Updated 3/08/2024: No afternoon PEP on April 8, 2024

Dear Oyster River Students, Parents, Guardians, Staff, and Community Members,

On March 6, 2024, the ORCSD School Board voted in favor of an early release on April 8, 2024. Students will be released at the following times:

• Oyster River Middle and High Schools: 12:00 p.m.
• Mast Way and Moharimet Schools: 12:25 p.m.

This decision was made with our students’ wellbeing in mind as well as the extraordinary celestial event taking place that day. 

Many parents have reached out to request a half day to experience the solar eclipse with their children. In addition, the eclipse will be at its highest obscuration at 3:30 p.m., which coincides with our usual release schedule and would put students at risk of eye injuries. 

Our schools are offering eclipse-related educational activities for students of all grade levels and protective eyewear will be provided at no cost to all Oyster River students and staff by the New Hampshire Space Grant Consortium. We are grateful to UNH Professor Amy Keesee and UNH Observatory Director John Gianforte for their support.

Respectfully,
 
Dr. James Morse
Superintendent