School Committee Backs France Trip, Despite Recent Events

Foxborough, MA - Despite the recent attacks in Paris, high school students in Foxborough will not be denied the opportunity to participate in a student exchange program with the county.

Monday night, the Foxborough School Committee approved the French Exchange Program along with several other overnight field trips. The overseas trip was the only item to have any real discussion, largely due to recent world events.

Chairman Bruce Gardner said that members of the committee reached out to Superintendent Debra Spinelli prior to the vote, with no objection to the yearly exchange program.

“Clearly student safety is paramount but personally I don’t feel what is going on in the world should curtail opportunities for our students,” Gardner said.

In the wake of the Paris shootings and bombings, the State Department has issued a travel alert, but committee member Beverly Lord said that Paris is safe right now due to the heighten security around the city.

“You’re no safer in Philadelphia, or Boston than you are in Paris. You can’t live like that,” committee member Tina Belanger said.

About nine to 15 students participate in the French Exchange Program each year, according to Spinelli. During their time in France, students will stay in the home of local families and visit portions of the country.