Edmonton-area schools assess European travel after U.K. Parliament attack

Several Edmonton-area school districts are assessing their spring break travel plans after at least five people were killed in what police have called a “terrorist incident” outside of the U.K. Parliament Wednesday.

A police officer was among those killed in the attack that also injured at least 20 other people.

READ MORE: At least 5 dead, 20 injured in terror attack outside U.K. Parliament

Brad Stromberg with the Edmonton Public School Board said a group of students from Ross Sheppard High School will leave later this week for a trip to Europe. The trip was scheduled to visit London but Stromberg said it will be rerouted to Germany instead.

The public school district currently has two field trips in Europe, but neither are in England, Stromberg said.

Edmonton Catholic Schools said 40 high school students will leave for a trip to Europe this Friday. On the way home, the group will make a brief stopover at London’s Heathrow Airport on April 4.

The Sturgeon School Division, north of Edmonton, has one high school trip scheduled to leave in early April to attend anniversary events at Vimy Ridge in France. The trip is set to begin in Amsterdam, to avoid Paris, and the school district is working with the tour company to ensure the trip avoids London, associate superintendent Ruth Kuik said.

Elk Island Public Schools, east of Edmonton, has a group in an exchange program in another region but the district said the group is “nowhere near the U.K.” No other trips are planned to Europe over spring break.

Bruce Buruma with Red Deer Public Schools said 50 students and five chaperones are currently in France. The group was in the Vimy Ridge and Juno Beach areas Wednesday, and will travel to Paris later this week.

“They are aware of the London attacks and have full contingency plans in place should they be needed, including being registered with the Canadian Consulate,” Buruma said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "They are aware of the London attacks and have full contingency plans in place should they be needed, including being registered with the Canadian Consulate," Buruma said.

“The trip organizers have and will maintain contact with parents providing them with updates as they are needed. Red Deer Public Schools will continue to monitor the situation and make any decisions that are needed to ensure the safety and well-being of our students.”

Red Deer Catholic Regional Schools said it has two student groups going to Europe over spring break, but neither of them will visit London.

Several school divisions, including Parkland and Chinooks Edge, continue to refrain from European travel after other terror attacks in the region.

Watch below: Video coverage of ‘terror incident’ in London

0:49 Witness to U.K. terror attack describes gunshots, pandemonium of people running from scene

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• Police believe just 1 suspect involved in London attack
• Scotland Yard: ‘We will do all we can to protect the people of London’
• Police confirm 4 dead in terror attack outside British Parliament
• Witness describes scene shortly after ‘terrorist incident’ at Westminster Bridge
• White House condemns attack on U.K. Parliament

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