Springboro Community Schools revealed its plan to parents Friday for how it will handle students and Monday's solar eclipse.
Due to concerns the peak of the eclipse, just after 2:20 p.m., will occur right as many students are being released to their buses to go home, the district decided to count early dismissals and absences as excused due to the solar eclipse.
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Now it’s up to parents to decide what to do.
The district released varying plans for students based on the school the attend in the district:
Students will have the opportunity to watch a live stream of the solar eclipse, projected in a classroom.
5th Grade
Students in 5th Grade at Dennis Elementary will report and dismiss at regularly scheduled times. Given solar eclipses align with the 5th Grade Science standards, all students were provided the opportunity to receive information and a permission slip detailing the day's activities and the option to sign up to view the solar eclipse outside, as part of the class. Glasses will be supplied by Dennis Elementary and meet the American Astrological Society's standards (ISO 12312-2) for safe viewing of the solar eclipse. Students will also have the opportunity to watch a live stream of the solar eclipse, projected in a classroom.
Five Points Elementary: 2nd and 5th students will report and dismiss at regularly scheduled times. All students will remain in class during the day, with recess andgym being moved indoors, if scheduled after 1:00 pm (similar to what would happen if it were raining outside.) Students will have the opportunity to watch a live stream of the solar eclipse, projected in a classroom. *Unfortunately, the glasses purchased for 5th Grade Five Points students were unable to be fulfilled, despite being ordered several weeks ago. The order was cancelled, per the vendor, on Aug. 14th.
Springboro Intermediate: Students in 6th Grade will report and dismiss at regularly scheduled times. All students will remain in class during the day, with recess and gym being moved indoors, if scheduled after 1:00pm (similar to what would happen if it were raining outside.) Students will have the opportunity to watch a live stream of the solar eclipse, projected in a classroom. **Unfortunately, the glasses purchased for Springboro Intermediate students were unable to be fulfilled, despite being ordered several weeks ago. The order was cancelled, per the vendor, on Aug. 14th.
Springboro Junior High School: Students in grades 7th and 8th grades will report and dismiss at regularly scheduled times.
Given solar eclipses align with the 7th Grade Science standards, all students were provided the opportunity to receive information and a permission slip detailing the day's activities and the option to sign up to view the solar eclipse outside, as part of the class. While glasses will not be supplied by SJHS, students are given the option to bring in their own pair of eclipse glasses that must meet the American Astrological Society's standards (ISO 12312-2) for safe viewing of the solar eclipse.
Students who turn in the permission slip will be allowed to go to the football field at 1:30 pm. Since the peak of the solar eclipse is occurring at 2:27 pm, the Junior High is inviting students who have turned in the permission slip to remain at the football field after the conclusion of the school day at 2:20 pm. The students will be supervised by school personnel. It is requested that all students are picked up at the Junior High by 3:45 pm. Students without a signed permission slip will have the opportunity to watch a live stream of the solar eclipse, projected in a classroom, and can be picked up/go home at normal dismissal. ***Unfortunately, the glasses purchased for Springboro Junior High students were unable to be fulfilled, despite being ordered several weeks ago. The order was cancelled, per the vendor, on Aug. 14th.
Springboro High School: Students in grades 9th through 2th grades will report and dismiss at regularly scheduled times. All students will remain in class during the day.
Teachers and staff across the district will review be providing instructions to students prior to the solar eclipse:
- Do not look directly at the sun without approved solar eclipse glasses
- Walk in a straight line outside looking directly ahead or at the ground
- Any student not following these guidelines will be escorted back into the school
