"Safety issues always top priority:" MPS cancels student trips in wake of terror attacks

“Safety issues always top priority:” That`s why MPS has cancelled student trips in wake of terror attacks

"Safety issues always top priority:" That`s why MPS has cancelled student trips in wake of terror attacks

BROWN DEER/MILWAUKEE -- After terror attacks in Paris and California, and a travel alert issued by the federal government, there is concern about the safety of students who participate in school-related travel opportunities. With the nation's State Department urging U.S. citizens to remain vigilant while traveling, school officials in southeastern Wisconsin are taking notice.

Deb Kerr, superintendent of the School District of Brown Deer

"Safety issues are always the top priority when we're taking kids on any kind of field trip," Deb Kerr, superintendent of the School District of Brown Deer said.

And these days, there's considerable concern in the wake of terror attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, California.

"We live in a different world now," Kerr said.

That has Kerr reviewing the School District of Brown Deer's rules and restrictions.

School District of Brown Deer

"Every school board has policies that spell out the expectations for student travel, and so I think it's important that we make certain those policies are up-to-date and have been edited to reflect the times," Kerr said.

School District of Brown Deer officials are reviewing best practices when it comes to student travel, as Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) officials have cancelled all foreign student travel for the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year amid terror concerns. We're told the number of affected international trips is around a half-dozen.

"Based on an international travel alert issued by the U.S. State Department, we made the decision to cancel all upcoming international trips for students and staff through the end of this current school year," Tony Tagliavia, MPS spokesman said.

While Kerr says she's unaware of any other cancellations, she is aware of the continuing conversations about what she considers a critical component to every student's education.

"The problem we have right now is all the unexpected circumstances. How do you plan for those?" Kerr said.

Kerr says she and her colleagues will continue monitoring the situation in our country, and trips could be cancelled if appropriate.

She reminds parents they can pull the plug on a student's trip at any time, and says travel insurance may be a viable option for those planning trips.