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Lee's Summit R-7 School District cancels class for total solar eclipse

Posted at 3:02 PM, Aug 16, 2017
and last updated 2017-08-17 15:14:16-04

Lee’s Summit schools have cancelled all classes on Monday, Aug. 21 due to the total solar eclipse, the district announced Wednesday afternoon.

The district said the decision was based on two factors. School officials were concerned about vision safety and being able to supervise all students during outdoor viewings.

Improperly viewing a solar eclipse can cause significant damage to the eyes. Staff and medical professionals worried that they may not be able to ensure safe viewing for each student.

The district did purchase solar eclipse glasses earlier this summer, but school officials said they found it would be difficult for teachers to make sure their students were using them properly at all times.

Those solar eclipse glasses will be available to students and staff on Friday.

Click here for more 41 Action News coverage of the eclipse, including maps and safety tips.

The district also took into account the fact that many families and staff members were interested in traveling to the path of totality, which misses Lee’s Summit by about 15 miles.

Parents with children in before or after school programs will be contacted separately. Individual schools are expected to communicate with students and parents about athletic practices or events that may be happening on Monday.

The cancellation is changing the district’s 2017-18 school year calendar. The last day of school will now be May 18, 2018, instead of May 17, 2018.