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Safety concerns about the April 8 solar eclipse prompted Director of Schools Russell K. Jenkins to recommend students get out of school early that day.
“The eclipse is scheduled to start at 1:48 (p.m.) in our area,” Jenkins said. “The peak of the eclipse is at 3:06, which is right during dismissal time for our students and the event is supposed to end at 4:22.”
The Roane County Board of Education met in regular session on Tuesday, March 19, and approved Jenkins’ recommendation for early release on April 8 by a unanimous vote.
“If the eclipse was starting at 8:30 or 9 in the morning and was wrapping up before we were putting students on buses, we would turn it into an educational opportunity,” Jenkins said. “But since the occurrence is going to be happening during peak travel times, we just thought it was best for our students’ safety.”
Jenkins said the school system will not have to use a stockpile day for the April 8 early release.
“We will release school after lunch is served,” he said.
According to NASA, it is unsafe to look at the sun during a solar eclipse without specialized eye protection.
“We have ordered glasses,” Jenkins said. “We will send them home with glasses and a packet warning them not to look at the event without the glasses on, and they and their family can do it together.”
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