​Local public, Catholic school boards re-schedule PA Day in April due to solar eclipse

In a unified move with other school boards across Ontario, the Bluewater District School Board and the Bruce-Grey Catholic District School Board have decided to change the Professional Activity (PA) Day, originally scheduled for Friday, April 26, to Monday, April 8.

This means students with both school boards will not be attending classes Monday, April 8, while Friday, April 26, will shift to a regular school day, states a joint press release, issued Tuesday.
 

• Monday, April 8, is now a PA day
• Friday, April 26, is now a regular school day.

This decision has been made in anticipation of the total solar eclipse expected to occur between 2-4:30 p.m. April 8, which will be visible across North America, including specific regions of Ontario.

The primary concern prompting this schedule change is the safety and well-being of students and staff during the solar eclipse. As many students would be getting on the bus or walking home from school during this time frame, their risk of looking directly at the solar eclipse would be significantly increased.

Viewing a solar eclipse directly without proper protection, can be harmful due to the intense sunlight that remains even as the moon obscures part of or the entire sun. The sun's rays can cause significant eye damage, and regular sunglasses do not offer adequate protection against harmful solar radiation.

Both school boards are committed to ensuring that all families and staff are well-informed of this change well in advance, allowing sufficient time to adapt plans accordingly. Understanding that changes to the school calendar may affect daily routines, the school boards appreciate the flexibility and co-operation of all affected.

Ensuring the safety of the entire school community remains the boards’ utmost priority, states the press release. “We thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to maintaining a safe and nurturing environment for all.”

“While total solar eclipses, like the one set to happen April 8, 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,” says Grey Bruce Public Health physician consultant Dr. Rim Zayed.

“Directly staring at the sun, even during an eclipse, can cause severe eye damage. 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.”

For further details on safely viewing the solar eclipse and to learn more about the event, follow public health on social media. Public health will also be providing schools with information and resources on eclipse safety in the near future.