Calendar Updates: half day April 8, no school May 24

Please be aware of the following changes to the Watervliet City School District calendar.

Watervliet schools will dismiss early on Monday, April 8, due to the solar eclipse. Teachers and staff will remain for planning and other professional learning during the afternoon.

Students will dismiss at the following times on April 8:

Prekindergarten — 11 a.m.
Grades 6-7 — 11:09 a.m.
Grades 8-12 — 11:32 a.m.
Grades K-5 — 12 p.m.

Lunch will be served during school for all students prior to dismissal.

All after-school clubs and activities will be canceled on April 8; however, athletic practices on that day will begin after 4:30 p.m., when the eclipse has ended. A reminder that with an early dismissal on April 8, the Civic Center will not run its after-school program at the elementary school.

This change will help ensure the safety of our students during the solar eclipse, which is expected to begin shortly after 2 p.m. This timeline coincides with our regular dismissal times, when school buses are typically on the road transporting students. An early dismissal will allow students to get home safely, in advance of the eclipse.

How to view the solar eclipse safely

This is the first total solar eclipse in New York since 1925. The next one in New York won’t occur for another 55 years! For more on the April 8 eclipse, please visit: https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/where-when/

Experts warn looking directly at the eclipse without eye protection is dangerous for eyesight. If you plan to view the eclipse, make sure you have proper eye protection. Sunglasses are not sufficient eye protection during an eclipse.

For more on how to safely view the eclipse, please visit:

Schools not in session Friday, May 24

In addition, the district has not used any emergency closing days so far this year. As a result, Watervliet schools will not be in session on Friday, May 24. This “give-back” day will extend the Memorial Day weekend from Friday, May 24 through Monday, May 27. Classes will resume for teachers and students on Tuesday, May 28.