The approximate timing for all the distinct phases of the solar eclipse for Loyalsock will be between 2:00 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. A more specific timeline released by the Pennsylvania Department of Education is listed below for your review.

The approximate timing for the separate phases of the solar eclipse in Loyalsock is outlined the phases below for your reference:

• 2:00 PM: Eclipse phase sequence begins.
• 3:00 PM: Ambient light begins to change as the Moon covers most of the Sun.
• 3:15 PM – 3:20 PM: Total eclipse phase within the path of totality.
• 3:20 PM – 4:30 PM: Phases of the solar eclipse play out in reverse.
• 4:30 PM: Visible eclipse effects conclude.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) released safety guidelines for eye safety during a solar eclipse. A few of their safety tips include: It is imperative to use specialized eye protection for solar viewing during a solar eclipse. This includes safe solar viewing glasses or handheld solar viewers compliant with the ISO 12312-2 international standard. Regular sunglasses are not safe for viewing the Sun. Looking at the Sun through eclipse glasses or handheld viewers is essential to prevent serious eye injury. Avoid using camera lenses, telescopes, or binoculars without proper solar filters, as concentrated solar rays can cause severe eye damage. Solar filters must be securely attached to the front of optical devices to ensure safety. Please seek expert advice from an astronomer before using a solar filter with a camera, telescope, binoculars, or any other optical device and note that filters must be attached to the front of any optics.

 

The American Automobile Association (AAA)’s safety tips for driving during the solar eclipse include: keeping eyes on the road, keeping headlights on, using the sun visor to block the view of the sun, avoiding wearing eclipse glasses while driving, refraining from photographing or videoing the eclipse while driving, not pulling over on the side of the road to view the eclipse, exiting the roadway and parking safely to observe the eclipse, and being aware of pedestrians who may be looking up at the sky.

• A link to NASA’s Live Stream Link may be used to track the distinct stages of the eclipse.
• A link to an Arkansas Children’s Hospital podcast called Solar Eclipse 2024: Expert Guide to Eclipse Safety for Kids may be used to review why eye safety matters during the eclipse.
• A link to video by NASA Goddard may be used to review the separate ways to safely view a solar eclipse. Please note the part of this video that states “the only time you can look at a total solar eclipse without eye protection is during the brief period of totality when the moon completely covers the sun” does not apply to our area as we will not experience 100% totality.

Next week March 11 through March 17, 2024, will look similar to this week as we will have an increased presence of our school police officers around the campus both during the day and in the evening to support our athletic and extra-curricular activities.

I have been in contact with the Pennsylvania State Police leadership, and they will continue to provide additional support around our schools next week.

Any and all threats will be investigated by the Pennsylvania State Police.

Dear Parents or Guardians,

 

We want to hear from parents, guardians, and family members of our students.  Your feedback is important to us!  We will use your feedback to inform our comprehensive planning committee as we work to improve our school community.  YOUR ANSWERS ARE CONFIDENTIAL.  They will only be presented together with all other responses.

 

Please answer the following questions as you think about your experiences in the Loyalsock Township School District.  If you have more than one child enrolled, please feel free to fill out one response for each child or complete the survey with your oldest child in mind.

 

Your survey should be completed by January 9, 2024.

 

Thank you for your support!

The LTSD Comprehensive Planning Committee

Comprehensive Planning Survey 2023

Loyalsock Township School District

Statement on Wearing of Masks for Remainder of the 2020-2021 School Year

 To Parents, Guardians and Staff of the Loyalsock Township School District,

Over the past 15 months, our students have sacrificed and missed out on extracurricular activities including the cancelling of all spring activities in 2020. This year, we’ve missed band and choral concerts, football games, wrestling matches, basketball games, Odyssey of the Mind competitions, after school events and many opportunities that we have taken for granted in the past.

Our team has worked diligently to keep our students in school for as many days as possible during the 2020-2021 school year.

We have endured some trying times as we transitioned to remote learning in December and January for a period of 13 school days, and, once again, we encountered some issues this spring as we had to transition both the high school and middle school to remote learning at times.

Because most K-12 students in Pennsylvania are not vaccinated and only a few weeks remain in the 2020-2021 school year, the Pennsylvania Department of Education recommends school entities continue to follow their current mitigation strategies.

You have trusted us with your students during the pandemic for 172 days. Our plan is to continue to follow our health and safety plan for the remaining 8 days.

We will require students and staff to continue to wear masks for the remainder of the school year. There are those that oppose the continued wearing of masks while others would like for this to continue.

We recently were able to hold band concerts outside! This was a great opportunity for our students to showcase their talents and share what they have learned this year. Our spring sports teams, both softball and baseball are competing at the District level while the track team is at state competition today.

We want to continue to celebrate our milestones with our students. Next week, we have senior awards night in the middle school/high school auditorium. We are fortunate to be able to celebrate our seniors and there will be no limitations on the number of parents and community members that can attend. We plan to have a 5^th grade graduation and awards in the auditorium also and this will be open to parents and community members.

The class of 2021 will have their graduation ceremony outside and there will be no limitations on the number of community members who can attend.

Why do I share this with you? We are fortunate to be able to, once again, host these activities for our student and their families.

We want to finish strong and we do not want to cancel any of our planned activities for students. We want to celebrate our seniors one last time at graduation and want to ensure that all students are able to attend end-of-year activities without being quarantined!

We ask that you understand and know that our students have done a great job throughout this pandemic and have complied with the mask wearing. Our teachers have also worked with face shields and masks and have adjusted well.

As we come to the finish line, we ask for your cooperation during the last two weeks of school. We have worked together over the past 15 months and we have been successful in providing quality educational programs for our students.

These decisions are not easy. Rest assured, we want to provide a safe and healthy learning environment for students and staff.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and have a safe holiday weekend.

 

 

Jerry McLaughlin

Superintendent

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Loyalsock Township School District

Guidance for Parents and Guardians

Regarding Quarantine/Absence from School

 

The Pandemic continues to provide us with challenges delivering instruction to our students at all levels. Our employees have worked extremely hard to meet the needs of our students.

In order to provide direction for students, parents and guardians, please review the linked information.

LTSD Parent Letter March 2020