Committee advances proposal for Costa Rica student trip, asks full board to approve
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Summary
The curriculum committee reviewed an immersion trip to Costa Rica, heard safety and insurance procedures, and voted to forward the proposal to the full board for approval; organizers reported 10 students pending sign-ups and payment-plan options through EF.
The Cheshire School District curriculum committee on March 9 reviewed a proposed immersion trip to Costa Rica for eligible students and moved to forward the plan to the full Board of Education for approval.
A staff presenter described the itinerary, the program’s focus on language immersion and cultural experiences, and the district’s shift to Costa Rica after COVID disrupted prior Spain trips. The presenter said 10 students have registered pending approval and that EF offers both program cancellation and interruption coverage; families have been encouraged to purchase additional private travel insurance. “EF offers the basic one that covers program cancellation, program interruption, illness, accident … and emergency evacuation,” the presenter said.
Kevin (district staff), who addressed travel safety, said the State Department advisory for Costa Rica is currently Level 2 — an advisory level — and that the district requires trip insurance for larger international travel and will continue to monitor advisories. “So that’s just an advisory level…if anything that’s a level 3, we probably should probably reconsider,” Kevin said.
Committee member (S8) moved to send the trip plan to the full board for approval, and a committee member seconded the motion. The meeting record shows the motion was moved and seconded and that the committee proceeded to transmit the recommendation to the board; the transcript records the motion and an affirmative voice response but does not include a roll-call tally.
The committee discussed chaperone ratios (one adult per 10 students), anticipated dates (next April), and options for spreading payments through EF’s installment plans. Organizers said the trip emphasizes practical language use — shopping, ordering food and a cooking class — and that teachers traveling include a CTE teacher who will incorporate physical- and mental-health activities into the itinerary.
Next steps: the committee forwarded the proposal to the full board for formal approval; the full board will review the proposal and, if approved, staff will finalize student registration and insurance arrangements.
