Maine School Administrative District 27 (MSAD27) would like to inform everyone that the students, staff, and family members who were in the Champs-Élysées area of Paris during Thursday evening's shooting are all safe, accounted for, and in good spirits, according to group chaperones.
MSAD27 is grateful that all students were with group chaperones before the incident and quickly reunited afterwards. Group members who were closest to the shooting reported that they were allowed to take shelter in a nearby store back room and that the store owners and workers were helpful and accommodating. A second group took shelter in a nearby cinema. The rest of the group members were at a nearby meeting area waiting for the others. Police escorted members back to the EF tour guide leaders once everything was secure and met the larger group back at the hotel afterwards.
Education First (EF) Tours, the contracted company for the tour, has provided exceptional support to our group in the wake of this incident. Following the incident, EF contacted each family of those students from MSAD27 who were nearest to the shooting, assuring them of their safety. They have also provided a counselor, who is available at the hotel for students to talk to if need be. Additionally, the tour plans have been modified so that the group can make a quick exit from Paris a day early and spend the rest of the tour in Amsterdam. EF has also agreed to reimburse all international data fees for any phone calls or text messages that were sent by the group to their family members.
As a precautionary measure, MSAD27 plans to have their guidance and social work staff available to all students upon their return to school and each student's family will receive information regarding the services that MSAD27 can provide if their children should need it.
Thank God!
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