Keystone Magazine Learning the Keystone Way 2015-2016 EN | Page 108

Home Away From Home
Space,
Face,
Place:
Becoming a Keystone Boarder
By Juli James, Director of Residential Life
and Global and Service Initiatives
T
he notion of devel-
oping character in
young people is a
complex, organic
process. Keystone’s
residential program
is so designed to enable and
enrich this process. Boarders are
immersed into a system of liv-
ing and working with students
from all over China and the
world, guided by teachers from
diverse cultural backgrounds,
and nurtured in a residential
setting that encourages cross-
cultural understanding and
growth. This school year, the
residential curriculum is divided
into three segments – SPACE,
FACE, and PLACE. The first sever-
al months of the school year are
important in setting the tone
for the remainder of the year.
The first phase – Space – helps
students transition to board-
ing life, master procedures,
complete dorm chores, and
become self-sufficient. Time
management and study skills
are also a major focus of the first
106
quarter, along with developing
the skills of conflict resolution
and compromise. The second
phase of the residential curricu-
lum – Face – is defined here as
relationship building. A wide va-
riety of activities are planned in
the second trimester to enable
relationships building among
and between boarders, from
team building at weekly “dorm
wars” competitions, parties, late
night socials, weekend fun, and
dorm proctor-led meetings
and activities. Dorm proctors
are the student leaders of the
residential program appointed
annually. The final trimester of
the year focuses on Place. This is
a time for introspection, where
students reflect on questions
such as: Where do I fit into the
Keystone community? How can
I give back, or make an impact
on my school, my community
and my own character?
Sometimes answers to these
questions, lessons on charac-
ter development, or moments
when choices have to be made