The Gorham Schools have rescheduled the April 3 Early Release Day to April 8, 2024, due to the solar eclipse, making April 3 a full day of school and April 8 an Early Release Day.
According to Superintendent Heather Perry, “The reason I am making this shift is due to the upcoming solar eclipse and primarily the issue of safety. Not that eclipses get to choose their timelines, but this one chose the absolute worst possible time to occur for schools. The eclipse is scheduled to occur at 3:28 p.m. on April 8 and will last between 5-6 minutes. If you know our bus schedules – you would know that that is smack dab in the middle of our PK-5 p.m. bus runs home.”
She continued, “Although Gorham is not in the direct path to view the 100% eclipse the eclipse view here in Gorham will be between 96-97%. It is most definitely enough to distract other drivers on the road. It is also enough to distract our own bus drivers who already have a very big and difficult job without an eclipse. Finally, it is enough to distract the almost 1000 students we will have on buses during that time with no ability to monitor that they are not looking out the windows into the eclipse out of sheer curiosity.”
Schools are hoping to ensure that students are settled and safely in one place for the eclipse and not on the roads during that time.
Solar Safety from NASA
Looking directly at the sun during a solar eclipse will cause immediate and permanent damage your eyes. DO NOT use cameras, binoculars, or the naked eye.
Make sure to use solar safe glasses that are labeled with language that says they meet the Transmission requirements of ISO 12312-2 Filters for an E15 Direct Observation of the Sun.
You can view the eclipse directly without proper eye protection only when the Moon completely obscures the Sun’s bright face – during the brief and spectacular period known as totality. (You’ll know it’s safe when you can no longer see any part of the Sun through eclipse glasses or a solar viewer.)
As soon as even a little bit of the bright Sun reappears after totality, immediately put your eclipse glasses back on or use a handheld solar viewer to look at the Sun.
If you are watching an entire eclipse, the Sun will still be very bright. You may be in direct sunlight for hours. Remember to wear sunscreen, a hat, and protective clothing to prevent skin damage.