XENIA — Xenia Community Schools will not be in session Monday, Aug. 21.

Interim Superintendent Christy Fielding announced the cancellation Aug. 17 as a safety precaution for the Great American Eclipse.

“According to NASA’s website, the start of the partial eclipse in Xenia begins at 1:02, the max eclipse will be at 2:28, and the end of the partial eclipse is at 3:51,” Fielding wrote in an email blast to the community. “Viewing the phases of the eclipse without the proper glasses can cause major damage to your eyes.

Even though looking at the sun is not something we would normally do because it hurts, kids will be more likely to want to look at it for an extended period of time because of the eclipse. Since the time of the eclipse is happening during dismissal of students, Xenia Community Schools has decided to cancel school on Monday as there is no way to protect our students as they are walking or riding a bus home.”

Staff will use the day for professional development. Athletic schedules are being revised with start times after 4:30 p.m. Kindergarten students with the last name A-K will start Wednesday, Aug. 23. Letters L-Z will start Tuesday, Aug. 22. All kindergarten students will attend starting Thursday, Aug. 24. Preschool and Kindergarten Readiness students will begin school Aug. 22.

Safety information for families was sent home with students Aug. 18.