By Jeffrey Heng, Staff Reporter

On Monday, students and staff made their way out of the building to witness a rare solar eclipse, when the moon partially or fully blocks the sun from view for certain regions of the Earth.

In Berwyn, the eclipse reached 90% coverage with the moon blocking out 90% of the sun. Although cloudy weather slightly obstructed the view of the eclipse, students and staff found ways to observe the solar phenomenon.

Starting at 11 a.m., the school administration streamed the NASA livestream in the atrium for students to gaze at the eclipse’s progression.

Many students who earned privileges opted to leave school early to catch a glimpse of the eclipse. They exited outside of the main entrance and bus circle during eighth period to pick up eclipse glasses. The bus circle had a telescope, and at the main entrance, 12th grade assistant principal Dr. Patrick Boyle, principal Dr. Amy Meisinger, 11th grade assistant principal Dr. Matthew Sterenczak and other faculty distributed glasses.

For students like sophomore Zara Baig, who practices Islam, the event initiated a time to engage in religious traditions such as Salat al-Kusuf for the first time.

“We do a religious prayer that happens during the eclipse so that’s what I’m going to do,” Baig said. “Since the last eclipse I didn’t do anything, the prayer itself was new to me.”

Several teachers also allowed their eighth period classes to gather in the courtyard to watch the astronomical event. Some of Conestoga’s students and staff opted to stay behind after school to continue viewing while others made plans to view the eclipse elsewhere.

“I’m really excited because it’s been seven years since the last (eclipse in North America),” sophomore Kira Chan said. “I’m gonna be watching with my parents at home.”

Check out some photos from the event below!

Jeffrey Heng can be reached at [email protected].