Solar Eclipse Prompts No Schedule Changes At Fairfax County Schools

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Looking directly at the April 8 solar eclipse without eye protection can cause a severe eye injury. NASA says that includes viewing the eclipse through sunglasses, a camera lens, binoculars or telescope without a solar filter. Some schools are even planning schedule changes due to the risk of viewing the solar eclipse.

Fairfax County Public Schools will not have any schedule changes on Monday, April 8 due to the partial solar eclipse. However, a spokesperson said, "we do have safety protocols in place to ensure students are protected while viewing the eclipse." Because the eclipse may coincide with dismissal, schools are directing students and staff to solar eclipse educational and safety resources through the FCPS website.

At least one of its elementary schools will provide solar eclipse glasses to all students for a solar eclipse viewing event. The school will dismiss at its regular time after the partial solar eclipse's peak.

Elsewhere in Fairfax County, several parks will host solar eclipse viewing events. Select Fairfax County Public Library locations will have solar eclipse glasses or viewing events.

The partial solar eclipse in Fairfax County is expected to last from about 2:04 p.m. and end by 4:32 p.m. on April 8. At a peak, about 87 percent of the sun will be covered by the moon at 3:19 p.m.

During the eclipse, FCPS urges the community to review solar eclipse eye safety information. When viewing the solar eclipse, NASA recommends use of approved solar eclipse glasses complying with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Eclipse glasses should not be used if they are scratched, punctured, torn or damaged. Adults are encouraged to supervise children during eclipse viewing.

For those without eclipse glasses, NASA suggested making a pinhole camera or viewer using household materials. Pinhole cameras or viewers should only be used to look at a reflection of an eclipse but not to view the eclipse directly due to the eye damage risk.

Elsewhere in Northern Virginia, Arlington Public Schools is providing all students with solar eclipse viewing glasses. Loudoun County Public Schools and Prince William County Schools do not have any planned changes but encourage safety tips.

Select school districts in the U.S. are planning to dismiss early, like Howard County, Maryland's school division and Bucks County, Pennsylvania.