, Activities (mindfulness, coping skills, exercise, art, self-care etc.), On The Go Snacks & much more.

The Wellness center offers a unique model that includes a team of highly trained FamilyYouth Partners, supervised by a licensed mental health clinician to provide: 

• Short term case management to coordinate care, and link to appropriate

      resources and services. 

• Mentoring and coaching to help families navigate through behavioral health, physical healthcare, education, child welfare, legal, and juvenile justice systems.
• Strengthening support networks for families
• Advocating for parents and caregivers by attending key meetings, such as for Individualized Education Plans (IEP) and court hearings. 
• Educating the community on a variety of behavioral health topics. 

What’s Happening in the Wellness Center

Harmonium Family Youth Partner Program- Also having openings for Grief Support and Coping Skills Group. Call or Email Ms. Rasheedah to join. 619-366-6174 or rrashada@gmail.com

Check out the following links to get involved with events The Wellness Center offers.

Hillcrest Youth Center

COVID-19 INFORMATION

Health Office Hours (Friendly Reminders) - 

Open: Monday-Friday from 8 - 4 pm / 

Closed: during Prep Period - 5th Period   - Go to the Main Office for Assistance 

Please send student with a pass. 

School Nurse: Kathy Tscherch (E: ktscherch@sandi.net / Extension 3050)

Health Tech: Jackie Klein (E: jklein@sandi.net / Extension 3051) 

COVID-19 Testing: Every Thursdays from 12-4pm in the Cafeteria/Auditorium 

COVID-19 Test Kits: Come by the Health office if you or your student need any at-home Rapid Antigen Test kits. Two tests/testing kit. 

Latest COVID-19 Decision Tree Update for K-12 Schools (9/1/22) Link - https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1661226377/sdcoenet/vlt8kehqmlywtvonsmyt/COVID-19-Decision-Tree.pdf

AED Training from Project Heartbeat

• AED - We've got three Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Machines on-site - The Locations are 1) Cafeteria/Auditorium, 2) Health Office / Room 700 and 3) Room 605. 
• For anyone who wants information or more training on the AED for their site, project heartbeat is offering a zoom training. 

           When: Thursday, October 6, 2022 2:15 PM-3:15 PM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US &      

           Canada): Where: https://sandiegounified.zoom.us/j/87640051177

           Meeting ID: 876 4005 1177

*If Any Staff member is interested in getting CPR certified, please email Nurse Kathy (ktscherch@sandi.net). An email will be sent out when the next CPR certification course will be available on-site. 

Latest Craze spicy food eating:  One Chip Challenge

• There is a food company “Paqui” who produces very spicy chips and is marketing a “one chip challenge” on their website daring people to eat a chip. Please watch out for any students in distress having reported eating these foods. These chips contain chemicals that are very spicy and can irritate the mouth and the stomach or worse, cause severe allergic reactions. One of the best treatments for mild mouth and stomach irritation is drinking milk, holding ice in the mouth or swishing cold salt water. With anything very spicy there is always a medical warning: If there are any symptoms of anaphylaxis (feeling lightheaded or faint, difficulty breathing, wheezing, elevated heartbeat, clammy skin, confusion, collapsing or losing consciousness), immediately call the health office (via Walkie-Talkie on Channel 8 or extension 3050/3051 for assistance. We have been instructed to notify parents, administer an Epi-Pen and call 911. In the case you are off-campus (ex- field trip) and your student is sweaty and nauseous for more than 15 minutes, notify the parents. Of course, if there is severe distress call 911.  
• https://paqui.com/onechipchallenge/