Students at William H. Ross Elementary School gathered in large numbers to witness the rare near-total eclipse of the sun on Monday, April 8, 2024. This experience brought their science lessons to life as they marveled at the spectacle along with most people across the country.
Principal Bonnie Marino shared that the school had been preparing for this experience for several months. Ensuring the safety of the students was a top priority, and high-quality blackout glasses were provided for all to use. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum donated glasses for Ross students and staff, while additional ones were obtained for students at Eugene A. Tighe Middle School from a NASA educator program based in Texas.
Leading up to the eclipse, all students in the district had been learning about solar eclipses in their science classes. One unique educational tool used was a large map of the moon acquired by Marino from the Buzz Aldrin SpaceShare Foundation. This helped students understand the phenomenon in a more visual way.
On the day of the eclipse, Ross students were led by their teachers in small groups to view the event in the schoolyard before being dismissed for the day. Marino emphasized the importance of educating the students on looking at
