Pittsburgh-area school district cancels classes to let students see total solar eclipse
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- The countdown to the eclipse is on, and one local school district is using it as an educational moment and giving the kiddos the day off to enjoy it safely with their families.
Pine-Richland said since the eclipse is expected to occur during dismissal, it would be too tempting for students to view it without the proper safety precautions while getting to and from their buses.
The district also said that there will be no make-up day required for this educational day off.
"We hope that this advance notice allows families [the] time to plan accordingly and partake safely in what is certain to be a historic event to remember," the district said in a letter to families.
"I think it's a great idea," said Pine-Richland parent Rebecca Wold. "I mean, first of all, it's like something that I'd really like to share with my kids and go out and experience that but I think it's super important to do it safely."
The total solar eclipse will happen on April 8. The Pittsburgh area will be within the pathway of the eclipse between 2-4 p.m.
"I think that it's a good idea that school was canceled because it could be a little chaotic if not, with everybody kind of running out trying to see and just all those kids in the parking lot at the high school, that's always one of my biggest worries," Wold said.
The total eclipse will last 3 minutes and 40 seconds and is something students from neighboring districts say they also don't want to miss.
"I think we should stay out of school because solar eclipse is like once in a lifetime," said Seneca Valley seventh grader Ray Brannon.
And while schools say they'll be taking advantage of in-class learning about the event ahead of time, parents say nothing is better than real-life experience.
"I think what's more beneficial is for them to actually learn and see a solar eclipse versus learning about it in school," said Seneca Valley parent Laurel Brannon.
