The local French school boards are moving a planned PA Day - because of a solar eclipse.
The local French public and French Catholic boards - Conseil scolaire du Grand Nord and Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon - have announced the Professional Activity Day originally scheduled for April 19th has been moved up to April 8th to "ensure there is no school for students on Monday, April 8[th...] the day of the solar eclipse, which is expected to occur at or near dismissal times and result in temporary darkness", noting "concern that students that are taking the bus or walking home without adult supervision may try to watch the eclipse and risk damaging their eyesight", emphasizing "both school boards are erring on the side of caution, with safety first and foremost".
They also point to Canadian Association of Optometrists guidelines for safe viewing of an eclipse, encouraging parents and guardians to consult the association's website "to better understand the risks that influenced the decision to change the PA Day".