Photos: District 70 Students Get Out To View Solar Eclipse

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — Educators across the Chicago area used Monday's total solar eclipse as a teaching opportunity for students.

Students in Libertyville District 70 were among those who got the chance to take a break from afternoon classes to get a glimpse of the eclipse Monday afternoon while wearing certified eclipse glasses, which were purchased by families within the district, Robin Smith Kollman, director of communications for District 70, told Patch in an email response.

District 70 Superintendent Rebecca Jenkins said the glasses provided made the memorable event possible.

This was a wonderful learning experience for all our students and staff to witness a historical eclipse," Jenkins said. "We're very appreciative of all our families for making this possible with the special glasses. Truly this is real-life teaching and learning at its best."

Students did not have afternoon recess Monday, but, if they received parent permission, were able to go outside with their glasses and their teachers to observe the eclipse, Kollman said.

"All students have learned about the eclipse in class last week and this week," she said. Families who did not want their children to participate in the observation were able to opt out and those students were given another activity to do while inside the school.

Parents also had the option of picking up their children early from school, she said. All students were told the importance of keeping the glasses on to prevent eye damage and were given the glasses to take home with them to wear on the bus.

"We have connected with the bus company to follow protocol to keep our students safe," Kollman said Monday morning.

At Highland Middle School, students went out between 1:50 to 2:15 p.m. Monday and also learned about the eclipse during science classes in recent days, Kollman said.

Between 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., students in preschool through fifth grade at Adler Park, Butterfield, Copeland Manor and Rockland schools all went out to a designated area where they were able to witness the rare event, Kollman said.

"Teachers and staff were there to "monitor and guide the students during the observation," she said.