By Sam Wildow
TROY — Troy students will be headed to Washington, D.C. next month after the district previously put the annual trip on hold during the shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Troy Board of Education met on Monday evening, hearing a presentation on the trip prior to authorizing the trip to take place from May 16-21. The trip will also include a stop in Gettysburg, Pa.
Troy Junior High School Principal Jeff Greulich said the trip used to be for sixth grade students until 2018. At that time, the district had to switch travel companies — now currently working with WorldStrides Educational Student Travel — and the district also found the trip better aligned with the curriculum that eighth and ninth grade students learn.
Since the 2020 trip did not take place, there will be both eighth and ninth grade students taking part in this trip. There will be approximately 160 eighth grade students and approximately 80 ninth grade students. There will be almost 50 adults chaperoning the trip.
“The kids have a good time, but they learn a lot,” Greulich said. “It’s going to be a good trip.”
Greulich attributed the trip’s annual success to other district staff, like administrative assistant Katy Shipley.
“It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” board president Sue Borchers said.
“(It’s) such an important experience for the students,” board member Michael Ham said.
The board also asked about the students who will not be going on that trip during that week. Greulich said they are planning local field trips to keep those students engaged.
“We’re trying to plan as many exciting and engaging activities for those kids as we can,” Greulich said.
Also during Monday’s board meeting, the board accepted donations on behalf of the district. April’s donations totaled approximately $8,121, and all of the donations the district has received during the fiscal year currently total approximately $94,190.
The board also approved new and revised policies, on which Superintendent Chris Piper has previously presented. Piper said the policies included language changes due to legislative changes.
The board’s next regular meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. on May 9 in the Alumni Room at Troy Memorial Stadium.
