UPDATE: Local school systems continue to prepare for Monday’s solar eclipse
As a reminder, both Calhoun City and Gordon County School Systems are having delayed release on Monday, Aug. 21 due to the total solar eclipse. Both systems have released additional information concerning eclipse viewing.
CALHOUN CITY SCHOOLS
“On Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, all of North America will experience an eclipse of the sun. Calhoun will experience a blockage of the sun much of the afternoon with the maximum blockage occurring during our normal dismissal time period. Calhoun City Schools will delay dismissal for 30 minutes at PreK, Calhoun Primary and Elementary Schools to ensure a safe dismissal,” said an official statement from the system. “Calhoun Middle and High School will delay bus dismissal for 30 minutes; however, car riders will be dismissed at the regularly scheduled time.
“NASA has issued guidelines for watching the eclipse. Safety during the eclipse viewing is our top priority. Looking directly at the sun is unsafe. Because the sun will never be totally covered during our eclipse experience, students will be required to wear special eclipse glasses during the entire time they are outside. We have purchased NASA- endorsed, eclipsesafe viewing glasses for all students and staff. Because of safety concerns, other precautionary measures will be taken to protect students. P. E. classes and recess during the eclipse event will be held indoors. Students in pre- k, Junior Jacket Academy and kindergarten will stay inside the building and view the eclipse online. We made this decision to ensure the safety of our youngest children who may not be able to keep their safety glasses in place.”
Calhoun City Schools is providing two optional opportunities for students on Monday:
Opt Out of Viewing - Parents may choose for their child to remain indoors during the outdoor eclipse activity. Please email your child’s teacher by noon on Friday, August 18th to request this provision.
Family Viewing of the Event - Parents may choose to check children out of school between the 12: 30- 1: 30 hour. This absence will be treated as excused. We discourage parents from checking out students during the 1: 30 –