Watertown school district to be closed on April 8 for solar eclipse

WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI) – The Watertown City School District has made the decision to close on the date of the Monday, April 8 solar eclipse.

In an announcement sent via Parent Square and posted on the school’s Facebook page, the district decided to close school for the day instead of the previous plan of dismissing early on that date.

After careful consideration and discussions with relevant stakeholders, including the Mayor’s Office and elected officials, we have decided to close all schools and the district office on April 8, 2024. This decision comes in response to concerns about the safety of our students, staff, and community during the solar eclipse event.

Dr. Larry Schmiegel, Watertown CSD Superintendent

The announcement also mentioned the potential impacts of the solar eclipse on our community, including anticipated street closures, increased traffic, and strain on first responders, have led us to prioritize the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

Lisa Blank, our Director of STEM Programs, has prepared engaging learning packets for families and arranged for protective solar filters (glasses) to be provided to all students.

Children can access resources and updates related to the solar eclipse event on our dedicated website: WCSD Solar Eclipse Information:

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