The Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) will close schools on April 8 due to the rare solar eclipse.

In a memo sent to secretaries and senior administrators on Thursday, Director of Education Pino Buffone said the decision was made after lengthy deliberations.

School staff are expected to attend work as usual, but transportation has been canceled and the OCDSB’s extended day programs will not operate, while the OCDSB’s EarlyOn Child and Family Centers and preschool programs for young children will operate as usual.

The board is the last in the region to decide to close schools on the day of the eclipse, which will last from 2:11 PM to 4:35 PM on April 8, a time frame that coincides with the end of the school day and students returning home.

During the eclipse, the moon moves between the sun and the earth, blocking the sun, and watching the eclipse without proper eye protection can cause eye damage.

The Ottawa Catholic School Board and the French language school boards have already announced school closures on the day of the eclipse.

Many other Ontario school boards have also already decided to close schools to students on the day of the eclipse, including the Toronto District School Board and those in the regions of Peel, Durham, and Halton.