By Anthony Ciano, Managing Editor
April 26, 2024
ROCKLAND- On Monday, April 8, a rare solar eclipse happened which changed the average school day schedules for many students and student-athletes.
On average, a total solar eclipse happens every 18 months, however, this eclipse was special because it was the longest eclipse in over a decade.
The last long total eclipse was in 2017.
Although the Eclipse was an exciting sight to see for many, it also caused dilemmas that affected students and staff at Rockland High School and across High Schools around the country.
Grace Brundige, a Senior Captain on the Track team, said that the end of her “practice was pushed back until 4:30 and indoors to make sure that students were safe but could still practice.”
Many sports practices and games, similar to track, were pushed back to later times in order to best protect the student-athletes and staff.
The Massachusetts Interscholastic Athletic Association or MIAA, worked with a team of principals and directors in order to make sure the proper safety precautions were met.
Apart from this MIAA team, was the Principal of Rockland High School, Doctor John Harrison who is also a part of the MIAA sports medicine committee.
While Doctor Harrison worked with the MIAA, he stated that Athletic Director, Dan Kimball, also “did a fantastic job being proactive and worked with the MIAA and sports medicine committee to follow their guidance.”
While sports schedules were altered due to the Solar Eclipse, other clubs thrived off of the opportunity to watch it.
Specifically, STEM clubs including the Environmental Club and Astronomy Club, jumped at this opportunity to see a scientific phenomenon.
Ava Hagan, a senior in the Astronomy Club, “was in the stadium with the Astronomy Club,” and thought that the Solar Eclipse “was really interesting and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”
Clubs, sports, and extracurriculars all did their part to safely watch the eclipse, but also the school went through a lot of preparation in order to secure the safety of their students.
During lunch and toward the end of the day on Monday, April 8, the Administration team passed out eclipse glasses which allowed for students to witness the Eclipse through a safe way.
According to Dr. Harrion, “Ms. Hackett, our assistant superintendent, was able to order them through a grant that all schools in Massachusetts had.”
Not only did the high school receive the eclipse safety glasses, but so did all Rockland Public Schools.
In an email statement on April 7 prior to the eclipse, Dr. Alan Cron, Rockland Superintendent, said that “for the safety of all students and staff, on Monday afternoon, prior to dismissal, every student and staff member throughout the district will receive a pair of solar eclipse glasses.”
Dr. Cron added, “if you do not want your child to receive eclipse glasses, please reach out directly to your classroom teacher, in writing, Monday Morning.”
The opportunity to receive safety glasses from the school was provided, but Dr. Cron made sure alternatives were available for any student who wished to not receive them.
Overall, the Solar Eclipse was an exciting and rare event which brought students, community members, and people all around the country and world together to watch.