FILE — Thirteen-year-olds Halle Meister and Skylar Anthony, bottom left and right, look at the solar eclipse with their eclipse glasses during an eclipse viewing event at The Brook Hill School in Bullard, Texas, on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

It’s nearly here — the total solar eclipse. The significant, rare astronomical event is giving many East Texas teachers the chance for extra education.

Tyler will be in the path of totality during the eclipse, meaning it will be seen in its entirety. A solar eclipse happens when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on the Earth’s surface.

The last total solar eclipse in Tyler was in 1878, and the last total eclipse seen in the United States was in 2017.

With millions of visitors flocking to East Texas to view the event of a lifetime, many schools are preparing their students in the classrooms but some are also preparing to make it fun. A few have decided to cancel school that day.

All Saints Episcopal School

All Saints Episcopal School has been preparing its students in class with various lessons and activities relating to solar eclipses this week. They are also planning a themed picnic for the eclipse watch for the students.

“We’re having grilled cheese — because the moon is made of cheese — Sun Chips, Moon Pies, Capri Suns, Sunkist, and Sunny Delight,” said Amanda Adair, the Science Department Chair at All Saints. “The snacks are generously donated by our parents.”

The private school will also have several crafts and games planned, such as a Moonwalk challenge (Michael Jackson style) and an orbit contest (who can keep a hula hoop in orbit the longest.)

They will have eclipse-safe glasses for all students, and the lower school students also made indirect viewers out of shoeboxes.

“If it does storm, we’ll move the fun to the gym, stream the NASA coverage, and try to go outside at totality to take in the darkness,” Adair said.

Arp ISD

Students and staff at Arp Junior High School will watch the eclipse from the football stadium, while the high school and elementary school students will go outside to green spaces located outside of the respective buildings. Everyone will be provided with glasses.

“We aim to turn this event into a memorable learning experience for our students,” said Mike Alzamore, Arp ISD Communications Coordinator. “We believe that witnessing natural phenomena like solar eclipses can ignite curiosity and inspire a deeper appreciation for science and the universe.”

Bishop Thomas K. Gorman

According to John Kimec, principal of Bishop Thomas K. Gorman, students and teachers will have a remote learning day. They will send students home with glasses on Friday.

“We are looking ahead at possible traffic congestion,” he said. “Teachers will assign work to the students to be completed that day.”

Bullard ISD

Bullard ISD originally had April 6 as an employee workday (no school for students); however, in early March, Superintendent Dr. Jack Lee made a calendar adjustment to make Monday, April 8, a school holiday so that the staff would be off as well.

“We did not factor the eclipse in at all when we created the school calendar last year,” said Amy Pawlak, CPC, Public Relations Coordinator for Bullard ISD. “It just so happened that it fell on a day we already had planned for a staff workday (no students). So, students were already off. By turning the workday into a school holiday, this also gives our staff the day off to enjoy the eclipse with their families and friends if they want to do so.”

Chapel Hill ISD

According to Elissa Thompson, Director of Communications and Chapel Hill ISD Education Foundation Executive Director, Chapel Hill campuses will have classes and plan on making arrangements for their students to view this historic event.

“Oil Palace is opening their parking lot just for schools to bring their students,” she said. “So some of our classes will be out there during the time of the eclipse.”

Lisa Manziel of Oil Palace did confirm they opened up parking lots for schools only but said they are completely full and not able to accommodate any more.

Cumberland Academy

Cumberland Academy has been preparing their students with lesson plans about the solar eclipse this week.

“I started telling my then students last spring about the total eclipse that was happening this spring,” said Dana Hill, the Physics and Astronomy teacher at Cumberland Academy High School. “The interest was mild as the full scope of what was coming didn’t quite hit home. However, this school year, I have been in full eclipse mode, telling them and teaching them about this event and why it is so unique and special.”

Hill said some of her students have been helping her with preparations for the Monday watch party. They have created everything from informational booths about the solar system to space-related games and activities.

“I hope my enthusiasm and passion for the sciences and what my students have helped me put together for the ‘Big Event’ will promote more interest in not only in Astronomy but physics, chemistry and biology as well,” Hill said. “You can’t have one science without the others.”

The students of Cumberland Academy will enjoy activities such as corn hole, face painting, picnic on a planet, asteroid dodgeball, water rocket, flying saucers through the solar systems (frisbee game), space-themed treats at the concession stand (freshmen sponsors), photo booth spaceship, and Rockets through the hoops.

Lindale ISD

“While this event may bring an influx of additional people to Smith County and to Lindale, we plan to hold a regular school day,” said Courtney Sanguinetti, Director of Communications and Executive Director of Education Foundation. “We feel strongly about our obligation to provide education and daily care for our students and parents.”

The Lindale ISD Education Foundation has provided the district with safe solar viewing glasses (“eclipse glasses”), educational resources, photo props, books and more to make this day extra special for all of our students, teachers, and staff.

“Lindale ISD is excited to use this day as a learning opportunity for our students and with many businesses and workplaces still fully functioning on this date, we want to be open in support of parents and families who will need to work that day,” Sanquinetti said.

Lindale ISD said it has been in constant communication with state agencies, offices of emergency management, and local police and fire departments. Additionally, Lindale ISD police officers will be working increased hours the weekend prior to and the morning of the event to ensure all campuses and facilities are secure.

There will also be a visible police presence outside the schools on the day of the eclipse.

“Students and staff viewing the eclipse will treat it like a ‘fire drill’ at each of their campuses,” Sanguinetti said. “Something they train for all year.”

Lindale ISD is aware of potential increased traffic in the area which could cause delays with transportations.

“If your student rides the bus on Monday, April 8, please be patient and know that your student may be arriving home later than normal,” Sanguinetti said. “We won’t know for sure until that day.”

The Brook Hill School

The Brook Hill School will have a full day of special activities planned at the lower school around the solar eclipse.

“Each class will get the chance to view but even during the day we will have special activities before and after for our younger students,” said Travis Albea, Director of Marketing & Communications of The Brook Hill School. “For the Middle & Upper School we have a special schedule and will have a break for all students to watch the eclipse.”

They will provide glasses for students.

Tyler ISD

“Campuses across Tyler ISD will provide a wide range of learning experiences regarding the upcoming eclipse tailored to each specific age group in a safe environment for them to experience this incredible event,” said Tyler ISD Chief Communications Officer Jennifer Hines.

Whitehouse ISD

The Whitehouse Education Foundation funded a grant recently that provided eclipse glasses for all students and staff in the district.

According to Clint Williamson, the Public Relations and Communications Specialist for Whitehouse ISD, the activities for the day are at the campus direction.

“But the overall consensus is to have kids outside and viewing for the ‘max view’ at 1:44 p.m. for a few minutes,” he said. “Our Brown Elementary campus is the only campus we have in our district that will experience totality. The rest of WISD is at 99 percent.”

They will also have students from the high school’s publications class on every campus taking pictures of the event.

Athens ISD

Athens ISD cited safety concerns and last month announced a closure.

“In response to safety and operational concerns surrounding the upcoming total solar eclipse, Athens ISD will close all campuses on Monday, April 8,” the school district said. “After careful consideration, this decision is being made to ensure the well-being of our students and staff.”

All students and staff will receive eclipse glasses on April 4, courtesy of the Rotary Club.

No make-up day will be required, as sufficient instructional time is built into the academic calendar, the district said.