Saline River News

Attention Brunson Elementary School parents: Plans set for students to experience solar eclipse next week

The following is a letter published to social media from Thomas C. Brunson Elementary School:

Dear Parents/Guardians of Brunson Elementary Students:

Monday, April 8, 2024 is an exciting day for much of the United States including Warren, Arkansas!

According to NASA, Warren will experience 97.6% of the total solar eclipse! After this total solar eclipse, we will not experience another one until August 23, 2044!!! That makes this solar eclipse a very unique educational experience for our students. I want to inform you on our instructional and safety plan, so you can make informed decisions for your child.

On Monday, April 8, 2024, all students at Brunson Elementary will spend the day learning about solar eclipses in all classrooms. They will read, write, and even solve some math problems about the solar eclipse. At approximately 1:15 PM, all students and staff will go outside to watch as the total solar eclipse takes place. The most coverage is expected for Warren at 1:51 PM.

Viewing a total solar eclipse can be extremely dangerous for the eyes. The Arkansas Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has provided solar eclipse safety glasses for all students and staff in Arkansas. Our staff members will speak to the students about the importance of keeping on the glasses, and we will make clear strict consequences for anyone who might not follow the rule.

However, our staff to student ratio is approximately 1:10 making it easy for a student to slip down their glasses without us knowing. I want to make it clear that it is the student’s responsibility to keep the provided safety glasses on at all times. I urge you to speak to your child about this. If for any reason you have concerns about your child’s safety and you do not wish for them to be outside during the total solar eclipse, you must call the school office to speak to the principal by Friday, April 5, 2024.

If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out via email or phone at [email protected] or (870) 226-2351

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