The Coronavirus outbreak has not only affected Scarsdale High School’s classrooms, but also its planned trips and international programs. On March 8th, after a faculty member in the middle school tested positive for the virus and exposed students were quarantined, the district made an informed decision to close all classroom and school-related activities until (at least) March 18th. This closure and concern over future exposure have also affected overseas travel and international programs.

SHS’s German exchange program, the service Vietnam trip, and many students’ spring break plans have also been canceled or postponed. On March 13th, SHS’s German exchange program was supposed to allow German students to visit New York and experience life as a student living in Westchester. Because of Westchester’s Corona epidemic, the German students involved in the program received an email regarding the trip’s cancellation. “It was disappointing because they would not get to experience what life as a Scarsdale High School student is like, but I knew that it was coming and my parents told me to not be surprised if it was [canceled],” said Cecilia Aulisi ‘23. The teachers supervising the trip didn’t give any heads up that it was going to be canceled and the school has not made any efforts to reschedule the trip, but students remain hopeful. 

All school supervised overseas trips have been canceled due to safety concerns. Among these trips was the Vietnam travel and service trip and the Chinese exchange trip, which were both scheduled for April. 

Spring break is coming up, which many seniors use an opportunity to travel with their friends before heading to college. Although the school doesn’t have any control over if these students decide to continue with their plans, many families and students are reconsidering their plans and some are even canceling the trips altogether.

Many are disappointed with the school’s decision to cancel these trips, but the trip faculty advisors are trying their best to keep SHS students healthy and safe for the remainder of the school year.