School Russian trip spurs concern in Springfield

Diplomats aren’t the only ones wishing for resolution of the current Russian-U.S. confrontation that’s the biggest East-West crisis since the Cold War.
http://rutlandherald.com/article/20140321/NEWS02/703219939

Published March 21, 2014 in the Rutland Herald School Russian trip spurs concern in Springfield By Kevin O’Connor Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD — Diplomats aren’t the only ones wishing for resolution of the current Russian-U.S. confrontation that’s the biggest East-West crisis since the Cold War. The Springfield High School Russian Club is hoping for a peaceful conclusion, too. Six students and four adults have spent two years raising money for a nine-day trip this April vacation to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Those two cities are hundreds of miles from the headline-grabbing hotspots of the nearby country of Ukraine and its peninsula of Crimea. But the U.S. State Department is telling Americans traveling anywhere in Russia to be cautious. And that has local school leaders considering their options. “There is a new updated travel alert for the Russian Federation,” Superintendent Zachary McLaughlin told the School Board this week. “The concern is we’re now a couple of weeks out (from) when we’d be sending students, and we don’t know what the situation will be at that time. At what point, if any, would we be pulling back a school endorsement?” To answer, board members logged onto their laptops to check out maps and the latest headlines. “Students are not going to be in Ukraine or on the edge of Crimea,” McLaughlin said. “The concern would be more about general tension in the country.” The superintendent then explained the difference between the current travel alert — similar to the one issued before this winter’s Sochi Olympics — and a stronger warning. “If we get to the point our own government advises we do not travel, I think it’s difficult for us to say we’re going to go anyway,” McLaughlin said. “But that’s not where we’re at. Our State Department is saying ‘Be cautious but it’s OK to go.’” Local veterinarian Sandra Jex added her support, noting “as a parent and chaperone, I’m very comfortable with the trip.” The School Board ultimately agreed — with conditions. “We really, really want our students to go to Russia,” Chairwoman Jeanice Garfield said. “That is the goal, the first and foremost intent.” Garfield referred to the board’s recent unpopular decision to cut Russian as part of an almost $1 million budget cut for the coming academic year. “We know there’s already been a major upset,” she said. As a result, school leaders will cancel the trip only if the State Department issues a specific warning. “That goes for as late as 24 hours beforehand,” Garfield said. “That would be devastating for our young people. But we want to err on the side of safety.” Students are working to finish their fundraising by seeking donations from individuals and businesses. “We are very excited about this Russian tour and we view it as a great learning opportunity,” teacher Yuliya Ballou has written in an appeal. “We will get a valuable language immersion experience along with the chance to explore Russia’s culture, traditions and history firsthand.” Three past Springfield classes have traveled to Russia, in 2005, 2006 and 2008. “Tickets are purchased and people are ready to go,” McLaughlin told the board. “What are other alternatives? Those are questions I don’t have the answers for.” Garfield offered one suggestion: “Keep your fingers crossed.”