Before setting the calendar for the next school year, Wabash District #348 officials are trying to decide whether students should be in class April 8th of 2024. Why is that date important? It’s the date for a total solar eclipse and Mt. Carmel will see one of the longest durations of total darkness at 4 minutes and 5 seconds.
At Monday night’s school board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Chuck Bleyer said he is leaning toward having class that day and using it as a learning experience for students. He envisioned junior high and senior high school students viewing the eclipse from Riverview Stadium. And since the eclipse will draw thousands of visitors to Mt. Carmel, Bleyer said there’s another reason having school that day is a good idea….
Bleyer also said if next April 8th is rainy or cloudy, that would spoil the eclipse viewing experience and waste a day off of school, especially just having come off of Spring break. He asked board members to seek input on the question and make a decision at next month’s board meeting. Bleyer told the board that an eclipse celebration in Vincennes is expected to draw 300,000 visitors from around the world.
