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Solar eclipse safety concerns closes school for Norfolk Public School students

Some parents are finding ways to teach their children about the eclipse and experience seeing it with them. Norfolk students will return to class on Tuesday.

NORFOLK, Va. — It’s an exciting educational experience for many students in Norfolk, but they won't be getting that experience inside the classroom on Monday.

“It’s going to be fun,” said W. H. Taylor Elementary School student Aliya Harrod. “It’s not common for this to happen.”

It's one that Forrest Crock is excited to see with his children.

“I think it’s all about learning about the universe around us,” Crock said. “These sort of experiences are important for kids in general.”

Schools across Norfolk were rather quiet Monday morning. That’s because Norfolk Public School administrators closed school for the day.

A statement from the division reads:

With the eclipse coinciding with the time when many students are preparing to depart from their school locations or already traveling home, and to better ensure their safety, students will not report to school on Monday, April 8, 2024.

Experts warn of eye damage if one watches the eclipse with the naked eye or without proper protection.

“I didn’t have a problem with it but I see how it could be a problem…for people with younger children to arrange child care,” said Norfolk parent Leetreona Matthews.

“Teachers and administrators already have enough to worry about then to have to worry about someone else’s children keeping their glasses on,” said Torrey Cochran, another Norfolk parent.

Just because students are home today, doesn’t mean they don’t have work to do. Students were given an independent learning activity. Cochran said her son’s assignment includes teaching her about the solar eclipse.

“He hasn’t done his assignment yet," she said. "But hopefully by the time I get home from work, he’ll have his assignment completed.”

Matthews said her sixth-grade student is eager to find the right spot to view the eclipse.

“I see her excitement building,” she said.  “We’re going to talk about it more. I’m going to try to be back in time so that we can be somewhere to see it together.”

Norfolk Public Schools students will return to class on Tuesday.

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