More Information Released On Solar Eclipse Prep For Westport Students

WESTPORT, CT — Westport Public Schools has released additional information about the preparations for Monday's significant solar eclipse, which is scheduled to occur during the afternoon.

Elementary school students will receive special glasses to view the event, during which just over 90 percent of the sun will be blocked by the moon at the eclipse's peak.

In a letter Thursday to Westport parents, Anthony Buono, Ph.D., the district's Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, outlines the preparations for the event, and says that parents can check-out their children from school if they want to view the eclipse away from campus.

Below is the text from Buono's letter:

Dear Parents and Guardians,

As was shared in an earlier email, 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 about 90% of the sun being blocked by the moon 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.

In preparation for this event, the district has purchased ISO certified solar eclipse glasses for all elementary school students and staff so they can view the eclipse safely. 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.

Due to recent guidance from the Connecticut State Department of Education and trialing the eclipse glasses with our youngest students, Westport Public Schools has made a few modifications to the eclipse viewing plan for our elementary schools. Grades 3-5, teachers WILL take their students outside for a short period of time between 2:15-3:30 for observations. Pre-k through grade 2 students will be provided solar eclipse glasses to take home, but for safety reasons, these young students WILL NOT be taken outside at school to view the eclipse. However, these students will be given the opportunity to view the eclipse via live stream TV. Please understand that this decision is based on our commitment to the safety and well being of our students.

Although students will be closely supervised when viewing the eclipse in school, viewing any part of the bright sun without special solar filters, can cause a severe injury to the eyes. If parents are concerned with the outside viewing of the eclipse, they may pick up their children prior to the start of the eclipse at 2:15. Due to the anticipated increase in the number of dismissals, we ask that families make an effort to pick up students prior to 1:45. It is also important for parents to remember that the eclipse will still be occurring when students are dismissed, between 3:10 and 3:45 depending on which elementary school they attend. While school staff will remind students that they should not be looking at the sun on their way home from school, we ask that parents also remind their children of this important safety rule.

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 still 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. The same applies if you plan to pick up your child at the end of the school day.

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,

Anthony Buono, Ph.D.
Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning