3/11/24
Northwest Local School District Staff, Families, and Community Members,
We are writing to inform you of an important decision regarding the upcoming solar eclipse scheduled to occur on April 8, 2024.
After careful consideration, Northwest Local School District’s Administration has decided to close school and district offices on April 8th in recognition of the solar eclipse event. This decision was made with the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and families as our top priority.
There are several factors that influenced our decision. Based on newly released information from the Ohio Transportation Department, the regional impact is expected to create a significant influx of spectators, estimated to be anywhere from 175,000 to over 500,000 people. This influx of visitors will inevitably lead to increased traffic congestion and road blockages, as indicated by the Ohio Department of Transportation. These road conditions may impact our Transportation Department's ability to transport students in a timely manner.
While we did consider the option of implementing a half-day schedule, it is not feasible for our Transportation Department to be able to transport all district and non-public/parochial riders to their homes within the varying time frames.
In an effort to make sure that our students take necessary precautions on this day, the District will be distributing solar eclipse glasses for every K-12 student to use at home. We know that this event will be a great educational experience for our students to learn about our solar system and the phenomenon that will take place. We hope our students and our families take the time to enjoy and learn from this once in a lifetime opportunity.
We understand that this decision may inconvenience some families, and we apologize for any disruption this may cause to your schedules. However, please know that this decision was made with the best interests of our students' safety in mind.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this matter.
Thank you for your continued support of the Northwest Local School District.
NWLSD Administration