How mid-Michigan school districts are preparing for the solar eclipse

While mid-Michigan will not be in the solar eclipse path of totality on April 8, many area school districts are preparing to turn the partial eclipse into a learning opportunity.

A partial eclipse can be observed in mid-Michigan at 1:58 p.m. and a near-total eclipse can be viewed at 3:13 p.m. on Monday, April 8 – right at the end of the school day.

Many area districts are providing special eclipse-viewing glasses to students who might be able to observe the eclipse on their way home.

It will only be safe to look up at the sun through special-purpose solar filters that meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard, according to the American Astronomical Society (AAS). Otherwise, you risk permanent eye damage.

Several mid-Michigan school districts are distributing free protective eyewear to students as dismissal times overlap with the astronomical event.

Grand Blanc Community Schools, Genesee County’s largest district, will distribute protective eyewear to students.

Students at Carman-Ainsworth Community Schools are creating virtual time capsules. A few buildings will provide viewing glasses and host planned viewing parties alongside educational lessons on the phenomenon.

Davison Community Schools will offer solar eclipse glasses for all students and staff thanks to a donation from the Davison Educational Foundation. High schoolers will be dismissed early, at 2:25 p.m. Monday, to view the eclipse before getting on the bus ride home.

Kearsley Community Schools sent an alert to all district parents making them aware of proper eclipse-viewing protocols earlier this week. Safety glasses will be provided to students.

Montrose Community Schools will allow students to view the partial eclipse during school hours with parent permission. Viewing glasses will be provided.

Saginaw Public Schools will provide viewing glasses to students who are taking part in pre-planned eclipse activities. All students will be reminded of potential eye damage via announcement at the end of the day.

Requests for information about eclipse plans sent to Saginaw Public Schools, Saginaw Township Public Schools and Midland Public Schools went unanswered. Bay City Public Schools are closed on April 8.

The Longway Planetarium and Sloan Museum in Flint is offering a free solar eclipse viewing event with telescopes if the weather permits.

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