MoCo Parents Demand Modified Eclipse Schedule

In response to this week's announcement by Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) that "there will be no early release for the solar eclipse," parents are demanding a change in Monday's schedule.

Middle and high school students in Montgomery County are released at 2:50 p.m. and are likely to be heading home, unaccompanied and outdoors, when the eclipse reaches maximum coverage a half hour later at 3:20 p.m., the parents say.

"MCPS is putting teens on the street in the dark at a time when they and the drivers around them will be highly distracted. It's just plain reckless," said middle schooler parent Lisa Mawu of Germantown.

Many parents don't trust their kids to use eclipse protective glasses, or worry peers will pressure them look without them. "Don't forget, this is still the Tide Pod challenge generation," Mawu told The Montgonion.

MCPS acknowledged the risk in their message this week. "Since the eclipse will occur around school dismissal times, staff, students and families should practice eclipse safety when outdoors," MCPS warned.

That warning wasn't enough for thousands of parents who signed an online petition this weekend demanding MCPS change Monday's eclipse schedule.

"We the undersigned demand Montgomery County Public Schools change the eclipse schedule on Monday, April 8, 2024, such that the maximum time of solar coverage occurs no earlier than 4:00 p.m. for Middle and High school students, and no earlier than 4:45 p.m. for Elementary school students" the petition reads.

Parents say the change is a reasonable accommodation. "It won't affect the bell schedule, kids have plenty of time to get home, and parents can supervise them and share the historic event," according to the petition website.

The Montgonion reached out to MCPS for a response to the petition but a spokesperson was not immediately available.