Dear Northgate Community,

My name is John McMorris and it is an honor to introduce myself as the new Principal of Northgate High School.   This is my 23-year in public education with the past six as an assistant principal at Newark Memorial High School and San Ramon Valley High School.  Prior, I spent 15 years teaching Advanced Placement United States History at Piedmont High for a year, and 14 years teaching AP American and Comparative Politics and International Relations at Brighton High School in Salt Lake City, Utah.  I live in Danville, California with my wife Leslie, stepson Zach, an incoming junior at San Ramon Valley High, and son Soren, age 9. 

I am excited to work with the Northgate community to provide a first rate education for all students.   Education is one of the great life experiences we engage in.   I agree with Edith Hamilton who argued education should stress, “. . . the pleasure of becoming an educated person, the enormous interest it adds to life.  To be able to be caught up into the world of thought - - that is to be educated.”   My goal is to foster a community committed to the great pleasure of becoming educated.  To accomplish this I strongly believe in the following principles:

• The primary purpose of the school is to provide a safe, rigorous, challenging education for all students.
• The relationship between the teacher and the student is foundation of the school.  All stakeholders must work to strengthen this relationship and support our students, teachers, and staff. 
• Northgate High School should be a fun place to be for all!
• We must celebrate outstanding achievement by students, faculty and staff; whether that is in the classroom, on the athletic field, or keeping our school a clean orderly place. 
• Northgate is a community of learners; the cornerstone of all successful communities is clear, positive, frequent communication. 
• For communication to be effective, it must be positive, respectful, and all parties should commit to work for a win-win in any conflict. 

I look forward to working together with the Northgate community for the success of all students.  Please do not hesitate to contact me by e-mail or phone, or make an appointment to meet if you have any concerns.  I am committed to returning all communication with 24 hours in most instances and 48 hours at the latest.   

Working together we will keep the pride that has made Northgate one of the finest high schools in the state, and I look forward to a future at Northgate High as a model school for the entire country. 

Sincerely,                                                                                                                                                       
John McMorris
Principal
Northgate High School
Email: mcmorrisj@mdusd.k12.ca.us
Phone: 925-938-0900 x3500