On Sept. 24, Greenhill parents experienced school from their children’s perspective through Mini School as they attended classes, followed students’ schedules and got a snapshot into the realities of daily life on campus.
Designed to build a stronger connection between families and the classroom, this annual event compresses a standard school day into short, fast-paced sessions. Teachers present brief course overviews, highlight major upcoming projects and share resources with parents that help students learn and grow.
Upper School math teacher Hsi Hou Bjurstrom has a unique perspective on this day. She notes that, especially when it comes to math, parents are heavily concerned about the grades that their child receives in the course.
Due to this, Bjurstrom tries to shift the focus to the experience of the classroom instead, honing in on whether students are understanding the content and stretching their minds. She also makes it clear that it’s normal for students to struggle while tackling new concepts.
Upper School Dean of Students Brandon Miller also has a distinctive outlook on Mini School as a new dean and history teacher.
“I think when it comes to the classroom experience, just helping them understand my classroom philosophy behind teaching and the way our class is structured,” Miller said. “I co-teach with Mr. Yaffe, so just helping them understand the dynamics of two teachers in a room at a time.”
While Mini School gives parents a new angle on their student’s school life, there are still some aspects of a typical day at school that are difficult to recreate.
“Because we don’t have them in for the full length of a class, it might not feel as authentic for a parent as it would for a student,” Miller said. “I think trying to kind of minimize everything within that short time frame, for some, might not feel authentic, while for others, it might give them a sense of what their child goes through.”
Bjurstrom says that Mini School is more informational rather than a direct re-creation of a school day.
“Parents aren’t getting any grades,” Bjurstrom said. “They don’t feel the stress of everyday classes.”
She also notes that due to Greenhill’s smaller student body, Bjurstrom is able to build closer, individualized relationships with each student.
“I know my kids by the time Mini School comes around, whereas in public school, I didn’t necessarily know every single kid,” Bjurstrom said.
“I hope they get an understanding of what their child goes through during the school day,” Miller said. “But also an understanding of who their children’s teachers are and who their administrators are. Overall, a further in depth look into the community.”
