A controversial decision to explore alternatives to overnight school trips is now on hold after significant pushback from parents, students, and community members. In a letter to families, Mitchell, a school board official, acknowledged the deep emotional and cultural importance these experiences have had for generations of students.
“Our original decision to explore alternatives to overnight trips was made with the best interests of students and families in mind,” Mitchell wrote. She admitted that she had not fully appreciated “the depth of connection” many in the community felt toward these trips, nor the sense of loss that such a change might bring.
The board is now pausing any final decision and plans to hold discussions with the school community to better understand their perspectives. “We are holding off on making any final decisions on overnight trips until we’ve had an opportunity to engage in constructive dialogue with members of our school community,” the letter stated.
Hill, one of the parents leading the campaign to restore graduation trips and other overnight excursions, called the letter a “positive development” and a meaningful step toward collaboration. “We are cautiously optimistic,” she said. “Securing a seat at the table for collaboration and engagement is exactly what we had hoped for, and this feels like a promising first step. Ultimately, this will help us gain clarity around the problem we’re aiming to solve, enabling us to proactively identify and develop effective solutions.”
Denisa Langevine, a Grade 8 parent and Southwood Park Student Council Chair, also welcomed the shift. She criticized the initial decision for its lack of consultation with families and questioned the board’s claim that inclusiveness concerns justified the change. “We are aware of the socio-economic disparities at the school, but there are options available to help students without the financial means,” she said. “We want to make this happen.”
Mitchell’s letter emphasized that both staff and families want to ensure all students have access to “enriching and inclusive” learning opportunities, including extracurricular activities. Over the coming weeks, the board will facilitate school-wide conversations on overnight trips, considering factors such as curriculum connections, family needs, financial accessibility, supervision, and safety.
“We are committed to listening, learning, and working together to find a path forward that honors our diverse perspectives and supports meaningful learning for all students,” Mitchell wrote.