FRIDAY THROUGH SEPTEMBER 27TH. THERE’S A LOT OF DISCUSSION ON SOCIAL MEDIA TODAY ABOUT GREENVILLE COUNTY SCHOOLS DECISION TO MAKE APRIL 8TH AN E-LEARNING DAY BECAUSE OF THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE. WHILE GREENVILLE WON’T BE IN THE PATH OF TOTALITY, THE SUN WILL BE 82% COVERED A FEW MINUTES THAT AFTERNOON. THE DECISION GETTING MIXED RESPONSES ON SOCIAL MEDIA, SOME PEOPLE CALLING IT RIDICULOUS. ONE PERSON ASKS IN PART, QUOTE, WHAT ABOUT ALL THE PARENTS WHO CAN’T TAKE TIME OFF WORK TO BE HOME WITH THEIR KIDS? THERE WAS LITTLE SUPPORT FOR THE E-LEARNING DAY. SOMEONE SAYS IN PART, QUOTE, KIDS HAVE NO SENSE OF DANGER. AS WELL AS BUSSES WOULD BE CARRYING STUDENTS IN THE DARK. BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. END QUOTE. DISTRICT LEADERS SAY THAT IS JUST ONE OF MANY CONCERNS. THE TIMING OF THE ECLIPSE. THE WINDOW OCCURS DURING DISMISSAL FOR BOTH ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOLERS. IT IS VERY CHALLENGING TO ENSURE THAT THOSE AGE STUDENTS AT ELEMENTARY AND MIDDLE SCHOOL WOULD EITHER NOT LOOK UP AT THE SUN, OR THAT THEY WOULD BE USING THE CORRECT PROTECTIVE EYE GLASSES DURING THE ECLIPSE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE’RE PRIORITIZING THEIR SAFETY. IT’S REALLY CHALLENGING TO DO THAT DURING THOSE TRANSITIONS. THE DISTRICT SAYS THERE WILL BE NO DAY PROGRAMS OR AFTER SCHOOL CLUB MEETINGS THAT DAY, AND SPORTS PRACTICE WON’T START
Greenville County Schools announce eLearning day for solar eclipse
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Updated: 5:59 PM EDT Mar 14, 2024
On Monday, April 8, 2024, Greenville County Schools students will be eLearning due to the solar eclipse. The district released the following information on Thursday: "There will be no extended-day programs or after-school club meetings. Outdoor activities and athletic practices may not begin until 4:00 p.m."Why eLearning?"On April 8, a solar eclipse will be visible across much of North America. In Greenville the eclipse will occur from approximately 1:51 to 4:24 p.m., peaking at 3:09 p.m., at which time the sun will be 82% covered. The window around the maximum eclipse, which is when there is the greatest potential for students to damage their vision, coincides with elementary and middle school dismissal times. After careful consideration and consultation with science experts, our principals and district leadership, it was determined that the time of the eclipse presents a potential danger to students, as school and transportation personnel cannot ensure students avoid damage to their vision during these transitions, while riding the bus, moving to and from vehicles, or while walking home from their bus stops. "After considering numerous options - including early dismissal at some or all levels, late dismissals at some levels, eLearning at some or all levels, and combinations thereof - the district concluded that an eLearning day is the best option for all students. To get all elementary and middle school students home before the window of the maximum eclipse would have required a very early dismissal after students had been at school for only a few hours, which would have shortened students’ instruction significantly and created significant inconveniences for families and employees. eLearning prioritizes safety, allows parents to supervise their children (or have older siblings available to do so) during the eclipse, and provides the opportunity for more academic instruction. The district does understand that eLearning days present challenges for many families and students, so this decision was made only after all other options were ruled out."Safety Tips & Resources"Leading up to April 8, schools will be educating students about the eclipse. Additionally, schools will provide safety tips for students and parents about how to view the eclipse while protecting their vision."
GREENVILLE, S.C. — On Monday, April 8, 2024, Greenville County Schools students will be eLearning due to the solar eclipse.
The district released the following information on Thursday:
"There will be no extended-day programs or after-school club meetings. Outdoor activities and athletic practices may not begin until 4:00 p.m."
Why eLearning?
"On April 8, a solar eclipse will be visible across much of North America. In Greenville the eclipse will occur from approximately 1:51 to 4:24 p.m., peaking at 3:09 p.m., at which time the sun will be 82% covered. The window around the maximum eclipse, which is when there is the greatest potential for students to damage their vision, coincides with elementary and middle school dismissal times. After careful consideration and consultation with science experts, our principals and district leadership, it was determined that the time of the eclipse presents a potential danger to students, as school and transportation personnel cannot ensure students avoid damage to their vision during these transitions, while riding the bus, moving to and from vehicles, or while walking home from their bus stops.
"After considering numerous options - including early dismissal at some or all levels, late dismissals at some levels, eLearning at some or all levels, and combinations thereof - the district concluded that an eLearning day is the best option for all students. To get all elementary and middle school students home before the window of the maximum eclipse would have required a very early dismissal after students had been at school for only a few hours, which would have shortened students’ instruction significantly and created significant inconveniences for families and employees. eLearning prioritizes safety, allows parents to supervise their children (or have older siblings available to do so) during the eclipse, and provides the opportunity for more academic instruction. The district does understand that eLearning days present challenges for many families and students, so this decision was made only after all other options were ruled out."
Safety Tips & Resources
"Leading up to April 8, schools will be educating students about the eclipse. Additionally, schools will provide safety tips for students and parents about how to view the eclipse while protecting their vision."
