Total solar eclipse in April prompts school year calendar change

Nov. 30, 2023

On Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2023, PVNC Catholic trustees voted in favour of changing the professional activity day scheduled on Friday, April 26, 2024, to Monday, April 8, 2024, on both the elementary and the secondary 2023-2024 school calendars. 

The reason behind that move is that a total solar eclipse will be affecting all regions of the Board on April 8, 2024 from 2 to 4 p.m., causing diminished levels of daylight as it progresses. The peak of the eclipse will occur during dismissal time across the school board, increasing student safety concerns. There is also the potential for damaging eye exposure to the sun at that time. 

As such, the Board felt it prudent to move the April PA day so that students will not be in school on April 8, 2024.

We look forward to creating educational material and resources to support learning and student safety prior to the April 8, 2024 eclipse so that students can safely learn about this historic and rare occurrence. 

According to NASA, a total solar eclipse occurs as the moon passes between the sun and Earth, completely blocking the face of the sun.