Monday's solar eclipse prompts some Pennsylvania, New Jersey schools to announce early dismissals
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- With the highly anticipated solar eclipse just days away, several school districts in Bucks County and South Jersey have announced plans for early dismissal. As of now, more than 10 districts have issued announcements, underscoring the significance of the decision.
The total solar eclipse will happen on April 8, 2024, and will travel over our area starting around 2:08 p.m., and ending at about 4:35 p.m.
The Centennial School District detailed its early dismissal schedule on its website's news page.
The statement in part said: "On this day, a solar eclipse will occur during school dismissal hours, and as a precautionary measure, we have decided along with many of our neighboring school districts to implement an early dismissal schedule."
High schools will conclude at 10:30 a.m., middle schools at 11 a.m., and elementary schools at 11:45 a.m.
The district has canceled all after-school activities and events.
Bristol Township School District also confirmed an early dismissal plan.
Harry S. Truman High School will end at 12:05 p.m., Neil A. Armstrong and Benjamin Franklin Middle Schools at 12:30 p.m., while Brookwood, Keystone and Mill Creek Elementary schools will dismiss at 1:15 p.m.
All after-school activities are canceled, with lunch provided for all students.
Central Bucks School District will operate on an early dismissal schedule.
Elementary A schools will dismiss at 11:55 a.m., B schools at 12:10 p.m., and C schools at 12:25 p.m., with middle and high schools dismissing at 10:45 a.m.
In a statement posted on Facebook the Central Bucks School District stated: "This is a rare and exciting phenomenon that has not occurred to this magnitude in Pennsylvania since 1806, and the next total solar eclipse that can be seen from the United States will not be until 2044."
Neshaminy School District shared its early dismissal details, with high schools ending at 11:30 a.m., middle schools at 12:15 p.m., and elementary schools at 1 p.m.
Lunch will be provided to all students before departure.
According to the Pennridge School District's website, high school students are scheduled for dismissal at 11:30 a.m. Followed by middle school students at 12:15 p.m. Guth and Sellersville elementary school students will be released at 12:45 p.m., with Deibler, Grasse, Seylar, and West Rockhill students departing at 1:00 p.m.
Council Rock School District announced its half-day early dismissal schedule on Monday via a lively flier on its Facebook page.
High schools will dismiss at 10:45 a.m., middle schools at 11:30 a.m. and elementary schools at 12:15 p.m.
In New Jersey, several school districts are adjusting schedules for the upcoming solar eclipse as well. Pennsauken, Cherry Hill, and Shore Regional High School Districts have all announced half-day plans for Monday.
On Thursday The Chester Upland School District announced all-school will follow a half-day schedule due to safety concerns related to the eclipse.
Cherry Hill School District outlined its dismissal times: PreK-5 students will be released at 1 p.m., grades 6-8 at 12:15 p.m. and grades 9-12 at 11:45 a.m.
Shore Regional High School issued a statement indicating an early dismissal at 1:30 p.m. Additionally, all after-school activities, co-curricular clubs and athletics scheduled during the eclipse period will be canceled at the Shore Regional campus.
In the East Windsor Regional School District outdoor activities will be restricted during Monday's eclipse. This includes adjusting start times for high school and middle school athletic events. Elementary school students will receive specially certified solar eclipse glasses.
In the City of Burlington Public Schools, lessons have been modified to educate students about the eclipse in the days leading up to the event. The district stated that classroom activities during the peak viewing time will be adjusted to avoid direct sun exposure. Additionally, all school-related after-school outdoor activities have been canceled.
Not all kids will be at home during the eclipse. One group of students from Wynnewood is traveling to Vermont to experience the full effects of a total solar eclipse.
Join CBS Philadelphia Monday at 2 p.m. for a CBS News Special Report: Total Eclipse of the Heartland. At 3 p.m., live coverage of the eclipse in our area will be available on our streaming service.
