Solar Eclipse Is Once-In-A-Lifetime Learning Event For District 202 Students

PLAINFIELD, IL — Most people alive today will not likely see another total solar eclipse in this area.

So, District 202 is taking special steps to ensure its students can safely enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime learning experience on Monday, Aug. 21. The eclipse is expected to occur between about 11:55 a.m. and about 2:45 p.m. locally.

“This is truly a generational event,” said Dr. Glenn Wood, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction. The last total eclipse happened in 1918.

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Students at all levels will have both indoor and outdoor cross-curricular activities developed by District 202 science teachers.

“We cannot pass up the chance to share this with our students, but our challenge is to make sure we do that safely,” Wood said.

To that end, most importantly, parents must sign permission slips to allow their elementary and middle, and high school students to view the eclipse.

District 202 has bought special “certified” safety glasses that meet international safety standards for students with parental permission to use to view the eclipse.

No student will view the eclipse in any case without the special glasses, or through a camera, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device.

Elementary recess, along with middle and high school physical education classes, will be held indoors on Aug. 21 during the eclipse. Students without signed permission forms will be able to watch televised coverage of the eclipse and complete an alternate assignment inside school.

Middle school students will likewise have both indoor and outdoor cross-curricular activities developed by District 202 science teachers.

Submitted by District 202

Image via NASA