Kindness Is Built One Relationship at a Time

One of the things I value most about our McKenzie schools is the way people look out for one another. Whether it’s a student helping a classmate, a staff member checking in with a family, or a community member showing up to support our kids, relationships are at the heart of everything we do. This week, I want to focus on kindness, inclusion, and the small daily actions that help our schools feel safe, welcoming, and connected for every student.

Kindness in schools isn’t just about being polite, it’s about belonging. When students feel seen, valued, and included, they are more able to learn and grow. Strong trusting relationships between students and adults create the conditions for learning, resilience, and growth. Those relationships are built intentionally through consistency, care, and showing up for one another every single day.

Attendance plays an important role in building and maintaining those connections. Right now, our regular attender rate is at 60 percent, which reflects a challenging stretch of illnesses moving through our community. I want to sincerely thank families for following guidance about when students are too sick for school. Keeping students home when they are ill helps protect classmates and staff and supports a healthier school environment for everyone.

As a reminder, students should stay home when they have a fever, are vomiting, have diarrhea, or are feeling unwell enough that they cannot participate comfortably in the school day. Students should return to school once they have been fever-free for at least 24 hours without medication and are feeling well enough to engage in learning. While absences due to illness are sometimes unavoidable, clear communication with the school helps us support students when they return and maintain strong, connected relationships.

Even with recent illness-related absences, we are seeing bright spots worth celebrating. Our third grade students and our juniors are both nearing 80 percent regular attendance. This reflects strong routines, family support, and student commitment. These consistent habits make a meaningful difference both academically and socially.Being present allows students to stay connected to their peers, teachers, and the rhythms of school life.

Beyond the classroom, relationships are strengthened through shared experiences, especially athletics and community events. This week offers several opportunities to come together in support of our students.

On Monday, the Middle School Boys Basketball team travels to Triangle Lake for a 4:30 p.m. tip-off. Tuesday will be a special evening as our High School Boys and Girls teams host Siletz for Senior Night, with the boys playing at 5:30 p.m. and the girls at 7:00 p.m. On Wednesday, the Middle School Boys Basketball team hosts Alsea at 4:30 p.m., and the PTO will hold its monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. Thursday includes the Middle/High School Second Quarter Academic Excellence Assembly at 3:00 pm as well as a road game for the High School Boys JV at Mohawk at 4:00 p.m., while our Boys Varsity team will be hosting Mapleton at 6:00 p.m. The week wraps up on Friday with a longtime community favorite as Donkey Basketball returns to McKenzie at 7:00 p.m., featuring our boys and girls basketball teams taking on alumni.

As we move through this stretch of winter, I encourage all of us, students, families, staff, and community members, to keep kindness and inclusion at the center of our interactions. A warm greeting, a check-in, or an encouraging word can make a bigger difference than we realize.

Thank you for partnering with us, caring for one another, and helping make McKenzie schools a place where relationships come first. Together, those relationships are what allow our students and our community to thrive.