Canada’s largest school board has approved a revision to its calendar so students can stay home on the day a rare solar eclipse will chart a course through parts of the country.

That decision was made at Wednesday night’s board meeting and adds Toronto to the list of several other GTA School boards, like the ones in Peel, Durham and Halton, which have already moved a previously scheduled professional activity day to April 8th.

The eclipse will be visible in the U.S. before moving toward southern Ontario, then Quebec and on through the Maritimes.  It will last for about two hours and occur about the same time many students would be getting let out from from school.

TDSB Spokesperson Ryan Byrd says the decision comes out of an abundance of caution because looking directly at a total eclipse, with no protection, can seriously damage your eyes.