Lyons Township High Rejects Mexico Trip, Ending Long Tradition

LA GRANGE, IL – Lyons Township High School has rejected a planned student trip to an area of Mexico seen as too dangerous, the student newspaper reported last week.

Superintendent Brian Waterman cited the U.S. State Department's travel advisory for Cuernavaca, Mexico, according to Lion Online. So he said he would not bring the trip to the school board for further consideration.

At a September meeting, board members expressed concern about the trip to Cuernavaca, which is in the Mexican state of Morelos, just south of Mexico City.

A few years ago, the State Department raised Morelos to a Level 3, advising Americans to reconsider travel. A Level 3 is given to areas with high crime, terrorism and kidnapping.

At 1 million people, the Cuernavaca metro area makes up more than half of Morelos' population.

Since the mid-1980s, students have visited the same school in Cuernavaca, where they take part in a language immersion program. The trips are every two years.

Lion Online reported that the administration was already looking ahead to possible new destinations that meet the district's standards.

Last month, the school board approved a trip to Peru, along with travel to Florida, Indiana, Wisconsin and Michigan.