TCS Atlanta is so excited to be in the partial solar eclipse path on Mon., Aug. 21! Kindergarten – fifth grade will view it from Piedmont Park, and our sixth and seventh graders will travel to North Georgia to be in the path of totality. Each student will receive verified, approved solar eclipse glasses for viewing, and we’ll go over safety instructions before the event.
Early Learning Program
Early Learning Program (3’s – 4’s and 4’s – 5’s) will not participate in the viewing out of concern for safety. Instead, they’ll receive glasses and watch a video about solar eclipses.
Carpool
The eclipse will run up until carpool, and carpool will run at a normal time. Students will carry their stuff with them to Piedmont Park, and we will dismiss directly from there at 3:15 p.m.
If you decide to join your child to view the eclipse in Piedmont Park, please park in the neighborhood. Do not park in the carpool lane.
Solar Eclipse Safety Tips
Two TCS parents and ophthalmologists, Drs. Jill Wells and Emily Graubart have shared safety tips for viewing the eclipse:
- Looking directly at the sun is unsafe except during the brief total phase of the solar eclipse (this will not occur in Atlanta).
- Ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, or homemade filters are not safe for looking at the sun.
- Many “Eclipse Sunglasses” have been recalled and there are many counterfeit glasses for sale online. According to the American Astronomical Society (AAS), a real and safe pair of solar eclipse glasses should be labeled with ISO 12312-2 (sometimes written in more detail as ISO 12312-2:2015), which is an international safety standard. Sadly, some glasses will falsely have this label. Click here to check the AAS website for a list of reputable vendors.
- Always inspect your solar filter before use; if scratched or damaged, discard it.
- Do not look at a partial eclipse through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars or optical device- even with your eclipse glasses.
- Before looking up at the bright sun, cover your eyes with your eclipse glasses. After glancing at the sun, turn away and remove your filter. Do not remove the glasses while looking at the sun.
- Why risk retinopathy to both eyes? If you are going to view the eclipse, we recommend to only look with one eye open. You will have the same enjoyment and not pose risk to one of your eyes.
- Be aware that safe eclipse sunglasses may not fit a child properly and both eyes may not be adequately protected. Young kids need to be monitored as they may peek around the glasses.
