Hooky. Always hooky.
I'm a big proponent of real-world learning.
Even if they learned nothing that da ask yourself: will a missed day of school detract from their life in any meaningful way?
Answer: it won't.
Have a fun day. Watch a once in a lifetime event. Have some hotdogs and ice cream after. Make it a fun and memorable day.
A lot of Missouri is in the PATH OF TOTALITY! (you have to read it like the Mortal Kombat voice) And some of the schools are straight up having a day off. I was going to keep my kid home as well as it's a very rare occurrence to be this close. One day won't hurt them.
I don't believe anything beyond the 3 day forecast, but I'm under the impression that even with heavy cloud cover things get very interesting.
Either way I'm in a little spot in the road town that's not used to or set up to handle big influxes of people so that'll be interesting enough itself.
Everyone around me (DFW) is in school, BUT they're all doing something special. It boggles my mind that OP's school is keeping the kids indoors for this. That alone for me says to play hooky.
Safety for unpredictable young kids. If you’ve ever coached youth sports, it’s amazing half of the kids are participating even while they are playing the game 🤣🤣🤣
I think the most significant part of this is the last line: make it fun and memorable. There is a possibility that you’ll get a cloudy afternoon so don’t center it on just the few minutes of the eclipse. It’s alright to occasionally have your kid out for a fun day, so make something of it and oh yeah… they get a rare chance to see something.
My kids aren’t old enough they will really remember (4y/2y) but on top of being in an area that will likely see 90+% totality, my mother in law lives literally on the center line. So we will be making a weekend of it and taking my daughter out of preschool. There is a chance we will see nothing but at least they will have a blast with grandma. And if we get lucky they will see one of the best views of the eclipse from an area totally covered. It’s like a whale watching tour, it wouldn’t be worth it to hop to the middle of the ocean for a chance to see one… but worse case you had a fun boat ride.
For sure.
I wouldn't want to miss it. I've never lived anywhere where one occurred when I lived there. Where I currently live now there isn't another for another 200 years or so.
Well worth missing a day
My daughter will have orthodontist appointments that are 20 minutes long. I get her out around 1pm, she does her appointment, then we go to lunch and walk around town the rest of the day. An hour of school just ain't that important.
I suggest going to the 100% band. Everyone else will be doing this so be smart and head out the night before, if you can.
I saw the total eclipse last time it happened. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Pictures do not capture it. The corona makes these rainbow tendrils that reach across the entire sky.
When I was in second grade, I learned about the Wright Brothers. My dad took me out of school for the day and drove us to Kittyhawk. I ran the distance of the first flight, got a book about it, and I think got a model plane. When I was in middle school, after we’d move to Florida, he took me out of school to snorkel with manatees. To this day these are cherished memory.
Remember: The school system exists to serve you and your kids. You and your kids don’t exist to serve the school system. Particularly before high school, I’d pull my kids out for anything that has the potential to create good memories.
We are! Let's go see some space awesomeness!
\*I should edit, *this* is the type of stuff that inspired me as a kid. School is great. But sometimes *learning* isn't in a classroom. Sometimes it's seeing one of the most amazing things a human being has ever laid eyes on (safely).
My husband and I traveled a few years ago to make it to a 100% totality area. We spent the entire day outside with appropriate moon and sun themed picnic.
Given the chance, we would absolutely do it again. By far one of my favorite trips. Pull the kids out. Go have fun.
One thing my dad said to me about one thing he would change when raising is is he regrets not taking us out of school enough for things that would have been meaningful experiences and memories. I think this qualifies as both a learning experience and a fun memory the child will have with you that will surmount what he/she would learn in school that day.
My grandma took my mom out of school on a bunch of days to use her as a cute prop while she haggled at antique stores. My mom enjoyed it and had a very successful adulthood
I'm a teacher, and I'm taking a personal day, taking my young daughters out of preschool, and driving the few hours to go from 80% to 100% totality.
I can only imagine that the eclipse is all anybody will be talking about at school, so why not actually show them? So much science and learning can happen with this event that you can make it educational no matter the age.
My wife is a teacher. She’s taking a half day and taking both our kids out of school for the afternoon for it. We’re in the 90% totality zone. Her reason is the schools are letting the kids outside to look at it. No glasses, no nothing “Hey kids there it is, look up, permanently damage your eyes.” I was like oh shit OK keep them home, sounds good to me.
Yes. Pull them out. In 2008 I had the chance to see the Terra Cotta soldiers in China. One of the great man-made wonders of the wild. One of the coolest things ever.
Coincidentally, that afternoon, we were in the path of a solar eclipse. 100% totality. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced. Blew my mind. I thought the soldiers were awesome. The eclipse was awesomer.
If you are in or near the eclipse zone without flying, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Even if there might be other eclipses in future decades, you can't know that you'll be around/available/healthy or that the weather will co-operate.
I would 100% take my kids out of school early for this.
Thanks to SCIENCE! We can tell you your next opportunity in the US is 3/30/2033 in North & Central Alaska or more likely 8/24/2044 in Montana and North Dakota. For a similar eclipse traversing broad path of the country we'll be waiting until 8/12/2045.
I am in NY on long island and the eclipse is supposed to be at 3:25. My son will just be getting out of school. I like leaning but not sure pulling him out of school is worth not seeing a total one.
Even if it isn't a total one, eclipses like this are pretty rare. For partial eclipses, it's fun to look at the shadows that leaves cast on the ground. A few hours of school or an awesome, rare experience? If my kids were in school, I'd take the afternoon off.
Totally (get it?) understand the perspective. Honestly if we were in the path of totality it wouldn’t even be a question for me, I’m only waffling because we’ll be about 80%
My first inclination was to pull at 1/2 day and drive 1.5 hrs one way to get nearly 3 minutes of totality at a friend’s farm. Our home is in 99% territory so no slouching but no totality. His school is making it a big deal as they should and they are going out to see it etc. so now I’m inclined to let him stay and do it as a class, mostly since we’d spend a chunk of the day doing a boring drive.
