Schools and childcare facilities in Manitoba are encouraged to have a basic plan to ensure that children, students and staff will be safe throughout today's solar eclipse.

The total solar eclipse is spanning Southern Ontario to Newfoundland and Labrador, with the remainder of Canada experiencing a partial eclipse.

Here in Manitoba, we'll experience an approximate 55% occlusion eclipse, the most intense time of the occurrence taking place from 1:00-3:10 pm. The maximum coverage of the sun is anticipated to be close to 2:00 pm.

This awe-inspiring event draws people's eyes upwards to catch a glimpse of the moon creeping into the sun's presence.  However, much is to be said about doing this safely with proper eye protection as there is risk of permanent eye damage.

The Province of Manitoba reached out to all school divisions just before spring break to take extra precautions in keeping our students safe in this time of temptation to look up and stare in awe at this magnificent event that's happening in the sky.

Turtle Mountain School Division Superintendent, Grant Wiesner, says last week they sent out a letter to parents and guardians to share the school division's plans of how to keep their children safe during this event.

"We have plans in place to keep our students indoors during the afternoon just to ensure that students don't take that risk of looking up at the eclipse because they don't have the appropriate eye protection," explains Wiesner.

Kindergarten to Grade 12 students will stay indoors from 1-3:10 pm when the eclipse is at its greatest intensity in our region with blinds and curtains closed on all windows facing the sun.  

"The major impact really will be an indoor recess or afternoon break in the afternoon," he adds. 

To 'experience' the solar eclipse the students will be able to view it from online websites as it is occurring, "So they'll still be able to have that experience, but just from the safety of their classrooms," he says.

Wiesner adds this is a unique teaching event for students to have a better understanding of the solar system, our world and how it is affected by the moon and the sun. "Just how earth functions, how the sun functions, and about the solar system," he says. "So, there is a lot of learning to be had, but we want to make sure our students are safe."

Folks can pick up certified eclipse glasses at various venues including some local optometric offices.  

"During this time, it's important that everyone is making sure that if they are outside that they are taking appropriate safety measures like the certified eclipse glasses," notes Wiesner.  "But things like sunglasses, camera lenses, binoculars and telescopes, they are not safe."