Over the last few weeks, the District has received a few inquiries from parents about its plans surrounding the solar eclipse on April 8th. WKTV reported that on April 8th, the moon will begin covering the sun at 2:10pm with totality at 3:24pm. The entire event will last 2 hours and 26 minutes.
During meetings and conversations with experts across the area, there are two areas of concern we have been told to consider as we make plans during an eclipse. First, staring into the sun can cause retinal burns. Significant eye damage can occur during this uncommon, observable event because people are drawn to look at the unique phenomenon. Second, an increase in traffic has been predicted throughout our region as tourists will come to observe.
School districts across the region near the eclipse pathway (MECS is just outside totality) have announced a wide range of action for the day. Some schools are closing, some are dismissing early, and some are running operations normally and incorporating the eclipse into a school-supervised activity. I have shared with news agencies that MECS is awaiting a reliable weather forecast to determine our plans.
According to information reviewed over the last few weeks, our area receives 161 days of sunshine during the year. This means that, if every day had an equal likelihood of sunshine, there is only a 44.1% chance that the day will be sunny. The following link is an example of this data: https://www.currentresults.com/Weather/New-York/annual-days-of-sunshine.php
The timing of totality is just before our elementary dismissal time with partial coverage lasting until 4:35pm. If the afternoon of April 8th is anticipated to be sunny, the district will dismiss two hours early. The reason for considering an early dismissal is that we will not have adequate supervision of children to keep them from unsafely looking into the sun while they are riding buses. If the afternoon is not anticipated to be sunny, we will operate a normal schedule.
In order to provide families with adequate notice to make arrangements, a decision will be made on April 5th (with the information we have at the time) as to whether students will be dismissed two hours early on April 8th. Please keep in mind that forecasts can change abruptly. A decision to operate a normal school day on April 8th can change to an early dismissal, if the conditions warrant it, after the initial announcement.
In addition, SUNY Morrisville is offering some community connection activities on 4/8. We are waiting on details, but they are looking at the following:
• There will be tents set up in the Administrative and Academic Quads giving away FREE solar eclipse glasses and pamphlets (1000 will be available). Pamphlets will include information about the event and safe viewing information.
• Other things in the works:
o Speaker event at the Colgate Visualization Lab & Planetarium
o Tours of the Morrisville Observatory
o Half Moon cookies
o Scale model of the inner solar system in the academic quad
o Solar wave viewing sheet.
o Digital thermometers at tent locations.
o Sunspotters at tent locations.
o More to come.
If the sun is out, and students are dismissed early, families are encouraged to take advantage of the great community-learning activities at the college.
Additionally, at this time, we have two emergency days (snow days) remaining. Please be advised that the district will follow the plan below with regard to utilizing unused days:
Scenario 1 (MECS has at least two remaining emergency closure days on April 1, 2024): There will be no school on April 1, 2024.
Scenario 2 (MECS has one remaining emergency closure day on June 26, 2024): There will be no school on June 26th.
If school is canceled under either of the above scenarios, a separate message to you will be sent out to confirm through our automated phone/text notification system. At this time, we are planning on students being in session on these days. Only time and weather will determine the change.
As always, please reach out with any questions.