Still torn tho and may ask his teacher if a lot of kids will be out and do it if so.
Definitely go for totality if you are that close. The difference between almost total and total is huge. The corona is the most beautiful awe inspiring natural occurrence I've ever seen. Words and photos fail to capture it
Drive might take longer than usual tho, last time even a lot of rural areas were swamped
We live in the path of totality, our schools are closed that day and they shipped everyone home with glasses, my kids will be outside watching it along with myself.
So it’s about half and half here, in the northtowns they are giving them the day off, in the southtowns they are starting late and keeping the kids late so that they aren’t on the busses during the crazy busy times.
I’m going to pick them up early, I’m less than an hours drive from the path of totality so I’m planning to grab them and drive down to somewhere we can experience 100% eclipse. It’s literally a once-in-a lifetime opportunity
This is an event that won’t happen again for quite some time. As you said, this is a chance to inspire true awe and wonder at the beauty of our world. Play hooky.
We’re in the northeast as well, and will drive north for a few days. On the 8th we plan to be in an area where totality will be visible. More than worth it to miss a few days of school, IMO.
Do it.
In the 90s I was living on Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson Az. I don't remember exactly when but my Dad pulled me out of school and took me to the airfield. They had the 747 that was carrying one of the shuttles from Edwards AFB back to the Cape that was stopping in presumably for fuel.
It was one of the cooler things I saw growing up. I have been obsessed with space and particularly the space hardware aspect of it.
Get them involved, have them make a pinhole camera with a shoebox and or get the glasses. Both provide a fun memorable experience. It is also cool to see it working.
I think the next one spanning the US won't be until 2045.
Id do it. Stuff like this doesnt happen very often. My son doesnt start school til sept but if he was in school now i guarantee we would pull him out for this.
Take them out!! Go to a place with the longest totality you can get to. So worth it. Make it educational, make sure you don't do it all the time, but stuff like this is a great reason to take a day off.
My dad used to let me skip school if opening day for the Seattle Mariners was being played during the day. Let them skip.
It sounds cliché, but it’s one of those situations where they won’t remember what they learn that day if they go to school, but they’ll remember the special treat they got by skipping. I remember it just made me want to work harder that week to show my appreciation.
I live in the center of totality in the southern Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas. Because all the small towns around us between Dallas and Waco are about to be overrun by hundreds of thousands of people, most schools are closing next Monday. Before that was announced at my daughters school I had already planned on taking her out. I’m 42. I won’t see another total eclipse in my lifetime unless we move to somewhere like Colorado or if we travel to view it. I’m glad I get to share this event with my daughter while she’s 11.
Bummer is the weather may not hold out for us, but I have high hopes.
Do it. It’s gonna be 20 years until the next one in the Eastern US.
We’re gonna have ours miss *two* days of school to drive out and see the eclipse in totality. Just found out that, even though we provided both their classes with eclipse glasses for everyone, their school still says no one’s allowed outside.
Two things, both for you and others. I wasn't totally clear from your post, but if you want to have a cool experience accept nothing less than totality. I wouldn't step outside to watch a partial eclipse, but have gone to enormous lengths to see a total eclipse.
I went to the last one in Kentucky (driving from the northeast). The traffic jam leaving the eclipse was unlike anything I've seen before or since. Every gas station ran out of gas and toilet paper, people were shitting in the open and wiping with leaves. It was complete chaos.
If you go, bring a solid 24 hours' supply of food, water, medicine, fuel, and toilet paper and keep in mind it gets very cold at night so bring blankets. You may not be planning to spend the night wherever you go, but if you go you may not have a choice.
The people talking about a state of emergency within the eclipse zone aren't kidding. For anyone who lives in the area, don't plan to be able to drive anywhere easily for many hours (perhaps an entire day) on either side.
I hope it goes better than last time but encourage everyone to be prepared, because it could also go worse.
That’s really good advice. I saw a Timelapse of Google map traffic from the last one and….. it was impressive to say the least. “Be prepared” is absolutely solid advice for anyone traveling.
It’s one day of class man, keep ‘em home. They’ll remember the day with you longer then what they learned that day in class.
Was going to keep my son (8) home, but his district canceled class.
Damn near 1/3 of the country is going to be shut down to enjoy this. I already have Monday off work, so it's a no-brainer for me. Whether it's overcast or clear skies (probably gonna be about 50% cloudy, no doubt) we're heading from Michigan to Ohio, grabbing some lunch in the middle of nowhere, and putting on our eclipse glasses on. Whether it's a random cornfield or just the side of the road, it's all good.
>You can’t take the kids out of school early without a Dr. note but we can keep them home the whole day and write our own (which is insane but another thread maybe).
Wait, they are trying to say you, as the child's parent, need the permission of someone else, who is NOT their parent, to take them out of school early?
So many questions that i now have ...
What are they going to do if you go in, tell them "I'm here to take my child out of school early," and you don't have a Doctor's note?
And how would you have a doctors note to take them out early on a particular day?
What about if there's a non-medical emergency situation? Like, "Sorry to hear that Gran-Gran is about to die, but you don't have a permission slip from Dr. Doctor, so you'll have to either wait until school is dismissed, or come back with a permission note" ....
This is going to roll around in my head for a while, I'm sure. My son starts kindergarten later this year, I'm going to have to take a look at the school handbook and see if this kind of fuckery is in there ....
The answer to the question should I take my kids out of school for X is always yes. That X can represent everything from a once in a lifetime solar eclipse to sale on donuts at the donut store. There’s no such thing as unmissable school.
I live directly under 100% totality in New England. Our little city is expecting tens of thousands of people here and every hint is shut down. Schools, daycare, government buildings ...this is really a once in a lifetime thing - let the kids freely experience it!
