Schools adjust schedules for April 8 eclipse

Editor’s note: This report has been updated as school districts have changed plans.

Potential safety concerns with viewing Monday’s solar eclipse have led some school districts to shift schedules, give students the day off or go remote with a flexible instruction day April 8.

The eclipse coincides with regular dismissal times at many districts. Some district officials have also noted the value of students and families being able to experience this once-in-a-generation astronomical event.

Current school district plans:

• UPDATED: Allegheny Valley has scheduled a flexible instruction day, in which students are to stay home and participate in virtual learning. Schools will be open for business only. In-person classes resume Tuesday.

• Burrell has canceled classes.

• Catholic Diocese of Greensburg will be on a flexible instruction day.

• Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh will be on a flexible instruction day.

• Deer Lakes will hold classes are regularly scheduled, with sports schedules modified on a case-by-case basis.

• UPDATED: Derry Area: middle and high school students will be dismissed at 12:45 p.m., Grandview Elementary Students will be dismissed at 1:25 p.m.

• UPDATED: Fox Chapel Area will dismiss students early, beginning with the high school at 11 a.m.; followed by Dorseyville Middle and Hartwood Elementary at 11:30 a.m.; and Fairview, Kerr and O’Hara elementary schools at noon. Students will be given lunch before dismissal.

• Franklin Regional will be on its early dismissal schedule.

• Freeport Area will dismiss high school and middle school students at 11:30 a.m. Elementary students will be dismissed at 12:30 p.m.

• Greater Latrobe will have eclipse-themed events.

• Greensburg Salem will have a 2-hour early dismissal

• Hempfield Area will have a flexible instruction day.

• Highlands has canceled classes.

• Jeannette City schools will have eclipse-themed lessons.

• Kiski Area will have a flexible instruction day.

• Leechburg Area will dismiss students two hours early.

• Ligonier Valley will have a flexible instruction day.

• Mt. Pleasant Area will be on its early dismissal schedule.

• UPDATED: Northern Westmoreland Career & Technology Center will dismiss students early. Morning students will report at their normal times and be dismissed back to their districts at normal times; afternoon students will remain at their sending districts and be dismissed there. Students with driving permits are able to attend, but all students will be dismissed by 10:35 a.m.

• Norwin schools will have a flexible instruction day.

• UPDATED: New Kensington-Arnold will dismiss students early, beginning with the high school at 12:25 p.m., followed by Hunt Elementary at 1:05 p.m., and Berkey and Martin elementary schools at 1:30 p.m.

• Penn Hills will have a flexible instruction day.

• Penn-Trafford schools will have a 2-hour, 15-minute early dismissal.

• Plum has canceled classes, with all athletic events postponed until 5 p.m.

• Riverview will dismiss students at 1:30 p.m., with all after school activities postponed until 4:30 p.m.

• Southmoreland will have a 2-hour early dismissal.

• Yough will be on an early dismissal schedule. The high school will be dismissed at 11 a.m., the middle school at 11:45 a.m. and the elementary schools at 12:30 p.m.