Important Eclipse Day information

Here are some important things for families to know:

General eclipse information

• The school has purchased solar eclipse glasses for students and staff and we will go outside to experience the eclipse.
• Teachers and staff will go over eclipse viewing safety with all students. Please talk to your child at home about the importance of using the solar eclipse glasses provided. Here is a handy guide to go over with your student.
• Please remind your students that they should not take pictures of the eclipse through their phone, since they do not have adequate lens protection or magnification. 
• If you do not wish for your student to view the eclipse with their class, you must pick them up before noon (unless you opted out on the eclipse survey).
• Volunteers please enter from Meridian Lane; park along grass

Traffic, carline, and pick up information

• The parking lot will be blocked off and the office will be closed between noon and 2 p.m. that day so that students can view the eclipse safely.
• Important: NO student pick up is allowed between noon and 2 p.m. If you plan to pick your child up early, you will need to do so before noon or wait until after 2 p.m.
• We expect heavy afternoon traffic along IH-35  and will have staff on campus to wait with students should your arrival be delayed. Carline, Triple A, À la Carte Programs, and After School 6-12  will proceed as usual.
• Consider carpooling and give extra time to get to school before and after the eclipse.

Early pickup (10 a.m. to noon)

If you are picking up your student between 10 a.m. and noon, don't park, please use the Orange Lane. When you pull up your students will be called and brought to your car. Please be patient, it may take a few minutes to get your students from class.

Important early pickup information: please make sure anyone picking up your students early is listed as an emergency contact in Skyward if they will pick up between 10 a.m. and noon. We will not be using Pikmykid for the early 10 am. to noon dismissal.

We can not release students to other adults unless they are an emergency contact. 

Primary and Secondary Plans and Schedules

Primary: Classes will have grade level activities throughout the day. Primary students will be outside and in place by 1:20 p.m. and go in after 1:45 p.m. Times during this window will vary depending on classes.

Secondary: April 8 will be an A day with a slightly modified bell schedule. Students and staff will go outside to view the eclipse between 12:50 p.m. and 2 p.m. High School (9-12) will get to each lunch outside while viewing the eclipse. Secondary students may bring a blanket to sit on outside, snacks, and a water bottle.

Those not viewing the eclipse will report to the Primary Library.

Eclipse Day FAQs

What is Meridian doing in regards to safety? 

• Parking lots will  be blocked off to traffic between noon and 2 p.m.
• Additional staff will assist in supervising students with their teachers while viewing the eclipse.
• Parent volunteers will assist in Kindergarten and first grade.
• Meridian has viewing zones for each grade where students and staff can safely view the eclipse.

How are you ensuring safe viewing? 

• Administration will share safe viewing resources with educators and parents.
• Teachers will emphasize in class prior to the eclipse what safe viewing practices are and how to wear their glasses.

Will secondary students who are present in the morning but absent in the afternoon be counted as present for all classes? 

Students will have unexcused absences for the classes they miss.

Will parents be allowed on campus to volunteer or view the eclipse with their student(s)? 

• Kindergarten and first grade already have parent volunteers assigned to each class. 
• Due to safety concerns and parking constraints, we can’t accommodate any more volunteers.

What happens if traffic delays my arrival for the carline in the afternoon? 

Administration will remain on campus until each student is picked up.

What if it is raining or cloudy on the day of the Eclipse? 

We will monitor weather and adjust plans accordingly.