5AF Parenting Thread
Posted: Wed Mar 27, 2024 9:08 pm
OK shad
A Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Message Board
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10/10. Great job, Madam Superintendent.By now, you probably have heard about the Solar Eclipse that will occur on April 8, 2024. For
our area, There are many websites available that provide an explanation of a solar eclipse,
what to expect in our area, and safety precautions (just google “Solar Eclipse 2024), but here is
a link to the NASA website:
https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/futur ... ipse-2024/
You may have also heard that some schools in Pennsylvania have already decided to cancel
school that day or to dismiss early. As I have done throughout the pandemic and the last 4
years, I’d like to share some thoughts with you about the situation.
School delays, closures and early dismissals are never taken lightly by me, and the decisions
are always more complex than they may seem on the surface. For example, changes in the
schedule can be a major challenge for parents who must arrange for childcare. Also, there can
be implications for a specific educational day. On April 8th, there are a few student field trips
and an event for senior students planned for the day. These are just a few of the many factors
that need to be considered. But, when we do have weather related changes to the schedule, we
try to air on the side of caution for student safety.
While the solar eclipse does present potential concerns for student safety, we have taken some
steps to address safety concerns already. First, the teachers and staff will be providing
educational information about solar eclipses prior to and during the school day on April 8th.
This will be a great learning experience for our students. Secondly, the Penn State College of
Science has donated 2900 pairs of eclipse glasses for our schools. We will distribute these to
students the day of the eclipse even if it’s a cloudy day. And finally, driving during an eclipse
can be tricky, so please be aware that a few students could be slightly delayed getting home on
buses that day due to the eclipse. Bus drivers should not be looking directly into the sun for an
extended period of time during an eclipse or otherwise, but the arrival times may be slightly later
if there are traffic implications.
As a side note, the weather on the 8th is not known yet. The weather in Central Pennsylvania is
very unpredictable, as we well know with winter weather events. While AccuWeather is currently
predicting no rain on Monday, it could be cloudy which could obscure the viewing of the sun in
the eclipse. The event may not be as spectacular simply because the sun is hidden in the
clouds.
And, finally, I completely understand that parents may have specific safety concerns about their
own child(ren), and families may want to share the event together. Given all of the
considerations, we are going to offer an opportunity for parents to decide for their own children
much like we did during the pandemic. Parents may choose an early dismissal for their own
child(ren) for the eclipse. The early dismissal/absence will be an excused absence from
school. This also includes an opportunity for an early dismissal for student drivers. .Parents of
student drivers may want to consider requesting an early dismissal, so that their students are
not driving during the eclipse. In all cases, for April 8th, students may be dismissed early,
similarly to any early dismissal, but parents should provide a written note/email prior to the
afternoon of the 8th. Please send a note/email to school with your child indicating that your
child should be dismissed early due to the solar eclipse or if you would like your child, or student
driver, to be dismissed early.
I am hopeful that our providing educational information about solar eclipses and solar eclipse
glasses, as well as an opportunity for parents to make their own decisions about early
dismissals for their own child(ren) on April 8th, we will meet the needs of most of our families.
I hate slime.
They do that in PA now too (they might have always done it, just not in my town). My kids all took their driver test with the teacher they did the in car driving in school with.What was nice - with both boys - is they took their driving class with the instructor who administers the test for the SC DMV. Just a lot more comfortable than with a rando DMV employee. Once they pass, the instructor enters it into the DMV system and we go to the DMV to get the actual full license on Monday.
I'm 36 and I still get an Easter basket lolThis was our first basketless Easter.
It was the first time I've ever seen the bunny bring beer.
I can't help but wonder if the kids are old enough to get beer for Easter, if it's not time for them to no longer have the bunny come. But I know Mrs. Franchise's answer so I won't be asking that question out loud.