Just as students return to school after a much-needed spring break, they will be released two hours early on Monday, April 8.
According to a release issued by Habersham County Schools Assistant Superintendent Patrick Franklin, schools will release two hours early so that students can safely view the partial eclipse with their families. The release was sent home with students on Thursday, March 28.
On April 8, Habersham County will experience a partial solar eclipse. Due to certain eye safety considerations, Habersham County Schools will operate on a two-hour early release. This early release will allow students to arrive at home prior to the eclipse peak, which occurs at 3:06 pm. This rare phenomenon will not happen again until 2044.
“The early release on April 8th serves two primary purposes. First, it gives parents the opportunity to be in charge of their students’ safety during the eclipse. This can be accomplished by keeping students home on this day, picking them up early from school, or meeting them at least two hours early at the bus stop. The second purpose is to allow families time to enjoy this rare phenomenon together,” says Habersham County School Superintendent Matthew Cooper.
Cooper adds, “All absences will be excused on April 8.”
The release cautions parents about eye safety while viewing the eclipse.
Eye safety
The school system also issued guidance on how parents should prepare their children for the eclipse, offering advice on eye safety.
“Parents, please take the time to educate your student(s) about eye safety during the eclipse. For example: Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse without special eye protection. Looking directly at the sun can cause eye damage. NASA provides detailed information to support your conversation with your student(s) at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/” the news release states.
The Habersham Schools schedule on the day of the eclipse will be the same as the schedule followed on the Friday before Christmas Break in December. Buses and parent pick-up will run two hours earlier than normal. If your child typically arrives home on the bus at 3:25 pm, they will get home that Monday at 1:25 p.m.
READ MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S SOLAR ECLIPSE
