We have some important information regarding the upcoming solar eclipse on Monday, April 8, 2024. The eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Although our community is not in the path of totality, when the sun is completely blocked, we will experience a partial solar eclipse. The last time we experienced this phenomenon was in August 2017.
Locally, it is estimated that the partial eclipse will impact our community between 12:49-3:20 PM, with the height of the coverage occurring at approximately 2:09 PM. During the impacted timeframe, all instructional activities, such as recess and physical education classes, will be conducted indoors to protect students from the dangers of viewing and exposure to the sun.
We will make every effort to safely engage our students in this historic event through educational resources and classroom activities, however, we will not host a “viewing party.” Our staff will share the dangers of looking at the sun to avoid potential eye damage with our students. We will also reinforce safety measures with students before dismissal.
Safety is the number one priority when viewing a solar eclipse. The sun will still be very bright during a partial eclipse. It is essential to explain to your children what an eclipse is and the importance of never looking directly at the sun without proper protection, to avoid risk of eye injury.
We appreciate your support and efforts in taking this time to partner together to engage our students in this learning opportunity safely.
Check out these interesting websites for more information about the solar eclipse:
NASA Space Place (Kid friendly video and explanation of the solar eclipse)