Weekly Message from Head of School 2024/6/17-2024/6/21

Dear Keystonians, 

Mealtimes are a precious time at Keystone Academy. This is not only because we have what is arguably the most delicious school food on the planet (as reported by our alumni), but primarily because of the connections that we make to each other while we are eating the delicious food.  

This week as we prepare to head into the final days of school and then off to our summer holiday time, I am reflecting on the quality of our community and the delightful things that come out of mealtime. I usually eat around 15 - 18 meals in the dining halls each week and rarely eat with the same people twice a week. Sometimes I sit with primary students during their lunch time, sometimes I sit with employees in the primary dining hall for a quick breakfast on a weekday. Other days I have lunch in the secondary dining hall, always trying not to get there at 12:15 when the rush of students flow in from the academic building. And most evenings, I head from my office straight to the dining hall and sit down with boarding students, colleagues or sometimes faculty children. And Saturday mornings I am usually among the first to breakfast to grab my favorite jianbing before I head out to Chinese class.  

The conversations and connections that happen over meals at Keystone are part of what we think about when we describe the importance of “Character and Community”. In our residential setting-- which benefits all our employees and students, whether they sleep on campus or not — connection happens in the dining hall.  

Just the past couple of weeks alone I have had so many interesting conversations. Some of the most memorable were with students who were thinking about the big transitions ahead of them into the next grade. A soon to be 12th grader reflected on some of the things he is looking for in his college experience while he thinks about the difference between best for him and most highly ranked. In the same lunch time, a rising 11th grader shared how much he feels like he has grown since 9th grade as he reflected on the power of the people you surround yourself with. A table full of third graders explained to me in vivid detail the products they had developed for the 3rd grade market using their entrepreneurial spirit. A security guard practiced his English (which is very good!), and I my Chinese (which is very bad) as we shared and learned about each other’s hometowns. Last night, two teachers and I sat down for dinner and as the aiyis were cleaning up we were still chatting. We talked a little bit about work, and then discovered we all loved horses. Then we reflected together on the value of summertime (in our line of work) to try on other identities, to do different things, and take a break from the rhythm of normal school. We discovered we all hope for that for our students too.  

There is so much unscripted and beautiful learning at our school. And our time here will always enrich and enliven our time away from here and vice versa. As we celebrate this season of transition and move towards closing the 23-24 school year let’s delight for a few more days in our connections. What a truly amazing year.  

Yours,  

Emily