We regret to inform you that Mr. Leonard Morris, former principal of San Dieguito High School, has passed away. He was 83.

He was listed as the principal of the school in the 1969 through 1976 yearbooks. You may find an obituary here. Some quotes:

He advocated “The Warm Fuzzy” around San Dieguito High School and liked giving the yellow half-sheets of paper with compliments and thank-yous to students, friends and staff members.

A beloved principal at the Encinitas school, Leonard Morris could often be found eating lunch with students or standing on the manhole cover he dubbed “Morris’ manhole” during passing periods.

“The kids loved him and he was always out there on campus with us,” recalled former San Dieguito student Debbie Rowe. “He’d stand out on that manhole cover that he had painted and watch over the kids.”

[snip]

Mr. Morris moved his family to San Diego County from Monrovia when he got the job as principal at San Dieguito High in 1969. He later served as assistant principal at Torrey Pines High School and retired from the San Dieguito Union High School District in 1984.

Melba Kooyman said Mr. Morris found creative ways to serve his students. She recalled a time when students were throwing plums at each other, making a mess on the walkway.

“Many teachers wanted those kids disciplined . . . he recruited the home-ec department to help and got those students making jam. I’m sure the boys involved didn’t do anything like that again,” Kooyman said.

Mr. Morris also started the practice of sending a “Warm Fuzzy” to thank or compliment any person on campus. Although some thought the idea “too hokey” at first, the yellow sheets proved popular and teachers enjoyed getting them.

— Leonard Morris, 83; beloved former San Dieguito High principal, by Blanca Gonzalez, April 1, 2008, San Diego Union-Tribune.

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