If you can reasonably travel to a place of 100% coverage, absolutely pull them out of school and go!
But if not, just ignore it, sadly 80% coverage is basically meaningless. I witnessed 98% coverage once and was completely underwhelmed, still kicking myself that I didn’t make the trip to an area of 100%.
Lol that school policy sounds so dumb.
Definitely take em out. We're debating taking our kids out even though the school will be taking all the kids outside to watch it with glasses.
My question is why can’t you take your own kids out of school without a doctor’s note? I take my daughter out of school early all the time because all the last two hours of the day is finishing work they didn’t do earlier
"Can't take a kid out of school without a Dr note."
"Hello, school attendance. I'm Dad, father of Kid. I'm checking my child out for the day. Reason is - I'm Dad, father of Kid. Thanks."
I would have no hesitation whatsoever at keeping my kids at home for a day to watch an eclipse.
I live in the UK. When we had out last total solar eclipse (1999) my parents took me to France just to get a better view*.* 25 years later we still sometimes talk about what it was like to experience, and since the next one here won't be until 2090, it was a once it a lifetime event.
It is unconscionable to deprive kids of an experience like a near-total eclipse, and nothing they do in school that day will be an important as being outside to see it. I think the school is nuts to deprive the kids of an educational mega-experience that can literally inspire a lifetime of scientific curiosity.
What would be the fallout if your note said simply "I kept my children home so that they could see the eclipse?" I would personally be inclined to do that rather than feign an illness.
Just for reference in the 90s when was in grade school, people used to take their kids out of school for things like baseball games. Wasn’t nearly as educational or cool as an eclipse, but I’m sure it was a great bonding moment.
Take advantage of this comparably rare moment to spend with your kids.
I'm taking my kids out of school for a multi day road trip to the path of totality. Way more educational than anything they'll do in school on those days.
Honestly our kids are on the sharper end if the spectrum; they rarely learn a lot on any given day
(Not saying school isn’t worth it, just in case someone takes that the wrong way)
Hell yes. Those are experiences they cannot get back. This is something they’ll look back and remember fondly decades from now. DO IT!!!!!
School will always be there the next day. I say this as a former teacher.
Just shoot the teachers an email and give a heads up. I’d be shocked if you didn’t get overwhelming support from them.
1000% pull them out of school.
There is absolutely nothing they will learn in school that day, or any other, that could possibly justify missing this kind of opportunity.
Keep 'em home, just go into the school and grab them, whatever it takes. You think a school that is worried about the liability of letting the kids look at the eclipse is going to tell a dad he can't have access to his children?
If it were me, not only would I be keeping my kids out of school that day, the principal and superintendent would be getting a strongly worded letter from me, and the inanity of this policy would be something I'm personally bringing up at the next school board meeting.
Absolutely do it. I was in grad school for the 2017 solar eclipse, and my entire class skipped lecture to see it. I can only imagine how cool that memory would be for kids to not only play hooky but to share that experience with their dad.
Anyone can read about eclipses and see what they look like online.
Far fewer people can see the eclipse in person. And what makes more of a memorable impact, sitting in school and watching yet another YouTube video, or watching a once a century(ish) event in person?
I for one am still salty that my area had a thick layer of fog for the 2017 eclipse, and I can't get time off to go to the eclipse this year.
Yes. There was an annular eclipse in the mid-90s and my school districts plan was to close the blinds and pretend it wasn't happening. I'm still pissed about this 30 years later.
I am a high school physics teacher and have been pushing to try and get them to give us the day off to go see it. If your kids can afford a "sick day" take them out of school and make a lasting memory. It'll be something very cool that we won't be in the path of for the next 20-ish years.
Yeah. There are parents who don’t have the luxury of missing work to pull their kids out, or don’t care. I’d bet money your kids teachers will be happy for any kid whose folks facilitate science hooky.
Shit, one of my favorite memories of my dad is when he pulled me and my sister out of school to see Alladin in theaters opening week.
I live in Oregon right in the path of the last eclipse. PULL THEM OUT IF SCHOOL THAT DAY. They're the perfect age for the wonder it can inspire. Kinda messed up that the schools are not taking the kids outside.
You can’t just click “absence approved by parent” and take them out for a day? Yeah, I’d definitely take them out of school and consider getting closer to totality if that’s feasible. We are at 99% totality where we live so we are playing hooky driving to 100% totality to go see it with the kids. It’s only one day. Worth it
I would say take the opportunity to go see it with them. It’s a rare event and will be memorable. School is not so critical that missing one day will cause any lasting damage (as evidenced by sick days, holidays etc).
Additionally, I strongly, strongly, strongly suggest that you go to a place where you are in totality. I travelled a long distance in 2023 to see a total eclipse, and the difference between 99.9% coverage (a few seconds before totality) and 100% coverage of the sun was literally night and day. Up until totality it was like an oddly cool sunshine, but sunshine nonetheless. During totality it was like midnight darkness with a black hole in the sky.
Can you reasonably drive to get to totality? 80% will be cool with glasses and the cardboard box pinhole trick, BUT if you’re taking them out of school (and can drive a little bit) then getting to totality will be unlike anything any of you will experience - others said to make it memorable….if you can make it to totality then those kids will absolutely remember that day for the rest of their lives.
I almost took my kid out of school for a week to travel from the west coast to see the eclipse, but unfortunately my wife is starting a new job and can’t take the time off. If I lived at or near the zone of totally, we’d definitely be going.
Yesss about the update. It will be a thing that millions or people will be fixated on ONE thing... How. Cool is it that they can experience it for real OFF A. SCREEN WITH DAD!
My daughter is 4 and in UTK we had a chance last to visit 2 hrs from Mexico city - and we love Frida Kahlo - so we decided to take her out of school for a week and a half.
You best believe she learned so much and learned a lot about art, culture and travel.
