Recently, grades 4 and 5 of Shanghai High School International Division Puxi Campus successively held the first parent meetings on October 16th and October 17th. The parent meetings were divided into two sessions. In the beginning, parents gathered our new Hsi Building Auditorium to receive a presentation of our school's educational philosophy, educational goals, and various educational practice.  They were informed of the activities of the academic stage, as well as the overall situation of students in this grade in terms of daily behavior, moral character, and subject literacy. Following the introduction they entered homeroom to have in-depth conversations with homeroom and subject teachers. They jointly discussed growth and development of children to help foster their bright future.

As the final year of primary school, fifth grade marks a significant period of change and development for students. At the recent parent-teacher conference for fifth graders, Ms. Shi Zhan, Supervisor of grade 5, centered her presentation on the theme, "Becoming an Excellent Elementary School Graduate." She provided an overview of the current status of fifth-grade students and shared the school’s expectations for their academic performance and behavior this semester. Ms. Shi highlighted the unique challenges that come with this transitional year, where students are preparing to move from primary school to middle school. This transition demands greater independence in their studies and enhanced self-management in their daily lives. To support students in navigating these challenges, Ms. Shi shared a number of practical tips with parents. These included helping students organize their personal belongings, develop effective study habits, and manage their time wisely by creating structured study plans. She also emphasized the importance of character development, outlining the Grade Cooperation Challenge, an initiative designed to foster a safe, supportive, and collaborative community within the grade. Through such activities, students will not only strengthen their teamwork skills but also build a stronger sense of responsibility and group identity.

The school places a high priority on students’ holistic development, particularly in the area of mental health. During the meeting, the school’s psychology teacher, Ms. Sun Fanfan, introduced several mental health initiatives designed to support students' emotional well-being. These include early-term adaptation courses, puberty education, and the ongoing "Chat Room Service," along with various clubs aimed at improving social skills and emotional regulation. The puberty education helps students understand and manage the physical and emotional changes of adolescence, while the “Chat Room Service” offers a confidential space for students to share their feelings and concerns. Ms. Sun emphasized that these programs not only focus on mental health but also aim to foster emotional resilience and self-awareness. She encouraged parents to stay in close communication with the school, working together to help their children navigate the emotional challenges that accompany their growth.

In addition to mental health support, subject leaders from the Chinese, Math, English, Geography, and Science departments provided detailed overviews of the curriculum, learning objectives, and extracurricular activities. They stressed the importance of encouraging independent learning and cultivating well-rounded skills. Through specific examples, the teachers outlined the challenges students might face in each subject and offered parents a deeper understanding of the educational goals for the semester. The subject leaders also showcased outstanding student work and shared valuable resources and learning strategies with parents. Suggestions included how to create a productive learning environment at home and ways to broaden students’ knowledge through extracurricular activities. These insights are designed to help parents effectively support their children’s efforts to reinforce classroom learning and improve their academic outcomes.

After the general meeting, parents were invited to their children's homeroom for more in-depth conversations with homeroom teachers. The homeroom teachers provided detailed explanations of the teaching approaches and dynamics unique to fifth grade, discussing both the internal and external challenges that the students will face during this pivotal year. They encouraged parents to focus less on test scores and more on their children's problem-solving abilities and adaptability in the face of challenges. The homeroom teachers also emphasized the importance of character and moral education in fifth grade, introducing the core values that will guide the students throughout the year. They shared observations about each child’s learning style, classroom behavior, and personality, offering suggestions for how parents can support their children in developing better study habits and life skills. Practical advice included setting small, achievable goals, reflecting regularly on progress, and using timers to foster a sense of time management. Parents were also encouraged to guide their children in organizing their personal belongings and gradually taking on more responsibilities at home, helping them build independence and a stronger sense of accountability.

This parent meeting helped foster communication between parents and the school, allowing parents to better understand their children's learning and living conditions for their children on a daily basis. It not only deepens the understanding and trust between home and school but also lays a solid foundation for "home-school cooperation to help students develop". It is believed that with the joint efforts of home and school, children will surely thrive and shine with their own brilliance.

Written by Ting Cao, Teng Chen

Pictures by Minxuan Cao

Edited by Cong Luo

Reviewed by Luting Lu, Chenli Shen, Cong Luo, Emma Hackett