photo by Diane Grenkow
Ursa Goldenrose wears eclipse glasses for the August 2017 partial eclipse of the sun in Hardwick.
David Baker, superintendent of schools of the Orleans Southwest Supervisory Union (OSSU), has released this advisory to OSSU staff, parents and caregivers:
“As you are aware, we had planned an early release day on Monday, April 8, with the coming of the total eclipse. Recently, we have received information from several sources that there will be a heavy influx of visitors to Vermont on that day which could impede traffic and create other complications related to the safety of our students and staff. We also received an email from the Agency of Education (AOE) yesterday that indicated this day will be open to applications for district attendance waivers. Many of the districts around us are closing for the full day. Therefore, in an abundance of caution, we will now be closed a full day on April 8.
“I hope this day can be celebrated with families as an opportunity to engage in a discussion around this rare event. If you are looking for resources to discuss this with your child(ren), NASA is the premier expert and they have great information at science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/. Within that link under “Where and When” they have a great Eclipse Explore simulation worth exploring. The National Weather Service, Burlington, has information at weather.gov/btv/eclipse2024, more focused on the weather and climatology, including a presentation. We will still distribute eclipse glasses to every student before dismissal on Friday.”
