Perth Amboy students have an early dismissal Monday April 8 to be able to enjoy viewing the eclipse.

The announcement on the district website paps.net from Dr. David A. Roman, Superintendent of Schools said “On Monday, April 8, 2024, our State will experience a near total solar eclipse with approximately 91% of the sun covered.  This event is anticipated to be visible approximately between 2:30pm to 4:45pm. To allow everyone to safely experience this event, the District will have an early dismissal on Monday, April 8, 2024. Please be mindful in ensuring that precautions are taken when viewing the eclipse as looking directly at the sun during an eclipse can cause severe and lasting damage to the eyes.”

Millions of people are expected to watch the eclipse. First time viewers are expected to be wowed and experience awe and other feelings like fear, connectedness, and euphoria.

Safe viewing is a must during the eclipse as permanent eye damage can occur from looking at it directly. You can buy a pair of eclipse glasses or make your own eclipse safe glasses/pinhole projector/cereal box eclipse viewer at home (see CBS News tutorial)

NASA said you also shouldn’t look at the eclipse through a camera lens, phone, binoculars or telescope,  even while wearing eclipse glasses. The solar rays can burn through the lens and cause serious eye injury.