Brant County school boards change PA days due to solar eclipse
Two schools boards in Brant County have decided to move a scheduled PA day in light of a rare cosmic phenomenon.
Some parts of southern Ontario will witness a once-in-a-lifetime total solar eclipse on April 8.
Although the eclipse will be visible across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, only some areas will be in what’s known as the path of totality – areas where the sun will be completely blocked out by the moon.
Brantford and parts of Brant County, including Burford, Harley and Langford, will be in the path of totality.
Staring directly at the eclipse, even while in the path of totality, without proper eye protection can cause serious eye damage, such as retinal burns.
On Tuesday, the Grand Erie District School Board and Brant Haldimand Norfolk Catholic District School Board both announced plans to move a PA Day originally scheduled for April 19 to April 8 as the eclipse is set to coincide with student dismissal times.
In a release, the Grand Erie District School Board says: “The potential of students looking at the eclipse without proper eye protection poses a safety risk. Looking directly at a total solar eclipse can be dangerous because of the intense and potentially eye-damaging sunlight that is still present even when the moon is blocking part of or all of the sun. We are moving the PA Day to April 8 out of an abundance of caution for student safety and well-being.”
The school board also says McMaster University has donated solar eclipse glasses that will be given to all staff and students.
The Catholic board issued a similar statement regarding safety concerns, noting they understand the change might cause some inconvenience, but “this decision is in the best interest of the safety of our community.”
The Waterloo Region District School board said it’s continuing to monitor the situation and has not made a final decision yet.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec man, 81, gets prison sentence after admitting to killing wife with Alzheimer's disease
An 81-year-old Quebec man has been sentenced to prison after admitting to killing his wife with Alzheimer's disease.
Canada Post quarterly loss tops $300M as strike hits second week -- and rivals step in
Canada Post saw hundreds of millions of dollars drain out of its coffers last quarter, due largely to its dwindling share of the parcels market, while an ongoing strike continues to batter its bottom line.
Trump chooses Bessent to be Treasury secretary and Vought as top budget official
President-elect Donald Trump announced Friday that he'll nominate hedge fund manager Scott Bessent, an advocate for deficit reduction, to serve as his next treasury secretary. Trump also said he would nominate Russel Vought to lead the Office of Management and Budget.
'Immoral depravity': Two men convicted in case of frozen migrant family in Manitoba
A jury has found two men guilty on human smuggling charges in a case where a family from India froze to death in Manitoba while trying to walk across the Canada-U.S. border.
Pat King found guilty of mischief for role in 'Freedom Convoy'
Pat King, one of the most prominent figures of the 2022 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa, has been found guilty on five counts including mischief and disobeying a court order.
Trump supporters review-bomb B.C. floral shop by accident
A small business owner from B.C.’s Fraser Valley is speaking out after being review-bombed by confused supporters of U.S. president-elect Donald Trump this week.
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles recalled in Canada over power loss risk
Nearly 46,000 electric vehicles from Kia, Hyundai and Genesis are being recalled in Canada over a potential power loss issue that can increase the risk of a crash.
Canada's tax relief plan: Who gets a cheque?
The Canadian government has unveiled its plans for a sweeping GST/HST pause on select items during the holiday period. The day after the announcement, questions remain on how the whole thing will work.
Grey Cup streaker fined $10K, banned from BC Place
The woman who ran across the field wearing nothing but her shoes at last weekend’s Grey Cup has been given a fine and banned from BC Place.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
