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The Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (KCDHH) has created a video that alerts deaf and hard of hearing citizens on how to watch the August 21 solar eclipse safely. According to KCDHH Executive Director Virginia L. Moore, the video has received national attention, receiving over 57,000 views on Facebook and 1,400 shares.
“This is an exciting time for all of Kentucky’s citizens,” said Moore. “We just want to ensure that deaf and hard of hearing citizens are well informed about this event and take all necessary precautions to protect their vision as they enjoy this historic eclipse.”
During the video, a narrator provides information on the eclipse and instructions on viewing it safely in American Sign Language.
“We don’t want to damage the sense (eyesight) that we rely so heavily on,” the narrator says. “With that in mind, you should know that there are special solar glasses that will protect your eyes while you view the solar eclipse. You can find these glasses in various local stores.”
The video goes on to explain how to identify if the solar eclipse viewing glasses are genuine, and how to identify if they have been damaged.
You can view the post on the KCDHH Facebook page at www.facebook.com/KCDHH/ or go to the website, www.kcdhh.ky.gov/, click on the “Vlog” tab and watch the Solar Eclipse 2017 video.
JCPS Acting Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio provided additional guidance to our school principals on August 8 regarding the solar eclipse later this month.
Here are the highlights:
- All JCPS middle and high schools will have a delayed dismissal the day of the eclipse, Monday, August 21. The dismissal time for these schools, including all special schools and alternative schools, will be 2:41 p.m. This is a delay of 21 minutes past the regular dismissal time of 2:20 p.m.
- Elementary schools will have an on-time dismissal, but parents should know that their child may be delayed when arriving home that afternoon due to traffic. This is especially true for students whose transportation may run through a depot.
- Students and teachers may participate in instructional activities regarding the eclipse if proper safety protocols are followed. Each school should develop a plan and communicate that plan to the appropriate assistant superintendent. The plan should include which classes are going outside for instruction and the safety protocols being followed to ensure student and staff safety.
- Each student involved in outside instructional activities must complete a permission form that will be provided by the school.
- Additionally, all non-eclipse outdoor activities (e.g., recess, physical education) between 12:30 and 3 p.m. should be moved indoors.
If parents are requesting an excused absence to attend the eclipse, an educational enhancement form must be submitted by Friday, August 18. Normally, these forms would be due on August 16, but we are providing two extra days because August 16 is the first day of school. Each school should have forms to provide parents and information about additional student obligations, if required by your school’s School-Based Decision Making (SBDM) Council.
A link to the district form is available here: http://bit.ly/2vM2j22.