Westborough committee approves proposed 2028 Greece–Italy field trip for high-school English students

Mia Littmann Tessasini, an English-department teacher at Westborough High School, presented a proposed February 2028 field trip to study classical and Renaissance sites in Greece and Italy and tied the itinerary to ELA curriculum. "I'm proposing a trip to Grama and Athens for the ELA department in February 2028," she told the committee, referring to the itinerary provided to members.

The presentation emphasized curriculum links: study of Greek and Roman tragedy, historical context for democracy and links to Shakespeare, and language practice opportunities. Committee members asked logistical questions about cost, chaperones and prior trips. Tessasini said the total per-student cost appears in the itinerary to be "around $4,000," with monthly payment plans available after students sign up and with fundraising options to reduce individual cost.

On supervision, Tessasini said the proposed chaperone ratio is one adult for every six students. Committee members also noted that the district's history department had recently run trips to England and Ireland and that the ELA trip would avoid duplicating recent itineraries.

A motion to approve the trip as presented was made and seconded; the committee voted to approve the proposal so organizers can proceed with the planned interest meeting, outreach and bookings. The committee did not record additional conditions in the meeting minutes; the presenter said a May interest meeting is planned if the committee's approval stands.