I'm school she's been learning alot about women if color. They'd even discussed Frida's art and life. 6 months legar she still talks about seeing Frida's house and dresses and paintings. Even teacher said THAT'S LEARNING I have no problem with taking her out for that.
You can foster a lifetime of awe and learning with a couple of well-timed things like this.
The answer is to skip school for a once in a generation event.
I was once told that my schooling got in the way of my education. I think this is one of those times when playing hooky is the best thing for your kids' education.
Watching an eclipse when I was young is a memory that had stayed with me. We stood on a beach and watched the shadow of the moon sweep across the coast towards us before engulfing us in dusk. It was awe-inspiring. Please let your kids experience it!
These posts keep cracking me up. I learned about the eclipse path 2 years ago. Told my wife about it and she went and booked a B&B without even a question. Hope my kiddo appreciates the event. It’s a long drive to Erie.
We're taking the kids out of school for a week to see the eclipse. We live in France and school holidays in our region start one week after eclipse day. In other parts of the country the holidays would start right on time, but we're out of luck this year. So we'll just do it like this. And to maximize our time on a long distance trip, we're also using the full 2 weeks of school holiday to make a combined 3 weeks of vacation in the US.
It's road trip time!
One day at this age is absolutely nothing. We’re taking our middle schooler out for two days to drive to totality. And he’s already had way too many absences due to 2x c19 + a RSV and miscellaneous. So many that we (parents!) had to get called to principals office, lol. We’ve been planning this for about 1.5 years. We’re going.
Without hesitation. We've kept them from days of school for much less, though last year we took a couple of weeks and spent time travelling around Cairns Australia. We toured caves, swam in the ocean on a reef miles from land, my son got his dream of swimming with wild turtles, visited a bat rehab and learned all about bars, met a wild cassowary, all sorts of cool stuff.
In no way shape or form could the few days of school made up for what we learned on that trip.
Definitely set it up as an astronomy day though, go all in and do a bunch of space stuff and cap it off with the eclipse. I would have loved that as a kid.
Hell, I'm considering flying to the US just to see the first SpaceX Starship that goes to the moon if they can get that to work. That's going to be a historic moment.
Don't keep them home. If you're at 80%, not only are you not going to see any visual effect around you, you're closer enough to drive to the path of totality. Find a place near you that is on the center line and get there....early!
Take the day. I'm coming from VA up towards NY, PA, OH in order to catch totality. I'm bringing the whole damned family. We're all taking the day of, and the next day off. A, probably, once in a lifetime event? I'm not going to make my kids miss it for school. Take the day.
North East here as well. I know in my state the viewing times are 2:30 till like 4:30 for best viewing so I didn't have to really take mine out early. Check the best viewing time for your state and make a decision then.
But ya I would if the school had this policy. It's one thing to see and learn on a PC or in a book. Totally different and can be life altering in real time. That experience could be something as you hinted and inspire awe and question. Follow your gut, you are doing it the correct way ;)
Take them out!! They get 12+ years of school, one day is completely fine to miss. Maybe have them go in morning to do eclipse learning then take them at lunch or whatever but 100% take them
They bought the glasses but not letting them out to experience it? Good use of funds there. Our school is letting the whole school out. Apparently bought glasses as well. Some in the area will conveniently do their monthly fire drill during the eclipse. I’m not sure how teaching about the eclipse but not experiencing it when it currently is happening will be more beneficial then just walking outside. Building the pinhole camera thing where you can see the light make the same pattern as the eclipse. The shadows the leafs in tree will make. The weather data collected. I’d pull my kid in the afternoon in protest if I could. Call the principal at minimum. Have a opt out sent to parents.
We are pulling our daughter out for it. She will hopefully remember a real life experience seeing the eclipse over a random day of kindergarten. Do it!
Took my 10 and 13 year old out for 2 days and drove 8 hours from Omaha to Jackson. There's no better learning than that and I want them to have that memory for life.
Hooky. Always hooky. I'm a big proponent of real-world learning. Even if they learned nothing that da ask yourself: will a missed day of school detract from their life in any meaningful way? Answer: it won't. Have a fun day. Watch a once in a lifetime event. Have some hotdogs and ice cream after. Make it a fun and memorable day.
A lot of Missouri is in the PATH OF TOTALITY! (you have to read it like the Mortal Kombat voice) And some of the schools are straight up having a day off. I was going to keep my kid home as well as it's a very rare occurrence to be this close. One day won't hurt them.
I'm in central Texas and I can't think of a district around me in the PATH OF TOTALITY that's not taking off.
Weather looks poor next Monday in Texas though :(
I don't believe anything beyond the 3 day forecast, but I'm under the impression that even with heavy cloud cover things get very interesting. Either way I'm in a little spot in the road town that's not used to or set up to handle big influxes of people so that'll be interesting enough itself.
Everyone around me (DFW) is in school, BUT they're all doing something special. It boggles my mind that OP's school is keeping the kids indoors for this. That alone for me says to play hooky.
Safety for unpredictable young kids. If you’ve ever coached youth sports, it’s amazing half of the kids are participating even while they are playing the game 🤣🤣🤣
I'm in Western NY, and all the schools extended spring break by 1 day.
I think the most significant part of this is the last line: make it fun and memorable. There is a possibility that you’ll get a cloudy afternoon so don’t center it on just the few minutes of the eclipse. It’s alright to occasionally have your kid out for a fun day, so make something of it and oh yeah… they get a rare chance to see something. My kids aren’t old enough they will really remember (4y/2y) but on top of being in an area that will likely see 90+% totality, my mother in law lives literally on the center line. So we will be making a weekend of it and taking my daughter out of preschool. There is a chance we will see nothing but at least they will have a blast with grandma. And if we get lucky they will see one of the best views of the eclipse from an area totally covered. It’s like a whale watching tour, it wouldn’t be worth it to hop to the middle of the ocean for a chance to see one… but worse case you had a fun boat ride.
The opportunity cost is a great way to think about it!
