The Bluewater District School Board (BWDSB) and Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board (BGCDSB) have announced a rescheduling of their Professional Activity (PA) Day originally slated for Friday, April 26, 2024.
The new date for the PA Day will be Monday, April 8, 2024.
This decision came in anticipation of a total solar eclipse predicted to occur between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. on April 8, 2024. The eclipse, visible across North America, including certain areas of Ontario, poses safety concerns for students and staff.
The concern primarily revolves around the risk of students viewing the eclipse directly, which could lead to significant eye damage. Regular sunglasses do not offer adequate protection against the intense sunlight emitted during an eclipse.
“While total solar eclipses, like the one set to happen on April 8, 2024, offer scientists and researchers a unique opportunity to gather valuable data that enhances our understanding of the sun's corona and behaviour, it is crucial for everyone to prioritize eye safety during this celestial event. Directly staring at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause severe eye damage. Grey Bruce Public Health urges parents and guardians to speak with their children about the potential dangers of staring at the sun, even for a brief period, during the eclipse” says GBPH Physician Consultant Dr. Rim Zayed.
Both BWDSB and BGCDSB are dedicated to ensuring that families and staff are well-informed about this change well in advance, allowing ample time for adjustments to plans.
While eclipses provide scientists with valuable data, direct exposure to the sun during an eclipse poses severe risks to eye health. GBPH urges parents and guardians to discuss the dangers of staring at the sun with their children, even momentarily.