Solar Eclipse Safety

• mary
• 2 months ago

Greetings MVRHS Community! Please see letter below from Richie Smith, Superintendent of Schools.

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Dear MVYPS Families and Staff:

I hope this email finds you well. At MVYPS, we are very excited about the solar eclipse that will take place on Monday April 8, 2024. With this said, we have concerns regarding eye safety due to the timing of the event. In our region, the eclipse event runs approximately from 2:16 pm – 4:39 pm, with the strongest magnitude at approximately 3:29 pm. These times occur during our normal school dismissal for our K-8 schools, when the large majority of our student population will be released from school and traveling either home or to after school activities. 

Given the complexity of managing the safety of our students, while also acknowledging the value of scientific education that the eclipse brings to our students, we are providing you with some useful information on precautions we ask that you take and educational conversations/activities that you can have at home. I ask that you please take time to read the information below and access the links we are providing.

While Martha’s Vineyard is not on the path of totality, we are preparing our students to exercise caution during the event as well. Additionally, all MVYPS schools will be providing students with protective eye wear so that all students have access to this safety precaution. A note, the solar eclipse glasses that we provide can be damaged. If the lenses of the glasses appear torn or scratched, they are not safe to use.

By combining safety precautions with educational discussions, we hope to ensure that students have a memorable and enriching experience during the solar eclipse, while also staying safe. 

Sincerely,

Richard M. Smith, Ed.D.

Superintendent of Schools

PREPARING FOR A SAFE & EDUCATIONAL SOLAR ECLIPSE AT HOME

PRECAUTIONS:

• Eye Protection: We will be sending Eclipse glasses home with students for safety. Please do not interpret this action as encouragement for students to look directly at the sun. Here is additional information on eye exposure and viewing precautions: 
• Supervision: We encourage adult supervision, especially for younger students, to ensure they use eye protection properly and don’t engage in unsafe behavior during the eclipse.
• Outdoor Safety: We will remind students to be cautious while outdoors during the eclipse to prevent accidents. Please reiterate this at home.

EDUCATIONAL CONVERSATIONS:

• Science of Eclipses: It can be fun to discuss the science behind solar eclipses, including how they occur, why they’re rare events, and the different types of eclipses. See here for more information. Your student’s teachers may be sending information home as well to help you facilitate these discussions.
• Historical Significance: The historical significance of eclipses is fascinating. It can be fun to discuss how they have been viewed by different cultures throughout history. See here for more information.
• Safety Precautions: Reinforce the importance of eye safety during the eclipse and explain why it’s dangerous to look directly at the sun.
• NASA and Space Exploration: Share information about NASA’s involvement in studying eclipses and how scientists use eclipses to learn more about the sun and Earth’s atmosphere. See here for more information.
• Future Eclipses: Discuss future solar eclipses and where they will be visible, sparking curiosity about upcoming celestial events.