UPDATE, 3/26/24: The district has updated dismissal times for each of the three school buildings on Monday, April 8. They are as follows:
• Jr./Sr. High School - 11:30 a.m.
• Upper Elementary - Noon
• Primary Center - 12:30 p.m.
We are communicating these updated dismissal times with ABC Transit to ensure every student who takes transportation will get home in a timely manner. Additionally, there will be no athletics or after school activities on that day.
Again, we would like to reiterate that we are dismissing class early on Monday, April 8 out of an abundance of caution, and we appreciate your understanding. This solar eclipse is a unique and fascinating event, and we encourage students and families to safely enjoy it.
ORIGINAL POST, 3/25/24:
Dear Families and Guardians,
Due to the solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 we will be dismissing all classes at Noon. The eclipse is scheduled to pass over western Pennsylvania between approximately 2:00 - 4:30 p.m. with a total eclipse occurring between 3:15 - 3:20 p.m. for northwestern Pennsylvania.
We encourage all students and families to take necessary precautions when observing the solar eclipse and to follow safety guidelines provided by trusted sources. Since Sto-Rox School District is not in the path of totality we will experience a partial eclipse, and eclipse glasses will be required to safely view this phenomenon.
Image Courtesy: NASA
Below is a link to NASA’s recommendations for safely viewing the upcoming solar eclipse: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/safety/
Educational information regarding tracking the eclipse throughout the course of the day can be found here: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/
Thank you for your understanding as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our school community. Should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s building administration. We will continue to remind parents/guardians and the community about our early dismissal plans in the days and weeks leading up to April 8 via our website, social media, email, and by phone.
Sincerely,
Megan Van Fossan, M.A., M.Ed.
Superintendent