School committee approves 2028 EF student tour to Spain and Portugal

The Rockland Public Schools School Committee on Monday approved a proposed 2028 student tour to Spain and Portugal presented by Miss Walsh and EF representative Emily Whipple. The committee voted to authorize the 11-day itinerary, which will require students to miss two school days.

Miss Walsh, the trip organizer and teacher chaperone, told the committee the itinerary was chosen to let students compare Spanish and Portuguese cultures and to give Spanish-language students a chance to use classroom skills. "We would obviously let the school know, [and] have students be responsible for missed work like any other field trip," Miss Walsh said.

Emily Whipple, an EF representative, described the vendor's safety and emergency protocols, saying EF maintains local offices and a 24/7 emergency service team in many countries and provides trained tour directors and a dedicated safety response team. "We have a 24/7 emergency service team and regional tour-director support so the chaperones can focus on students," Whipple said.

Committee members and parents praised the organizers' experience and described travel as valuable for student development. Miss Walsh said the company now allows families to include tips in online payments, reducing the chaperones' need to carry cash. She estimated the cost range for similar Europe trips at roughly $4,000–$5,000 and said adding the extra day did not noticeably increase the price.

A motion to approve the 2028 Spain and Portugal trip was made, seconded and approved. The motion record in the meeting did not include a roll-call tally.