From April 7 to April 10, the Puxi Campus of Shanghai High School International Division held parent conferences for Grades 1 to 3.

Each grade centered on a unique theme:

Grade 1: Building a Bridge to Independent Learning

Grade 2: Nurturing Curiosity, Fostering Growth

Grade 3: Unlocking Growth and Success

Though varied in expression, the three themes share a unified vision — championing the school’s student-centered philosophy and its commitment to setting developmentally appropriate goals at each stage of a child’s journey.

Section One: Exploring the Path of Education through Home-School Partnership

At the beginning of the parent conference, families gathered in the primary school auditorium to hear from teachers across subjects including Chinese, Mathematics, English, Science Social Studies, Music, PE, and Art.

Teachers provided an overview of the curriculum and elaborated on how each subject contributes to fostering independent and self-directed learners. While outlining the learning objectives, they shared concrete classroom examples that illustrated how strategies such as project-based learning, group collaboration, and interdisciplinary integration help spark students’ intrinsic motivation and boost their initiative in learning.

In addition, parents received practical guidance on how to support learning at home, ensuring a strong and effective partnership between home and school.

Next, Ms. Zhang Yi, Director of SHSID Puxi Campus Grade 1-3, delivered a speech. She began by highlighting recent initiatives such as the mental health curriculum and the Charity Fair, using them as entry points to introduce how the school fosters student character and pursues the moral goal of cultivating responsible global citizens. Ms. Zhang emphasized that this goal goes beyond character development—it serves as a vital pathway for integrating moral education into curriculum, activities, and home-school collaboration.

She then introduced the upcoming campus open day, providing parents with guidance on how to observe and engage meaningfully. Looking ahead to the student-led three-way conferences scheduled for the end of the semester, Ms. Zhang outlined the many benefits of this format—particularly its power to enhance communication and collaboration among students, teachers, and parents, and to support students’ all-round growth.

To conclude, Ms. Zhang offered three tailored suggestions for home education at each grade level, calling on parents and teachers to walk hand in hand as warm companions, wise guides, steadfast supporters, and proactive co-builders in children’s growth.

For Grade 1, she encouraged parents to help children develop good habits and improve their self-care abilities, while also attending to their emotional changes and nurturing social skills—serving as positive role models and providing meaningful companionship.

For Grade 2, parents were advised to consolidate their children’s study habits and foster an awareness of self-directed learning. Emphasis was placed on enhancing time management and problem-solving skills, while supporting their personal growth and interest development without falling into unhealthy comparisons.

For Grade 3, she stressed the importance of improving learning efficiency in preparation for Grade 4, managing anxiety, and setting realistic expectations. Ms. Zhang also highlighted the continued importance of home-school collaboration to ensure that students make steady progress in both academic achievement and personal development.

Section Two: Igniting New Educational Perspectives through Home-School Collaboration

To conclude the event, parents proceeded to individual classrooms for in-depth class-level meetings. Homeroom teachers led meaningful discussions on how to nurture independent and self-directed learners. Parent representatives also shared valuable insights on how to work in tandem with the school to create a supportive home environment.

Teachers centered their guidance on key areas such as habit formation, goal setting, and growth-oriented feedback, offering actionable advice rooted in daily practice. Practical suggestions included creating quiet study spaces, setting up learning schedules, and encouraging children to make their own choices—each aimed at fostering autonomy and intrinsic motivation.

Additionally, teachers emphasized the importance of patient and intentional parental involvement. They encouraged parents to approach their child’s development with a holistic, objective, and growth-oriented mindset—one that values not only current academic performance but also long-term progress, recognizing effort and growth across all domains of learning and personal development.

Through the parent meetings, the lower primary division offered a comprehensive presentation of the school’s educational philosophy, clearly articulated its student development goals, and highlighted the distinctive features of each subject area. The event served as a meaningful bridge, fostering deep communication and collaboration between the school and families.

The successful hosting of these meetings has laid out a clear roadmap for continued home-school partnership. Looking ahead, the division will continue to refine its teaching practices and to initiate more diverse forms of collaboration with families, further strengthening the connection between home and school—empowering every child to grow steadily into an independent learner and a responsible global citizen.

Written by Sun Yini, Zhang Yi, Lin Yu, He Yixin, Zhang Yuanjing

Proofread by Chad Higgenbottom

Pictures by Li Siying, Homeroom Teachers