Keystone Magazine Learning the Keystone Way 2015-2016 EN | Page 110

Home Away From Home
ing, teamwork, friendship, and
time management. The formal
and informal curricular sessions
are building bonds amongst the
students, developing a sense of
community, as seen at times in
their demonstration of compas-
sion and empathy when one of
their peers falls sick or is injured,
or when they offer each other
help on a difficult homework
or project. Boarders also learn
from observing the adults in the
residences and student leaders
who model leadership, integrity,
honor, and compassion to all
members through day-to-day
interactions, evening programs
and dinners, and weekend ex-
periences.
Dorm head and middle and
108
high school Science teacher,
Amanda Narkiewicz, narrates
her experience: “At the begin-
ning of the year, the 4th floor
dorm parents and proctors
set the vision for the year. We
agreed that as these students
were the youngest of the board-
ers, we would like to help them
develop self-sufficiency and
independence. They have also
been focusing on their organi-
zation skills and effective study
strategies. It may not seem like
a challenging task for many
people, but taking responsibility
for oneself is the foundation for
being able to contribute one’s
time and energy to the wider
community. Now that students
have been demonstrating self-
sufficiency, they spend less time