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

A Taste of Change at SAS

By Angel Yang & Mimi Yao School cafeteria food has always been a debate among students, with the overall attitude of students toward cafeteria food being slightly negative. As many people struggle to choose a meal, they often resort to “the only consistent option” — the burrito bowl. But the ever-growing burrito line is just one manifestation of students’ grievances.  This semester, new changes have been made to the school cafeteria. You may have noticed the introduction of the new food company in charge of the food, Sodexo, instead of last years’ Chartwells. In addition, the variety of meals has … Continue reading A Taste of Change at SAS

How does one transition from bringing stories to life on stage to helping students craft their own real-life narratives? 

From starring as Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet on a live stage to working on the screen for film The Martian, directed by Ridley Scott, Mr. O’Brien once immersed himself in stories that had already been written.  As the grandson … Continue reading How does one transition from bringing stories to life on stage to helping students craft their own real-life narratives? 

Unrealistic Ideals: The Impact of Social Media on Body Image for SASPD High Schoolers 

The rise of technology and social media in the 21st century has given unnatural body images a new form of power against young, impressionable teenagers. Influencers and celebrities often set unrealistic benchmarks through deceptive practices. The media teenagers consume is … Continue reading Unrealistic Ideals: The Impact of Social Media on Body Image for SASPD High Schoolers 

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?