School committee approves White Mountains overnight hike, 8th‑grade Washington DC and nature’s classroom trips

The Quabbin Regional School District School Committee on Jan. 12 approved multiple student travel requests: an October overnight White Mountains trip for the high school hiking club, the grade‑8 Washington, D.C., trip, and the annual nature’s classroom trips for elementary schools.

Hiking club advisor Chris Haley requested permission to re‑schedule an overnight White Mountains trip for October after a May trip was canceled due to flood warnings; the committee approved the advisor’s new October proposal with the customary provisos. Haley told the committee the itinerary will be similar to the canceled May plan; the committee explicitly made approval contingent on standard paperwork, chaperone ratios and administrative provisos.

The committee also approved the grade‑8 Washington, D.C., trip and the nature’s classroom trips for Oakham/Hardwick and Hubbardston, again with the usual administrative conditions. Committee members noted costs for hotels and travel have risen and indicated staff will continue efforts to manage expenses and share final cost details with families.

All trip approvals passed by unanimous voice or roll call votes with the committee asking staff to ensure required permissions, insurance and vendor confirmations are in place before departure.