A full solar eclipse will occur on Monday, April 8, 2024.  This phenomenon happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth, casting a shadow on the earth that blocks the sun’s light in some areas.

In Windsor-Essex County we will experience some of the most intense effects of the eclipse between 1:57 p.m. and 3:17 p.m.

As this will be during scheduled dismissals, out of concern for student safety during that period of almost complete darkness, we will dismiss all students in both elementary and secondary schools at 1:00 p.m. on April 8th. All after-school extracurricular activities will also be cancelled that day.

Buses will run at their regular times in the morning but, since student transportation services will not be possible during the middle of the day, families will be required to make arrangements for their child to be picked up from school when they are dismissed at 1:00 p.m.
There will be no student transportation services at the end of the day.  However, Transit Windsor has confirmed that it will adjust its pick up times for special buses that it normally provides for city high schools.

If you have any questions regarding Child Care programming on Monday, April 8th, please contact your child’s Child Care provider.

A solar eclipse creates a halo-effect of bright light around the circumference of the sun, so even a brief, unprotected glance at the sun can damage eyesight, in some cases, permanently.

Here are a few resources which contain safety information that you can review and share with your children:
The Windsor-Essex County Health unit has created this website devoted to solar eclipse safety.

An  excellent resource from a U.S. organization to help protect you and your children during the solar eclipse.

This resource from the Canadian Association of Optometrists offers some great tips on how to watch the eclipse safely.

Here is another excellent resource from NASA which describes the path of the eclipse, as well as additional details on safety.