Monday will be the first time since 1918 a solar eclipse will be visible across the entire continental United States. Planning is underway in the Brenham Independent School District to ensure students can experience this once-in-a-lifetime event.

While activities will vary by school and by classroom, students who participate in actual outdoor viewing of the eclipse will be provided eclipse-safe viewing glasses.

Per NASA, homemade filters or ordinary sunglasses, even very dark ones, are not safe for looking at the sun. At no time should students or participants remove their eclipse glasses and look directly at the sun as it could cause permanent eye damage or other unknown effects.

The schools will take precautionary measures including pre-education to make students aware of the risks involved in directly looking at the sun.  District officials also ask that parents speak with children about the importance of keeping their eclipse glasses on at all times during this event.

If parents prefer that their student NOT participate in the outdoor viewing of the solar eclipse, a form will be sent home to opt students out of this event. Students whose parents choose to opt out their child will view televised coverage from inside the school building during the eclipse.