Starr’s Mill High School, along with the rest of Fayette county schools, will have its bell schedule temporarily changed for “The Great American Solar Eclipse” on Aug. 21, 2017.  The schedule, usually set to begin at 8:35am and to end at 3:45pm, will be delayed until 4:45 to allow students to view the eclipse.

In an email sent to all students and their parents, Principal Allen Leonard stated that “students who leave campus for [Move On When Ready] classes, work program, or opt-out need to take special note of the revised schedule.”

The reason for the extended schedule is because Aug. 21 will be the first full solar eclipse since the 1970’s. Every school in the county will be lengthening their schedules so that students and teachers have the opportunity to see this once in a lifetime event. The eclipse will begin at 2:27 p.m. and end around 4:00 p.m.

“The impending solar eclipse affords our schools potentially powerful interdisciplinary and STEM teaching and learning opportunities that cannot be replicated in a textbook or a lab,” assistant superintendent of student achievement Dr. Terry Oatts said.

Students will be able to go outside to view the eclipse as long as they have returned the permission slip due.  Students must return the form to their fifth period teacher by Aug. 18. The schools will also provide approved eclipse glasses for all students, so that they will be able to look at the eclipse safely. With the bell schedule ending at 4:45, all extra curricular activities will be delayed.