Solar Eclipse Viewed By Students Who Stayed In Hatboro-Horsham Schools

HATBORO / HORSHAM TOWNSHIP, PA —They stayed in school and watched a bit of history.

While most school districts in the region had early dismissal on Monday, students in the Hatboro-Horsham School District remained in class to watch the solar eclipse as an "educational opportunity."

"Our students and teachers across the district were excited as we prepared for the solar eclipse," school officials said. "Special eclipse glasses were worn and students gathered to witness the rare cosmic event. Curiosity and wonder filled the atmosphere as the moon started to pass in front of the sun, creating the iconic crescent shape. It was an unforgettable experience observing this beautiful phenomenon."

In a letter to district families last week, Schools Superintendent Scott Eveslage said that the school district was "embracing the occasion as an educational opportunity while paying close attention" to the safety of all our students and staff.

He said the eclipse was a "rare opportunity for our community to experience an event" that has not occurred since 1806 and will not occur again until 2044.

The superintendent said that school staff and teachers provided safety expectations and guidance to students before and during the event and that proper eye protection will be provided for viewing the eclipse.

This was the greatest solar coverage the region has seen since Memorial Day weekend in 1984, which was at 95 percent.

The last significant partial non-annular eclipse was Aug. 21, 2017, when coverage was at 80 percent.