On September 26, SHSID Hongkou Campus held the first parents meeting of the semester for first-grade students. The purpose of the meeting was to further strengthen the close relationship between home and school, working together to promote the overall development and healthy growth of students.

The meeting had two parts: in the first part, focused on teaching and learning, and had first grade subject teachers take turns introducing the curriculum framework, learning objectives, and expectations for each subject. The second part focused on communication between parents and teachers, allowing parents to visit their children’s classrooms and have  in-depth discussions with the homeroom teachers. In between, the school arranged a free interaction time, allowing parents to introduce themselves to one another, share parenting experiences, and foster mutual understanding and friendship.

Before the meeting, parents signed in and received the meeting handbook. The handbook outlined the main agenda and included practical parenting tips to help parents better support their children's learning at home.

The meeting then kicked off with Ms. Zhao Jing, Grade 1 Supervisor, proving a comprehensive introduction to the school's expectations for students’. This included both academic and behavioral performance for the semester, as well as upcoming practical and campus activities. Ms. Zhao also touched on personal development course. She encouraged parents to focus on their children’s holistic development and work together with the school to lay a solid foundation for their future.

Following Ms. Zhao, the subject teachers took turns explaining the semester’s curriculum, course schedules, and a variety of subject-specific activities in detail. They introduced the course content and expectations and provided suggestions on how to address potential challenges students may endure academically . Additionally, they emphasized the importance of family education. They spoke on parents closely monitoring their children’s learning status, emotional well-being, as well as providing them with sufficient support and encouragement.

Later, Ms. Zhu Dan, Director of SHSID Hongkou Campus led a discussion with parents on the importance of home-school collaborative education, guided by the school's vision of "holistic education." She expressed that the school is committed to developing each student into a world citizen who possesses independent learning abilities and a willingness to take on social responsibilities. To achieve this goal, the school has constructed a curriculum that includes rich subject knowledge and diverse practical activities, employing a variety of teaching methods such as inquiry-based learning and project-based collaboration to stimulate students' creativity and critical thinking. The school has established a comprehensive multidimensional evaluation system that not only focuses on academic achievements but also emphasizes the development of emotional intelligence, social skills, and character. Ms. Zhu particularly highlighted the importance of home-school cooperation, urging parents to align with the school’s philosophy and create a synergy in education. She encouraged parents to celebrate small efforts in daily life to jointly promote their children's independent learning and social-emotional skills. She called on parents to actively engage in their children's growth process and maintain efficient communication with the school. She highlighted the goal of  collaboratively addressing the challenges their children face, and lay a solid foundation for their overall development. Ultimately, both home and school will work hand in hand to support children’s healthy and happy growth, creating a bright future.

After the first section came to an end, parents gathered in the hallway for informal discussions about the schools academics, and their children. This brief interaction not only developed a bond and friendship among the parents but also laid a solid foundation for closer home-school cooperation.

The parents meeting then moved into its second phase. Parents entered their respective classrooms to further communicate with the homeroom teachers. During this segment, the homeroom teachers first introduced the basic information about the class and the daily curriculum schedule. They shared the class's reward system and award arrangements, and emphasized the importance of students developing good study habits. Additionally, the teachers discussed ways to help parents guide their children in adapting to the pace of primary school life and shared practical suggestions to further their child’s academic progress. Teachers also addressed various questions and concerns that parent addressed.

The parents meeting concluded successfully, with parents gaining a more comprehensive understanding of their children's school life. They also acquired valuable methods and techniques for family education. Parents expressed their gratitude for the hard work of the teachers, and committed to actively applying what they learned in their daily parenting. They expressed intentions with establishing a closer cooperative relationship with the school, maintaining open communication so that the two can work together to support their children's development and healthy growth.

Written by Becky Yang

Pictures by Elaine Zhu

Edited by Cong Luo

Supervised by Dan Zhu, Chenli Shen, Cong Luo, Emma Hackett