April 8th, 2024 - ALERT: Information Regarding the Partial Solar Eclipse Set to Occur on Monday, April 8th, 2024
Dear families and staff of P.S. 211 Elm Tree Elementary School,
We would like to inform you that on Monday, April 8th, 2024 the New York City area will experience a partial solar eclipse beginning around 2:00 PM.
Please see below for the official parent letter from the NYC Department of Education:
We are writing to inform you that on Monday, April 8, the New York City area will experience a partial solar eclipse beginning around 2:00 p.m. A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the sun and earth. This casts a shadow that may make the sky dark for the eclipse's duration, as the sun will become approximately 90% covered in NYC during the peak coverage time, around 3:25 p.m.
While this may overlap with school dismissal times, please know that there will be no changes to dismissal, and after-school programming will remain in effect.
Please also be prepared for increased traffic throughout the area and consider using public transit instead of driving during this time.
If you and your family are planning to view the eclipse, please make sure to do so safely by using proper, specialized eye protection. Regular sunglasses and other filters are not a safe replacement for solar eclipse glasses.
Glasses are available at the Brooklyn Public Library, Queens Public Library, and New York Public Library while supplies last.
It is recommended to call in advance to ensure supplies are available. Please take precautions, whether inside or out, as looking at the sun without protection can cause loss of the ability to see colors, loss of vision, or even permanent blindness.
For more information on solar eclipse eye safety, please visit the New York City Department of Health guidance: nyc.gov/site/doh/about/press/pr2024/solar-eclipse-safety-precautions.page.
For more information, feel free to contact Ms. Gisella Catarine, our school’s Parent Coordinator, at 929-260-0084 or through our various communication apps such as our school’s very own Elm Tree Elementary phone application.
Thank you and have a wonderful rest of your week!
Sincerely,
P.S. 211 Elm Tree Family