We are excited to announce that when high school students return from spring break on April 8, 2024, they will have the unique opportunity to witness a solar eclipse as they leave the building at the end of the day. With an almost total solar eclipse, the sky will darken like dusk. This is a rare and educational event that we are thrilled to experience together. The eclipse will begin around 1:54 PM and conclude around 4:24 PM. Maximum coverage will be around 3:10 PM as we release students to go home for the day.
Safety is our top priority as we release students into the height of the eclipse. Looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause serious eye damage. Therefore, we will take necessary precautions to ensure our students’ safety. Below, you will find the safety measures that will be happening at the high school during the eclipse.
1. Protective Glasses: During 5th period, we will distribute specially designed solar viewing glasses to all students and staff. These glasses are designed to protect the eyes and allow students and staff to view the eclipse safely as they leave the building at the end of the day.
2. Safe Viewing Practices: We will provide students with instructions over the PA in the morning and then again in the afternoon on safety practices for viewing the eclipse. We will explain that it is important to always wear glasses when viewing the eclipse.
3. Dismissal Procedure:
Time | Event |
|---|---|
2:40PM | PA announcement with reminder instructions about viewing the eclipse and directions for leaving the building immediately. |
2:45 PM | Release walkers and student drivers to leave for the day. All students will leave through Door #1. Please note this will be 13 minutes earlier than normal. |
2:50 PM | Release car riders to leave for the day. All students will leave through Door #1. Please note this will be eight minutes earlier than normal. |
2:55 PM | Release bus riders from PE/choir/theater to the cafeteria to wait for a PA announcement to release students when their bus number is called. All bus riders will leave through Door # 36. |
2:58 PM | All other bus riders will stay in the classroom and wait for a PA announcement to release students when their bus number is called. All bus riders will leave through Door # 36. |
3:10 PM | All athletes staying for voluntary practice will be released to their respective athletic areas. All practices will be indoors until 4:30 PM |