Home Away From Home
Two Threads,
One Beautiful
FABRIC
By Juli James,
Director of Residential Life and
Global and Service Initiatives
T
he residential program is as fundamental as the Chinese Thread at
Keystone. And these two elements blend together to create an interesting
and nurturing residential experience, of which I am especially aware as the
Director of Residential Life. In this issue’s column I tell you how.
G
rowing up as a child along the
Southern California shoreline, my
parents always used to tell me that if I dug
a hole deep enough in the sand, I would
end up on the other side of the world, in
China. Little did I know that decades later I
would not only visit the beautiful wonders
of China many times, but would also be
living and working here. When I received
the offer to join Keystone Academy, I
accepted it almost immediately. Having
been to China before I knew how rewarding
and fascinating it would be to develop and
nurture a U.S.-style boarding program
infused with the Chinese Thread.
Researching traditions, cultural mores, and
local foods dovetailed with the development
of curricular strands. The residential
curriculum has two aspects – character and
community. The Chinese Thread has a strong
bearing on some of the learning objectives set
out for each of these. Pairing Chinese culture
and heritage with select western traditions
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The Keystone Magazine
has proven to be educational and enjoyable to a beautiful, hand-painted mural depicting
for both Chinese and expatriate educators the Chinese fable of how a fish becomes a
dragon. In this fable, bearded carp swim
and students alike.
through a river until they reach the red
Chinese gates. Once these special fish swim
Everyday Experiences
In both deliberate and informal ways, the through the red gates, they become dragons.
Chinese Thread runs through the many But, in order to become a real dragon, the
aspects of Keystone’s residential life program. eyes must be painted as the final stroke.
In its most deliberate and conscious form, the Designed and painted by boarding student,
school’s five shared values lay the foundation Kitty He, over 20 days, this beautiful artwork
to the Chinese Thread by underlining the serves as a reminder of China’s rich cultural
sorts of person and community we want to heritage. I was honored to share in the final
be. The five values are: Compassion, Justice, brush stroke with Kitty as we unleashed the
Respect, Wisdom and Honesty. Keystone’s dragon from the confines of the wall.
residential life program is uniquely different
in this way from a western boarding program. Most days, the residential community is also
I know of no other western boarding school lucky to enjoy the beautiful musical notes
that celebrates and prioritizes these or coming from residential student Evelyn’s
similar virtues, which inform and guide all room. Playing the traditional Gu Qin as a way
the actions and interactions of its members. to relax and practice, Evelyn’s music provides
a lovely backdrop in the dormitory for peace
The Chinese Thread envelops our everyday and reflection on a quiet afternoon. On the
lives too. Take a stroll down the third floor of other hand, middle school Design teacher
the residential tower, and you will be treated George Baxter treats us to the richn \