While Palmyra, NJ isn't in the path of totality for Monday's Solar Eclipse, there are still some important things to know about this celestial event:
Interim Superintendent, Mark Pease has sent an email to our families regarding Solar Eclipse Guidelines. Here's another version:
April 7, 2024
Dear Staff and Families of Palmyra School District,
In light of tomorrow's Solar Eclipse, I would like to share with you the New Jersey Department of Education Guidance to ensure we maintain a safe environment for our students and staff.
We will follow our regular bell schedule throughout the District for Monday, April 8, 2024. Please read the Solar Eclipse Guidance below.
Solar Eclipse Guidance
This event is estimated to commence around 2pm and last until approximately 4:35pm, with the maximum point of darkness at or about 3:20pm. Most likely this event will occur after our dismissal for all schools. We are not in the path of totality, therefore we should not experience total darkness.
Safety:
We will emphasize the importance of not looking directly at the sun without proper eye protection. Direct viewing of the sun during an eclipse can cause serious eye damage or blindness.
Inform students and staff that only certified solar viewing glasses or solar filters for viewing the eclipse should be used. Ensure that these glasses meet the necessary safety standards (ISO 12312-2). Students are encouraged to bring their own certified solar glasses to school.
The use of homemade or improvised viewing devices, such as sunglasses or smoked glass do not provide adequate protection resulting in severe eye damage or blindness.
Education and Awareness:
Teachers will use this event as an educational opportunity to teach students about the science behind solar eclipses, including how they occur and their significance.
By following these guidelines, we can ensure that the solar eclipse on April 8 is both a safe and educational experience for everyone in our school community. Additional information and resources may be found at the NASA 2024 Total Solar Eclipse webpage.
Yours in education,
Mark Pease
Interim Superintendent