Solar Eclipse Early Dismissal Planned For Centennial Students

WARMINSTER, PA —With the partial solar eclipse just days away, the Centennial School District has decided to send students home early to witness this astronomical event.

In an email to parents and guardians late Tuesday, Schools Superintendent Dana T. Bedden said that there will be early dismissal for the solar eclipse on Monday.

"On this day, a solar eclipse will occur during school dismissal hours, and as a precautionary measure, we have decided along with many of our neighboring school districts to implement an early dismissal schedule," Bedden said.

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our utmost priority. While solar
eclipses are fascinating astronomical events, they also come with certain risks if proper
precautions are not taken," he said. "Viewing a solar eclipse without appropriate eye protection can cause severe damage to the eyes. Therefore, to ensure the safety of our students and staff, we have decided to dismiss school early."

The superintendent said that the exact dismissal time will follow a typical CSD early dismissal schedule:

• High School —10:30 a.m. (No afternoon MBIT)
• Middle Schools —11 a.m.
• Elementary Schools —11:45 a.m.

All elementary, middle, and high school after-school activities/events will be canceled. The evening high school Fine Arts program will proceed as scheduled, he said.

Those who drive students to school should arrange to pick up children at the designated dismissal time or ensure they have arranged transportation home by an authorized person listed in the school records.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education has indicated that Monday may be treated as an inclement weather release day, so those parents/guardians who choose to keep their student(s) home or pick up early will have their student coded as an excused absence or early release.

"We encourage you to take this opportunity to discuss the solar eclipse with your child and
emphasize the importance of using proper eye protection (ISO 12312-2 standard) if they
plan to observe the eclipse," the superintendent said. "Additionally, please remind them to only look directly at the sun with proper eye protection, even during partial eclipse phases."

He said that CSD has a significant number of walkers and we ask parents/guardians to reinforce to their children who walk the importance of them going directly home or to the location determined by you the parents/guardians.

Anyone with questions about the early dismissal schedule should contact their child’s school.

"We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in ensuring the safety of our students during this exciting astronomical event," Bedden said.