Dear Teachers, Staff, Parents, and Students,
I hope this message finds you well.
I am writing to inform you about an upcoming celestial event that will be visible from our area. According to NASA, a partial eclipse is set to occur on April 8, 2024, at approximately 3:20 pm.
It is essential to emphasize the importance of safety during this event, especially for our students and staff. While eclipses can be fascinating to observe, it is crucial to remember that looking directly into the sun without appropriate eye protection can cause severe damage to the eyes. Therefore, I want to remind everyone that it is NOT safe to look directly at the partial eclipse without special eye protection. Regular sunglasses or tinted windows are NOT considered sufficient protection against the harmful effects of solar radiation during an eclipse.
Although the National Association for Pupil Transportation has not limited any transportation operations on April 8, 2024, I urge everyone to exercise caution and refrain from looking directly at the sun without proper eye wear.
Please note that there will be no changes to the school schedule due to the partial eclipse. In fact, according to NASA, Virginia is not in the path of the total solar eclipse. However, I encourage teachers to take this opportunity to educate students about the science behind eclipses and the importance of eye safety during such events.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and let's ensure that we all enjoy the partial eclipse safely.
Best regards,
Dr. Anthony Vladu
Division Superintendent
To learn more about solar eclipses you may visit the following resources:
Where & When (nasa.gov)
NASA Releases New Solar Eclipse Educational Materials - NASA
Eclipse Resources | NSTA