Abington Expands International Trip Eligibility to Sophomores to Boost Struggling Travel Programs
ABINGTON - September 30 - The Abington School Committee voted unanimously Tuesday to allow 10th-grade students to participate in international field trips beginning in the second half of their sophomore year, a policy change intended to increase participation rates and sustain overseas educational travel programs that have struggled with low enrollment.
The Full Story
The committee approved updated language to the district’s international field trip policy that previously limited such trips to juniors and seniors. Superintendent Dr. Felicia Moschella explained that the change requires students to have completed half of their sophomore year, ensuring they “have acclimated and connected to the culture and expectations of the school.” She emphasized that existing eligibility reviews requiring teacher recommendations and letters of intent would remain in place.
The policy revision came at a critical time as the committee considered approving a joint trip with Whitman-Hanson High School to Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest scheduled for April vacation 2026. Social studies teacher Ms. Daisy presented the trip, noting that previous attempts to organize international travel had failed due to insufficient student interest. “We couldn’t get 13,” she said, referencing past struggles to meet minimum enrollment thresholds.
The Whitman-Hanson partnership emerged after that district experienced similar challenges, dropping from two busloads to just 24 students. Daisy explained that if Abington can secure 12 students, two chaperones would accompany them on a single bus integrated with the Whitman-Hanson group. The trip cost is $4,109 per student, with payment due by February—a shorter timeline than typical spring trips. Committee member Heidi Hernandez noted that the policy change allowing sophomores to participate “might be a way to remind kids, hey, let’s do the right thing” and help reach enrollment targets.
In related travel approvals, the committee unanimously approved middle school social studies teacher Mr. MacCurtain’s request for the eighth-grade trip to Washington, D.C., scheduled for June 4-6, 2026. The three-day excursion, organized through Mars Tours and Travel, will cost students $3 less per person than last year despite rising transportation costs—a detail MacCurtain said he wouldn’t question but appreciated. The itinerary includes the Air and Space Museum, Civil War historic sites, the Vietnam, Korean War, Lincoln, FDR and MLK memorials, Smithsonian museums, a Potomac River dinner cruise, and the National Holocaust Museum.
Committee member Pamela Neely expressed concern about the Holocaust Museum visit based on her personal experience witnessing another school group behaving inappropriately. MacCurtain assured the committee that Abington students receive advance preparation through a visit from Holocaust survivor Janet Applefield, saying he felt confident students would “show the dignity that needs to be shown to that space.” The departure time was moved one hour earlier to 5 a.m., addressing last year’s traffic delays that caused the group to miss some scheduled activities.
Dr. Moschella presented her goals for the 2025-2026 school year, which the committee unanimously approved. The goals focus on improving MCAS performance to meet or exceed state averages in English Language Arts, math, science, and the newly added civics assessment, while addressing achievement gaps for student subgroups. A key initiative includes having 90% of teachers incorporate at least one Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategy in their planning by January, building on last year’s professional development. An equity audit is underway at Abington High School, with results expected to inform future practices district-wide.
Dr. Moschella outlined the district’s learning walk program, where groups of three administrators visit four classrooms per building to observe teaching trends. The walkthroughs are non-evaluative and focus on patterns such as student engagement and whether the teacher or students are doing “the heavy lift” in the classroom. Committee members asked whether they could participate, and Dr. Moschella welcomed the idea, also extending an open invitation for school visits independent of formal learning walks.
The committee approved the FY 2027 budget development and article planning schedule presented by Director of Finance and Operations Sarah Gainey. Town officials are anticipating what she described as “a difficult budget year ahead and a possible override for the next fiscal year.” The schedule requires the district to submit a level-funded budget scenario and determine an override amount needed to achieve level-service by March 23, 2026—significantly earlier than usual. Town meeting has been scheduled for May 4, 2026.
