Garrett County Public Schools (GCPS) is providing advance notice about the solar eclipse occurring on April 8, 2024, two weeks from today. The peak time of the eclipse will occur during student dismissal. We encourage parents and guardians to discuss safety precautions with their children during this event.
While solar eclipses can be a fun and exciting event for the whole family to enjoy, it is important to remember that looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause permanent eye damage. To ensure that your child is safe during the eclipse, we recommend that parents discuss the following safety precautions with their children:
- Do not look directly at the sun during the eclipse, even if you are wearing sunglasses or using a camera or telescope.
- Use special eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers that meet international safety standards to view the eclipse.
- If you cannot access special glasses, you can create a pinhole projector or use a colander to project the eclipse image onto a piece of paper.
- Avoid reflective surfaces, such as water or shiny metal, which can reflect the sun’s rays and cause eye damage.
We want our students to have a safe and enjoyable experience during the upcoming solar eclipse. We encourage parents to talk with their children about the importance of safety during this event and ensure they are prepared with the necessary safety equipment. Have a wonderful, safe eclipse-viewing experience!
Additional information about the eclipse may be found at https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/.
