Area schools plan for April 8 total solar eclipse

SIKESTON— With the total solar eclipse only two weeks away, Sikeston Public Schools and other local school districts have plans in place to help their students celebrate the event.

Natalie Bohannon, Sikeston R-6 communications specialist, said prior to the April 8 eclipse on Wednesday, April 3, the district’s three elementary schools and middle school will have a special guest to help celebrate the eclipse.

“First through sixth grade will have a special guest, Jason Lindsey, known as Mr. Science come and talk to the students about solar eclipses in general,” Bohannon said. 

According to Bohannon, Lindsey, also known as “Mr. Science” with Hooked on Science, is a nationally recognized STEM educator, science multimedia journalist, meteorologist and author.

Lindsey has appeared on “The Today Show,” “Sherri,” “Fox & Friends,” RFD-TV, WeatherNation and television stations across the United States.

Lindsey visits many schools each year, according to Bohannon, inspiring children to be curious about their surroundings and develop a lifelong interest in science and math.

Bohannon said every Sikeston school building will also receive free solar eclipse glasses to watch on April 8.

According to Dustin Hicks, superintendent of East Prairie R-2 School District, students will be able to watch the eclipse just as they did in 2017.

Hicks said the school has purchased eclipse glasses for the entire district. The high school will observe the eclipse from the football field, the junior high from their playground and practice field and the third and fourth grades from the elementary playground.

According to Hicks, the school will also provide a lesson for the students through the science curriculum. 

Hicks said students in grades second and lower will most likely remain indoors due to concerns about not wearing their glasses.

“Since the eclipse is also televised, the other students will be able to watch inside on the smart boards,” Hicks said.

On the day of the eclipse, St. Francis Xavier School in Sikeston will host an activity for all students.

Around noon, the school will grill lunch for students and faculty, and there will be outdoor activities centered on the eclipse. Outside activities for children will include a solar oven, a solar car race and a snack station themed after the solar eclipse with moon pies. Students will also receive solar eclipse glasses, allowing them to watch the eclipse outside.

The Charleston R-1 School District will host an eclipse viewing party for elementary, middle and high school students, as well as faculty and staff on the playground behind the middle school.

The event will also be open to family and parents, and the school will provide eclipse glasses for the students.

The eclipse party will start at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free, and visitors must register at the gate. They are welcome to bring a chair or picnic blanket.

The Charleston elementary science club will also sell solar eclipse glasses to the public to raise funds for club activities. Students will also learn about the eclipse in class before it occurs. 

Scott County Central High and Junior High School students will have eclipse glasses and go outside to observe the eclipse. The elementary school is planning to do something as well, but officials are still working out details.

The New Madrid County R-1 School District will watch the eclipse with all students who have a permission slip signed by their parents, and the students will be provided with eclipse glasses.

Currently, the elementary schools in the New Madrid School District are still working out the details for to celebrate and learn about the eclipse.

Immaculate Conception Catholic School in New Madrid will host an eclipse party beginning at 1:15 p.m. April 8 on the IC School grounds, 560 Powell Ave. Viewing glasses and snacks will be provided.

Students at Scott County R-4 “Kelly” School District will not be in session on April 8 as part of their regularly scheduled professional development day.