Star Journal

Rhinelander High School students planning to travel to Europe next week will instead be staying home. The school district informed students, staff and chaperones Friday that trips to France and Germany have been canceled due to the coronavirus COVID-19 threat.

In a letter to the would-be travelers, Superintendent Kelli Jacobi said she has been staying up to date with national alerts, and has met with school district medical advisors regarding travel.

“Our concerns include not only the coronavirus as an illness for students and chaperones, but critically important, students may face rapidly changing situations, unpredictable circumstances, travel restrictions, challenges in returning home, or accessing health care while abroad.”

The district is following CDC travel guidelines put in place for colleges and universities. Many universities and businesses have canceled all non-essential travel.

Jacobi acknowledged this is “terribly disappointing” news but stated that the team leaders will be working with the travel company to reschedule the trips or help students and parents get refunds if they decide to cancel completely. For the senior students that were part of the group, Jacobi said she will “work with the school board to ensure that once rescheduled, these students are allowed to go,” even if they have graduated.

Many of the students have been fundraising for two years to pay for the spring break trips.