Introducing Grameen

By Kaylee Huang When we think of banks, we often picture big buildings, loans, and customers with steady jobs and savings. But what about people with no collateral, no credit history, and no regular income? This is where Grameen Bank enters.  Founded in 1983 by Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus, Grameen offers an inclusive financing model through providing collateral-free microloans for people, especially women, in poverty. At the heart of its approach is the “five-member group” model, which relies heavily on developing trust within the community. Specifically for Grameen China, the organization now has over 1,500 members in rural areas … Continue reading Introducing Grameen

Chicago, Legally Blonde…Spongebob?

By Kaylee Huang The annual school play is a cornerstone of our performing arts program. Instead of a musical similar to last year’s high school production, Legally Blonde, the Performing Arts department has decided to shift to a whole school musical. Under the direction of Ms. Borodenko, the head of the Performing Arts department, the selection of SpongeBob aims to achieve inclusivity, using a more contemporary show to incorporate a younger cast. In an interview, Ms. Borodenko explained the rationale behind choosing a whole school production instead of limiting it to just the high school. The motivation for attempting a … Continue reading Chicago, Legally Blonde…Spongebob?

Gender Neutral Bathrooms: Does Inclusivity Undermine Privacy? 

In recent years, the Shanghai American School (SAS) has introduced gender-neutral changing rooms in its swimming facilities, moving away from the traditional model of gender-segregated spaces. This change allows students of all genders to share a common area for showers, bathroom stalls, and changing rooms, featuring numerous private cubicles within a communal space. Despite the good intentions, there have been negative opinions regarding the safety and privacy of this new design.  Historically, SASPD has provided separate changing areas for boys and girls, with open spaces dedicated to one gender. However, in an effort to increase inclusivity, the school has introduced … Continue reading Gender Neutral Bathrooms: Does Inclusivity Undermine Privacy?