• Home
• Our School
  • About MMS
    • About MMS
    • Testimonials
    • MMS Traditions
    • Parent Involvement
  • Mission Statement
  • Faculty and Staff
    • Meet the Staff
    • Administrative
    • Toddler
    • Primary
    • Elementary
    • Middle School
    • Specialists
    • After School Program
  • Board of Directors
  • Alumni
  • Employment Opportunities
  • Contact Us
• Our Programs
  • About Montessori
  • Core Programs
    • Toddler
    • Primary
    • Elementary
    • Middle School
  • Specials
  • After-school Program
  • Summer Program
• Admissions
  • Admissions Procedure
  • Financial Aid
  • Request Info
  • Apply Here
    • Create Account
    • Submit Application
• Calendars
  • Academic Calendar
  • Events Calendar
• Support Us
  • Engage With MMS
  • Our Supporters
• In the News
  • M-News
  • MMS Blog
  • MMS in the News Media

MMS Eclipse Day update for parents

 

Dear MMS Parents,

I’ve been working with our staff to determine our plan for Monday’s eclipse. Here’s what we’ve decided:

• School will operate on a regular schedule on Monday, including our 2:50 p.m. dismissal.
• Primary and Plus children will stay in the classrooms as normal on Monday afternoon until dismissal.
• We have purchased approved eclipse glasses (conforming to and meeting the Transmission Requirements of ISO 12312-2 Filters for Direct Observation of the Sun) for our Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School students and staff.These classes will walk to a viewing area on Monday afternoon to watch a portion of the eclipse together. They will return in time for dismissal and will be instructed to refrain from looking at the sun during dismissal. Students will bring their eclipse glasses home. Students may bring baseball caps to wear on Monday if desired.
• Elementary and Middle School parents are welcome to join us on Monday afternoon at 2:00 to walk to the viewing area.You must bring your own eye protection. Please let your child’s teacher know if you plan to attend. Please wait at the picnic tables in front of the elementary building until the class meets you there. You may reach the teachers by email:
• Tara – tfought@mountaineermontessori.org;
• Becca – bmoore@mountaineermontessori.org;
• Juli – jtaylor@mountaineermontessori.org;
• Jason – jwinesburg@mountaineermontessori.org;
• Bridgett – bsteveson@mountaineermontessori.org
• Parents are welcome to pick children up early on Monday or keep them home, especially if there are concerns that your child may not follow instructions regarding keeping eclipse glasses on to avoid eye damage. Please be sure to let Beth know if your child will not be attending school on Monday or if they will be checked out early.
• If your child will be viewing the eclipse with us on Monday, please stress the importance of wearing the eclipse glasses. We will stress this in school as well.
• If you do not feel your elementary or middle school child can safely participate in Monday’s eclipse viewing, please let me know and we will make alternate arrangements.

 

If you have any questions about Monday’s plans, please call or email me any time.

 

Best wishes,

Jennifer Carriger

MMS Director

 

——————————————————————————————–

 

Elementary and Middle School parents, please see the message below for more details regarding preparations for the eclipse viewing:

 

Dear Elementary and Middle School Parents and Friends,

The year was 1994: Forrest Gump rocked the Academy Awards for best picture, Justin Beiber was a newborn babe and West Virginia experienced its most recent 90 percent solar eclipse. 

On Monday, at around 2:30 p.m., the elementary classrooms will be viewing the upcoming eclipse with the aid of our special viewing glasses. An eclipse occurs when the sun, earth and moon are completely lined up. In the case of a solar eclipse, the moon blocks out the light of the sun. Here in West Virginia, the sun will appear as only a thin crescent, appearing somewhat like the crescent moon.

Prior to the viewing, the elementary and middle school teachers will be engaging students with lessons about the historical and astrological significance of the eclipse. In lower elementary, much emphasis is placed on the movements of the earth and the sun, explaining the massive scale of our universe and placing ourselves in the schema of the cosmos. In upper elementary, which places the students within the schema of human history, the eclipse will be placed in the context of its historical significance to ancient civilizations. Middle school students have been studying astronomy with guest instructor Emily Beal.

 

We will be attending carefully to the safety of the children while viewing the sun. Special eclipse glasses with solar filters block out enough UV radiation to protect the eyes and make viewing safe for the eyes. Children will be well-monitored when we enjoy this event together.

If you miss the event, don’t worry—you can join us for the next nearby eclipse in 2024! If you want to experience a 100 percent solar eclipse, you have only to wait for September 14, 2099!

Sincerely,

The Elementary and Middle School Guides

 

_