The Cleveland Metropolitan School District has come to the decision to close all schools and facilities on Monday, April 8 for the total solar eclipse.
It's not the first district to announce a cancellation of class. Multiple other school districts will be closed or plan for remote learning or early dismissal on the day of the eclipse, including South Euclid-Lyndhurst, Parma, Madison, Willoughby-Eastlake and dozens more.
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In an email sent to parents and staff on Friday, the district explained their reasoning behind their decision, stating that the totality, or complete coverage of the sun, will occur in the afternoon, close to dismissal time for many of the schools. This could result in students being on buses during the eclipse and would complicate dismissal procedures.
“The Greater Cleveland area is expecting a large influx of visitors, which will likely result in heavy traffic congestion on the region’s highways and main roads,” the district wrote. “It is also possible, because of the large numbers of individuals in the area, that cellular and internet service could be hampered or disrupted."
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Due to the rarity of the event, the district says it hopes that students, families, educators, and others can use this time to truly enjoy such a unique event. Additionally, all CMSD students will receive a pair of eclipse glasses before the day of the event.
Students can take the day off to explore local events taking place during the eclipse including those hosted by the Great Lakes Science Center, the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, and Cleveland Public Library.
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