Will there be school on April 8? How mid-Hudson Valley districts are planning for eclipse

With the solar eclipse approaching, some school districts in Dutchess and Ulster counties are announcing a day off or an early dismissal for students on April 8.

In the mid-Hudson Valley, only a partial eclipse will be visible.

Dutchess County will have peak visibility at 3:26 p.m. Western areas of Ulster County will have peak visibility at 3:25 p.m., with eastern Ulster County at 3:26 p.m.

In Poughkeepsie, the partial eclipse will start at 2:11:30 p.m. and will end at 4:36:40 p.m.

The path of totality cross through New York within 15 minutes, entering southwestern New York just after 3:15 p.m. and exiting through the northern part of the state just before 3:30 p.m.

To find more viewing times in Dutchess and Ulster counties, along with the rest of New York, see the map below.

School canceled on April 8 for these districts

Both Saugerties Central School District and Spackenkill Union Free School District haven't used all their allotted snow days for the 2023-2024 academic year and have planned one of their "give back" snow days for the eclipse.

Saugerties Central School District: School will not be in session April 8.

Spackenkill Union Free School District: School will not be in session April 8.

These schools will dismiss early for the April 8 eclipse

Ellenville Central School District: Ellenville Junior/Senior High School will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m.

Ellenville Elementary School will be dismissed at 12:15 p.m.

Highland Central School District: Highland High School will be dismissed at 10:15 a.m.

Highland Middle School will be dismissed at 10:30 a.m.

Highland Elementary School will be dismissed at 11:15 a.m.

Onteora Central School District: High school and middle school students will be dismissed at 12:20 p.m.

Bennett Elementary, Phoenicia Elementary and Woodstock Elementary will be dismissed at 1:20 p.m.

Red Hook Central School District: Red Hook High School and Linden Avenue Middle School will be dismissed at 10:45 a.m.

Mill Road Intermediate School will be dismissed at 11:45 a.m.

Rondout Valley Central School District: High school, junior high school and intermediate school students will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m.

Kerhonkson and Marbletown Elementary schools will be dismissed at 1:45 p.m.

Eye safety precautions for the partial solar eclipse

Many of the school districts who have announced an early dismissal for April 8 mentioned taking the proper precautions when viewing the partial solar eclipse.

Some districts, including Ellenville and Rondout Valley, plan to send children home with NASA-approved eyewear for viewing with adult supervision.

Specialized eyewear is necessary, as it is not safe to look directly at a partial eclipse. NASA has further instructions on how to view partial eclipses safely. There are indirect viewing methods too, if you do not have proper eyewear available, such as a pinhole projector.

For more information regarding eclipse safety visit nasa.gov.

This page may be updated as new information becomes available.

Nickie Hayes: NHayes@poughkee.gannett.com: 845-863-3518