“For us, it is important that the children are in school.”

However, an alternative plan must be found as school transportation will be canceled at the end of the day.

“School transportation to return home will be cancelled. This decision is explained by the impossibility of ensuring adequate supervision of the preventive measures to be taken inside the buses during the eclipse,” says the Riverin Schools Service Center.

“Depending from school to school, there will be waves so that parents can pick up their children from school in a safe way,” adds Anne-Marie Bellerose of CSS du Chemindu-Roy, who adds that the final decision to open schools was transferred collectively between the different school service centres.

Moreover, the measure will also be effective for students who are accustomed to returning home on foot. To this end, it was specified that they must leave at the end of the day in the presence of a parent. However, those who used to attend school daycare services will be able to stay there as they will be open according to normal schedules.

Regarding the transportation service in sedans or minibuses also on the side of the Riveraine School Service Center, the service will be provided, but it will be advanced to 1:15 pm if it is not possible for parents to come to pick up their children at the end of the day today.

Students from various vocational training centers as well as general adult education will continue their activities according to the usual schedule.

Educational activities for students

For the various school service centers, the opportunity to view the solar eclipse will be a way to stimulate their scientific interest and curiosity.

At the school service centers in Riveraine and Chemin-du-Roy, certified glasses were purchased for all students and staff. They will be delivered within this day.

In the Énergie School Service Centre, many educational activities will also be included in the menu in addition to website For parents and school staff which is posted online.

“This tool is packed with information, suggested educational activities, videos, podcasts and safety instructions, to get you well prepared for the big day.”

— Energy School Service Center

Remember that this rare astronomical phenomenon occurs when the moon is located between the Earth and the sun and completely hides it for a short period of time. This will also be the first total eclipse since 1972 in Quebec.

On April 8, it will be possible to observe the total eclipse in southern Quebec, especially in the greater Montreal area, Montérégie and Estrée.

In Trois-Rivières, the eclipse should be partial and peak around 3:28 p.m.

Distance learning courses for private schools

The situation will be a little different when it comes to private schools in the area. We are not talking about schools being closed for the most part, but rather about courses that will be offered remotely.

This is the case with Kirana Secondary Institute and Marie de Lancarnation College, which took this decision in anticipation of the eclipse.

However, on the part of the Séminaire Sainte-Marie de Shawinigan, it was specified that “in order to avoid transportation management that might be a problem, we will have an educational day during this day.”

Other private schools in the area are still figuring out what to do at the moment.

Different decisions from one region to another

Although most schools in the region will open on April 8, the decisions of the various school service centers across Quebec are far from unanimous.

In the greater Quebec area, for example, some schools have announced they will have a modified schedule while others will be closed entirely.

In Sherbrooke, schools will also remain open, while in Saguenay, all school service centers will be closed.