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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell DD's school that if they won't let her watch the solar eclipse, I'll keep her home until its over?

270 replies

listsandbudgets · 11/03/2015 23:21

I asked today what they were doing about it and the head said they were just carrying on as normal.

I want DD to see it. DD is desperate to see it. Its 90% here so worth seeing. We can easily make a pin hole projector though I will try to get some eye protection.

AIBU?

OP posts:
Bair · 11/03/2015 23:24

'carrying on as normal.'

Hahaha, yeah, kids don't panic if you don't explain why it went dark suddenly in the middle of the day. I'd want her to go in just to see how that pans out, offer to help out that day.

Seriously, I'd keep her off. It's a big deal and a great learning opportunity.

Dowser · 11/03/2015 23:26

Not in my book you're not.

I'm all for new experiences and once in a lifetiime moments when it comes to learning.

Learning doesn't happen just 9-3

But, I'm just a rebel and the older I get the worse I get.

TheHappinessTrap · 11/03/2015 23:26

Thats silly, keep her home!

Bair · 11/03/2015 23:27

It'll be over by 10 here, if you're the same then you can have her in for the rest of the morning.

WaywardOn3 · 11/03/2015 23:29

Are they not allowed to make pinhole projectors in school any more? I'm sure we made one :-/

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 11/03/2015 23:29

They probably can't let all the pupils go outside to watch it (imagine trying to make them all keep their protective eyewear on)

Quick reminicing here...........

The August 1999 eclipse. I went for my MW appointment and heard my DS heartbeat on the Doppler for the first time. (awww)

The surgery was quiet. The Dr went out into the carpark to look.....eye completely unprotected Shock --Pillock

however · 11/03/2015 23:31

You'd be unreasonable if you didn't keep her home.

I remember a major eclipse in primary. It was a major event.

Bea · 12/03/2015 00:12

At dc's school... They're selling glasses for a pound and all going outside to take a look!
Very narrow minded of the school to miss this opportunity for learning!!

Bea · 12/03/2015 00:12

Yes! Keep her home!!

whathaveiforgottentoday · 12/03/2015 00:19

if the weather is good, we are planning to take some of our kids out onto the fields. They will be making pinhole projectors to take out with them. Sadly we can't take out all years but I think most of the year 7's and 8's will be going out. Might be a bit chaotic but it won't be for long and we wouldn't want to miss it.

SouthernComforts · 12/03/2015 00:19

I still remember an eclipse from when I was very young! Is it tomorrow?

AlpacaMyBags · 12/03/2015 00:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

attheendoftheday · 12/03/2015 00:29

I'm amazed that schools aren't intending to let all their kids see the eclipse. The next one in the uk ismore than 60 years away! I would absolutely keep my kids off to see this.

JoanHicksonMIfive · 12/03/2015 00:37

We tried the pinhole projector in the 80's it was rubbish. My neighbours welding mask was much better in the 90's.

wigglylines · 12/03/2015 00:41

I was thinking of starting this very thread! DS is due an appointment at the Dr anyway, I'm going to try to get it later that morning so we have a legit reason for being off, and take him up the hills near us in the morning to watch it through a pin-hole, and see the town in the valley go into darkness, I expect we'll see all the street lights go on for example.

If I can't get an appt, then I'm not sure. I'm tempted to keep him off, but just a bit worried as our lateness record is rubbish. Then again, we get the same "unauthorised absence" mark whether we're 5 minutes late or 2 hours so we might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb!

MistressDeeCee · 12/03/2015 00:45

The Head is suffering from jaded adult syndrome. Too many of them in our schools (not taking away from the good teachers tho...) . Id keep her home tbh..the Head is being ridiculous about an exciting and educational event

nocoolnamesleft · 12/03/2015 04:43

I suspect they're aware that trying to make sure every single child 1)has, and 2)wears throughout, appropriate eye protection would be almost impossible. So they're scared of being sued for damage to vision.

bearleftmonkeyright · 12/03/2015 04:48

My DCs school are using it as a learning opportunity. I have signed a permission slip that they can watch it using eye protection and there are lots of activities planned. The school I work at doesn't have anything planned.

GoodArvo · 12/03/2015 07:25

Cool. I didn't know there was going to be an eclipse on 20 March.

I've looked it up and it's at 8:25am so school won't have started at our primary school. It's right on registration time for my son's secondary though. I wonder what they'll do.

JsOtherHalf · 12/03/2015 07:25

My DC's school are only having year 6 class watch it. I have spoken with the headteacher about letting some of the other KS 2 classes follow suit, but I don't think it will happen. I remember watching one in the 70s with a welding mask.

EbwyIsUpTheDuff · 12/03/2015 07:29

Can you no longer declare the child as being "educated off-site" for the morning? Because I hadn't thought to ask my son's teacher what they are doing about it but will now!

AuntieStella · 12/03/2015 07:31

Our primary school is planning something (not sure what: involves being outside, but don't know yet what they'll do for eye protection)

No word from the secondary.

GoodArvo · 12/03/2015 07:31

Had another look and it seems that the greatest part of the eclipse is during school time. My eldest is on a school trip and will probably be on a coach at that time.

ProbablyMe · 12/03/2015 07:33

I was wondering the same thing - my four DSs all want to see it but if the school won't let them experience it then I shall take them in late.

thenextday · 12/03/2015 07:34

I have missed this completely! Didn't know there was one.