Giving parents a peek into their children’s lives at school, the Upper School’s annual Mini School was held on Thursday, Sept. 19, serving as an introduction to the courses and teachers for the academic year.
The teachers from each department, including fine arts and other electives, prepared mock classes for the parents. Parents follow their child’s class schedule, meeting teachers and learning about the courses.
“Mini School is a way for parents to experience a little bit of your day and what it feels like to be a Greenhill student,” Upper School English Department Chair Karin Thomas wrote in an email.
The event began at 6:00 p.m. with a welcome from Head of School Lee Hark. After, parents started their classes, having 10-minute periods for each course.
In each class, teachers presented a series of activities for the parents relating to the subject they teach.
“I like to choose activities that give insight into what my English classes are like,” Thomas said. “I always ask parents to write.”
Parents engage in presentations, icebreakers and simple assignments that teach them about their child’s class.
Middle and Upper School Video Production teacher Corbin Doyle said he prepared for the event by structuring each class, making sure to include opportunities for parents to talk with him.
Likewise, Thomas focused on organizing fun activities that also educated parents.
“I try to think of something that I would actually like to do,” Thomas said. “There should be some joy there too.”
Mini School further allows parents to build relationships with teachers, in addition to teaching them about their children’s schedule.
“It’s a way for families to get a glimpse of all their student’s teachers in a version of [their] day walking from class to class,” Doyle said. “It’s also great seeing families because it happens so rarely,”
This long-standing tradition helps bond the Greenhill Upper School as well, according to Thomas.
“It is a great way to build and enjoy being a part of the Greenhill community,” Thomas said.
