The solar eclipse is Monday: here’s a list of businesses, schools closing, changing hours

Posted by Navajo Times | Apr 7, 2024 | News |

By Jan-Mikael Patterson
Navajo Times

WINDOW ROCK

Monday’s solar eclipse, April 8, is partial. A total solar eclipse will cross North America, with parts of 15 U.S. states within the path of totality. The path of totality does not extend to the Navajo Nation.

According to Eclipse Soundscapes, the partial eclipse will start at about 11:15 a.m. and end at 1:43 p.m., with the moon obstructing 66% of the sun.

Navajo tradition calls for a time of reverence during the astronomical event. This means it’s more than a celestial event. It’s about history, self-awareness, and honoring johannaa’éí and tl’éhonaa’éí/‘ooljéé’.

For the Diné, an eclipse is rooted in the respect of the cosmos. To respect this, several businesses and schools across the Navajo Nation will either close or change their hours of operation. Here is a list:

The Judicial Branch will be closed and resume operations on Tuesday, April 9.
The Legislative Branch does not have any meetings scheduled for Monday.
St. Michael Indian School will be closed on Monday, April 8, and school will resume on Tuesday, April 9.
The Window Rock Unified School District will be closed on Monday, April 8, and school will resume on Tuesday, April 9.
Gallup-McKinley County Schools will respect families observing the eclipse by remaining home with an excused absence.
The Central Consolidated School District will have school as scheduled. However, parents and staff who plan to observe Navajo tradition must contact their schools for excused absences for students and paid time off for staff.
The Chinle Unified School District will have an ITM day respecting the eclipse. Students will learn from home, and staff will report to school/work.
The Navajo Arts and Crafts Enterprise will be closed at all locations on Monday, April 8, and will resume operations on Tuesday, April 9.
The Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation encourages patients who have appointments on Monday, April 8, to reschedule for a later date if they wish to observe the eclipse. Patients attending their appointments during the eclipse can observe by waiting in the lobby.
The Kayenta Unified School District will be closed on Monday, April 8, and classes will resume on Tuesday, April 9.
The Piñon Unified School District will be closed on Monday, April 8, with classes resuming on Tuesday, April 9.
Holbrook Junior High School and Holbrook High School will be on ITM day to recognize the eclipse on Monday, April 8.
The Winslow Unified School District will resume school on Monday, April 8, but will respect parents’ or guardians’ requests for student accommodations.
The Dilcon Community School Inc. will have no school on Monday, April 8, and will resume Tuesday, April 9, with Home Living opening Tuesday at 6 a.m.
Due to staff training, the Navajo Transit System will be closed from April 8-10.
The Page Unified School District. All PUSD schools will be closed on Monday, April 8.
The Tuba City Unified School District – No school.