Japan Club seeks board approval for student trip; cost estimated at about $4,000 per student

Morton, faculty adviser to the Japan Club and a woodshop teacher, presented a first read of a student travel proposal to Japan, asking the board to consider formal approval at the district’s June 13 meeting. Morton said the proposed dates are March 29–April 4 and that the group would visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka to expose students to both modern and traditional Japanese culture.

Morton said the trip would use an established educational travel company (WorldStrides/Explor) with lodging and many logistics handled by the vendor. He estimated the cost at about $4,000 per student and said meals included with the tour; incidental daily spending and tipping were parents’ responsibility. He reported seven students committed so far and suggested a likely group size of 10–16 if fundraising succeeds.

Morton stressed district health and safety protocols would be followed: required travel documents, a behavior contract, school‑nurse procedures for medication dispensing and chaperones (the club prefers two adult chaperones, noting the cost and risk‑management implications). He said the club would continue fundraising (e.g., at the Strawberry Festival) and that remaining logistics (final chaperon plan, rooming policies, and WorldStrides’ rooming/gender policies) would be clarified before the board’s action.

Board members thanked Morton for the update and noted the item would be a first read; the board is scheduled to take formal action on the proposal at its June 13 meeting.