Solar Eclipse April 2024
Solar Eclipse April 2024
We hope this letter finds you well. We wanted to take a moment to inform you about the upcoming celestial event, the April 8th eclipse, and how it might impact our daily routines and your child's activities at school. While the Rose Tree Media School District is not in the “path of totality” for the eclipse, our community will still be able to experience and learn from a part of the solar eclipse. According to NASA, our community will experience the solar eclipse between 2:07pm and 4:34pm.
Many of our staff members have been sharing lessons about the eclipse and we will all be reminding students not to look directly into the sky while it is occurring. We have heard from a number of families who are taking their children for a viewing experience. These absences will be excused for your children.
While this event offers a unique opportunity for learning and exploration, it's essential to ensure everyone's safety during this natural phenomenon. Springton Lake athletic competitions have been rescheduled to another day and Penncrest athletic competitions will begin at 4:00pm, or later, on April 8.
Although the eclipse will be occurring during dismissal times, we will not be altering our dismissal schedules that day. There are many factors that could impact the visibility of the eclipse in our region, and changing the dismissal times will take away learning experiences for children and could negatively impact many of our families.
We encourage you to discuss the solar eclipse at home with your child. Regardless of their age, please remind them not to look directly at the eclipse as it occurs. Due to the timing of their dismissal at the peak of the eclipse, we will distribute eclipse glasses to our elementary students. If needed, glasses will be provided to our high school athletes who are outside preparing for games.
Families are asked to remind their children that they should never stare directly at the sun for prolonged periods – whether during an eclipse or any sunny day – as that can cause permanent eye damage. Check out NASA’s guide to eye safety during the eclipse.
We believe that experiencing natural events like the April 8 solar eclipse can spark curiosity and wonder in our students, regardless of their age, fostering a deeper appreciation for the world around them. Working together with our families, we can ensure that this event is both educational and safe for everyone involved.
Dr. Joe Meloche, Superintendent
Eclipse Resources
Additional Information About the Solar Eclipse