On April 8, Waco and Midway ISD will be in the direct path of a total solar eclipse, making the area an optimal viewing location.
Anticipating more than 100,000 visitors to the area, ongoing discussions with local officials and law enforcement have emphasized traffic and safety concerns that could impact students and staff.
During the January school board meeting, Midway ISD Superintendent Dr Chris Allen shared information Waco-McLennan County Emergency Management gathered from previous U.S. eclipse events:
During their January meeting, the school board discussed making the day of the eclipse as a school holiday due to the potential for traffic jams and other disruptions affecting school bus transportation and the ability of families to safely get their children to and from school. In February, the board approved moving the staff and student holiday originally scheduled for April 15 to April 8.
Since students will not be in school during the eclipse, the district has purchased enough eclipse-viewing glasses to provide a pair to every student so they can safely experience the eclipse at home.
Additionally, the Teaching and Learning Department is working with teachers to plan classroom experiences leading up to the eclipse, and additional resources and activities will also be made available to families at home through a district solar eclipse webpage.
