Elementary Kids In Westport To Receive Glasses To View Solar Eclipse

WESTPORT, CT — As a total solar eclipse approaches, Westport Public Schools will distribute ISO certified solar eclipse glasses to all preschool and elementary students and staff to watch the April 8 event, according to Kelly Michael, Ed.D., coordinator of elementary curriculum.

Michael discussed the plan in the below letter sent on Monday to parents and guardians:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

On April 8th, Westport will experience a significant solar eclipse. While Connecticut is not in the path of a total eclipse, we will still experience 85% to 90% coverage at peak eclipse. The eclipse will begin at approximately 2:10 PM., with peak coverage (sun at its most hidden) at 3:26 PM. The eclipse will end at approximately 4:35 PM. The next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the contiguous United States will be on Aug. 23, 2044.

In preparation for this event, the district has purchased ISO certified solar eclipse glasses for all elementary school students and staff, including the preschool. Classroom teachers and science coaches will be preparing students for this event through a variety of age appropriate lessons, practicing proper use of the glasses and sharing information on their morning news. Some schools are even making this a “Spirit Day” and asking students to wear black to represent the moon or yellow to represent the sun! Teachers will take their students outside for a short period of time between 2:15-3:15 for observations.

We ask for your support of this extraordinary event by talking to your children about what to expect and the importance of only looking up at the sun when wearing the solar eclipse glasses. For more information relating to overall safety viewing during an eclipse, visit this link to Total Solar Eclipse Safety.

Parents who wish to experience this event with their child at an off-site location will be allowed to check-out their children as an excused absence for an “educational experience”. Normal check-out procedures will be in effect on April 8th. If you plan to sign your student out of school for this event, we ask that you submit dismissal changes to School Dismissal Manager in advance.

Linked below are additional resources from the National Science Teaching Association as well as an article from Science & Children from the 2017 solar eclipse.

Science & Children Eclipse Resources

NSTA Eclipse Resources

We look forward to making this event an educational experience that our elementary students will remember for years to come. If you have any concerns, please reach out to your child’s teacher or school principal.

Sincerely,
Kelly Michel, Ed.D.
Coordinator of Elementary Curriculum