the Highland Bagpipes of Scotland on some
early mornings. Each of us brings a part of
who we are to our home-away-from-home.
The residential community – a family –
enjoys sharing in each other’s talents and
traditions.
beauty of the famed Nine Dragon Screen and
Yongan Temple. Together with taking pride
in who each of us is, and further building
our individual character, the special events,
celebrations and trips are a small part of
growing into a community, appreciating
cultural diversity, and developing as wellrounded citizens who can function effectively
Becoming A Community
We not only share and cherish each other’s at school and at home.
talents and traditions, but also our customs
and cultures. Be it a dinner celebrating An important aspect of growing as a
Chinese New Year replete with a costume community of well-rounded individuals is
parade of traditional Chinese outfits being part of the larger community outside of
organized by the Chinese teachers, cooking school, and engaging actively in it. Keystone’s
dumplings, making lanterns and Chinese service learning initiative promotes student
dance lessons, or celebrating Halloween participation and engagement in the
with tricks or treats, Scottish night, or community. A large majority of our boarders
February Friendship Day, we are becoming participates in meaningful service work at
a community with each passing day. The orphanages, migrant schools, animal shelters
balance and complement of the East and and charity shops in order to give back and to
West provide unique, educational and fun learn, and to practice compassion within our
experiences for all members of the residential own communities.
community.
Looking Ahead
Our residential program will continue to
expand every year, and we will incorporate
even more Chinese and global activities and
experiences – social, physical and cultural.
And every experience will develop and
nurture independence, self-reliance, problem
solving and compassion – vital skills – in
our students. I look forward to continuing
to build upon one of the school’s keystones,
developing character and community in a
dynamic residential life program. Different
threads weave our school together, and the
single, resulting fabric is a beautiful array of
colors, patterns and connectedness.
Many times as an adult, I have found myself
telling my son, while building sand castles
on the beach, “If you dig deep enough, you
will end up in China.” I can safely say that I
am glad that I dug deep enough to make it to
China. I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Our extensive weekend program also affords
us the opportunity to explore the culture
and the outdoors of the greater Beijing area.
Residential faculty plan interesting and
exploratory day trips on the weekends in
which important art, temples, architecture,
and natural sites are visited. Very often even
day students join us on these weekend trips.
Students have climbed four sections of the
Great Wall in order to appreciate the sheer
wonder of the structure, and to challenge
themselves physically. It is a challenge for
us teachers, too. One time I nearly quit as I
was climbing a particularly steep section of
the wall until one boarding student, Steven,
encouraged me to keep going.
We have also visited the famed Peking Man
Caves, leading us to reflect on the significance
of this world heritage site and important
historical space in China. We have toured the
fascinating Guyaju Cave, home to the Kumo
Xi people, and imagined what it would have
been like to live perched high on a hillside.
Students have explored labyrinths of tunnels
in the ancient Karst Caves, and admired
the stalactites and stalagmites adorning
the cave ceilings, climbed the Qiong Islet
Stupa at Behai Park, and marveled at the
Kitty He's mural has brought a piece
of Chinese culture to the dorms.
www.keystoneacademy.cn
51