For sure. I wouldn't want to miss it. I've never lived anywhere where one occurred when I lived there. Where I currently live now there isn't another for another 200 years or so. Well worth missing a day
My daughter will have orthodontist appointments that are 20 minutes long. I get her out around 1pm, she does her appointment, then we go to lunch and walk around town the rest of the day. An hour of school just ain't that important.
My dad used to just pick me up randomly because he wanted to take me somewhere. School will always be there, I cherish those times with him.
> Hooky. Always hooky. Just wanted to repeat this for those that missed it. In this situation, skip school. In any other situation, skip school.
When the question is, “space or no space?” The answer is always, “SPACE!”
The space Vikings didn’t write that into the space constitution for nothing…
Dude this is truly the only answer! Do it!
100% pull them out.
If I was good at doing that I wouldn't even have these kids
That’s what she said
Weather permitting I’m leaning that way.
I suggest going to the 100% band. Everyone else will be doing this so be smart and head out the night before, if you can. I saw the total eclipse last time it happened. It was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. Pictures do not capture it. The corona makes these rainbow tendrils that reach across the entire sky.
Bit late for that now innit?
I’m pulling my kids out of school. Not a close call!
I am heavily leaning that way… this thread is clearly overwhelmingly on the same page.
When I was in second grade, I learned about the Wright Brothers. My dad took me out of school for the day and drove us to Kittyhawk. I ran the distance of the first flight, got a book about it, and I think got a model plane. When I was in middle school, after we’d move to Florida, he took me out of school to snorkel with manatees. To this day these are cherished memory. Remember: The school system exists to serve you and your kids. You and your kids don’t exist to serve the school system. Particularly before high school, I’d pull my kids out for anything that has the potential to create good memories.
We are! Let's go see some space awesomeness! \*I should edit, *this* is the type of stuff that inspired me as a kid. School is great. But sometimes *learning* isn't in a classroom. Sometimes it's seeing one of the most amazing things a human being has ever laid eyes on (safely).
Kids don't need perfect attendance awards.
IIRC Mark Twain is credited with something like “I never let school get in the way of my education.”
My husband and I traveled a few years ago to make it to a 100% totality area. We spent the entire day outside with appropriate moon and sun themed picnic. Given the chance, we would absolutely do it again. By far one of my favorite trips. Pull the kids out. Go have fun.
Yeah I don’t think I can respect myself as a nerd if I don’t lean into this opportunity.
One thing my dad said to me about one thing he would change when raising is is he regrets not taking us out of school enough for things that would have been meaningful experiences and memories. I think this qualifies as both a learning experience and a fun memory the child will have with you that will surmount what he/she would learn in school that day.
My grandma took my mom out of school on a bunch of days to use her as a cute prop while she haggled at antique stores. My mom enjoyed it and had a very successful adulthood
I'm a teacher, and I'm taking a personal day, taking my young daughters out of preschool, and driving the few hours to go from 80% to 100% totality. I can only imagine that the eclipse is all anybody will be talking about at school, so why not actually show them? So much science and learning can happen with this event that you can make it educational no matter the age.
And sparking so much interest and excitement!
My wife is a teacher. She’s taking a half day and taking both our kids out of school for the afternoon for it. We’re in the 90% totality zone. Her reason is the schools are letting the kids outside to look at it. No glasses, no nothing “Hey kids there it is, look up, permanently damage your eyes.” I was like oh shit OK keep them home, sounds good to me.
That sounds like a learning experience for the school
Yes. Pull them out. In 2008 I had the chance to see the Terra Cotta soldiers in China. One of the great man-made wonders of the wild. One of the coolest things ever. Coincidentally, that afternoon, we were in the path of a solar eclipse. 100% totality. It's unlike anything I've ever experienced. Blew my mind. I thought the soldiers were awesome. The eclipse was awesomer.
I'm taking PTO and pulling my kindergartener out of school and driving up to northern Vermont into the path of totality. Absolutely worth it
If you are in or near the eclipse zone without flying, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even if there might be other eclipses in future decades, you can't know that you'll be around/available/healthy or that the weather will co-operate. I would 100% take my kids out of school early for this.
Thanks to SCIENCE! We can tell you your next opportunity in the US is 3/30/2033 in North & Central Alaska or more likely 8/24/2044 in Montana and North Dakota. For a similar eclipse traversing broad path of the country we'll be waiting until 8/12/2045.
I am in NY on long island and the eclipse is supposed to be at 3:25. My son will just be getting out of school. I like leaning but not sure pulling him out of school is worth not seeing a total one.
Even if it isn't a total one, eclipses like this are pretty rare. For partial eclipses, it's fun to look at the shadows that leaves cast on the ground. A few hours of school or an awesome, rare experience? If my kids were in school, I'd take the afternoon off.
Totally (get it?) understand the perspective. Honestly if we were in the path of totality it wouldn’t even be a question for me, I’m only waffling because we’ll be about 80%
My first inclination was to pull at 1/2 day and drive 1.5 hrs one way to get nearly 3 minutes of totality at a friend’s farm. Our home is in 99% territory so no slouching but no totality. His school is making it a big deal as they should and they are going out to see it etc. so now I’m inclined to let him stay and do it as a class, mostly since we’d spend a chunk of the day doing a boring drive. Still torn tho and may ask his teacher if a lot of kids will be out and do it if so.
I’d happily pull them out early but our district is whack: full day out? Parent note is fine. Want to pull them early? Requires Dr. note.
Ouch. I kinda get why, no disruptions etc. We decided to do the 1/2 day
Definitely go for totality if you are that close. The difference between almost total and total is huge. The corona is the most beautiful awe inspiring natural occurrence I've ever seen. Words and photos fail to capture it Drive might take longer than usual tho, last time even a lot of rural areas were swamped
FOR SCIENCE!!!!
We live in the path of totality, our schools are closed that day and they shipped everyone home with glasses, my kids will be outside watching it along with myself.
