On August 21, 2017, an exciting event is taking place, a solar eclipse. The eclipse’s path will be visible across the United States. This will be the first total solar eclipse to occur in the United stated since 1918. We want our students to be a part of this special occurrence that has significant educational opportunities. As always, student safety is our top concern.
Students will have the opportunity to watch the solar eclipse through NASA’s livestream, “Eclipse Across America: Through the Eyes of NASA”. It will feature live views of the eclipse from viewers around the world, 11 spacecraft, and three NASA aircraft. Students will only be allowed to view the solar eclipse outside if (1) they have been provided eclipse glasses meeting the ISO 12312-12 international standard for viewing an eclipse by their teacher and (2) they have a signed parent consent form. Your child’s teacher will send home a consent form if he/she plans to provide glasses to view the eclipse outdoors.
Parents/Guardians and teachers are encouraged to stress to students that safety is of the utmost importance during a solar eclipse and that failure to take the necessary viewing precautions may lead to permanent eyesight damage. For more information regarding the solar eclipse visit the National Weather Service at http://www.weather.gov/sgf/SolarEclipse or download NASA Eclipse Safety Information at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/publications/Safety_508.pdf.