Calgary and Edmonton Catholic schools cancel international travel in wake of 'recent global events' - Action News
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Calgary and Edmonton Catholic schools cancel international travel in wake of 'recent global events'

All international travel for students and staff at Alberta's two largest Catholic school districts has been cancelled for the remainder of the school year in the wake of "recent global events."

Paris attacks, California mass shooting cited in decision to suspend all trips for students and staff

Police officers conduct a manhunt after a mass shooting in San Bernardino, Calif. last week. The attack was cited in a decision to cancel international school trips from Catholic schools in Alberta. (Mike Blake/Reuters)

All international travel for students andstaff at Alberta's two largest Catholic school districts has been cancelled for the remainder of the school yearin the wake of "recent global events."

Both theCalgary Catholic School District and theEdmonton Catholic School District announced the decisions Monday, after a review of their travel policies following the attacks in Parislast month.

"At the forefront of this decision was the safety of our students and our staff," theCCSDsaid in a release.

"While we believe in the educational value of international travel, we have an obligation to ensure a safe and caring environment," the release from the Calgary school districtcontinued."Due to fluctuating travel advisories and unknowns, we cannot risk the health and well-being of our students and staff."

The ECSDalso cited last week'smass shootingin San Bernardino, Calif., in a statement explaining its decision.

"With recent events in Paris and California, and heightened concerns in other cities, we feel it best to limit our travels to within Canada for the remainder of this school year," the statement said.

The school districtsplan to review the policy in 2016 for the following school year.

Both the Calgary Board of Education andEdmonton Public Schools have put a hold on international travel pending reviews of their own.