PA Day Change for Total Solar Eclipse

PA Day Change for Total Solar Eclipse
Posted on 02/10/2024
Eclipse

During the February 6th, 2024, Board Meeting, the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board approved a change to the 2023-2024 School Year Calendars. The Professional Activity (P.A.) Day previously scheduled for all elementary and secondary schools on Friday, April 19th has been moved to Monday, April 8

The change means that students will attend school as a regular day on Friday, April 19th, 2024. There will be no school for elementary and secondary students on Monday, April 8, 2024. 

This change is due to a total solar eclipse taking place on Monday, April 8th. The eclipse is expected to begin at approximately 2:00 p.m. and end around 4:30 p.m., coinciding with student dismissal times and blocking all sunlight during this time. 

As noted on the Government of Canada’s website, there are risks associated with viewing a solar eclipse and the change in the date of the P.A. Day has been made out of caution for student safety and well-being.

LIVESTREAM VIEWING:  The solar eclipse can be watched online through the NASA Exploratorium livestream

We include for your information a few resources which contain safety information that you can review and share with your children:

For more information on the School Year Calendar, please click here.
 
We regret any inconvenience the change may cause and appreciate your understanding.

Yours very truly,

Patrick J. Daly, Chairperson 
David Hansen, Director of Education