The Expected, Unexpected Cancellation
I eagerly anticipated writing an article about our 1st Annual Business Competition at Nanjing Senior High School of Jiangsu Province. Unfortunately, we had to postpone the event until the Spring semester due to circumstances beyond our control. The decision to cancel the event was made without involving shareholders, leading me to reflect on the theme of communication this week.
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Communication is the cornerstone of relationships among students, parents, faculty, and staff. From the moment I step into a classroom to my departure from the office at the end of the day, maintaining strong connections within the school environment is crucial to ensure everyone is on the same page. This is particularly vital in bilingual programs in China, where there is a mix of international instructors and Chinese faculty and staff.
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Upon arriving at work one morning, I learned that the event had been canceled the day before. While such last-minute changes to schedules are not uncommon after working in China for ten years, what concerned me was the lack of communication throughout the process. Over the past month, our community had invested time and effort in planning the event, consistently seeking reassurance on multiple occasions. Discovering that the students had decided to cancel the event without adequate communication was a situation where I, as a staff member, knew less than the students themselves.
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Throughout the day, I awaited confirmation from adults, and when it finally came, the reaction seemed calm—as if the cancellation was something I should have expected. Taking a moment to collect myself, I began exploring alternatives to reschedule the event for the second semester. However, this experience highlighted the need to emphasize communication in the coming semester.
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While I strongly believe in collaboration and cooperation, instances where a school community lacks transparency warrant reflection. Everyone within the community needs to be aware of decisions that impact them directly. This example serves as an opportunity to underscore why last-minute choices can harm the well-being of those striving to enhance the school for everyone involved.