FES Weekly Update - APRIL 4, 2024

NURSE'S CORNER... 

Mrs. Hanes original "Protein Crunch" recipe

1/2 C peanut butter (or substitute with almond or sun butter)

1/2 C honey

~add together and microwave for 30 seconds~

whisk to smooth

add a 1/2 tsp vanilla

mix in 3C of Cheerios (or  your favorite cereal)

blend in 1 oz freeze-dried strawberries (or  your choice of freeze-dried fruit)

Line an 8x8 pan with wax paper

pour into the pan

pat down firmly

cover and chill (2 hrs. minimum)

Keep Refrigerated

ENJOY

Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) Share Request - "There is a solar eclipse on April 8, 2024!!! This article provides information and helpful resources garnered from speaking with astronomers familiar with such events and from the American Astronomical Society (AAS) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) websites. 

The Moon will begin to pass in front of the Sun at approximately 2:15 p.m. on April 8th. The path of the eclipse in Connecticut will result in approximately 90 percent of the Sun being blocked by the Moon at the height of the event – approximately 3:25 p.m. The maximum darkness that Connecticut will experience will occur at that time for 2-3 minutes before gradually brightening back to normal daylight levels. Therefore, 50 percent occlusion will occur at approximately 2:50 p.m. and again at 3:50 p.m. The Moon will completely pass by the Sun by approximately 4:30 p.m. Even at its darkest point (3:25 p.m.), experts indicate that light levels will be similar to dusk or pre-sunset light levels, and individuals will be able to see their surroundings. 

By contrast, light levels during a total eclipse would be similar to visibility during a full Moon phase. Except during a brief total phase of a total solar eclipse, when the Moon completely blocks the Sun’s bright face, it is not safe to look directly at the Sun without specialized eye protection for solar viewing. Since there will not be a total solar eclipse occurring in Connecticut, there is no safe time to view the event without specialized glasses or filters. Viewing any part of the bright Sun, even through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope without a special-purpose solar filter secured over the front of the optics, will instantly cause severe eye injury. Viewing must only occur through safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”) or a safe handheld solar viewer at all times. Eclipse glasses are not regular sunglasses. Regular sunglasses, no matter how dark, are not safe for viewing the Sun. Safe solar viewers are thousands of times darker and must comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. An alternative to eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer is an indirect viewing method, which does not involve looking directly at the Sun. Commonly referred to as a pinhole projector, this method projects an image of the Sun onto a nearby surface. Viewing occurs with the Sun at the viewer’s back, onto the projected image rather than the Sun. Finally, the CSDE encourages districts to not only share this information with families to support their safety and awareness but also to engage students in related discussions and scientific inquiry. Below are websites that may be helpful: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): This is the official website of NASA and also provides additional safety information regarding the eclipse: Safety (NASA.GOV) American Astronomical Society (AAS): This website provides information and resources regarding eclipses, safe viewing and eclipse glasses: https://eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety."  - The CSDE

Thank you to the Franklin Friends Committee, Mrs. Whittaker, Mrs. Flaherty, and Mrs. Orsini for organizing our Growing Together Greenhouse event this week.  Here are some cool action Photos!