Monday, April 8, will be an eLearning day for Greenville County Schools students due to the solar eclipse.
The eclipse window, when there is the greatest potential for students to damage their vision, coincides with elementary and middle school dismissal times. With student safety being the top priority, this was the best option across all levels.
Schools will not have outdoor activities or athletic practices until after 4:00 p.m. There will be no extended-day programs or after-school club meetings.
Because GCS is an approved eLearning district, this day will not have to be made up and instruction will be provided through Google Classroom. Students will complete eLearning assignments later if they are unable to participate due to lack of internet service or other barriers.
Why eLearning?
On April 8, a solar eclipse will be visible across much of North America. In Greenville the eclipse will occur from approximately 1:51 to 4:24 p.m., peaking at 3:09 p.m., at which time the sun will be 82% covered. The window around the maximum eclipse, which is when there is the greatest potential for students to damage their vision, coincides with elementary and middle school dismissal times. After careful consideration and consultation with science experts, our principals and district leadership, it was determined that the time of the eclipse presents a potential danger to students, as school and transportation personnel cannot ensure students avoid damage to their vision during these transitions, while riding the bus, moving to and from vehicles, or while walking home from their bus stops.
After considering numerous options - including early dismissal at some or all levels, late dismissals at some levels, eLearning at some or all levels, and combinations thereof - the district concluded that an eLearning day is the best option for all students. To get all elementary and middle school students home before the window of the maximum eclipse would have required a very early dismissal after students had been at school for only a few hours, which would have shortened students’ instruction significantly and created significant inconveniences for families and employees. eLearning prioritizes safety, allows parents to supervise their children (or have older siblings available to do so) during the eclipse, and provides the opportunity for more academic instruction. The district does understand that eLearning days present challenges for many families and students, so this decision was made only after all other options were ruled out.
Safety Tips & Resources
Leading up to April 8, schools will be educating students about the eclipse. Additionally, schools will provide safety tips for students and parents about how to view the eclipse while protecting their vision.