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School committee approves Global Citizens 2027 Thailand service‑learning trip
Summary
The committee approved a proposed 12‑day Global Citizens service‑learning trip to Thailand in April 2027 that includes five days volunteering at an elephant sanctuary. Families will bear the trip cost; the board urged administrators to seek scholarships and fundraising assistance to lower barriers to participation.
The Holliston School Committee voted to approve a proposed Global Citizens 12‑day service‑learning trip to Thailand in April 2027 during the Jan. 23 meeting.
Trip specifics: presenters described a 12‑day itinerary that includes five days volunteering at an elephant sanctuary (the group will receive on‑site training and perform daily volunteer tasks) and several cultural visits (temples, markets and museums). The Thailand tour was described as the Global Citizens program’s April‑2027 offering; the group has previously conducted Euro‑area tours (the currently running Italy trip was referenced) and plans to alternate a Eurocentric tour with non‑European service opportunities.
Cost, scholarships and fundraising: presenters said families and students will pay trip costs; the vendor (EF International Tours) offers a global‑citizen scholarship program (applications available) and the company also provides a reward/points program that can lower costs for future travelers. Presenters emphasized fundraising and the vendor scholarship program as available tools to increase accessibility.
Committee vote and conditions: the committee voted in favor of approving the trip; members asked the advisers to continue seeking scholarship and fundraising strategies and flagged that students would miss several school days for the travel. Committee members also encouraged the advisers to consider lower‑cost alternatives in other years to expand access for more students.
Speakers: presentation and answers to committee questions were given by Global Citizens advisers and the students who participate in the program. The committee recorded the motion, second and a unanimous vote in the meeting minutes.
