On April 8, 2024, a rare total eclipse will occur. The impact of this cool natural phenomenon depends on where you live. Parts of Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are in the “path of totality,” which means the sun will temporarily be covered by the moon. Other parts of the United States will still experience a partial eclipse. Temperatures will drop and the afternoon will suddenly be a bit darker.
Schools are handling this in a variety of different ways. Some in the path of totality are canceling instruction for that day. Others outside of it might use it as a teaching moment. It all comes down to safety and the number of people traveling to view the event.
The Pine-Richland School District, near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania decided to cancel school for the day because of the time that the eclipse occurs. It falls right when school is getting out.
The school district explained the logic in a letter to parents. "The potential is significant for students to be tempted to view it without proper safety precautions while exiting the school building or while getting off of the school bus,” it read. The eclipse will be in full swing at 3:17 p.m.
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In Erie, Pennsylvania, schools will also be closed for the total eclipse but for a different reason. The city worries it will be overrun by visitors so decided to take the day off. "To help mitigate what will likely be unprecedented travel and traffic challenges, that day will be a non-attendance day," Erica Erwin, the district’s public relations coordinator, explained. A professional development day will be held for teachers.
The Ennis Independent School District which is south of Dallas, Texas, also is off for the day. It wanted to let families enjoy the day together. The district predicted that "staff members will choose to take off and many parents will elect to not send their children to school on that day in order to share the experience and activities with their families” so opted out of a day of instruction.
Colleges are also adjusting for the big day. Kent State University in Ohio canceled in-person classes. The University of Vermont is offering its faculty and students flexibility on the day. Professors “will be able to select from a range of opportunities for integrative learning and alternative instruction related to the solar eclipse" according to Adam White, executive director of communications. It is considered a day of "alternative instruction."
