What's the over under on MCPS closing school due to the eclipse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm an MCPS teacher. I'd love to take my kids outside to see it, but logistically, with 25 kids, even if I bought them all glasses, there's no way I could make sure they all view it safely. So, we'll be staying inside getting ready for dismissal.

If a parent volunteered to help you during this time, would that make it more feasible for you?

[Anonymous]

My son is in fifth grade, apparently another student’s parent works for NASA and is bringing in special glasses for all the fifth graders so that they can go outside and see the eclipse. Good use of the time I think.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in fifth grade, apparently another student’s parent works for NASA and is bringing in special glasses for all the fifth graders so that they can go outside and see the eclipse. Good use of the time I think.

That’s really cool of that parent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son is in fifth grade, apparently another student’s parent works for NASA and is bringing in special glasses for all the fifth graders so that they can go outside and see the eclipse. Good use of the time I think.

Which school is this? My kids would have loved something like this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm an MCPS teacher. I'd love to take my kids outside to see it, but logistically, with 25 kids, even if I bought them all glasses, there's no way I could make sure they all view it safely. So, we'll be staying inside getting ready for dismissal.

If a parent volunteered to help you during this time, would that make it more feasible for you?

It would take maybe 5 parents to make me feel secure.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:During the last eclipse, teachers kept the classroom inside the entire time because inevitably there will be at least one student who will try to look directly at it, given all the buzz. I thought the school handled it well.

I remember as a kid there was an eclipse and there was all this hype, and we saw pictures and talked about it. But then the day came and they pulled down the shades and canceled recess and told us not to look outside. It was so disappointing (though somewhat understandable now, and those glasses weren't readily available then...)

We had one too and but it ended up not being on a school day. We were told to get a bucket of water, turn away from the eclipse and look in the bucket to see what was happening. I guess that's not a thing anymore?

[Anonymous]

Oeak is 3:20. Thats right at dismissal for many. Kids will stare at the sun and burn their retinas. Im taking my kid out at 3 and have glasses so we will enjoy it together.

[Anonymous]

While I can not imagine closing schools...I can imagine holding dismissal for a few minutes to make sure the kids are inside.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our town will be at about 95% totality. Schools aren't canceled or closing early. It will hit when DS will be on the bus home so I plan to pick him up early so he can watch it from our deck.

You and your child are going to be mighty disappointed: "What’s the difference between experiencing a solar eclipse at 99 percent compared with a total eclipse?Even at 99 percent eclipse, the sky won’t darken — you won’t be able to see stars or planets. Changes in the temperature, wind and shadows won’t be as dramatic. And the moon won’t block out enough light for you to witness the sun’s corona."

https://www.nytimes.com/article/total-solar-eclipse.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oeak is 3:20. Thats right at dismissal for many. Kids will stare at the sun and burn their retinas. Im taking my kid out at 3 and have glasses so we will enjoy it together.

Darwin award winners. Can't help stupid

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:While I can not imagine closing schools...I can imagine holding dismissal for a few minutes to make sure the kids are inside.

That’s useless. The eclipse begins around 2:05p and ends around 4:30p in Maryland. People will be in danger of eye damage looking at the sun unprotected for that entire time. Totality lasts around 4 minutes (if you are in the path, which we are not.)
https://www.wbaltv.com/article/2024-solar-eclipse-maryland-path-glasses/60010763

[Anonymous]

This seems relevant to our location. I don’t understand why there hasn’t been more communication from central office. Also could be lots of problematic student behavior for bus drivers.

Livingston Public Schools in New Jersey will close early on the day of the total solar eclipse to keep children safe from looking directly at the Sun, superintendent Matthew Block told parents in a March 6th letter obtained by FOX Weather.

"Since the eclipse will occur during our regularly scheduled school dismissal times, many of our students would be outside and unsupervised during the eclipse," Block said. "Unless children are properly supervised, they could be drawn to look at the eclipse, and would likely do so that day at dismissal. Without the proper equipment, this can cause damage to their eyes."

Block said he consulted with the district physician, who echoed his concern.

"Our physician added that the glare and distraction caused by the solar eclipse could also present a challenge with driving during this time, which might negatively impact the safety of our parents, staff and bus drivers," he added.

https://www.foxweather.com/earth-space/april-8-solar-eclipse-2024-school-districts-open-close.amp

[Anonymous]

I am guessing the parents who will be taking their children out of school early as a precaution are the same parents who don’t believe in the word “no” at home. 🙄

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing the parents who will be taking their children out of school early as a precaution are the same parents who don’t believe in the word “no” at home. 🙄

Pulling your kid out of school 30-60 minutes before dismissal one time so they can observe a natural phenomenon that won’t happen here for another 20 years seems completely reasonable, and will not have a negative impact on their education. It’s not necessary for most kids, but it’s a nice thing for a parent to do if their own schedule permits it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am guessing the parents who will be taking their children out of school early as a precaution are the same parents who don’t believe in the word “no” at home. 🙄

Pulling your kid out of school 30-60 minutes before dismissal one time so they can observe a natural phenomenon that won’t happen here for another 20 years seems completely reasonable, and will not have a negative impact on their education. It’s not necessary for most kids, but it’s a nice thing for a parent to do if their own schedule permits it.

Not the same. See bolded line.