Cheatham County Schools will be closed on August 21 for the Great American Eclipse, officials announced Tuesday.
The district had planned to be open and host viewing events for students and staff members in the Pleasant View area.
However, they decided to close schools after consulting with the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security and Tennessee Highway Patrol.
District officials said the decision was made due to potential safety issues among students and the anticipation of increased traffic on roadways throughout the day.
Students will get solar eclipse glasses to wear while viewing the eclipse.
They said the district will use one of its 13 weather days to account for the missed day of school.
The district’s daycares will be open that day, but the central office will be closed. After-school activities, such as sports practices and games, will continue as planned.
Several viewing parties have been planned across the county:
- Lunch Under the Stars, Pleasant View Community Park, Pleasant View, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Dark in the Park, Riverbluff Park, Ashland City, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Town of Kingston Springs will host a viewing party at L.L. Burns Park. (Details are still being finalized)
Metro Nashville students were originally scheduled to be out that day but board members later voted to send kids to school.
