Communication & Pageantry

One of the more colorful things to get used to is things happening at the last minute, with little or no communication.

For example, there were two programs this week that the Western staff knew nothing about.  The first was a musical workshop - held during school hours - with invited guests.  Students were pulled from class to performed.  Today there was an awards ceremony for student achievement (maybe? we're still not sure the criteria for the awards; teachers were not consulted).  Although, this felt very much like a beauty pageant, complete with formal dresses, tiaras, and full make-up, even for the first graders.

You can't see them, but many of the girls
are wearing tiaras and sashes with the
school emblem on them.

Another view

The program's design - boys', then girls' - invited mothers to come on stage and receive the award with their child.

Now, the statewide testing begins on Sunday, so you think reviewing for it would be a top priority.  Not so.  In fact, it is common knowledge that many teachers help the students on the tests.  This has just been recently frowned upon.

Remember early on when I mentioned that multi-tasking is a foreign concept, that is never more evident than when there is a special event . . . which occurs often . . . at least once a week.  Usually, it's the Social Workers, PE Teachers and Music Teachers who take care of the details and run the programs.  There are four PE Teachers and four Music Teachers, each with a full load of classes to teach. However, when there is a program, or they are rehearsing for a program, that takes precedence.  As far as they are concerned, all of their classes are cancelled.  Of course, they could rearrange their schedules to cover their classes, but that would take way too much forethought and planning.

Also, if other teachers want to attend the program, no problem.  Never mind that classes are left unattended.  Every once in a while, students will accompany teachers, but not often.

Until recently, this way of doing things bothered me.  A lot.  However, I'm taking a page out of the Emirati Handbook, and deciding to just chill out.

Here's what I've learned -

Pageantry is important.

Appearances matter.  Above all else.

Communication is convenient, but not vital.

If you know about an event . . . great.  If not, rest assured everyone had a wonderful time.

Side note - This is the absolute least stressful I've been about standardized testing . . . EVER.  For that alone, I'm loving this experience.

Side note 2 - Families are large.  It's common to have at least six and up to ten kids or more.  Remember to multiply that number by the number of wives a man has. I've heard this referred to as "nation building." Probably smart thinking.

Side note 3 - The building with the rotating floors that I mentioned in an earlier post is not coming to Dubai.  It will be built in London instead.  Surprisingly, it was cancelled due to cost cutting measures.

www.emirates247.com/property/real-estate/world-s-first-rotating-tower-not-to-come-up-in-dubai-2012-02-11-1.442343

Who knew?

Sending good thoughts your way.

Your blogging buddy