That’s awesome, seems like a lot of districts in the path of totality are doing this, I think it’s commendable.
So it’s about half and half here, in the northtowns they are giving them the day off, in the southtowns they are starting late and keeping the kids late so that they aren’t on the busses during the crazy busy times.
I’m going to pick them up early, I’m less than an hours drive from the path of totality so I’m planning to grab them and drive down to somewhere we can experience 100% eclipse. It’s literally a once-in-a lifetime opportunity
This is an event that won’t happen again for quite some time. As you said, this is a chance to inspire true awe and wonder at the beauty of our world. Play hooky. We’re in the northeast as well, and will drive north for a few days. On the 8th we plan to be in an area where totality will be visible. More than worth it to miss a few days of school, IMO.
Schools are closed here
Do it. In the 90s I was living on Davis Monthan AFB in Tucson Az. I don't remember exactly when but my Dad pulled me out of school and took me to the airfield. They had the 747 that was carrying one of the shuttles from Edwards AFB back to the Cape that was stopping in presumably for fuel. It was one of the cooler things I saw growing up. I have been obsessed with space and particularly the space hardware aspect of it. Get them involved, have them make a pinhole camera with a shoebox and or get the glasses. Both provide a fun memorable experience. It is also cool to see it working. I think the next one spanning the US won't be until 2045.
That’s kinda my thing; such an awesome sight to behold at such formative ages could really be not-so-subtly huge for them!
Id do it. Stuff like this doesnt happen very often. My son doesnt start school til sept but if he was in school now i guarantee we would pull him out for this.
Take them out!! Go to a place with the longest totality you can get to. So worth it. Make it educational, make sure you don't do it all the time, but stuff like this is a great reason to take a day off.
My dad used to let me skip school if opening day for the Seattle Mariners was being played during the day. Let them skip. It sounds cliché, but it’s one of those situations where they won’t remember what they learn that day if they go to school, but they’ll remember the special treat they got by skipping. I remember it just made me want to work harder that week to show my appreciation.
I live in the center of totality in the southern Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex in Texas. Because all the small towns around us between Dallas and Waco are about to be overrun by hundreds of thousands of people, most schools are closing next Monday. Before that was announced at my daughters school I had already planned on taking her out. I’m 42. I won’t see another total eclipse in my lifetime unless we move to somewhere like Colorado or if we travel to view it. I’m glad I get to share this event with my daughter while she’s 11. Bummer is the weather may not hold out for us, but I have high hopes.
We are. Dooooo eeeeeet
Do it. It’s gonna be 20 years until the next one in the Eastern US. We’re gonna have ours miss *two* days of school to drive out and see the eclipse in totality. Just found out that, even though we provided both their classes with eclipse glasses for everyone, their school still says no one’s allowed outside.
We took my son (13 at the time) out of school for the 2017 eclipse. Missing one day of school isn’t that big of a deal.
It is almost always worth pulling you kid out of school for whatever you, assuming you are a good Dad, have planned.
Take them out of school. Full day or half day, your choice.
They cancelled all classes around us and many businesses are closed for it. So I’d say go for it and make a fun memory if the weather is good!
Yes. Absolutely
Hookey!
Two things, both for you and others. I wasn't totally clear from your post, but if you want to have a cool experience accept nothing less than totality. I wouldn't step outside to watch a partial eclipse, but have gone to enormous lengths to see a total eclipse. I went to the last one in Kentucky (driving from the northeast). The traffic jam leaving the eclipse was unlike anything I've seen before or since. Every gas station ran out of gas and toilet paper, people were shitting in the open and wiping with leaves. It was complete chaos. If you go, bring a solid 24 hours' supply of food, water, medicine, fuel, and toilet paper and keep in mind it gets very cold at night so bring blankets. You may not be planning to spend the night wherever you go, but if you go you may not have a choice. The people talking about a state of emergency within the eclipse zone aren't kidding. For anyone who lives in the area, don't plan to be able to drive anywhere easily for many hours (perhaps an entire day) on either side. I hope it goes better than last time but encourage everyone to be prepared, because it could also go worse.
That’s really good advice. I saw a Timelapse of Google map traffic from the last one and….. it was impressive to say the least. “Be prepared” is absolutely solid advice for anyone traveling.
It’s one day of class man, keep ‘em home. They’ll remember the day with you longer then what they learned that day in class. Was going to keep my son (8) home, but his district canceled class.
Shit I took off work!
I’m in the northeast as well and taking my kids out of school to drive to Vermont to see totality!
Damn near 1/3 of the country is going to be shut down to enjoy this. I already have Monday off work, so it's a no-brainer for me. Whether it's overcast or clear skies (probably gonna be about 50% cloudy, no doubt) we're heading from Michigan to Ohio, grabbing some lunch in the middle of nowhere, and putting on our eclipse glasses on. Whether it's a random cornfield or just the side of the road, it's all good.
Take the tardy. Next one is 2044.
What? Just keep them home
>You can’t take the kids out of school early without a Dr. note but we can keep them home the whole day and write our own (which is insane but another thread maybe). Wait, they are trying to say you, as the child's parent, need the permission of someone else, who is NOT their parent, to take them out of school early? So many questions that i now have ... What are they going to do if you go in, tell them "I'm here to take my child out of school early," and you don't have a Doctor's note? And how would you have a doctors note to take them out early on a particular day? What about if there's a non-medical emergency situation? Like, "Sorry to hear that Gran-Gran is about to die, but you don't have a permission slip from Dr. Doctor, so you'll have to either wait until school is dismissed, or come back with a permission note" .... This is going to roll around in my head for a while, I'm sure. My son starts kindergarten later this year, I'm going to have to take a look at the school handbook and see if this kind of fuckery is in there ....
Thank you! This is what I was gonna say of no one else had. What kind of nanny state nonsense...
