Solar Eclipse Prompts Adjustments At Alexandria Public Schools

Editor's note: This story has been updated to emphasize that dismissal times vary by school level and will not change during the solar eclipse.

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Looking directly at the April 8 solar eclipse without eye protection can cause a severe eye injury. NASA says that includes viewing the eclipse through sunglasses, a camera lens, binoculars or telescope without a solar filter. Some schools are even planning schedule changes due to the risk of viewing the solar eclipse.

Alexandria City Public Schools is preparing a few changes on Monday, April 8 due to the partial solar eclipse. In a letter to families, Superintendent Melanie Kay-Wyatt said students will be given solar shades due to dismissal during the partial solar eclipse. She encouraged families to make arrangements after school to safely view the event. In addition, school principals were directed to pause after-school activities and other outdoor activities until after 4 p.m.

"It is important that during the eclipse, students and staff do not look directly at the sun without proper safety precautions. Looking directly at the sun can cause eye damage," Kay-Wyatt wrote.

Dismissal times will not change. The partial solar eclipse in Alexandria is expected to last from 2:04 p.m. and end by 4:32 p.m. on April 8. At a peak, about 87 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon at 3:20 p.m.

When viewing the solar eclipse, NASA encourages use of approved solar eclipse glasses complying with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Eclipse glasses should not be used if they are scratched, punctured, torn or damaged. Adults are encouraged to supervise children during eclipse viewing.

For those without eclipse glasses, NASA suggested making a pinhole camera or viewer using household materials. Pinhole cameras or viewers should only be used to look at a reflection of an eclipse but not to view the eclipse directly due to the eye damage risk.

Elsewhere in Northern Virginia, Arlington Public Schools is providing all students with solar eclipse viewing glasses. Loudoun County Public Schools and Prince William County Public Schools do not have any planned changes but encourage safety tips. Fairfax County Public Schools indicated it has "safety protocols in place to ensure students are protected."

Select school districts in the U.S. are planning to dismiss early, like Howard County, Maryland's school division and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

SEE ALSO: Total Solar Eclipse: How Much We'll See In Alexandria, When To See It