Schools will be closed for total solar eclipse
Boards decide children should be home the afternoon of April 8
Both local school boards have decided to cancel classes on Monday, April 8 so that they won’t have to worry about children being outside during the total solar eclipse that afternoon.
At their board meetings in November, both the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board and the Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board decided to move their planned Professional Activity Days from April 26 to April 8.
The peak of the eclipse will be between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. in this area. Looking at the eclipse directly can damage the eye.
“The peak of the eclipse will occur during dismissal time across the school board, increasing student safety concerns,” the Catholic board said in a news release. “We look forward to creating educational material and resources to support learning and student safety prior to the April 8, 2024 eclipse so that students can safely learn about this historic and rare occurrence.”
Several other school boards across the province have taken similar action.
A total solar eclipse occurs as the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun. You can learn more about this one here, including how to view it safely. “It will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044.” NASA says.