More schools decide to close on total solar eclipse day

More schools announced this week that they would close on Aug. 21 because of the solar eclipse.

The Brooklyn District 188 school board voted Thursday night to change the first day of school to Aug. 22, according to Superintendent Ronald Ferrell. Teachers will still report on Aug. 21, but students will stay home.

“The Brooklyn Board of Education made its decision with the safety of all students in mind,” he said in an email to the News-Democrat.

Holy Family School in Granite City also announced that it would be closed on Aug. 21, citing safety concerns for its decision in a post on its Facebook page.

“Holy Family School, as many other school districts, is taking the stance that like any other environmental hazard, including snow, ice and sub-zero temperatures, the eclipse poses as a hazard to students,” the post stated.

Edwardsville District 7 and Granite City District 9 schools will also be closed on Aug. 21. Superintendents said safety was their reason for closing: because schools would let out during the time of the eclipse when it will be dangerous to look directly at the sun.

District 7’s school board made the decision during a July 17 meeting. Later that week, District 9 officials confirmed that they, too, decided to close despite purchasing eclipse glasses for students.

State workers in Jefferson City, Missouri, will also have the day off on Aug. 21.

Missouri officials said Friday that with up to 50,000 visitors expected in Jefferson City to see the eclipse, state workers in non-essential jobs in the capital city will get the day off.

This story was originally published July 28, 2017 at 1:44 PM with the headline "More schools decide to close on total solar eclipse day."