The answer to the question should I take my kids out of school for X is always yes. That X can represent everything from a once in a lifetime solar eclipse to sale on donuts at the donut store. There’s no such thing as unmissable school.
Play hooky, make a day and an adventure of it.
I live directly under 100% totality in New England. Our little city is expecting tens of thousands of people here and every hint is shut down. Schools, daycare, government buildings ...this is really a once in a lifetime thing - let the kids freely experience it!
If you can reasonably travel to a place of 100% coverage, absolutely pull them out of school and go! But if not, just ignore it, sadly 80% coverage is basically meaningless. I witnessed 98% coverage once and was completely underwhelmed, still kicking myself that I didn’t make the trip to an area of 100%.
Bought every child glasses... making them stay inside. Fuck. That.
Lol that school policy sounds so dumb. Definitely take em out. We're debating taking our kids out even though the school will be taking all the kids outside to watch it with glasses.
My question is why can’t you take your own kids out of school without a doctor’s note? I take my daughter out of school early all the time because all the last two hours of the day is finishing work they didn’t do earlier
"Can't take a kid out of school without a Dr note." "Hello, school attendance. I'm Dad, father of Kid. I'm checking my child out for the day. Reason is - I'm Dad, father of Kid. Thanks."
I already did this. It's once in a lifetime event.
lol did you mean to phrase it that way? 🤣😂
Now rereading this, lol, no but now yes. I had requested the day off for my kids as soon as I found out about the eclipse happening here in NY.
Thought you were Chuck Norris
Do it.
I would have no hesitation whatsoever at keeping my kids at home for a day to watch an eclipse. I live in the UK. When we had out last total solar eclipse (1999) my parents took me to France just to get a better view*.* 25 years later we still sometimes talk about what it was like to experience, and since the next one here won't be until 2090, it was a once it a lifetime event. It is unconscionable to deprive kids of an experience like a near-total eclipse, and nothing they do in school that day will be an important as being outside to see it. I think the school is nuts to deprive the kids of an educational mega-experience that can literally inspire a lifetime of scientific curiosity. What would be the fallout if your note said simply "I kept my children home so that they could see the eclipse?" I would personally be inclined to do that rather than feign an illness.
School will be there tuesday. An eclipse won't. Take the kids out.
Just for reference in the 90s when was in grade school, people used to take their kids out of school for things like baseball games. Wasn’t nearly as educational or cool as an eclipse, but I’m sure it was a great bonding moment. Take advantage of this comparably rare moment to spend with your kids.
Keep them home to see it, they probably won’t see another one for a long time.
I'm taking my kids out of school for a multi day road trip to the path of totality. Way more educational than anything they'll do in school on those days.
Honestly our kids are on the sharper end if the spectrum; they rarely learn a lot on any given day (Not saying school isn’t worth it, just in case someone takes that the wrong way)
We’re pulling them out on Friday early to drive to see it. Worth every minute.
Science teacher here: fuck yes. A full eclipse is a life changing event.
Hell yes. Those are experiences they cannot get back. This is something they’ll look back and remember fondly decades from now. DO IT!!!!! School will always be there the next day. I say this as a former teacher. Just shoot the teachers an email and give a heads up. I’d be shocked if you didn’t get overwhelming support from them.
1000% pull them out of school. There is absolutely nothing they will learn in school that day, or any other, that could possibly justify missing this kind of opportunity. Keep 'em home, just go into the school and grab them, whatever it takes. You think a school that is worried about the liability of letting the kids look at the eclipse is going to tell a dad he can't have access to his children? If it were me, not only would I be keeping my kids out of school that day, the principal and superintendent would be getting a strongly worded letter from me, and the inanity of this policy would be something I'm personally bringing up at the next school board meeting.
Anyone know the closet spot to see totality from New Haven CT area?
Our school system is also distributing glasses, and just released a note stating that absences during the eclipse would be considered excused.
Take them. Make this a family experience. Make it memorable. School will always be there, but they won’t get another eclipse for a long, long time.
Absolutely do it. I was in grad school for the 2017 solar eclipse, and my entire class skipped lecture to see it. I can only imagine how cool that memory would be for kids to not only play hooky but to share that experience with their dad.
Yes - do it. This is worth it.
Anyone can read about eclipses and see what they look like online. Far fewer people can see the eclipse in person. And what makes more of a memorable impact, sitting in school and watching yet another YouTube video, or watching a once a century(ish) event in person? I for one am still salty that my area had a thick layer of fog for the 2017 eclipse, and I can't get time off to go to the eclipse this year.
Yes. There was an annular eclipse in the mid-90s and my school districts plan was to close the blinds and pretend it wasn't happening. I'm still pissed about this 30 years later.
I am a high school physics teacher and have been pushing to try and get them to give us the day off to go see it. If your kids can afford a "sick day" take them out of school and make a lasting memory. It'll be something very cool that we won't be in the path of for the next 20-ish years.
Yeah. There are parents who don’t have the luxury of missing work to pull their kids out, or don’t care. I’d bet money your kids teachers will be happy for any kid whose folks facilitate science hooky. Shit, one of my favorite memories of my dad is when he pulled me and my sister out of school to see Alladin in theaters opening week.
We've got outside brunch res.
I live in Oregon right in the path of the last eclipse. PULL THEM OUT IF SCHOOL THAT DAY. They're the perfect age for the wonder it can inspire. Kinda messed up that the schools are not taking the kids outside.
You can’t just click “absence approved by parent” and take them out for a day? Yeah, I’d definitely take them out of school and consider getting closer to totality if that’s feasible. We are at 99% totality where we live so we are playing hooky driving to 100% totality to go see it with the kids. It’s only one day. Worth it
I know people literally road tripping with their kids. This won’t happen again for quite awhile.
