The following message was provided by Superintendent of Schools Dr. Patrick Daly:
NORTH READING — On Monday, April 8, North Reading will be fortunate to be able to experience a near total eclipse of the sun. This is a rare event and the next one, viewable from our area, will not be until the year 2044.
The eclipse begins around 2:30 p.m. with maximum coverage about 3:30 p.m. and then full sun at approximately 4:30 p.m. Unfortunately, no location in Massachusetts will experience totality; some of us will see over 95% coverage of the sun if weather permits.
It is very dangerous to view the eclipse or to look at the sun without protective eyewear that is ISO certified, so please make sure to discuss this with your children and obtain ISO glasses if you’re interested in viewing it (see resources below).
Michelle Caulfield, our STEM Coordinator, has collected some great information about the eclipse on the newly launched STEM website: https://sites.google.com/nrpsk12.org/stemeducation/home?pli=1
The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has also provided some links and resources here: https://www.doe.mass.edu/stem/ste/eclipse.html
Thank you, and I hope you are able to safely enjoy this remarkable event!