Maple Valley Schools opening day for the 2017-2018 school year has been cut to a half day because of concerns of students viewing the partial solar eclipse that will begin around 1 p.m. and end about 3:45 p.m.

 

The revised schedule:

Fuller Street Elementary School *8:20 a.m. to noon.          

Maplewood School *8 a.m. to 11:40 a.m.    

Jr./Sr. High School / Pathways *7:55 a.m. to 11:25 a.m.

Morning CTE/LCC students will be bused to campus, but students will be excused from afternoon CTE/LCC classes. Little Lions will be open and all children will remain indoors from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.; there will be no other activities on campus from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Superintendent Michelle Falcon said.

 

When the Aug. 21 day was set in the school calendar in January, it was not known that a solar eclipse would occur that day, Superintendent Michelle Falcon said,

 

“Our science teachers have been researching activities for our students surrounding this event. In doing so, we have discovered many warnings of the damage to a person’s vision without proper eye protection.

 

“Our number one priority is the safety of our students. When looking at something that is incredibly bright there is a chance of burning your retina which creates permanent damage. The eclipse would be at its peak around the time of dismissal in the afternoon,” she said.

 

“Although our teachers would supervise the students outside with their glasses (provided by the school that allows them to safely watch the eclipse), after they leave the building, we cannot ensure they will keep them on,” Falcon said.

 

Students will have a lesson on the eclipse in the morning and be served a free super snack before leaving. For more information on the solar eclipse, go to www.eclipse2017.org