Hamilton schools to close April 8 for solar eclipse after Colgate talk

Joe Aiken, an outreach presenter from Colgate’s visualization lab, told the Hamilton Central School District board on March 14 that this month’s solar eclipse is a rare regional event and urged schools to plan carefully.

“A once in a lifetime event,” Aiken said, adding that totality in the region is brief and that safety is paramount: “Up until totality, you keep the glasses on… and during totality you can actually look at it, because you’re gonna miss this part.” He described expected local timing (activity beginning around 2:00 p.m.; the most significant phase near 3:08 p.m.) and demonstrated projection and pinhole methods for classrooms.

After the presentation, the board voted to amend the 2023‑24 calendar to use an emergency closure day for Monday, April 8, 2024, so students, staff and families can fully participate in eclipse events. Chair (speaker 1) moved the calendar change, the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The district intends to provide ISO‑marked eclipse glasses for every Hamilton student, teacher and staff member. Aiken said the district planned a student outing—about 200 students on four buses—to William Smith/Colgate on the day of the event and reiterated basic safety guidance around glasses and brief viewing during totality.

Board members discussed logistics including transportation timing, staggered departures after the event, and preserving remaining emergency closure days for unplanned needs.

The board’s calendar amendment will be posted with the district’s calendar materials and communicated to families via ParentSquare and the district’s messaging channels.

What’s next: April 8 will be listed as a scheduled closure to allow eclipse participation; district staff will finalize trip and safety logistics and publish parent communications.