Eclipse Concerns Prompt Camden Co. Schools To Close Early

PENNSAUKEN, NJ — In recent years, schools have closed or modified schedules because of extreme heat, a pandemic and air pollution. Several Camden County school districts will add an extraterrestrial threat to the list.

Cherry Hill and Pennsauken schools will close early April 8 because of the total solar eclipse, which is predicted to become visible in the region mid-afternoon, when students normally leave school.

"The Solar Eclipse is a safety concern for our students because directly viewing the sun during an eclipse without proper certified eye protection can cause serious eye damage," wrote Dr. Ronnie Tarchichi, Pennsauken's superintendent.

Cherry Hill school officials opted to do the same after discussing the safety risks, said Dr. Kwame Morton, the district's acting superintendent.

"While the eclipse is an exciting event and is being used as an educational opportunity in our schools, concerns have been raised regarding the timing of the event," Morton wrote to the district community. "We have had extensive discussion regarding the risk of serious eye damage from looking at the sun during an eclipse without proper eye protection."

New Jersey isn't in the direct path of the eclipse, but the Garden State will still see some blockage of the sun — it just won't be as dramatic. Nonetheless, NASA advises that viewing the eclipse without proper eye protection is still unsafe.

The eclipse will reach the Camden County area just after 2 p.m. and remain visible until just after 4:30 p.m., according to NASA.

Here are the details:

• Partial eclipse begins: 2:08 p.m.
• Totality begins: 2:49 p.m.
• Maximum: 3:23 p.m.
• Totality ends: 3:57 p.m.
• Partial ends: 4:35 p.m.

It's uncertain whether many New Jersey school districts will follow suit. Livingston schools will close early and cancel after-school activities. Schools across the nation — especially those in the eclipse's path of totality — have also shifted their schedules.

Many districts, meanwhile, will keep kids in school and take advantage of the teachable moment. Schools in Abington Township, Pennsylvania — a suburb located north of Philadelphia — will extend the day so students can watch the celestial event in an educational setting.

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth, completely blocking the sun. After April 8, there won't be another total solar eclipse for another 20 years.