Into STUCO: an Investigation

At Shanghai American School, the student council is a vital platform for student representation and leadership. Every year, students from each grade claw at the opportunity to become one of the school’s student leaders. Officially, these councils are supposed to provide a voice for the student body, organize events, and foster a sense of community. Although everyone seems to applaud them for these tasks, no one seems to know how much STUCO actually is contributing to the our student experience. Additionally, over the past year, many controversial changes have been made to the school have created a lot of confusion … Continue reading Into STUCO: an Investigation

Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle: Farewell to Ms. Litushko  

By Katelyn Lu and Charlotte Lai As the 24-25 school year draws to an end, the SAS community prepares to say goodbye to Ms. Litushko, a beloved English teacher who has been with the school for four years. From teaching Innovation Institute and AP Language, to performing self-written songs at Relay for Life, she has adorned the school with her talents and invigorated not only the classroom but the entire community.   Ms. Litushko’s time at SAS has been marked by unforgettable moments and profound lessons. One of her most cherished memories, surprisingly, comes from the difficult COVID-19 pandemic. She shared. … Continue reading Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle: Farewell to Ms. Litushko  

Teacher Profiles: Kyle Gallagher

By Chun Yuan Ong and Jeffrey Du Meet Mr. Gallagher, our physical trainer here at SASPD. He enjoys staying active through running, golfing, and playing softball. He’s also found a balance between work and personal life—keeping up with the latest recovery techniques and hanging out with his dog Sage.  From a young age, Mr. Gallagher had a keenness for sports. He enjoyed playing soccer, baseball, football, and golf. However, after an injury in his freshman year of high school, Mr. Gallagher realized he wouldn’t be around sports forever. However, he soon discovered an alternative to staying close with sports—becoming an … Continue reading Teacher Profiles: Kyle Gallagher

Jeremy Gertzfield on “The Great Gatsby,” Stephen King, and more 

By Mimi Yao and Ivy Li From its meticulous symbolism to its shrewd criticism of the American Dream, The Great Gatsby is regarded by many to be one of the finest works of modern literature. Its critical denunciation of empty promises and corrupted dreams has cemented it as a favorite among readers worldwide, including SASPD high school’s co-head of English—Jeremy Gertzfield.   Mr. Gertzfield embarked on his teaching career 20 years ago and has been teaching at SAS for more than 10 years. He currently teaches English 10, AP Literature and Composition, and IB Literature. Join us on an interview with … Continue reading Jeremy Gertzfield on “The Great Gatsby,” Stephen King, and more 

Spirit Week 2024~2025

By Angel Yang and Mimi Yao In early February, our students and staff geared up for an exciting spirit week. ACTICO, the host of the event, came up with themes for each day of the week. For example, dressing to impress on Monday, twinning with friends on Tuesday, and dressing up as Adam Sandler on Thursday. Adam Sandler Day, in particular, garnered a lot of student engagement in the form of group costumes. As expected of GenZ students, oversized jerseys and loose-fitting sportswear were easy finds for them. To put in simpler words—Adam Sandler Day gave students a legitimate reason to … Continue reading Spirit Week 2024~2025

APAC 2025: A Celebration of Competition and Community 

By Stephanie Zhang This year, SASPD hosted the APAC touch rugby and table tennis games in late January—it was nothing less than exhilarating. The entire campus buzzed with energy as teams from different schools arrived, five touch rugby teams and eight table tennis teams. Each brought their own spirit and demonstrated their athletic prowess, strategy, and teamwork. The atmosphere was vibrant—hallways were filled with teammates strategizing for the next game, spectators eagerly discussing matchups, and volunteers ensuring everything ran smoothly.  What made APAC special wasn’t just the competition itself, but rather the way our entire school enthusiastically embraced it. From … Continue reading APAC 2025: A Celebration of Competition and Community 

 Weather Hysteria: Shanghai American School Hit by Its Strongest Typhoon in 75 Years 

By Ryan Man On September 20th, 2024, Shanghai American School (SAS) bore witness to the impending threat of Typhoon Bebinca. With China issuing a red typhoon warning, airplane flights were canceled, making SAS college counselor Mr. O’Brien anxious that he would not be able to catch his flight to the U.S. On top of that, the typhoon was so strong that teachers were forced to stay home, conducting their teacher meetings online. Not everyone liked it—current high school social studies teacher Mr. Gross mentioned how it reminded him of the distance learning days during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Unlike the other … Continue reading  Weather Hysteria: Shanghai American School Hit by Its Strongest Typhoon in 75 Years 

Molly Zhou | Her Story

Presented by the service club ForHer An eagle since 2016, Ms. Molly Zhou has been an avid leader of the PTSA and Boosters. From the annual Relay for Life to the much-awaited PTSA Carnival, her efforts enrich the lives of students and teachers — providing food and fun at nearly every schoolwide activity. Together with her husband Mark and her two daughters, the Zhou family’s engagement in the SAS community is truly remarkable, and their educational journey is an inspiration to see. In this interview, Ms. Zhou walks us through her multicultural upbringing, the balance between motherhood and leadership responsibilities, … Continue reading Molly Zhou | Her Story

Shirley Liu | Her Story

Presented by the service club ForHer In an inconspicuous corner at SAS Pudong, the Security Office bustles with activity. From ensuring safety for the student body to supervising summer renovations that reinvigorate our school, Ms. Shirley Liu, SAS’s current Head of Security, is no stranger to the behind-the-scenes functioning of the Pudong campus. In this interview, Ms. Liu takes us through her journey, diving deep into how she reached her current position, transitioning from being a landscape designer to the field of security, and words of advice she would give to young girls today. Let’s hear her story… Q1: Can … Continue reading Shirley Liu | Her Story

Teacher Profiles: Merissa Corrigan

By Gavin Chen At the beginning of this school year, we welcomed Ms. Merissa Corrigan to our school as a new member of the P.E. department, where she teaches 9th grade physical education. Ms. Corrigan brings a wealth of experience, having taught in two different countries and lived in three. She also has a variety of hobbies outside of school that reflect her passion for sports and outdoor activities.  Join us for an interview that explores Ms. Corrigan’s experiences before arriving at SAS, her time at SAS, and her life in Shanghai.  1. Can you describe your teaching experiences as … Continue reading Teacher Profiles: Merissa Corrigan