As the nation anticipates the upcoming total solar eclipse on Monday afternoon, Tampa Bay area schools are proactively implementing safety measures to protect their students. Each school district has established policies to ensure the well-being of students during this astronomical event.

All schools in Hillsborough County will be released one hour early on Monday. The district has advised that elementary and high school students will likely be dismissed prior to the peak of the eclipse. However, schools are encouraged to keep students indoors during the eclipse unless they are participating in a supervised class activity using appropriate eye protection.

The Citrus County School District, due to safety concerns, has decided to move all outdoor activities, including recess, physical education classes, and athletic practices, indoors from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Dismissal falls within this timeframe, and the district strongly advises students and staff to avoid direct sun exposure.

In Manatee County, elementary, middle, and K-8 schools will relocate all outdoor activities between 1:30 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. indoors. This includes physical education classes, recess, athletic practices, band practices, and aftercare programs. However, high schools will be allowed to conduct normally scheduled outdoor activities, as long as they are supervised by teachers or coaches who adhere to safety guidelines. The district urges caution while driving during dismissal.

Polk County Public Schools announced that all outdoor activities, including athletic practices, band rehearsals, and aftercare programs, will be moved indoors from 1:15 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. Dismissal will remain as scheduled, and student absences on Monday will be marked as excused due to the potential risk posed by viewing the eclipse. Bus drivers have been instructed to remind students about the dangers of looking directly at the sun.

To maintain safety, outdoor activities have been postponed until at least 4 p.m. on Monday across all schools in the area. However, the activities will not be canceled, with students instead remaining inside during the eclipse. Class changes and dismissal will follow the "rainy day" protocols, and after-school activities will be delayed until 4 p.m. or later. Bus drivers will actively remind students about the importance of not looking at the eclipse without proper eye protection.

Students will have the opportunity to experience the eclipse as a school activity, accompanied by their teachers and using correct eye glasses. Parents are encouraged to caution their children about the potential dangers of looking at the eclipse without proper eyewear, especially during dismissal or sports practices when they may be unattended.

As Tampa Bay area schools prioritize the safety of their students, these precautionary measures highlight the importance of staying protected while enjoying the celestial phenomenon of the solar eclipse.