The Lafayette Parish School System has canceled a planned trip for the Lafayette High School Symphonic Winds and Percussion Ensemble due to concerns over COVID-19.
The band was scheduled to attend 2020 Music For All, National Concert Band Festival, and the Sandy Feldstein National Percussion Festival in Indianapolis, IN.
LPSS Spokesperson Alison Dickerson said officials learned that Avon Community Schools, a district 13 miles from where the event was to take place, closed schools due to potential COVID-19 cases and concerns.
Officials took several things into consideration - the diverse group of students and staff and various health concerns of those individuals, along with the fact that students would be exposed to students from many other states and those additional health risks.
Interim Superintendent Irma Trosclair explained, "I want students to enjoy as many opportunities as possible. However, I also take very seriously the responsibility of making decisions that impact the overall well-being of all students and employees. We know that we can't prevent the spread of coronavirus, but feel strongly that we should do our part to help minimize the impact to students, staff, families, schools, and our community."
Dickerson added that the health and safety of students is paramount when making similar decisions. LPSS officials will continue to gather information from local, state, and federal officials. Future decisions regarding upcoming travel for each school are being reviewed and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis.
The Lafayette High School Band will showcase its students with a concert this Saturday, March 14, at the Heymann Center. The free concert will feature their national program and will begin with the Percussion Ensemble at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Symphonic Winds.
