With the upcoming solar eclipse set to pass through Williamson County in just a matter of days, each local school district has pledged to have enough protective eclipse glasses for every student and staff member.
On Monday, April 8, a total solar eclipse will be visible in the area in the afternoon. The period of totality is predicted for 1:38 p.m. in Taylor, which is in the middle of the school day.
Each district said it plans to remain open during the spectacle, with plans of making the eclipse a learning experience for the kids.
“Our goal is for 100% of Taylor Independent School District to have a front row seat to witness this rare phenomenon firsthand,” said Anita Volek, director of the Taylor Education Enrichment Foundation, which donated funds for the district to provide eclipse glasses.
Taylor ISD campuses plan to slowly release students outside to witness the eclipse at varying times, principals said.
Main Street Elementary Principal Kerri Pierce said some teachers are making paper plates that attach to the glasses for better coverage.
According to the National Weather Service, the most recent total solar eclipse within North or Central Texas was in 1878. The agency said after this year’s eclipse, there won’t be another in the region until 2317.
“Events like this don’t come around every day,” said Abigail Gola, academic dean of Thrall Independent School District. “Therefore, we want to ensure our students have the opportunity to learn more about the eclipse, as well as safely observe it firsthand.”
Other eclipse related activities going on around Thrall ISD that day include, moon pies being served with lunches in the cafeteria, various science lessons and activities about eclipses, exploring maps of the path of totality and eclipse viewing safety videos and lessons.
Gola said the district has International Organization for Standardizationcertified solar eclipse glasses purchased for every student and staff member in Thrall ISD through its PTOs and science teams planning ahead.
Jeni Neatherlin, Granger Independent School District superintendent, said a grant from the city of Granger helped give each student in her district glasses. She said Granger ISD purchased glasses for all the staff.
Part of Granger ISD’s preparations involved informing students and parents about the science behind the eclipse, such as describing the Purkinje Effect.
According to the district, the phenomenon makes people’s eyes more sensitive to cooler colors in low lighting, so it is recommended to wear green or red.
At Hutto Independent School District, students do not have to participate in viewing the eclipse but must have the provided glasses in order to do so.
The district’s child and nutrition services will adjust lunch formatting to accommodate for a picnic-style lunch so that students can snack while watching the rare event.
“It’s still a really good, healthy lunch, but it’s the kind of lunch that you can take outside and enjoy with your class,” said Brittany Swanson, associate superintendent of instruction and innovation.
Swanson said the district received a donation from Australia for 15,000 pairs of glasses from their last solar eclipse.