Dr. Moschella clarified that “level-funded” means receiving the same dollar amount as this year, while “level-service” accounts for mandatory increases in contractual obligations, special education, transportation, and utilities. In response to a question about expanding elementary art programs, Dr. Moschella confirmed that no growth scenarios are being considered given the fiscal constraints. She recommended that the January school committee meeting present a level-service budget rather than the typical growth budget due to the compressed timeline.
Art Department Director Michelle Poirer provided an update on curriculum goals, focusing this year on helping students develop skills in responding to and discussing artwork using visual thinking strategies. She highlighted two ongoing challenges: the Woodsdale art classes continue to be held on the stage rather than in a dedicated classroom with proper facilities like sinks, and the shared middle-high school part-time teaching position has experienced high turnover with three teachers in three years. Poirer noted that upcoming showcases include Youth Art Month at the public library in March for grades K-4, and Celebrate the Arts at the middle and high school for grades 5-12, which committee members enthusiastically praised as showcasing “tremendous talent.”
During the hearing of visitors portion, resident Mike McDonald of Pinecrest Road requested that the committee consider allowing Christian prayer in schools, arguing that students are experiencing struggles and pain that could be addressed through a “personal relationship with God.” He referenced the district’s decision to eliminate Good Friday as a day off and claimed that yoga programs in schools constitute Hindu and Buddhist prayer. Committee Chair Chris Coyle interrupted to clarify that yoga is part of the curriculum, not a religious practice, before McDonald concluded his remarks.
The committee welcomed new student representative Andrew Van Luling, a senior at Abington High School, who will provide student perspective throughout the year. Dr. Moschella also announced that over 250 middle and high school students participated in free ECG screenings through the “Who We Play For” program on September 22, made possible by over $5,000 in donations from community organizations in memory of Abington High School graduate Jared Crowley.
The October 28 school committee meeting will begin at 7 p.m. instead of the usual 6:30 p.m. to accommodate the National Honor Society induction ceremony at 5:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled across all schools throughout October, with Abington High School conferences on October 9-10, Beaver Brook on October 16-17, and Woodsdale on October 23-24.
Why It Matters
The decision to expand international trip eligibility to sophomores may determine whether the district can continue offering overseas educational experiences, which have faced cancellation due to low enrollment in recent years. For families, the policy change provides younger students earlier access to transformative cultural experiences while maintaining safety and behavioral standards through the existing approval process. The compressed budget timeline and anticipated need for an override will require residents to make critical decisions about educational funding levels in the coming months, with potential implications for programs and staffing. The approved student trips provide experiential learning opportunities tied to curriculum in social studies, history, and civic education.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve records from August 26, 2025 school committee meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 4:28)
Motion: Approve policy update to allow 10th-grade students to participate in international field trips during second half of sophomore year. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 15:10)
Motion: Approve international field trip to Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest during April Vacation 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 19:28)
Motion: Approve out-of-state field trip to Washington, D.C. for grade 8 students, June 4-6, 2026. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 23:56)
Motion: Approve Superintendent Dr. Moschella’s goals for 2025-2026 school year. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 35:53)
Motion: Approve FY 2027 budget development and article planning schedule. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 41:08)
Motion: Adjourn meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 47:15)
Public Comment
One resident, Mike McDonald, addressed the committee requesting consideration of Christian prayer in schools. He expressed concern about student struggles and referenced the elimination of Good Friday as a school holiday. He also raised questions about yoga programs in the curriculum, which he characterized as having religious origins. Committee members clarified that yoga is part of the educational curriculum.
What’s Next
Assistant Superintendent Dr. Basta announced that MCAS results will be mailed to families over the next one to two weeks after the state postponed the planned parent portal launch due to data security concerns. A comprehensive MCAS presentation analyzing state and district trends is scheduled for the October 28 committee meeting. The district will begin FY 2027 budget development in October, with a level-funded budget and override calculations due to Town Hall by March 23, 2026. An equity audit currently underway at Abington High School will inform future practices and may expand to other buildings. Student trip organizers will begin recruitment efforts to meet enrollment minimums for the approved international and Washington, D.C. trips. Parent-teacher conferences will take place throughout October at all district schools.