known outcomes and responses. Students need to know that if
they choose to act beyond our behavioral expectations, that there
are consequences. Families also need to understand that our
expectations for behavior are very high. It is our responsibility
to be clear about those expectations and to bring students on
board so that they understand what is tolerated and what is not
tolerated. In this context we can all learn how to get along with
each other; what lines are firmly drawn and what lines are not.
Students will challenge this. Some will walk up to the line and put
a toe over it and some will boldly step over the line.
In the bigger scheme of things, there will be a hallway that will
have many students living there. So you are not just dealing with
one roommate but you are dealing with a group of classmates
and faculty. Within this communal context, there is significant
opportunity for students to distinguish themselves, teach others,
admit that they are struggling with some aspect in connecting
with people and develop skills such as self, time and relationship
management, communication and consensus building skills.
There will be adult presence that supports this kind of learning
and structure. Students will find success and even though they
might not have mastery over a certain skill originally, they will find
that they can learn and improve.
“…kids feel ownership of their
community and of our school.”
Q:
The process of separating from their only
child is difficult for many Chinese parents.
If students become boarders then parents must
deal with the fact that communication with their
child might decrease. How can parents maintain
communication with and a proper understanding
of their child and their situation at Keystone? How
can parents remain involved in their academic
and personal life?
A:
We are not the kind of school that excludes parents.
There will be times when we say that we need to
really focus and have this time with your child, but not at the
exclusion of parents. We will include them in partnership.
It is a planned partnership, where we say we cannot do
this without parents. We do not want to do residential and
boarding life without parents. Some parents will live farther
away from the campus than others and communication is
critical. Our advising program will link parents directly to
one adult on campus who is responsible for their child. We
know that there will be two-way communication between
that child’s parents and the advisor, or any administrator
or teacher, for that matter. If there is an issue, parents will
feel that they can be a part of the process to try and resolve
things. This will be a learning process.
We will have plenty of opportunities to talk about what the
rules and responsibilities are for teachers, parents and
students. We will have a residential curriculum that will
be set out by age because the development of a child in
grade 7 is different from that of a child in grade 9, so we
will have to address those differences in maturity. Issues,
such as homesickness, living with someone I do not know,
and in community where chores and cleaning up after
oneself is expected of the student, will be addressed early
on. Orientation will include these items. We know that we
are moving in the right direction if students say things like,
“Pick your trash off the table.” Or “There is no way that you
will pass room inspection because Ms. Wendy is coming
down the hallway to inspect your room.” We need to be
clear with our students regarding what our expectations are
and they will rise to the occasion.
As for parent visits, we will have guidelines. We want to be
sensitive that not only your child lives on the hallway but
many other children do as well. We will create a process
where parents feel welcome, and during certain time periods.
We want students to feel that their “home away from home”
is their home. That said, we have an earlier release on
Wednesdays. On these days, children might go home for
the afternoon and come back for evening study hours. Or
a family might decide to come to Shunyi and have dinner
with their child. Parents can rest assured that they will have
opportunity to see their child at some point during the week
if they like, and also can check-in by phone. We hope that we
have a thriving environment where students are involved in
performances, games and showcases and that parents will
get i