'OUT OF CONCERN FOR STUDENT SAFETY': York Region District School Board, York Catholic District School Board move to early dismissal on April 8 due to upcoming solar

Moving the PA Day, similar to other jurisdictions, is “not possible,” say both boards.

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 16, 2024
Heidi Riedner

York Region school boards are the latest in southern Ontario to announce changes to their schedules in April due to an upcoming solar eclipse, but students won't be getting the day off.

Both the York Catholic District School Board (YCDSB) and the York Region District School Board (YRDSB) will dismiss students in elementary and secondary schools early “out of concern for student safety.”

“We have heard concerns regarding the potential for students being outside and inadvertently looking at the sun, which may cause serious health problems, such as loss of eyesight,” the YRDSB advised in a letter home to parents.

“We have also heard concerns of traffic and students walking home during peak darkness.”

Any potential effects from the rare total solar eclipse will occur in York Region between 2 and 4:30 p.m., which coincides with regular dismissal times.

“Please know that this decision was made with student safety at its centre,” the YCDSB advised in its letter home to parents.

Individual schools will confirm and communicate actual dismissal times, as well as modified bus and taxi drop-off schedules.

School officials said while some Ontario school boards moved a pre-existing April PA Day to coincide with the eclipse on April 8, that is not possible in York Region “due to contractual obligations, prior commitments and because there is no pre-existing April PA Day.”

Parents with questions regarding child care are advised to contact their child’s child-care provider directly.