Rockland School Committee Approves 11-Day Educational Tour to Spain and Portugal for 2028
ROCKLAND - October 27 - The Rockland School Committee unanimously approved an ambitious 11-day educational tour to Spain and Portugal for 2028, marking a departure from the district’s typical travel schedule by requiring students to miss two days of school to accommodate the extended itinerary.
The Full Story
The proposal, presented by travel club advisor Ms. Walsh and EF Tours representative Emily Whipple, represents the first trip to Spain since the district’s inaugural international tour in 2013. The extended tour will include major cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon, requiring students to miss Thursday and Friday of school to complete the itinerary.
Ms. Walsh explained that the decision to extend the trip beyond the typical 9- or 10-day tours came after considerable deliberation with her chaperone team and school representatives. “This trip wouldn’t be worth it without going to Barcelona as well, which requires it to be an 11-day tour,” Walsh told the committee. Unlike previous trips, EF Tours can now lock in specific dates for the tour, eliminating uncertainty about travel timing.
The tour is designed to allow students taking Spanish language courses to apply their classroom learning in real-world settings. Walsh, who has visited both countries, emphasized their accessibility, safety, and rich historical offerings. The itinerary will provide students opportunities to compare and contrast the cultures of Spain and Portugal while exploring multiple cities in both nations.
The tour carries a price point between $4,000 and $5,000, which Walsh characterized as within the standard range for European educational tours from the district. Committee member Jaime Hennessy noted that the pricing appears reasonable given the extra day of travel. Walsh explained that departing earlier in the week, rather than during peak Friday or Saturday travel times, helps keep costs manageable, as does Boston’s status as a major international gateway with direct flight options to Madrid, Barcelona, and Lisbon.
EF Tours has introduced a new feature that will significantly streamline the travel experience: tips for tour directors, local guides, and coach drivers can now be included in the online payment system. “This just means you won’t have to give cash right before departure,” Walsh explained, noting this removes a significant logistical burden from chaperones who previously had to manage cash tips throughout the trip.
Safety protocols remain comprehensive, according to both Walsh and Whipple. EF Tours maintains offices in 115 countries, including a physical presence in Madrid, with language campuses and tour director regional offices throughout Europe. The company operates a 24-7 emergency service team and a dedicated safety and incident response team. Tour directors receive extensive in-house training to handle any situations that may arise.
Walsh emphasized that the tour director structure allows teacher chaperones to focus entirely on student welfare and safety. “I don’t have to worry about where the bus is picking us up because I follow the tour director. I don’t need to worry about where dinner is going to be or if the allergies and food restrictions are all taken care of,” she said. “It really allows the chaperones to give our 100% energy to the students.”
Committee members expressed strong support for the program’s educational value. Committee Chair Jill Maroney noted that both she and Hennessy had students participate in last year’s tour. “Not everyone gets that opportunity. Some of them haven’t even been to Disney,” she said. “The fact that they can go to another country and learn all these things and apply their classes, it’s just huge to me.”
The committee discussed how travel experiences contribute to student development. Walsh shared a quote from a recent tour parent: “It’s an investment in who your student will be.” She noted that every trip includes first-time flyers and that experienced travelers often mentor newer participants. The chair recounted how her daughter’s European travel experience led to greater independence: “All of a sudden you just, oh, she can handle this.”
One consideration for the scheduling involves seniors, as the missed school days will count as excused field trips but will not affect their eligibility for senior privileges regarding final exams. Committee members noted that the Friday departure falls on Good Friday, according to preliminary calendar research, which may reduce the actual number of school days missed.
In other business, the committee approved financial reports showing strong performance in the food services department. Hennessy specifically highlighted increasing meal participation and profitability despite rising food costs. “I just want to increase in meals, increase in profitability, especially in this environment where food prices are really high,” he said, praising the work of food services director Adele and her team.
The committee also approved two fundraisers: the travel club’s prize calendar sale, where students retain 100% of proceeds toward their tour costs, and the RHS music department’s “Rockland’s Got Talent” raffle featuring an iPad and Apple earbuds to support festival fees and yearly scholarships.
Superintendent Dr. Alan Cron recognized recent school events including Project Pumpkin at the high school and Trunk or Treat at Phelps Elementary. He announced that Laura Stracco, a middle school science teacher, secured a $30,000 STEAM life sciences grant from the Mass Life Sciences Council. “That ties in nicely to some things that we’ll be talking to you about in the very near future,” Cron said, noting ongoing work to expand STEAM and STEM programs and develop career pathways at the middle and high school levels.
Committee members congratulated fall sports teams heading to playoffs, including football, soccer, and volleyball. They specifically recognized the RHS varsity cheer squad, which has placed first in all three competitions to date this season. Committee members also promoted upcoming school events including family night at Phelps Elementary and community service initiatives by the RHS Key Club, which is collecting socks for shelters through “Socktober” and hosting a drive-up winter coat drive on November 15th.
Why It Matters
The approval of the 2028 Spain and Portugal tour continues a decades-long tradition of international educational travel that provides Rockland students with transformative cultural experiences, language application opportunities, and independence-building experiences that many would not otherwise access. The extended itinerary represents the district’s commitment to comprehensive educational experiences even when they require adjustments to the traditional school schedule. For families considering participation, the 2028 timeline provides significant advance notice for financial planning and preparation.
Meeting Minutes
Key Motions & Votes
Motion: Approve minutes from October 14th meeting. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 03:30)
Motion: Approve financial reports for school department, Rockland High School student activities, Rogers Middle School student activities, and food services. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 04:39)
Motion: Approve 2028 Travel Club tour to Spain and Portugal. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 15:47)
Motion: Approve travel club prize calendar sale fundraiser and RHS music department Rockland’s Got Talent raffle. Outcome: Approved. Vote: Unanimous. (Timestamp: 16:37)
Public Comment
No public comments were made during this meeting.
What’s Next
The 2028 Spain and Portugal educational tour will move forward with student recruitment and parent information meetings. Superintendent Dr. Cron indicated that the administration will present plans in the near future regarding expansion of STEAM and STEM programs and career pathways at the middle and high school levels. The RHS Key Club will continue collecting socks through the end of October and will host a coat drive on November 15th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the high school main entrance.