On Monday, April 8, 2024, a full solar eclipse will occur in southern Ontario, which will block the sun’s light in some areas.
In York Region, we will experience the effects of the eclipse between roughly 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m., which coincides with the scheduled dismissal times for our schools. Looking at the sun during this time period has the potential to cause serious eye damage.
Out of concern for student safety, on April 8, 2024, all students in elementary and secondary schools will be dismissed early. Your school will have communicated the actual dismissal time. Student after-school activities will also be cancelled for that afternoon.
Please note that schools have sent updated dismissal times in the past several weeks. If you have any questions about specific dismissal times, please contact the school.
Transportation services such as busing and taxis will be adjusted for the early dismissal. The schedule for student transportation in the morning of April 8 will remain the same. Transportation in the afternoon will be modified to align with the early dismissal time and will be communicated to families.
As you may have seen, some Ontario school boards moved a preexisting April PA Day to coincide with the eclipse on April 8. This is not possible for our board due to contractual obligations, prior commitments and because there is no preexisting April PA Day.
Child care and before and after care programs can operate at the provider’s discretion. If you have questions about child care, please contact your child’s child care provider directly.
The Government of Canada website has additional information related to solar eclipses that you may review.
Please know that this decision was made with student safety at its centre. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s school.