Questions regarding the New York Field Trip

Why has our school district decided to proceed with the trip while others have canceled?
We do not have a record of what other school districts have decided to do.  At this point the GUSD is collecting information on all out of state field trips.  The teachers, the school, and the district are monitoring the national/international events on a daily basis.  In addition, we are checking with our tour company as to policy and procedure.

Has the postponement of the trip been considered?
Postponement is impossible.  The festival the students are attending takes place on one day, April 5.  The primary reason for going to New York is to participate in this festival.

Are there contingency plans should the orange alert be elevated to red?
If the situation stays as is, the travel agency has stated that it will refund whatever amounts are refundable to the agency; however, it would be less than 50%.  The airline will issue a credit for future use.  Should any "significant event" occur between now and departure the  tour agency will "make decisions at that time with all consideration to safety."  We will work with the agency should the level be elevated to "red" to assure the safety of the students.

What emergency plans have been put in place should there be any attack on New York?
Whenever our staff takes students on field trips out of state, they first assure that there is adequate supervision and a full schedule of meaningful events.  Matt has a total of thirteen adults on the trip.  One of the adults is a nurse.  He has distributed a list of events to all parents and has informed parents of the name of the adult supervisor for his/her child.  He has assembled a notebook for each supervisor complete with all emergency information for each student.  Parents and the adult supervisors had an opportunity to meet each other last night.  The itinerary is flexible, and Matt is prepared to change any aspect of the itinerary should the situation warrant.  As is Matt's custom he will review with students and supervisors evacuation plans at the hotel. Supervisors have walkie-talkies and cell phones to facilitate communication during the trip.  If there is an attack on New York, Matt and the adult supervisors will make appropriate decisions based on the situation.  The adult group has contacts in the New York area that could advise them as well.

Have alternatives to the scheduled tour sites been considered?
Matt is currently investigating alternative tour sites in New York City with the travel agency.

This is the fifth time Matt has used this tour company.  Matt has taken students on extended tours in the past.  All trips have been successful.  Matt will share with any parent his tour notebook.  In addition the tour company provides an off-duty NY police officer for security in the hotel after 11:00 p.m. as is their regular custom.

Our first concern is the safety of the students.  We live in difficult and uncertain times.  911 has transformed the way every American thinks.  We want to take appropriate precautions, but on the other hand, we don't want to be held hostage by what could happen.  We continue to reevaluate the status of the trip. We understand your concerns and would be happy to meet with you.