Bucks County schools announce early dismissal for solar eclipse. Check your district

Damon C. Williams and Valerie Myers, Bucks County Courier Times
Updated ·6 min read

Editor's note: This story has been updated from its original publication to note early dismissals.

The solar eclipse is expected to be best observable during mid-afternoon Monday, April 8, meaning many Bucks County students will need to hurry from class to observe nature's phenomenon.

While most Bucks County school districts said in March they weren'tt planning early dismissals for the solar eclipse, officials said they would weigh their options and could change course on the decision to stay in school for a full day.

On April 2, many school districts in Bucks County announced early dismissals, reversing course on earlier decisions to remain open through the eclipse.

"After a meeting today with Bucks County Superintendents it was determined that mostly all schools in the county will dismiss early on eclipse day 4/8/24," wrote Hank DeGeorge, administrative director of Bucks County Technical High School in Bristol Township. "BCTHS will also be dismissed early on 4/8. I will have more details after transportation details are worked out with our sending districts."

Many districts cited safety in their decision to let students out before the eclipse.

"The safety and well-being of our students and staff is our utmost priority. While solar eclipses are fascinating astronomical events, they also come with certain risks if proper precautions are not taken. Viewing a solar eclipse without appropriate eye protection can cause severe damage to the eyes," the Centennial School District notice read.

Council Rock officials said they made the decision in consultation with its insurance agency, other districts an its solicitor, in a letter posted on Facebook.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education offered guidance since the solar eclipse will arrive late in the instructional day and possibly at dismissal for some schools.

"Schools are encouraged to review their school calendars sooner rather than later to avoid potential conflicts with other school-related events and activities," read a portion of the education department's solar eclipse update. "The eclipse will begin and occur shortly after 2:00 p.m., which may overlap with school dismissal.

An early dismissal would be counted the same as one for inclement weather, and be counted as a full instruction day, the department said.

In Northwestern Pennsylvania, where Erie is in the path of totality, the majority of students there will be able to watch the total solar eclipse from home on April 8, as 12 of Erie County's 13 public school districts will have no classes that day.

Bucks and Montgomery counties, along with the rest of the state, will be able to observe the eclipse, but are not in the direct path.

Solar eclipse plans for Erie students: Closed or remote? Erie County schools have safety plan for April 8 total solar eclipse

Here's where each school district in Bucks County stands on scheduling for April 8.

Bucks County districts solar eclipse decisions as of April 3

Solar eclipse programming: Want to learn more about the solar eclipse in PA? Temple University, DCNR offer programs

Bucks County Free Library to livestream solar eclipse; hosting observation party at two campuses

The Bucks County Free Library will host an observation party at its Levittown campus and will livestream the solar eclipse from its Yardley campus.

"Join us at the library to celebrate the solar eclipse event with crafts and activities for children," read a portion of the eclipse party invite from the free library. "Attendees will receive a free pair of eclipse glasses (while supplies last) to view the solar eclipse!"

The watch party begins at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, April 8, at the Levittown branch, 7311 New Falls Road.

The Bucks County Free Library will also livestream NASA's live broadcast of the solar eclipse from its Yardley campus, 1080 Edgewood Road.

"Join us for a NASA broadcast of the 2024 total solar eclipse," read the invite. "Watch telescope live feeds of the total solar eclipse across the path and grab your eclipse glasses (while supplies last) to view the actual solar eclipse with us at it's maximum coverage around 3:20pm. ln Bucks County, we will see about 90% of the sun covered by the eclipse."

What time is the eclipse? How long will it last? What will it look like?

On April 8 the moon will travel along the path of totality in North America starting in northern Mexico. The shadow of the moon will pass into Texas a little before 1:30 p.m. local time.

People planning to observe the solar eclipse and interested in timing the event can enter their ZIP code on this site to get an approximation on the timetable of the solar eclipse's visibility and what it will look like in your neighborhood.

Timing the 2024 solar eclipse: When will the solar eclipse be best viewable? Here's how to use your ZIP code to find out

Erie in direct path of solar eclipse; how to best observe there

While Bucks County and most of Pennsylvania are in the path of the eclipse, Erie in northwestern part of the state is in the path of totality and expects big crowds for the 3 minutes and 42 seconds event.

Erie guide for the solar eclipse: Solar eclipse 2024: Erie is in path of totality. Here's what to know

Presque Isle State Park in Erie has been preparing for large crowds.

Early April is usually a slow time at the park, but the solar eclipse that day is expected to bring up to 30,000 people to Presque Isle, depending on the weather, said Matt Greene, the park's operations manager.

In Erie, people are encouraged to find places other than the bayfront to view the eclipse because the downtown traffic could be gridlocked on April 8.

PennDOT will remove cars from highways; will break up solar eclipse viewing parties at rest stops

The Pennsylvania State Police will not allow motorists to pull over on the highway to view the solar eclipse, nor will they allow people to gather at any of the state's 17 service plazas.

"Pennsylvania State Police will remove disabled vehicles from interstates in northwestern Pennsylvania and post troopers at each exit to keep traffic moving," read the news release. "People gathered at rest stops will be directed to view the eclipse elsewhere."

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Solar eclipse could shorten school day in PA, Bucks County