Monday, April 8, 2024, will be an early dismissal for all students due to the timing of the solar eclipse and concern for student safety. The early dismissal schedule will be as follows:
- North Hills High School: 10:45 a.m. (A.W. Beattie students should attend morning classes as scheduled.)
- North Hills Middle School: 11:45 a.m.
- Highcliff & West View Elementary Schools: 12:00 p.m.
- McIntyre & Ross Elementary Schools: 12:45 p.m.
Breakfast will be served in all six schools but there is no lunch when there is an early dismissal.
April 8 will remain a normal workday for staff. All staff members will work their normal hours.
Students who are traveling to watch the eclipse in the path of totality and will be absent on April 8 will have an excused educational absence.
All extracurricular activities will be halted during the eclipse. Activities can resume at 5 p.m.
The eclipse will begin at approximately 2 p.m. and continue until 4:30 p.m. with its maximum point occurring around 3:17 p.m.
Looking at an eclipse without proper eye protection is dangerous and could result in permanent eye damage. AAA also advises against driving during an eclipse due to the high probability of distractions and distracted drivers.
Eclipse Viewing Safety Precautions
Viewing an eclipse without proper eye protection is dangerous. Looking directly at the sun with the naked eye or with any kind of standard sunglasses could result in permanent eye damage. Specialized eye protection such as eclipse glasses or viewing devices must meet the International Organization for Standardization’s 12312-2:2015 safety standard. You should also not look through a camera lens, telescope, binoculars or any other optical device while wearing eclipse glasses. The concentrated solar rays will burn through the filter and cause serious eye injury.
Additional guidance from the American Astronomical Society (AAS) can be found at the links below.
In North America, the last total solar eclipse occurred in August of 2017 but the next one won't occur for another 20 years in 2044.