Solar Eclipse Will Cause Early Dismissal For Livingston Schools

LIVINGSTON, NJ — It’s not unusual these days to call off school for snow or extreme heat – or even air pollution. But a solar eclipse? That’s not something you see every day.

A total solar eclipse will cross North America on Monday, April 8, passing over the United States, Mexico and Canada. It will cross into the Eastern Daylight Time region during the afternoon hours.

New Jersey isn’t in the direct path of the eclipse, but the Garden State will still see some blockage of the sun – it just won’t be as dramatic.

A total solar eclipse is still unusual enough to get students some time away from class in the Livingston Public School District, however.

Superintendent Matthew Block recently announced that the board of education approved a change to the district’s 2023-2024 calendar, making Monday, April 8 an early dismissal day. All outdoor activities that day will be halted from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Lunch will not be served and students will be dismissed from school at the following times, administrators noted:

• Elementary Schools: noon
• Mount Pleasant Middle School: 12:45 p.m.
• Heritage Middle Schools: 12:45 p.m.
• Livingston High School: noon

Block offered more details about the decision in a letter to the school community. He wrote:

“Several community members have expressed concern about the solar eclipse that will occur on the afternoon of Monday, April 8, 2024, from approximately 3 to 4 p.m. Since the eclipse will occur during our regularly scheduled school dismissal times, many of our students would be outside and unsupervised during the eclipse. Unless children are properly supervised, they could be drawn to look at the eclipse, and would likely do so that day at dismissal. Without the proper equipment, this can cause damage to their eyes.”

“We consulted with our district physician, who echoed the abovementioned concern,” Block added. “Our physician added that the glare and distraction caused by the solar eclipse could also present a challenge with driving during this time, which might negatively impact the safety of our parents, staff and bus drivers.”

TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE: THE BASICS

What is a total solar eclipse? According to NASA, which maintains a website about this year’s event:

“A total solar eclipse happens when the Moon passes between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the Sun. People viewing the eclipse from locations where the Moon’s shadow completely covers the Sun – known as the path of totality – will experience a total solar eclipse. The sky will darken, as if it were dawn or dusk. Weather permitting, people along the path of totality will see the Sun’s corona, or outer atmosphere, which is usually obscured by the bright face of the Sun.”

Safety is the number one priority when viewing a total solar eclipse, NASA says. Be sure you're familiar with when you need to wear specialized eye protection designed for solar viewing by reviewing these safety guidelines.

April’s landmark event will be the last total solar eclipse visible from the contiguous United States until 2044. Read More: 2024 Total Solar Eclipse (Where To See It And Why You Should Plan Now)

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