Solar Eclipse Prompts No Schedule Changes At Prince William Schools

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, 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.

Prince William County Public Schools will not have any schedule changes on Monday, April 8 due to the partial solar eclipse. However, the school district is informing families and staff about safely viewing the solar eclipse.

The partial solar eclipse in Prince William County is expected to last from 2:03 p.m. and end by 4:32 p.m. on April 8. At a peak, 87 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon at 3:19 p.m.

During the eclipse, PWCS urges the school community to not look directly at the sun due to the risk of permanent eye damage and even blindness. When viewing the solar eclipse, PWCS 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, PWCS 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, like PWCS, does not have any planned changes but encourages 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.

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