Citing safety concerns, schools in Madison plan to dismiss classes early on eclipse day Monday, Aug. 21.

Limestone County School will hold classes that day as will Athens City Schools. Limestone will allow students with permission slips to view the total solar eclipse with the proper eye protection. Athens will release more information about the day next week.

Madison Superintendent Robby Parker announced Friday the district’s schools would dismiss early —10:30 a.m. for prekindergarten, 11 a.m. for elementary, and 11:45 a.m. for high school. Some school systems in Tennessee are doing the same.

Parker said he wants students to experience the eclipse but the school system can’t afford to buy the 10,500 pairs of glasses needed for all students to safely view the phenomenon. Viewing an eclipse directly can damage one’s eyes.

“I could not live with myself if a child (or numerous children) have permanent retina damage as a result of something that we did at school,” he wrote in a statement released to parents.

If a parent wishes to keep their child at home for the full day in order to witness the eclipse from another location, the absence will be excused with a written note. The absence will not be counted as one of the child’s parent notes.

Limestone County

The superintendent of Limestone County Schools won’t cancel classes for the historic event.

“We know there are some safety issues with viewing an eclipse,” Dr. Tom Sisk wrote in a letter to school board members. “Some school systems in our area have canceled school, but we plan on being at school on Aug. 21 as scheduled. We realize this is a great teaching opportunity and want our students to safely experience this once-in-a-lifetime event.”

Sisk set out some guidelines to ensure student safety. He said any student viewing the eclipse should only be allowed if the following two conditions are met:

• Students must have a signed parental permission slip. Rusty Bates will provide these forms by email for schools to distribute next week;

• Students must have a pair of approved glasses to view the eclipse. He provided this link: https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety;

“Our intent is to create a safe environment for all our students while at school,” he wrote. “The potential for eye injuries exists, therefore we are taking these precautions.”

In addition, Sisk said students must be instructed to keep the glasses on during the entire viewing of the eclipse. Students will receive a reminder and instructions before going to view it.

He said all regularly scheduled outside events will be moved indoors. Students should not be outside during the time of the eclipse without adhering to the guidelines mentioned above.

“We realize some parents will want to keep their students home to view the eclipse or travel to an area in the 100 percent zone,” he wrote. “Therefore, if parents keep their students at home and send a note stating the reason for the absence was the eclipse, the student will be counted present. This will not count against perfect attendance or exemptions.”

Athens

Athens City Schools Superintendent Dr. Trey Holladay said city schools will hold classes on eclipse day. He said Foundation Director Dr. Chris Hamilton will be sending out more information about the day next week.