Recently, the fourth and fifth grades of the SHSID Puxi Campus held their first parent meetings of the semester on March 31 and April 2, respectively. Parents gathered in the West Building Auditorium to gain a deeper understanding of the school’s specific expectations regarding the cultivation of student behavior habits and moral character, as well as to further grasp the school’s overall educational philosophy and developmental goals. Afterwards, parents entered individual homeroom classrooms for face-to-face discussions with homeroom teachers and subject instructors. The conversations focused on how to best support children’s growth and development, thereby strengthening the bond between home and school and laying a solid foundation for collaborative efforts and cohesive educational synergy.

Grade4

The fourth-grade parent-teacher meeting focused on students' academic learning and behavioral development, further clarifying the key areas and future direction for home-school collaboration. The goal is to work together to guide students in steadily growing through the integration of knowledge and action, helping them make the crucial leap from "knowing" to "doing," and building momentum for their holistic development in the future.

Ms. Shi, Supervisor of Grade 4, first reviewed with the parents the students' growth and progress from the previous semester. She then gave parents a preview of the diverse campus activities planned for the current semester, encouraging students to actively participate, broaden their horizons through hands-on experiences, and fully enjoy the joys of campus life. Following that, Ms. Shi introduced the moral character education curriculum for the semester. Using a combination of text and images, she showed parents how the curriculum had been implemented during the first month, and noted that building on the foundation of the previous semester, the curriculum would focus on new key themes, emphasizing a balance between fun, engaging learning and reflective practice, with home-school collaboration supporting students' character development. Regarding the upcoming transition from fourth to fifth grade, Ms. Shi also offered specific and practical suggestions to help parents prepare in advance and respond calmly. Finally, Ms. Shi shared testimonials from parents. Through these heartfelt words, everyone could clearly see the positive changes the children have made in both academics and behavior since entering fourth grade—a truly gratifying transformation.

Next, Ms. Fanfan, the psychology teacher, gave a presentation centered on the increasingly complex social and emotional needs of fourth-grade students. She pointed out that after entering fourth grade, students show more diverse psychological changes in areas such as peer relationships and self-evaluation. To address these needs, a systematic puberty education curriculum will be implemented this semester. The content of the curriculum is closely aligned with students' real-life experiences, with a focus on guiding them to correctly understand themselves and empathize with others, as well as to learn respect and communication in peer interactions. Ms. Sun expressed her hope that through this series of lessons, every child can smoothly navigate this critical stage of growth in an atmosphere of understanding and care, and move forward into the next phase of development with health, confidence, and happiness.

Back in their respective homeroom classrooms, parents engaged in in-depth, face-to-face conversations with subject teachers. The teachers systematically outlined the new changes in knowledge frameworks, skill development, and assessment methods for the semester, and elaborated on the key points for the transition to fifth grade, helping parents gain a comprehensive understanding of the overall teaching plan. During the exchanges, the teachers used a wealth of visual materials to vividly present students' learning processes and outstanding achievements in research projects and classroom activities. Drawing on examples of daily assignments, the teachers further clarified subject-specific requirements regarding class notes and homework standards, aiming to guide students in developing rigorous and well-organized study habits, strengthening academic routines, and solidifying their foundational skills. Finally, the teachers encouraged parents to help their children build the "inner strength" for independent thinking, ignite their intrinsic motivation for learning, and accumulate lasting momentum for future growth.

Grade5

As the final year of primary school, Grade 5 represents a crucial turning point in students’ growth. It is not only a key stage of transition, but also an important bridge connecting primary and secondary education. Centered around the theme “Opening a New Chapter of Growth,” this parent meeting began with a comprehensive review by Ms. Zhuo, Supervisor of Grade 5.

Ms. Zhuo reflected on a series of major activities since the beginning of the semester—from the practice of ASB service spirit to the charitable impact of the bazaar, from the exploratory learning of Pi Day to the smooth organization of various events. Each activity embodies students’ effort and growth, vividly demonstrating their remarkable progress in responsibility, creativity, and collaboration. She emphasized that Grade 5 is a critical window for developing independent learning skills and shaping strong character. She expressed hope that both school and families can align in educational goals and approaches, supporting students to confidently step into the next stage of their academic journey with solid knowledge and well-rounded character. In addition, Ms. Zhuo introduced several signature Grade 5 activities, including graduation photo sessions, class emblem design, and graduation poetry writing—memorable experiences that will become treasured parts of students’ primary school years.

Following this, psychological teacher Ms. Sun Fanfan, provided a detailed introduction to the school’s mental health education system. She explained the common challenges Grade 5 students may encounter in areas such as self-awareness, interpersonal relationships, and emotional regulation, while also offering practical guidance for parents. In addition to regular psychological lessons and ongoing support programs like the “Tree Hole Chat Room”, this semester features a “Kindness Challenge Week,” which encourages students to practice kindness through five specific activities, helping them develop respect, empathy, and positive social relationships. In response to the psychological characteristics of early adolescence, the school will also launch a series of courses covering emotional support, physical development education, and interpersonal skills, providing students with comprehensive, multi-level support for healthy growth.

During the subject-sharing session, leaders from five major subject areas—Chinese, Mathematics, English, Science, and Geography—outlined their curriculum plans and teaching arrangements, as well as introduced key academic activities for the semester. The Chinese subject’s upcoming reading initiatives and “Chinese Culture Week” aim to enhance students’ literary appreciation and cultural identity. The Math subject integrates project-based learning with classroom instruction to develop students’ mathematical thinking and application skills through hands-on inquiry. The English subject’s “Author Study Week” and poetry competition focus on strengthening students’ reading and expressive abilities. The Science subject’s “Mars Migration Project” and TED talk are designed to inspire scientific curiosity and innovation. Meanwhile, the Geography subject’s “Geography Fair” provides a platform for students to showcase their learning, broaden their perspectives, and grow into responsible global citizens. Each subject leader also highlighted the importance of cultivating core competencies and offered practical suggestions to help parents better support their children’s learning at home.

After the first session, parents visited their children’s homerooms. Homeroom teachers provided a systematic overview of the year’s character education priorities based on the grade level core values, clarifying expectations in areas such as daily behavior and responsibility, as well as outlining a coordinated approach between school and home. They also vividly presented students’ growth within the class community, creating meaningful and memorable snapshots of each class. During the discussion, parents actively shared their own experiences and reflections, discussing their children’s growth since entering Grade 5, as well as strategies for communicating with children approaching adolescence and addressing challenges in family guidance. The exchange was lively and engaging, with frequent moments of shared understanding and laughter. This meaningful dialogue not only facilitated the exchange of parenting insights but also further strengthened the partnership between families and the school.

This parent meeting not only provided parents with a deeper understanding of the school’s educational philosophy and goals, but also strengthened home-school communication and built a shared vision for student development. Moving forward, the school and families will continue to work hand in hand, laying a strong foundation for every student’s growth and supporting each step of their progress and transformation.

(Written by Yutong Zhu, Cathy Cao

Pictures by Minxuan Cao

Reviewed by Ms. Lu Luting, Shiyu Wu, Hannah Kloeber)