Knox County students will be free to watch next month's rare solar eclipse wherever they want after Superintendent Bob Thomas announced Friday that schools will close for the event.

Most of Knox County falls just outside the path of totality for the Aug. 21 eclipse, a rare phenomenon when the path of the moon crosses in front of the sun, turning day to night for a brief period. Nearby Blount and Loudoun counties are within the path.

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The event, which will take place at about 2:30 p.m., would have coincided with dismissal for most elementary schools and on the first full day of kindergarten. After-school activities, such as athletic practices and games, will continue as planned.

Thomas had received approval from the state to cancel school for "inclement weather," and originally recommended the school board call off school. The board decided at its Wednesday meeting that Thomas did not need approval from the board to cancel school for weather.

Other school districts in the area have varying plans, with some opting to close, dismiss early or treat students to a full day of eclipse-related activities.

Though students won't be in class for the eclipse, the event will still be "a really big deal" in science classrooms across the county, said Shannon Jackson, director of curriculum and instruction for the Knox County Schools system.

The district is sending packet to every family with information about the eclipse and all students will receive solar viewing glasses featuring designs created by two Knox County students.

Teachers have been working on lesson plans since March 10, she said.

Special Section: More coverage of the 2017 eclipse

"They've been working with The Muse and in their subject area groups and creating various lessons they can do so that the students know what's happening during the eclipse and they understand why it's such a big deal," Jackson said. "So, they get the science behind it."