To The Camden Community
On Monday, April 8th, the United States will have the rare opportunity to witness a total solar eclipse. This will be a truly special treat for Camden residents, as our communities are within the path of the total eclipse and we will be in a prime viewing area for the maximum effect of the eclipse. To put it in perspective, only 0.5 percent of the world’s population resides in the path of totality for this event, and the continental United States will not be overlapped by the path of totality in any way for another solar eclipse until 2044. We have not seen one in the United States since 2017.
That day, we will begin seeing a partial eclipse at approximately 2:09 PM, and we will see eclipse effects up until 4:35 PM. The totality phase will reach Camden, NY at 3:23 PM, and run until approximately 3:25 PM. Depending on your location in the district, that time could vary slightly.
It is truly exciting, but it also must be handled with care. Viewing a solar eclipse without proper equipment can be dangerous if not handled properly, and we want each member of our community to have a chance to view this generational event in a safe manner.
To that end, please make note of the following measures for April 8th.
On Monday, April 8th, we will dismiss our Middle School Students at 10:40 AM, High School at 10:55 AM, Elementary School students at 12:00 PM. We want to minimize the number of buses and vehicles on the roadways at that time while also allowing as many people as possible to safely witness this event if they wish. All Administration, Faculty and Staff working a day shift will be dismissed 90 minutes after the students. Please see your immediate supervisor for more information regarding what to do during that 90 minute time period.
We will be issuing approved eyewear to all students and staff so that they may view the eclipse in a safe manner. If you need additional eye protection, here is a list of reputable vendors at https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/viewers-filters. Make sure anything you are using meets the ISO 12312-2 Standard.
While students will be receiving instruction about this, it is also important that parents/guardians take a moment to talk to their children about the eclipse and how to view it safely. Not following safety guidelines for viewing an eclipse is a serious matter that could have lifelong consequences. There are some eclipse safety tips provided by the American Astronomical Society at https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety. We will be sharing this information on our website and social media platforms over the coming weeks.
Our schools will also be at work educating students about the eclipse, and we’d like to share some highlights of their plans with you.
At the Elementary Level, Each school will also have an educational assembly with a meteorologist from the National Weather Service on March 28th. McConnellsville’s assembly will be at 10 a.m. that day, while Camden Elementary will hold its assembly at 1 p.m. In addition, select groups of students have made use of the StarLab Portable Planetarium provided through MOBOCES Staff and Curriculum Development and OHM BOCES. Classroom teachers may also be doing additional classroom activities as their schedules allow.
At the Middle School Level, students at Camden Middle School will be learning about the eclipse in their science classes throughout the month of March. Each grade level will also participate in an interactive activity with a moon ball and video with one of our Earth Science teachers during their grade level student meeting the week prior to the eclipse. The Middle School will also have an educational assembly with a meteorologist from the National Weather Service on March 28th from 11:15-12:15.
At the High School Level, preparation has been underway for quite some time. The
CHS Science Department has been facilitating a building-wide initiative that includes a series of four video clips to be viewed by all students during morning announcements. Dates are: February 8th, March 8th, March 22nd, and April 5th. Science classes also have been having discussions surrounding the eclipse and the safety measures that individuals should take to prepare themselves as they go to view this extraordinary event.
We hope you enjoy this unique opportunity to learn about our world and the galaxy that surrounds it.
Dr. Ravo Root
Superintendent of the Camden Central School District