PA Day Changes due to Total Solar Eclipse
TUESDAY, FEB. 13, 2024
Please be advised that the PA Day previously scheduled for April 19, 2024 will be changed to April 8, 2024.
This decision aligns with other school boards in the province to support student safety concerns with respect to the total solar eclipse occurring on April 8. As a result, students will not be at school on April 8, while April 19 will now be a regular school day. In the Grand Erie area, the total solar eclipse will occur between approximately 2 p.m. until 4:30 p.m., with totality occurring around 3:16 p.m. (lasting 3 min 22 sec).
The peak of the solar eclipse is at the same time as dismissal time for schools. The potential of students looking at the eclipse without proper eye protection poses a safety risk. Looking directly at a total solar eclipse can be dangerous because of the intense and potentially eye-damaging sunlight that is still present even when the moon is blocking part of or all of the sun.
We are moving the PA Day to April 8 out of an abundance of caution for student safety and well-being.
McMaster University has donated EclipSmart Solar Eclipse Glasses which we will issue to all staff and students, along with optional curriculum resources to support student learning around this rare event.
Additionally, our local public health units support the advice of the Canadian Association of Optometrists to safely enjoy a solar eclipse (pdf).