Eye safety for solar eclipse stressed during MISD’s Digital Dialogue

• Meridian ISD Supt. Dana Davis, 4th grader Aaron Alonzo, and teacher Karla Childers demonstrate special safety glasses for the total solar eclipse during the district's Digital Dialogue on Tuesday, March 19. Courtesy Photo by Meridian ISD

Keeping your eyes safe during the upcoming total solar eclipse was a topic of Meridian ISD’s second Digital Dialogue on Tuesday, March 19.

Supt. Dana Davis explained that certified safety classes will be distributed to students on the Friday before the eclipse which will occur on Monday, April 8.

All of Meridian ISD’s campuses will be closed that day so children and parents can experience the eclipse safely at home and avoid traffic from visitors expected to drive to the area for the event.

The safety glasses must be ISO certified with the ISO number printed on the side of the special glasses.

“[The glasses] should be dark enough that you can’t see an LED light through them,” Davis said. “This is extremely important for eye safety during the eclipse.”

“Make sure you’re not looking at the Sun directly without your glasses,” she added.

The totality event –where the Moon moves between the Sun and the Earth, casting a shadow across the Earth’s surface– will happen between 1:37 p.m. - 1:41 p.m. over Meridian and the rest of Bosque County. The partial eclipse will end at around 3 p.m.

“We will keep an eye on conditions and let you know if a late start will be needed on Tuesday, April 9,” the superintendent said.

In addition, the importance of daily routines for children and adults was covered in the online discussion with Meridian Elementary School PE teacher Karla Childers and 4th grader Aaron Alonzo.

Alonzo said that he prepares for school by finishing his homework, getting his clothes ready, and eating a meal each evening. He goes to bed at 8 p.m. he said.

Likewise, Childers also explained the routines she performs to get ready for school.

“If you’re on time, you’re late. I stress that constantly,” she said. “To raise three girls –four women in the house– you have to be like that.”

Childers has worked at MES for around 30 years, raised three MHS graduates, and has three grandchildren who attend MES.

“I love my job. I love the kids,” she said.

Supt. Davis noted that it’s also important to prepare for extra-curricular events.

“Parents, we really just appreciate all you do to prepare your students for the classroom,” she said. “Afternoon and nighttime routines, such as homework, free time, supper time, and bedtime routines, set students up for success the next day.”

During the Digital Dialogue, Supt. Davis reviewed the schedule of upcoming events for the week: Meridian High School’s One-Act Play, MHS’s prom, MMS track meet, and school holiday on Friday and Monday of Easter weekend.

“We’re also off Monday, April 1. That means you’ll have to fool someone other than your teachers on April Fools Day,” Davis said. “Enjoy your long Easter weekend.”

Q&A

During her interviews, Davis asked Alonzo and Childers about changes at Meridian ISD, the campus culture, and the future at Meridian ISD.

Childers said that Meridian ISD has changed a lot since she first started teaching there, the biggest change being the creation of the new MES campus.

Alonzo said that if he could change one thing about school, it would be that everyone would get along and not be mean to each other.

Childers said that she wished more parents knew about how loyal and dedicated the district’s teachers are to their children.

“I wish they knew all it takes to be a teacher, to be a coach, to be a counselor, to be a principal, to be a superintendent,” she said.

Alonzo said his favorite thing about school is going to recess and playing with his friends.

Childers said the best thing about Meridian ISD is the kids and her fellow teachers and staff members.

“Our new principal – Coach (Darrell) Hogan – he’s doing a fabulous job,” she said.

Childers said that her hope and dream for Meridian ISD’s future is that it will prosper and be the very best.

“I believe it’s going to happen,” she said.

Alonzo said he enjoys learning and is looking forward to learning more next year at Meridian Elementary School.

The next Digital Dialogue is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Monday, April 22.

If you have questions you would like to have answered during our next Digital Dialogue event, submit them to Digital_ Dialogue@meridianisd. org.