Wantagh School District Early Dismissal For Solar Eclipse Viewing

WANTAGH, NY — The solar eclipse is giving students in the Wantagh Union Free School District an early dismissal on Monday.

Superintendent John McNamara said he consulted with their medical director, who shared the concern about having young students outside for dismissal at the height of the eclipse.

McNamara decided the "safest option" was to send students home early.

Wantagh High School students will be dismissed at 2:00 p.m.

All high school athletic teams will remain indoors for practice until 4:00 p.m. and then will
move to outdoor practice and/or competitions.

Wantagh Middle School students will be dismissed at 2:30 p.m.

All middle school athletic practices will be canceled and there are no middle school athletic
competitions scheduled on this day, McNamara wrote in a letter to families.

The district elementary school will have a 1:30 p.m. dismissal with students having lunch and recess before leaving for the day. Pre-kindergarten students will end their day at 1 p.m.

The eclipse starts at 2:11 p.m on April 8 with the peak at 3:26 p.m., when the area is expected to 89 percent totality, NASA said.

Before viewing the eclipse, McNamara cautions the use of proper eye protection and supervision of an adult.