On Monday, April 8, 2024, the same day that Lexington County School District Three students and staff return from Spring Break, a total solar eclipse is scheduled to occur across North America. Lexington Three does not fall in the path of totality, which will run from Texas to Maine. Therefore, the district will operate on its normal schedule that day.
In Batesburg-Leesville, only about 75% of the sun will be covered by the moon in a partial solar eclipse. The partial eclipse will begin in our area around 1:50 p.m. and the sun will be at its most hidden around 3:10 p.m. The eclipse will end around 4:30 p.m. As a result, students in grades 4K through 8th will not be allowed outside of their school building for outdoor activities such as recess or Physical Education classes between 1:30 PM and their respective dismissal. In addition, no outdoor after-school activities will be allowed to begin prior to 4:30 PM on Monday, April 8th.
Parents or guardians wishing for their child to be at home during the partial eclipse on April 8th may check them out of school early. To do so, they must provide a note explaining the reason for the early dismissal. Any time missed due to the eclipse will be marked as excused.
Please note that while classrooms across the district may utilize this rare scientific event for engaging discussions, no classes will directly observe the eclipse and eclipse glasses will not be distributed by our schools.
By working together, parents and the school district can make certain that students enjoy a safe and educational experience during the upcoming solar eclipse. Over Spring Break, parents/guardians are urged by the district to emphasize to students the significance and importance of avoiding direct eye contact with the sun at all times. Even a brief glance at the sun during an eclipse can lead to vision impairment.