Dear Parents,
A solar eclipse occurs when the Moon blocks any part of the Sun. An eclipse is a rare event and we are excited that the next one will be on Monday, April 8, 2024 during the school day. This event will provide our students with extraordinary learning opportunities to view a partial eclipse. After April 8, 2024, the next chance to witness a solar eclipse will not happen until August 23, 2044!
Students in grades Preschool-8th will have an opportunity to view the partial solar eclipse at some time during the peak viewing approximately 10:30 through 12:30pm. Again, this is a unique learning experience for all of our children.
As always, student safety is our top concern. Looking directly at the sun is unsafe. The only safe way to look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses'' that are certified and approved. Sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun.
We will provide eclipse viewing safety glasses so that students, faculty and staff may safely view the eclipse.
Although there is no way to fully guarantee student safety during such a rare event, we will take precautionary measures including pre-education to make students aware of the risks involved in directly looking at the sun.
Students will receive instruction on the importance of wearing the school provided eclipse glasses while viewing the eclipse, and the danger of looking directly at the sun without wearing eclipse glasses.
Students are required to wear the school provided eclipse glasses during the outdoor viewing event. Regular sunglasses are not an acceptable substitute for eclipse glasses. Students with prescription glasses will wear eclipse glasses over their prescription eyewear.
At no time should students or participants remove their eclipse glasses and look directly at the sun as it could cause permanent eye damage or other unknown effects.
There is no way for the school to guarantee that your child will not remove their eclipse glasses, please speak with your child about the importance of keeping their eclipse glasses on at all times during this viewing event.
All students will participate in the outdoor viewing unless we have received an opt out form.
If you want your child/ren to remain indoors during the viewing, you must submit this opt out form by Friday, April 5, 2024.
Click on the link below if you do NOT want your child to participate in the Solar Eclipse Event.
Joyful Blessings,
Jamie Bescak
Principal
St. John Bosco Catholic School
Do everything in Love.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Sent by Jamie Bescak on Wednesday, April 3 at 1:46PM