Celebrate the “Great American Eclipse” with Catoosa County Public Schools
Catoosa County Public Schools will have an extended day on Aug. 21st to celebrate the “Great American Eclipse.”
Superintendent Denia Reese said, “We are meeting with a representative from NASA, and we are planning lessons and activities to celebrate this momentous event. I know some of our teachers have been planning activities for over a year in anticipation of this total eclipse. We are very excited about sharing this experience with our students.”
Superintendent Reese explained that safely observing the eclipse will be the highest priority for the day. Parents will receive a permission slip to indicate if they would like for their child to view the event outside or inside. She said, “We have already purchased safety glasses for students who will be outside during the eclipse.”
She added, “I know some parents may want to experience the eclipse with their child, so absences and early dismissals will be excused. Parents are also welcome to join their child for the event at their school.”
General information
- Catoosa County Public Schools will be open on Aug. 21. Dismissal will be about 30 minutes later than normal so buses, student drivers, and car rider parents are not traveling during the eclipse.
- Parents must return a permission slip for students to observe the eclipse outside.
- Every student who has permission to observe the eclipse outside will be given protective eyewear for safety.
- Students who are inside will observe the eclipse virtually so everyone has the opportunity to participate in this significant event.
- Absences and early dismissals will be excused so parents who don’t have to work can experience the eclipse with their child.
- Parents are welcome to come to school to observe the eclipse with their child. (Parents must bring their own protective eyewear. The school system purchased glasses from rainbowsymphony.com.)
Superintendent Reese said, “This is the first total solar eclipse in the continental United States in 38 years. I am glad we have the opportunity to share this experience with our students and parents.”