Monday, April 8th’s Solar Eclipse
Though DeKalb County Schools has announced that their students will have a virtual learning day on April 8 as a result of the solar eclipse, The Museum School will be in person and will have a traditional school day on Monday, April 8. TMS hosted an eclipse viewing experience in 2017 that was safe and enjoyable and we look forward to hosting a similar viewing event on April 8!
On Monday, April 8, a solar eclipse will be visible everywhere in North America. While Decatur is not on the path of totality, students will still get to experience an amazing natural phenomena.
NEVER look at a solar eclipse without proper eye protection!
Students and Staff will be provided safe viewing glasses, guest glasses may be available for cash purchase on the field April 8.
Where and When to Find Your Student
Students will be on and off the field throughout the eclipse based on stamina, curriculum, and safety considerations. If you are a parent joining your student on Monday, see below for times and locations. Due to the high number of guests, parents will not be invited into classrooms, but are welcome to join the viewing party in the Cafeteria when students are not on the field.
Plan to bring blankets, chairs, water bottles, sun screen, and a few dollars for snacks. As with all events on campus, be considerate of our Forrest Blvd neighbors when parking, and follow the signs.
Maximum Eclipse:
3:04 PM for 2 minutes
Kindergarten and 1st Grades
On the field at 1:30 to observe how the sun is changing; students may purchase snacks and will return to classrooms until 2:15
Location: center of field
Second and Third Grades
On the field at 1:45; pick up snacks and observe from the field until 2:45
Location: 2nd grade – field near the playground, 3rd grade – field near the GYM
Fourth and Fifth Grades
On the field right after lunch at 1:15 to observe; students will return to their classrooms and come back out at 2:15
Location: 4th grade front of the GYM, 5th grade bike racks
Middle School
On the field at 1:15 – some 8th graders may be assisting younger grades
Location: 6th grade – near breezeway, 7th grade – courtyard, 8th grade – near garden
Opt-out Information
While we encourage all students to participate safely in the eclipse viewing, we understand that some families may choose to opt their students out of the viewing event. If you do not want your child to participate in the eclipse viewing, please complete this survey by April 3, 2024. All other students will participate in the viewing event as detailed. Students that opt out will participate in a live streaming of the eclipse in the cafeteria. These students will have the opportunity to buy snacks from the snack sale.
Please note: students that make unsafe choices during the event (i.e. refusal to wear glasses, refusal to wear glasses correctly, general unsafe behaviors, etc.) will be asked to view the eclipse from the cafeteria.
Consider sending your student to school with a dollar or two for snacks. Sun Chips and Moon Pies will be available for $1 each. Cash or PayPal (via phone) preferred. All proceeds from the snack sale benefit the Middle School fund.
