Bluffton schools posted the following letter to eighth grade parents and guardians. It concerns the now canceled eighth grade Washington, D.C. trip originally planned for this spring. The letter is also found on the school website on the Middle School page

In light of all of the changes that are being made regarding education at this time, I know many of you have had questions regarding the upcoming Washington D.C. trip with our 8th grade student.

This letter is to clarify where we are with the trip. As many of you have already probably speculated, the trip this school year has been cancelled.

Like many of the other decisions being made, this one was a difficult one knowing full and well that our students look forward to this annual tradition.

The school has been in contact with our tour company regarding what our options are moving forward. In an effort to still allow for our current 8th grade students to be able to experience our nation’s capital and give them an opportunity to make memories with their peers that we know last a lifetime, we will be combining next year’s 8th grade trip to include the freshman class.

The dates that the company has reserved for our combined group in 2020-2021 will be May 24 – May 27 . This has us leaving on Monday and coming back on a Thursday in time for all of us to return to Bluffton for the last day of school festivities.

We realize that this isn’t the most ideal situation, but we do feel it is manageable and still allows for both groups to get to have the experience that our 8th graders look forward to. 

I know many families have wondered what happens to money that has already been deposited. The company has offered two options for these questions.

• The first option is if you plan on going next year, there would be no financial impact to you because this year’s money would be applied to next school year’s trip.
• The second option would be to contact Prodigy Student Travel directly and request a refund at 80% of what has been deposited.

The president of the tour company did say that no refund checks would be cut until after our previously scheduled trip dates. He stated that “the most generous refund policy will be applied if you let them know your family’s position by Friday April 17.” 

If you have any questions at all about the trip, please do not hesitate to reach out to me here at the school and I will be happy to assist you.

If you have questions regarding a refund, please contact the tour company’s contact found at the bottom of your original D.C. packet we sent home.

Our office will be open for phone calls from 8-3 p.m. Monday through Friday or you can reach me by email at [email protected]. 

Sincerely, 

Josh Kauffman, MS Principal