COLUMBUS, Ohio — The total solar eclipse is an event that communities around the country have spent years preparing for. With this once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon, a large number of schools around the state have either canceled school on April 8 or are releasing students early so they have the opportunity to see the eclipse in all its glory.
In central Ohio, nearly 50 school districts have canceled school on April 8, while three districts are giving their students an early release. To see a full list, click here.
But why did so many schools decide to close on the day of the eclipse?
According to the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce, there are several factors that may have contributed to districts canceling school on eclipse day. The department states that since the event is expected to draw a large number of tourists to Ohio, particularly at or near the centerline of totality, it could impact schools as the timing of the eclipse will occur during most end-of-day dismissal windows.
Additionally, traffic is expected to be very heavy on Monday directly after the eclipse ends in each area and communication capabilities such as cell phone service and internet bandwidth could be weak or unavailable in places.
South-Western City Schools originally had an early release scheduled for their students, but the district announced Friday that they would be canceling school due to "an influx of anticipated staff absences made known to the district."
Outside of those factors, the total solar eclipse is a rare and educational event that most people will only experience once in their lifetime. Having the day off from school allows students to experience it to the fullest and expand on learning opportunities in the classroom in the days following.
To see a full list of central Ohio districts that have altered their school schedule on April 8, click here.