Schools in the Foothills are adjusting their schedules to keep some students indoors over the lunch hour on Monday.
A partial solar eclipse will occur in the region on April 8, beginning before noon, peaking at 12:46 p.m. and finishing at 1:38 p.m.
Both the Foothills School Division (FSD) and Christ the Redeemer Catholic Schools (CTR) issued statements about steps being taken to limit risk to students during the event.
“Our schools will be adjusting their schedules and activities that day to keep students indoors during the time of the eclipse,” reads a statement from FSD.
Parents of students in half-day FSD kindergarten programs can decide whether to send their children to school that day to minimize risk, the statement said.
CTR said that, out of an abundance of caution, elementary schools will adjust their schedules and activities to keep students indoors when the partial eclipse is occurring.
“Although people can safely observe the eclipse by wearing special glasses, the timing of the eclipse, over lunchtime, means students will be playing outdoors for lunch recess and may not take the precautions needed to safely view it,” CTR said.
CTR students in junior high and high school will follow a regular schedule and will be permitted to leave school over lunch hour, but can stay in the during the lunch hour if they wish, the statement said.
