August 18, 2017
Schools in the Pattonville School District will be in the path of a total solar eclipse on August 21, 2017, and the district is preparing to enable students to experience the once-in-a-lifetime event in a safe and educational manner.
The high school will have an adjusted schedule to ensure that all students who received permission are able to be outside at the point of totality. According to St. Louis County, the partial phase of the eclipse in the St. Louis region will begin at 11:52 a.m., with the total eclipse lasting from approximately 1:16 to 1:19 p.m. The remaining partial phase will end at 2:44 p.m
Students are learning about the solar eclipse leading up to the event. They are being taught that a solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely covering the sun and casting a shadow on the Earth. It is the first time since 1442 that a total solar eclipse has passed through St. Louis and the next one will not occur until 2505.
Students and staff who view the eclipse will have special viewing glasses provided free of charge by Pattonville. This will allow individuals to view the solar eclipse safely.
When re-enrolling their children this year, parents were asked to check “yes” or “no” to a statement in the online Parent Portal about allowing their children to view the solar eclipse using the special viewing glasses. As of August 18, about 50 of the 1,629 students at the high school have not yet received permission.
Science department chair Mr. Rob Lamb said the safety glasses are specially rated to look at the sun.
“This is not like a pair of sunglasses, this is not like a pair of welding glasses, these are specially rated to look at the sun,” he said. “When you look at the sun, you always need to make sure you are careful.”
He provided a tip to students who plan to go outside and experience the eclipse.
“First you look down to put these on and then look up,” he said. “Make sure you don’t look at the sun before you put these on.”
If students don’t wear the glasses when looking at the sun, students risk serious harm.
“You are going to cause permanent damage to your eyes and your retina so remember to wear them on the day of.”
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