Eclipse Day celebration includes treats, sunglasses

by Juanita I.C. Traughber, communications director

Students will watch the total eclipse on the Back Field, meet a NASA engineer, and enjoy moon-themed snacks Monday, Aug. 21. Our solar glasses are NASA-recommended and meet international standards for protecting eyes from the sun's rays.
Does USN have any plans for the eclipse? For the total solar eclipse Monday, Aug. 21, USN will hold a day of special events interspersed into the academic schedule. Lower, Middle, and High Schools each will have a morning assembly with a NASA aerospace engineer working on the Mars 2020 mission.

All students may view stages of the eclipse on the Back Field throughout the day, with the entire school watching the total solar eclipse from 1:15 to 1:40 p.m. using USN-provided eclipse glasses. Middle and High School students also are encouraged to eat their lunches on the Back Field; they may bring a brown bag or enjoy the Sperling Cafeteria’s regular menu served on disposable plates. USN will provide a moon-themed snack.

We recognize this once-in-a lifetime celestial event is also a learning opportunity. Throughout the first week of school, various faculty will teach eclipse-related science and history lessons as well as viewing safety in various K-12 classrooms.

Can I join my child to watch the eclipse with him/her? With limited parking and limited space on the Back Field, USN is unable to accommodate parents and visitors during its eclipse-watching celebration. If you are looking for ways to enjoy this event with your child, visit visitmusiccity.com/visitors/watch for public viewing locations.

Are the glasses USN is providing safe for looking at the sun? Safety is important when looking at the moon passing over the bright sun. USN has purchased NASA-recommended eclipse glasses from American Paper Optics for all students. These glasses have solar filters, meet the ISO 12312-2 international standard, and resemble 3D glasses. Eclipse lessons will include how to properly wear the glasses by looking down while placing them on before looking up at the sky. For more information on these glasses, visit eclipseglasses.com. For more safety information, visit eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety. We do not have extra glasses to share with parents.

Will school dismiss early? Will there be after school sports and activities? Monday, Aug. 21 is a regular full school day. There will be AFTER-SCHOOL and Middle School AFTER-SCHOOL as usual. Middle School and High School athletic practices will take place at the River Campus, and previously scheduled matches and games will take place as planned. Individual coaches may communicate additional information to their teams.

What if traffic delays me from picking up my child at the usual time? As a million skywatchers are forecasted travel to Nashville, there may be increased traffic this day. Our faculty and staff will stay on campus until the last student leaves with his/her parent.
 
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University School of Nashville models the best educational practices. In an environment that represents the cultural and ethnic composition of Metropolitan Nashville, USN fosters each student’s intellectual, artistic, and athletic potential, valuing and inspiring integrity, creative expression, a love of learning, and the pursuit of excellence.