Committee approves student trip to UConn Model United Nations

The Beverly Public Schools Committee of the Whole on Sept. 24 approved a field trip for about 10 high-school students to attend the University of Connecticut Model United Nations conference Friday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Nov. 9.

Superintendent Peter Cushing described the trip as an opportunity for students to “understand the values of cooperation, diversity, and compromise while encouraging them to be active and compassionate leaders,” and said committees at the conference would include topics ranging from food security and refugee crises to AI and historical simulations. Cushing said the estimated cost was about $300 per student, depending on transportation, and that the group planned a fundraiser to reduce out-of-pocket cost for attendees.

Committee members noted an outstanding policy review around nondistrict drivers and chaperone requirements. Cushing and other staff said personal vehicles currently used for some trips must have evidence of personal liability insurance filed with the superintendent and that the district had proposed edits to the transportation/chaperone guidance; the mayor and superintendent were checking with legal counsel and the city solicitor about timing and liability language. Committee members agreed that if parent volunteers serve as chaperones, they should meet the district’s insurance and chaperone requirements; Cushing said he includes required chaperone (COREY/K-2?) forms with permission slips.

The motion to approve the Model UN trip carried unanimously, 6–0. Committee members encouraged organizers to secure parent volunteers and to comply with district driver/chaperone rules; if parent drivers are not available the group will use public transportation.

The committee asked the superintendent and staff to finalize required chaperone paperwork and to confirm any policy changes in time for the trip.