On the evening of September 23, SHSID Lin'gang Campus welcomed parents of Grades 1-3 for the Parent-Teacher Meeting. Before the meeting began, parents visited "Warmth of Handcrafted Pottery - Shanghai High School Ceramics Teaching Curriculum Exhibition," where, guided by the art teacher, they admired the ceramic works their children had created by hand and felt the warmth of that earnest creativity. In these simple yet heartfelt pieces, parents saw not only their children's creativity at their fingertips, but also the footprints of their step-by-step growth on campus. Carrying this warmth and anticipation, parents moved to the small theater, where the meeting continued.

Parents then gathered in the small theater to watch a video of the children's activities since the start of the semester. On the screen, smiling faces and classroom moments gave parents a vivid glimpse of their children's day-to-day growth. Next, they listened to a lecture by Ms. Huang Xiaoyang, a psychotherapist from the Department of Psychiatry and Psychology at Children's Hospital of Shanghai, titled "Before Adolescence." Starting from a "developmental map," Ms. Huang used the "Circle of Security" to help parents understand that they are both a "secure base" for their children's exploration and a "safe haven" to return to. She reminded parents to lead with warmth and firmness, gradually removing the "scaffolding" so that their children's inner drive can grow naturally. Ms. Huang also addressed parents' questions collected before the lecture, answering them one by one in written form.

Ms. Shi Xiaoting, Director of SHSID Lin'gang Campus, introduced the development of the school's Character and Moral Education (CME) curriculum. She reviewed the school's key progress in character education over the past academic year and expressed her hope that character education could be further extended into family life, so that home and school can work together. Ms. Shi also introduced the semester's activity schedule, helping parents understand the school's educational priorities.

Grade 1 | From Overwhelmed to Organized

Parents then returned to their children's classrooms. The Grade 1 teachers spoke with parents around the theme of "Adapting to School Life and Growing into Independent Learners." Through rotating Classroom Jobs, seating and group changes, Class Dojo, and reward systems, children learn to take responsibility and manage themselves in daily school life. The teachers also shared the "5Cs of Homework Guidance," encouraging parents to support their children by reducing distractions, checking homework, affirming effort, and confirming understanding, while also helping them develop life skills such as organizing belongings and completing tasks independently. What parents took away was a "roadmap" to help their children build a steady rhythm.

Grade 2 | In Sync with Teachers, Growing Together

The Grade 2 teachers focused on class management and home-school collaboration. Through the HEROES core values and the "Independent Learning Goal Tracking Booklet," children set their own goals and reflect weekly; Class Dojo and other incentive systems allow parents to follow their children's participation and progress in real time. The teachers also shared emotional management tools encouraged in class: counting to 10, five-finger breathing, and "I messages" - expressing one's needs through feelings, reasons, and requests. The teachers hoped parents would also encourage these calming strategies at home, helping children handle small emotions and conflicts. What parents took away was a practical approach to staying in sync with the school and supporting their children's steady growth.

Grade 3 | Helping Children Climb the Thinking Curve

The Grade 3 teachers introduced changes in the subjects: math places greater emphasis on logical thinking, encouraging children to try boldly, reflect promptly, and gradually develop note-taking habits - learning to capture key points and record clearly, so that notes become a helpful tool for review. Chinese emphasizes regular review of basics and accumulation from daily life, with reading and writing advancing steadily; English encourages more listening, reading, and practice outside class, such as watching English films, listening to podcasts, and keeping a diary. Teachers especially reminded parents not to do homework for their children or directly check answers, but rather to focus on whether they complete it earnestly, and to use platforms such as Read Theory to improve reading. As children mature psychologically, teachers also hope they will become more responsible and learn to plan their own learning.

From works created at their fingertips to understanding that reaches the heart, this Parent-Teacher Meeting added a sense of mutual understanding between home and school. May we continue to work hand in hand, accompanying every child as they grow steadily and bloom with confidence. Though the meeting has ended, the wonderful moments of the children's growth continue. May we continue to join hands and accompany every child as they grow steadily and bloom with confidence.

(Written by Shawna Zhang

Pictures by Xu Chun’ai

Reviewed by Xiaoting Shi, Shiyu Wu)