STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY The Meskwaki Settlement School and the Sac & Fox Tribe: Will operate for its youth a comprehensive, bilingual, bicultural, community-based educational environment, designed to incorporate the wisdom and beauty of the Meskwaki Culture with the knowledge of our modern technological society. Will preserve the Meskwaki Culture, including its language, history, and traditions; promote Meskwaki values and lifestyle; sponsor Indian cultural ceremonies and events; promote pride in one’s school, home, and community. Will provide a quality academic education; establish a strong academic sequence solidly rooted in basic education and blossoming into a multi-faceted, innovative learning environment; employ highly-qualified teachers, staff, and administrative personnel; develop and implement a strong supportive service program involving needed professional support, counseling, and special education environment conducive to cultural, social, physical, academic, and spiritual development; provide for parent and community involvement in educational activities; and utilize Indian resource consultants, especially Tribal Elders. Will regard our youth with the utmost dignity and respect, promoting the development of positive awareness of self; and finally, we as educators, shall endeavor to constantly recall to mind that we exist, first and foremost, to serve the needs of our Indian youth.