[David.Cook]

To confirm JosephM's comment, our local school board cancelled all field trips outside of Richmond. They have cancelled a field trip to Petersburg (a half hour away by bus)! If Petersburg is out, then Houston is a pipe dream.

The main reason for this is that any school activity has to be undertaken under the umbrella of the school district's insurance - even if you are paying for the trip yourselves, the school district is liable for anything that might happen to you. Given the perceived higher risk of danger due to the war, school districts do not want to take the risk.

It may seem silly, but they are trying to be safe.

I will be seriously bummed if we miss Houston, as I am sure most of you would be too.