Solar Eclipse Protocol at Simons Valley School

Good Afternoon and Welcome Back to School!

I would like to introduce myself as your new "acting principal" for the next 3 months. My name is Fred Bulloch and I was very pleased to be offered this short term position at Simons Valley. I am a retired principal who has worked for the CBE since 1985 in a number of teaching and adminstrative roles. As you know Mr. Snow has started his retirement as of April 2, 2024 and I will be acting his place until the end of June. These will be some busy months full of great learning and I am excited to be part of the SVS community during this time. In the next few weeks you will be asked to give input into the selection of your new principal. Each family will recieve a survey via school messenger to gather your thoughts on who would make a good principal for SVS. Director Garry Tink will also be "in person" at our next School Council Meeting On April 18, 2024 at 7:00 PM to gather more information to help him with the selection process.  The hiring process will occur over April and May and we should know who our new principal will be some time in June. Your new principal will not start in their role at SVS until late August of 2024. 

Precautions for the Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8 

On Monday, April 8 a partial solar eclipse will be visible in Calgary. The solar event will begin just before noon and conclude by 2:00 p.m., with the maximum coverage occurring at 12:43 p.m. 

We know that this provides a unique learning experience for students and staff in our schools; however, there can be serious impacts to vision as a result of viewing the eclipse in an unsafe manner. 

During this partial solar eclipse on Monday all students at Simons Valley School will remain indoors at school during the lunch break. Please send a lunch with your child if they normally go home for lunch. Individual teacher may choose to include some learning activities during at this time to support the questions your students may have regarding this unique celestial event.     

If you decide that your child will walk home for lunch on Monday, please discuss with your child not to look at the sun to protect his/her eyes from damage by the solar eclipse.  

During a solar eclipse, looking directly at the sun is dangerous. Safe viewing of the eclipse requires wearing specialized glasses or watching through a telescope or solar binoculars that have specialized lenses and should only be performed under the direction of a professional.  

For more safety information can be found on the NASA website or from the Canadian Association of Optometrists.  

If you have further questions, please contact your school office. 

Thank you,

Fred Bulloch

Acting Principal Simons Valley School

403 777 6660