A number of school boards across Ontario are making changes to planned professional activity days because of a rare total solar eclipse, but whether local boards follow suit remains to be seen.
The region will be plunged into darkness the afternoon of Monday, April 8 with the path of totality running along the northern shore of Lake Erie.
And while some school boards, including the Thames Valley District School Board, the London District Catholic School Board, and several boards in the GTA are shifting one PA day to align with the eclipse, local boards in Chatham-Kent and Lambton County are still mulling over the idea.
Officials with both the Lambton Kent District School Board and St Clair Catholic District School Board says they are consulting with Public Health and other educational partners before making any changes to the PA Day schedule.
“We do believe we can support students to be safe while at school during an eclipse but are considering options that include status quo, altering bell times to delay the start and end of the day, and moving the PD Day to address concerns that may arise from the eclipse,” said LKDSB Public Relations Officer Caress Lee Carpenter in an email to CKXS News.
Boards that have decided to shift their PA Day to April 8th cite safety concerns for student safety and mitigating any operational impacts that may be caused by the eclipse.
Earlier this week, the Toronto District School Board voted on shifting its PA Day from April 19th to the 8th. The board recommendation said “looking directly at the sun during the eclipse, without appropriate protection, can lead to serious problems such as partial or complete loss of eyesight.” The board also said it had traffic-related safety concerns since thousands of children would be returning home at the end of the day in temporary darkness.
Officials with the LKDSB and SCCDSB say families and staff will be notified of any changes if or when they are made.
