The choice to use a flexible instructional day at North Allegheny School District for the solar eclipse on April 8 will depend on the weather.
The district might cancel regular classes that day as the eclipse is expected to occur between 2 to 4:30 p.m. in Pittsburgh, with the peak at 3:15 to 3:20, which coincides with the usual dismissal and transportation time for many students.
This aligns with the time when many students would normally leave school.
The well-being of students is the top concern, according to Superintendent Brendan Hyland. He warned that looking at the sun without proper eye protection can cause permanent damage and unsupervised students may behave irresponsibly while trying to observe the eclipse.
A decision will be made by April 5 after reviewing the expected weather pattern for the following Monday. If regular classes are canceled, students will have a flexible instructional day from home.
Extracurricular activities at North Allegheny will still take place starting at 5:30.
Other nearby school districts and private schools are also closing.
Blessed Seelos Academy in Pine, following the Diocese of Pittsburgh’s directive, is also holding a flexible instruction day on April 8. Pine-Richland School District is closed, while Shaler Area and North Hills school districts will have an early dismissal.
The eclipse's path will pass through a portion of northwestern Pennsylvania, including Erie, Crawford, Warren, and Mercer counties, as per the state Department of Natural Resources website.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, most of the state will experience 90 percent coverage, allowing the eclipse to be visible across Pennsylvania. The department also lists state parks within the path of totality, such as Presque Isle, Erie Bluffs, Pymatuning, and Maurice K. Goddard state parks, all in Erie County.
Some observers are making plans to go to ideal viewing spots, such as BSA Troop 329 and Troop 9329 based in McCandless. They are organizing an overnight camping trip to Camp Beaumont in Cleveland.
Dr. Christopher Koman, a committee secretary for the troop, explained the decision to choose Beaumont Scout reservation for the trip, citing the high interest and limited accommodations in northern Ohio as the reason for selecting a location with ample space.
