(Updated on March 29.) As you may have heard, there will be a total solar eclipse occurring on Monday, April 8, 2024, which provides an educational and awe-inspiring experience for members of the Averill Park community.
A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, obscuring the Sun for a brief period of time. This provides a unique opportunity for our students to learn about astronomy and the world around them. The next total solar eclipse visible in New York state is not expected to happen until 2079, according to the National Weather Service.
Eclipse Plans at APCSD
Elementary Schools
On Monday, April 8, APCSD elementary schools (K-5) will have a half day of instruction and dismiss students at 12 PM. School breakfast will still be available, however, school lunch will not be provided. Students will be provided with solar eclipse glasses before they leave school on that day.
Middle and High School
AMS and APHS students will be dismissed at the normal time. Each campus will hold an optional viewing event on their campus after school. Students had to sign up for this event in advance. Only those students who signed up for the event, or are a spring athlete, may stay on campus. There will be no other after school activities. Solar eclipse glasses and late buses will be provided for all those participating. After-school late buses, for those who signed up, will dismiss APHS students at 3:45 PM and dismiss AMS students at 4 PM. Please contact your child’s principal with any questions or concerns.
Athletics
No athletic practices will start prior to 4:15 p.m. The plan for each team is different depending on the sport, level, etc. Each coach will communicate directly with their student-athletes. Please contact your child’s coach if you have questions.
Safety
Wherever our students are observing this event, we encourage everyone to read the below information for safe viewing:
- It is unsafe to look directly at the Sun unless you are using special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses,” that comply with the transmittance requirements of the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Ordinary sunglasses, even dark ones, are not safe for looking at the Sun.
- You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun. As soon as you see even a little bit of the Sun reappear after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.
- Viewing any part of the Sun through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics will instantly cause severe eye injury.
- Do NOT look at the Sun through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer — the concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.
Safety resources:
Educational Resource
Two of our high school science teachers, Karyn Rees and Darlene Kehn, have crafted an educational slideshow for the community to view.