The first day of school is usually one of the most memorable days in a student’s school year. Throw in a solar eclipse party and it might become one of the most memorable days of your childhood.
Students at Joslin Elementary School in South Austin were lucky enough to spend part of their first day back to school outside in a shaded portion of the schoolyard with a solar eclipse viewing party. From about 1:00 to 1:30 p.m., the little Joslin Jaguars got to enjoy the rare occasion with their teachers and friends -- and have a sing along to The Beatle’s “Here Comes the Sun.”
“This is a wonderful opportunity to share a rare scientific event with our students, especially on a momentous day like the first day of school,” said Assistant Principal Summer McKinnon.
City Councilmember Ann Kitchen, the representative from Joslin Elementary’s District 5, was also invited to the party and spoke to the kids about the eclipse after an introduction and safety tips from Interim Principal Patrick Aziz.
Principal Aziz made sure each student was given a pair of ISO-certified viewing glasses and numerous teachers were monitoring their students to make sure they were wearing them properly.
“They said not to look at it without the glasses,” said third-grader Joseph Gutierrez. “I thought it was going to be a full moon but it just looked like a banana.”
Third-grader Evan Chapman was a little more pumped for the party.
“Epic! Best day of my life!” shouted Chapman. “Eclipse U.S.A.!”
Fellow third-grader Rio Mason-Murphy was already looking forward to the next solar eclipse, which takes place on April 8, 2024.
“Everybody thought you could see the stars, but I couldn’t see any,” said Mason-Murphy. “My parents said the next solar eclipse will happen when I’m 16.”
