Given Proximity to Terrorist Attacks, Superintendent Cancels GHS Germany Trip

The following letter from Greenwich School Superintendent McKersie dated March 29, 2016 explains the decision to cancel a Greenwich High School trip to Germany in April

Dear Greenwich Public School Community:

Recent world events have sparked increased attention to safety and security in schools across the nation. You should feel confident that the Greenwich Public Schools work systematically with the Greenwich Police Department and all Greenwich first responders to ensure that our schools are safe and secure places for our staff and students.

As a District, we remain open to domestic and international trips. Over the past week, however, travel alerts have increased sufficiently to warrant cancellation of the district’s sole international trip this spring: a high school trip to Germany (April 8 – 17, 2016). Given Germany’s close proximity to recent terrorist attacks, the mode of transportation to be used throughout the trip and increased security checkpoints, experts advised us to cancel the trip to Germany. This decision has been made out of an abundance of caution and care for our students and staff.

Greenwich Public Schools will continue to sponsor domestic field trips, ensuring opportunities for growth and enrichment for our students. We will regularly review the expected safety and security of staff and students when they are away from the Greenwich Public Schools on district-sponsored trips.

Regarding international travel, we will continue to consult with the U.S. Department of State and other agencies. It is our hope that during the 2016-17 school year the Greenwich Public Schools will be able to sponsor international student trips.

Thank you for your understanding.


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