Districts are worried students will damage their eyes looking directly at the sun.
Sarasota County and Manatee County school districts have modified regular outdoor activities during next Monday’s partial solar eclipse.
Manatee County has elected to move all outdoor activities indoors for the duration of the event. Sarasota County will allow students with signed district parental permission forms to view the eclipse with the required eyewear, but all other students must remain indoors between 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m, according to press releases from both districts.
“Looking directly at the sun without approved safety glasses is dangerous, but there are several safe methods that any teacher can employ to ensure the safety of his or her students while observing,” Sarasota County school officials said in a statement. “No matter which method teachers choose, they must make sure certain directions are understood and followed. This means constant monitoring of students, with zero tolerance for disregarding the directions.”
For Manatee County students, athletic, band practices and aftercare programs will be moved inside from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., according to a news release.
