Ithaca schools off April 8, Starbucks mug recall, move over law changes, positive news.

Good morning and happy Friday ☀️

🥳Congratulations on making it through another week. Don’t pat yourself on the back for too long though, as you’ll miss the good news I have in store for you later on in this newsletter.

If someone forwarded this to you, click the sign-up link here for more updates and don’t forget to spread the word to anyone else who might enjoy giving it a read.

Without further ado, here’s an update on recent vote by the Ithaca City School district’s board.

Ithaca schools announce district recess for April 8 eclipse

The Ithaca City School District Board recently announced that it will utilize an unused snow day to give students the day off after receiving community feedback, and other neighboring districts declaring the day a school recess day.

The school board voted on March 19 to make April 8 a school recess day, allowing students and families in Ithaca to observe the eclipse together, according to a statement on the district's website.

The change came about 20 days before the eclipse and has caused some backlash among ICSD school board members, many of whom have switched their stance on the change throughout the voting process.

Learn about the schedule change and why one board member voiced her opposition to it in this article .

Here’s some more of what you need to know today

☕Starbucks mugs recalled : is your Christmas coffee mug prone to overheating and breaking ? Find out here .

🚓New York expands ‘move over’ restrictions starting March 27 : Here’s how changes to the law, designed to make room for authorities and disabled vehicles parked roadside, and how they may affect the way you drive.

🌳Find familiarity in New York’s wildlife and woodlands : get tips on tracking animals and digesting the ever-changing beauty of the woods with help from Rick Marsi .

Finger Lakes community news this Friday

Although the week can be stressful and filled with negative news for many, I like to take some time each week to reflect on positive stories and events in the coming weeks. I hope this list gives you something to look forward to, or otherwise brightens up your weekend.

Fans of hard rock will be delighted to know that The Rods will be preforming at LakeWatch Inn in Ithaca April 20 at the Inn’s 420: Rock the Comedy event . The band, formed by David Feinstein in 1980 after playing in the band Elf with his cousin, famed rocker Ronnie James Dio, who shined like a rainbow in the dark ever since he was raised in Cortland in the early 1940’s.

Ithaca College recently made a Facebook post highlighting a presentation by Roy H. Park School of Communications alumnus Ciara Lucas on springing into fitness for the year, filmed in Rockefeller Center. Check out the fitness video here .

Forty-eight Wegmans stores will close for 30 minutes for eclipse viewing, including Ithaca’s, according to WENY news . Give this article a read to see what other locations are closing for the span.

That’s about it from me this week.

Thank you for reading and look out for more updates come Monday.

Feel free to reach out to me at jmack@gannett.com for any comments, questions or concerns about this newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Ithaca schools off April 8, Starbucks mug recall, move over law changes, positive news.