School committee approves April 2026 London theater trip for Joseph Case students
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Summary
The Swansea School Committee approved a teacher-led April 2026 trip to London for Joseph Case students; the trip uses EF Tours, costs $3,929 per student and includes a 1:6 chaperone ratio and required background checks.
The Swansea School Committee on Monday approved a teacher-led April 2026 trip to London for students at Joseph Case School.
The trip, presented by Camilla Silva, will be a theater- and Shakespeare-themed April-break tour run through EF Tours. The proposal describes a travel window from April 17–24, 2026 (with April 18–24 as an option that would avoid missed school), and a per-student cost of $3,929 covering air, local transportation, lodging, two meals per day, cultural experiences such as the London Eye and a Harry Potter experience at Oxford, nightly theater performances and workshops.
Silva said the trip is intended as a classroom extension and that chaperones will be carefully selected, fingerprinted and background-checked. "The chaperones have an important role. They are in charge of 6 students," Silva told the committee. Fundraising options such as car washes and coffee sales will be offered to students to help defray costs.
The committee asked about health staffing. Silva said EF Tours provides a tour director who accompanies the group from landing to departure and that families complete a medical profile; students responsible for prescribed medication must receive a physician's plan for travel. "If a family feels like their child is not responsible enough to maintain their medicines, then we require that the parent join us," Silva said.
Committee members and the student representative spoke in support. Following a motion to approve, the committee voted by voice vote to approve the trip; the minutes record "all in favor, aye; opposed? None." The motion passed and the trip was authorized.
The committee did not vote on individual fundraising plans or on whether the district will subsidize any portion of the trip; Silva said families may elect to buy optional travel insurance through EF Tours.
The trip organizer indicated Mr. Geronimo would serve as group leader, with Silva in a supporting role, and that the district's usual chaperone screening and town fingerprinting requirements will apply.
Committee members said they consider the trip an educational opportunity that brings curriculum to life and expressed support for the plan.