Superior School District board approves high-school trips to Orlando and Costa Rica

The Superior School District Board of Education on Feb. 9 approved two overnight student travel requests: an SSHS orchestra trip to a festival at the Disney Imagination Campus in Orlando and a Spanish-class trip to Costa Rica in March 2027.

Amy Eichers, SSHS orchestra director, told the board the orchestra previously took 34 students on a similar trip and that the experience provided both educational clinic time and exposure to new cultural experiences. “It was just a really, really fun experience for them and a good learning and education as well,” Eichers said, describing clinician-led rehearsals and the chance for many students to fly and see the ocean for the first time.

Kim Smith, a high-school Spanish teacher, described immersive travel as central to language learning. “The best way to learn about another culture…is being in the culture,” Smith said, noting she has led students to Mexico, Spain and Costa Rica in the past and will hold a parent meeting and announce the trip if the board approved it.

Board members asked procedural questions about chaperone counts, how the trips would be promoted to students and families, and fundraising plans to cover costs. Eichers indicated the trip itinerary had been posted and referenced a listed cost of $18.50 on submitted materials; Smith said the program would begin student outreach immediately if approved.

Both trip motions were moved, seconded and approved by voice vote, with no recorded roll-call tallies provided in the meeting minutes. The board did not set additional conditions in the meeting; staff said parent meetings and logistics would follow.