Ashburnham Westminster Regional School District Home

Good afternoon AWRSD students, staff and families,

 

Thank you for another positive and productive week of learning. I continue to be so impressed by the work happening in all of our schools.

 

I am hoping that yesterday’s snow storm is actually the last of the year and that spring has now officially arrived! There have been some questions about the rules and regulations around snow days after April 1 and whether or not such days need to be made up in the school calendar. State regulation states that all days lost to weather or other emergencies need to be made up, regardless of when they happen in the school-year. However, if in a given year, a school district has already used five or more snow days and then an additional cancellation happens after April 1, that day no longer needs to be made up. Since yesterday was only our second snow day this school-year, the day does need to be made up. Our new last day of school is now Thursday, June 12.

 

As you are probably aware, Monday, April 8 there will be a solar eclipse. While we are not in the direct path most affected by the eclipse, it will be seen in our area between approximately 2 pm and 4:30 PM. While it is exciting to have an eclipse and will be a great teaching opportunity for some of our science classes, we do want to remind students and families of a few safety tips that need to be exercised during an eclipse. Specifically:

 

DO NOT:

● Look at the sun through sunglasses. Sunglasses will not protect your eyes!

● Use homemade filters to look directly at the sun.

● View the sun through welder’s glass

● View the sun through your camera viewfinder

● View through a telescope or camera without the proper solar filter (even if you have eclipse glasses on)

● View through binoculars

 

The sun will be dangerously bright even when partially covered by the moon. It will not be safe to look at the sun during that time without special-purpose solar filters that comply with ISO 12312-2 international standard for filters for direct solar viewing! Looking at the sun without the proper solar filters can lead to retinal damage that can be permanent.

 

Given the snow cover, we do not anticipate needing to deal with many outdoor classes such as physical education during the time of the eclipse but will remind any students who are outside for school or after-school events or practices to follow the precautions listed above. For after-school hours, please reiterate with your children these safety precautions. The eclipse is exciting and will not happen again for another 21 years!

 

Thank you as always for your support and collaboration.

 

Have a great weekend,

 

Dr. Todd Stewart

 

Superintendent of Schools