Forced leave for thousands of students during the solar eclipse

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The Eastern Ontario Public School Board (CEPEO) announced in a letter sent to parents on Wednesday that, in conjunction with the Center-East Catholic School Board (CECCE) and the Catholic District School Board of Eastern Ontario (CSDCEO), it was decided that April 8 will become an educational day on the calendar. Moved forward, the one initially scheduled for April 26 will therefore be a class day.

These organizations, which follow in the footsteps of others in Toronto as well as in Estrie in Quebec, argue that the eclipse which will partially plunge the region into darkness could cause “potential security issues at the time of leaving classes and students returning home.

This means that 55,000 schoolchildren will be on forced leave the day the moon’s shadow passes in front of the Sun, with school authorities judging that young people will be safer at home.

The phenomenon will occur between 2:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.

Partial

In the federal capital region, the eclipse will be partial, with only the extreme south of Ontario and Quebec falling within the geographical area approximately 200 kilometers wide where we will be able to observe a total eclipse, expected around 3:30 p.m. .

“This period coincides with the time when the majority of students leave school and return home. However, viewing the eclipse without appropriate eye protection poses potential risks of eye damage and permanent vision damage. Challenges could also be encountered in terms of school transportation, both due to the availability of bus drivers and in terms of road traffic during the eclipse,” mentions the letter sent to parents.

The areas where we can observe the total solar eclipse on April 8. (eclipsequebec.ca)

Quebec shore

On the Quebec side, the Outaouais school service centers have not yet announced any changes to their school calendar linked to these exceptional circumstances.

Discussions to this effect have, however, taken place in recent weeks between the general directorates and the Ministry of Education, according to the director of communications and secretary general of the CSS au Coeur-des-Vallées (CSSCV), Jasmin Bellavance, due to of the peak hour at which the eclipse is anticipated. The reflection continues and no decision has been made.

After the smoke from forest fires, strikes, winter storms and even COVID-19 in recent months and years, a solar eclipse will partially disrupt the school calendar this spring.