The most important ingredient we put into any relationship is not what we say
or what we do, but what we are.

- Stephen R. Covey

Over the past several months you have been introduced to the Foundations that help to guide decision-making within the Nine Mile Falls School District. As a District, it is our belief that these Foundations signify who we are. Each Foundation is a cornerstone to our success. But within any successful organization there is one cornerstone that creates the rock solid base of the organization's foundation. For the Nine Mile Falls School District that cornerstone is positive relationships are foundational to our success.

As you have been reading the monthly articles on our Foundations, you may recall this statement: "Schools are very human organizations centered on the education of children." The Nine Mile Falls School District is a human organization that fosters the well-being of each student. Our mission is to provide for the success of each student through educational excellence. To achieve this, we must grow and cultivate positive relationships with each student. Trust, kindness, caring, respect, understanding, patience, positiveness, giving, honesty, accepting, youthful, and dedication are just a few ways we define and form the relationships with our students, parents, staff, and community members.

As we continue to develop positive relationships with students, parents, staff, and community members, we continue to identify who we are. Our personal and professional success depends as much on the quality of these relationships as it does on how effectively we perform our job. But above all, we must keep in mind that the relationships we form with our students are the foundation to our success because we know that students don't care how much we know, until they know how much we care.