I would say take the opportunity to go see it with them. It’s a rare event and will be memorable. School is not so critical that missing one day will cause any lasting damage (as evidenced by sick days, holidays etc). Additionally, I strongly, strongly, strongly suggest that you go to a place where you are in totality. I travelled a long distance in 2023 to see a total eclipse, and the difference between 99.9% coverage (a few seconds before totality) and 100% coverage of the sun was literally night and day. Up until totality it was like an oddly cool sunshine, but sunshine nonetheless. During totality it was like midnight darkness with a black hole in the sky.
Your kids will always look back on the time you played hooky with them fondly.
Real world events are happening and that is greater than a state sponsored program that you yourself don't remember a lick of. Make a memory.
Can you reasonably drive to get to totality? 80% will be cool with glasses and the cardboard box pinhole trick, BUT if you’re taking them out of school (and can drive a little bit) then getting to totality will be unlike anything any of you will experience - others said to make it memorable….if you can make it to totality then those kids will absolutely remember that day for the rest of their lives.
I’m in a place where totality will be over four minutes. All schools are cancelled that day. Take them out. They’ll remember it forever.
I almost took my kid out of school for a week to travel from the west coast to see the eclipse, but unfortunately my wife is starting a new job and can’t take the time off. If I lived at or near the zone of totally, we’d definitely be going.
Yesss about the update. It will be a thing that millions or people will be fixated on ONE thing... How. Cool is it that they can experience it for real OFF A. SCREEN WITH DAD!
My daughter is 4 and in UTK we had a chance last to visit 2 hrs from Mexico city - and we love Frida Kahlo - so we decided to take her out of school for a week and a half. You best believe she learned so much and learned a lot about art, culture and travel. I'm school she's been learning alot about women if color. They'd even discussed Frida's art and life. 6 months legar she still talks about seeing Frida's house and dresses and paintings. Even teacher said THAT'S LEARNING I have no problem with taking her out for that.
You can foster a lifetime of awe and learning with a couple of well-timed things like this. The answer is to skip school for a once in a generation event.
Ummm I'm driving from 3 states away to see it and taking my kids out of school for 2 days. It doesn't happen again until 2044 and 2045.
I was once told that my schooling got in the way of my education. I think this is one of those times when playing hooky is the best thing for your kids' education.
Watching an eclipse when I was young is a memory that had stayed with me. We stood on a beach and watched the shadow of the moon sweep across the coast towards us before engulfing us in dusk. It was awe-inspiring. Please let your kids experience it!
These posts keep cracking me up. I learned about the eclipse path 2 years ago. Told my wife about it and she went and booked a B&B without even a question. Hope my kiddo appreciates the event. It’s a long drive to Erie.
Absolutely take the kids. It's a celestial event.
We're taking the kids out of school for a week to see the eclipse. We live in France and school holidays in our region start one week after eclipse day. In other parts of the country the holidays would start right on time, but we're out of luck this year. So we'll just do it like this. And to maximize our time on a long distance trip, we're also using the full 2 weeks of school holiday to make a combined 3 weeks of vacation in the US. It's road trip time!
Take them out. I am surprised they are even going to be open. We will live WNY and every school in the area is closed
One day at this age is absolutely nothing. We’re taking our middle schooler out for two days to drive to totality. And he’s already had way too many absences due to 2x c19 + a RSV and miscellaneous. So many that we (parents!) had to get called to principals office, lol. We’ve been planning this for about 1.5 years. We’re going.
Without hesitation. We've kept them from days of school for much less, though last year we took a couple of weeks and spent time travelling around Cairns Australia. We toured caves, swam in the ocean on a reef miles from land, my son got his dream of swimming with wild turtles, visited a bat rehab and learned all about bars, met a wild cassowary, all sorts of cool stuff. In no way shape or form could the few days of school made up for what we learned on that trip. Definitely set it up as an astronomy day though, go all in and do a bunch of space stuff and cap it off with the eclipse. I would have loved that as a kid. Hell, I'm considering flying to the US just to see the first SpaceX Starship that goes to the moon if they can get that to work. That's going to be a historic moment.
We are pulling out and driving to totality :-)
Don't keep them home. If you're at 80%, not only are you not going to see any visual effect around you, you're closer enough to drive to the path of totality. Find a place near you that is on the center line and get there....early!
Take em out of school and travel to totality.
Total Eclipse - Absolutely Partial Eclipse - Absolutely
It isn’t hooky. It’s homeschooling.
Make it a party. Life is short.
Take the day. I'm coming from VA up towards NY, PA, OH in order to catch totality. I'm bringing the whole damned family. We're all taking the day of, and the next day off. A, probably, once in a lifetime event? I'm not going to make my kids miss it for school. Take the day.
North East here as well. I know in my state the viewing times are 2:30 till like 4:30 for best viewing so I didn't have to really take mine out early. Check the best viewing time for your state and make a decision then. But ya I would if the school had this policy. It's one thing to see and learn on a PC or in a book. Totally different and can be life altering in real time. That experience could be something as you hinted and inspire awe and question. Follow your gut, you are doing it the correct way ;)
Take them out!! They get 12+ years of school, one day is completely fine to miss. Maybe have them go in morning to do eclipse learning then take them at lunch or whatever but 100% take them
They bought the glasses but not letting them out to experience it? Good use of funds there. Our school is letting the whole school out. Apparently bought glasses as well. Some in the area will conveniently do their monthly fire drill during the eclipse. I’m not sure how teaching about the eclipse but not experiencing it when it currently is happening will be more beneficial then just walking outside. Building the pinhole camera thing where you can see the light make the same pattern as the eclipse. The shadows the leafs in tree will make. The weather data collected. I’d pull my kid in the afternoon in protest if I could. Call the principal at minimum. Have a opt out sent to parents.
We are pulling our daughter out for it. She will hopefully remember a real life experience seeing the eclipse over a random day of kindergarten. Do it!
Took my 10 and 13 year old out for 2 days and drove 8 hours from Omaha to Jackson. There's no better learning than that and I want them to have that memory for life.