Madison schools closing early for eclipse

MADISON – Madison City Schools will dismiss early on Aug. 21 because of the solar eclipse.

Superintendent Robby Parker announced that pre-kindergarten classes will dismiss at 10:30 a.m., followed by elementary schools at 11 a.m. and secondary schools (middle and high schools) at 11:45 a.m.

According to a NASA publication, the eclipse will reach Nashville, Tenn. at approximately 1:27 p.m. on Aug. 21.

“Due to the rarity of this event and the educational experiences that can be derived from it, Madison City Schools will dismiss early that day,” Parker said. “This is not a decision I’ve made lightly. In the interest of safety for our students and affording them an opportunity to experience this unusual natural phenomenon outside the structured environment of a school campus, I felt it best to release schools early.”

Parker stated two major reasons for the dismissal: safety and viewing availability for all students.

“We cannot ensure your child’s safety. There is no way we can ensure that glasses used by the student are safe,” Parker said. “Some have been ordered off of the Internet, some have been donated, and some have been purchased at the Space Center and at other sites.”

Vendors are selling numerous versions of fake glasses. “We have no way of ensuring your child’s eyes will not be damaged. I am not willing to take the chance of hoping all glasses brought in by the student or acquired by different schools by different staff members from different sites are all 100 percent safe,” he said.

In his second reason, Parker said MCS can’t offer the opportunity for 10,500 students to watch the eclipse. “We do not have 10,500 pairs of glasses (fake or real).”

“By dismissing, each parent can ensure their child’s safety and afford them the opportunity to watch the eclipse. I could not live with myself if a child (or numerous children) has permanent retina damage as a result of something that we did at school,” Parker said.

Parker hopes parents understand his reasoning. “I made this decision 11 days early so you could have time to prepare. I know some will disagree with this decision and I can accept that and any criticism that may come. What I could not live with is if one of our kids had permanent eye damage that occurred because I couldn’t make a tough decision,” he said.

Many parents want to take their child out of school for the entire day on Aug. 21 to view the eclipse out of town. “We will excuse the absence with a written note. It will not be counted as one of the child’s parent notes,” Parker said.

Bob Jones High School

Local Talent Shines In Alabama Baseball Victory At Toyota Field

Bob Jones High School

Bartlett selected as Executive Director of US Chess Federation

Madison

Mill Creek students shine in Elementary Science Olympiad

Madison

Facility dog Daryl comforts, ‘listens’ to children at Midtown elementary

Madison

Batt-Rawden named ‘Alabama School Psychologist of the Year’

Madison

Madison city councilman Teddy Powell loses to Marilyn Lands in special election for HD10

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones’ population fondly remembers Angela Mooney

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 27, 2024

Events

AUSA showcasing the U.S. Army’s technological advances in Huntsville

Madison

Voters in HD10 to decide who fills unexpired term today

Madison

Jackie Smith’s legacy thrives through her students at Mill Creek

Harvest

AUSA sponsors ‘Operation Deploy Your Dress’ for women’s gowns

Bob Jones High School

Bob Jones ‘fetches’ ‘Mean Girls – High School Version’ for Spring Musical

Events

Arts Huntsville announces Panoply Arts Festival 2024 highlights  

Huntsville

Women in Tech – Huntsville event to view business future, open scholarships

James Clemens High School

Students in grades K-11 earn City Chess Champ titles

Madison

MVP Community Impact Grant helps library’s Music Garden

Harvest

Enjoy a day of celebration at TARCOG’s Senior Fun Fest

Madison

Kim Dykes named state’s Augmentative and Alternative Communication Professional

Bob Jones High School

All-Girls National Chess Championships set for Chicago

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Mustang Mud Run Set For April 13- Register Now

FRONT PAGE FEATURED

Madison Miracle League Facility Hopes To Be “Shining” Location

Bob Jones High School

Madison Visionary Awards: Madison residents and business leaders named finalists for volunteerism awards

Digital Version

Digital version of The Madison Record – March 13, 2024

x