Most school districts in metro Atlanta will be in session on Monday afternoon, when the solar eclipse will be visible across North America.
But the Cobb County School District will be releasing early at all three grade levels before the eclipse window begins.
The district will have a shortened first day following the past week’s spring break, and has cited parental discretion and student safety issues.
High schools will release at 11:30 a.m., followed by elementary schools at 12:30 p.m. and middle schools at 1:30 p.m.
All after-school activities will take place as regularly scheduled.
The district extended the school day during the last solar eclipse in August 2017. Many students were seen with friends and parents at East Cobb Park for that event.
But last July, the Cobb school district sent a message to parents notifying them of an early release, stating that “while experiencing a solar eclipse can be memorable and educational, looking directly at an eclipse can seriously damage a student’s eyes. We are providing Cobb families as much time, information, and flexibility as possible so they can make the best health decisions for their children.”
DeKalb schools will be having an “independent learning day” on Monday, but most other local school districts, including Marietta, will be in session in person as usual.
According to forecasts, the rolling path of the eclipse across North America will take place between 1:45 p.m. and 4 p.m. Monday, with between 80-85 percent of the sun being blocked in the Atlanta area.
The projected path of the eclipse stretches from Mexico and Texas to the Midwest, and into the Northeast.
Several Cobb library branches will be having special eclipse watch events, including East Cobb Library (4880 Lower Roswell Road) from 2-4 p.m.
The event will include a live stream of NASA’s official live broadcast.
The next solar eclipse takes place in 2044.
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