Important Update: Change in School Calendar for April 8, 2024
Dear Bedford Public Schools Community,
April 8, 2024, offers students and community members a unique and educational opportunity to witness a rare total solar eclipse. This celestial event provides a chance for students to witness a truly remarkable natural phenomenon. The timeline for our area coincides with our district’s regularly scheduled dismissal times, which could create logistical concerns and an inability to experience the phenomena safely. To alleviate any safety concerns and to allow families to experience the eclipse together, we are making the following adjustment to our school calendar:
April 8, 2024 WILL NOW BE A HALF DAY.
Bedford Junior High and Bedford High School will dismiss at 11 am.
Douglas Road, Jackman Road, and Monroe Road Elementary Schools will dismiss at noon.
To make the most of this occasion, our district will integrate eclipse-related activities into the curriculum leading up to the event, ensuring that students not only enjoy the spectacle, but also gain a deeper understanding of the science behind it. We encourage you to take advantage of this special opportunity to discuss the eclipse with your child and explore related topics at home. A selection of learning activities can be found at https://www.infohio.org/images/ZOO_DOCS/resourcedocs/SolarEclipseChoiceBoard.pdf
Total Solar Eclipse Viewing: The district has ordered solar eclipse glasses so all of our students and staff members can safely view this exciting event. The glasses meet all of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards for solar eclipse viewing as recommended by all leading optical care organizations. The glasses will be sent home with students prior to the event date.
For more information on safely viewing the eclipse, you can visit NASA’s website on Eclipse Safety at: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety/
The BPS district leadership team and staff members will use the newly created half day as an opportunity to participate in additional professional development (PD) training in the afternoon as we continually strive to improve the teaching and learning experience within our schools.
I thank all of you for your dedication and partnership in ensuring that Bedford Public Schools remains the best district in the state. The ability for our staff and community to remain flexible when necessary is a catalyst for our success!
Sincerely,
Dr. Carl Shultz