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04/20/2010 12:00 AMAt a meeting with parents on April 19, Branford High School (BHS) principal Lee Panagoulias confirmed a choir group visiting Italy last week remains stalled by volcanic ash disrupting air travel, with no new news on when they may be flying home.
The group, which includes about 100 BHS Concert Choir students and some 66 chaperones/parents and family members, remains comfortably situated in a hotel on Lake Garda (Lasize). They can only wait to learn whether they will be booked on flights out of Milan in the not-to-distant future. Until then, chaperones are working to secure another extension on lodging arrangements. Currently, they have rooms secured through Wed. April 21.
The group left BHS on April 9 for a 10-day tour of Italy which was meant to conclude with an International Choir festival in Verona and return home Sunday April 18.
Panagoulias said the situation will continue to be managed to the best of everyone’s ability, given the circumstances. He asked parents to check frequently for any official updated messages sent out via Branford Public School system’s “Alert Now” email blasts and to call him with any questions any time.
Panagoulias assured parents the tour group will only be placed on flights once the skies were deemed safe. Teachers will allow extensions for work missed and athletes will not be penalized for missing practice. As for the unexpected costs racking up while the group continues to receive hotel room and board (breakfast, lunch and dinner), Panagoulias said ideas are being discussed to organize across the community and help defray the building bill.
At this time, Panagoulias is set to meet with parents again on Wed. April 21.