Hyde Park Middle School set to sail to Mexico

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A class cruise to Mexico is back on for a bunch of local middle schoolers. Last week, some parents were upset when the trip was cancelled without a refund due to the recent rise in violence in Mexico. News 3's Tiffany DeLeon explains how the plans are being reworked.

What was cancelled less than one week ago is now set to sail as Hyde Park Middle School and the CCSD gave their final approval to parents via a written letter. The trip is back on following a meeting this past Monday.

"Everyone involved, from the superintendent down to the band director, student safety is the first issue," says Principal James Kuzma. "We developed an option, a plan, to keep the students on the ship.

Last week, parents were notified that the trip was cancelled due to the travel alert in Mexico. However, they would not be refunded their $700.00.

"It's too late to get any of the money back. Their deadline was back in January," says parent Pamela Lopez. "We won't be getting off the ship in Mexico. We will stay on the boat. Our primary goal is to have a good time and play music."

The trip was originally approved back in September, a month before the travel alert was issued. But due to paperwork issues, the cancellation was delayed. According to Hyde Park, this issue could have been avoided if the proper international field trip form was filled out.

"At a point in time," says Principal Kuzma, "the superintendent wasn't made aware it was an international trip. Because, if it would have been flagged properly as an international trip, then it would have gone straight to the Department of the Superintendent and some of these issues would have been worked out earlier.

Carnival Cruises will supply the school with a free D.J. for a dance party in a private room. The students will be entertained in Ensenada, Mexico, while they're at port.