As Knox County Schools Superintendent Bob Thomas continues to deliberate on whether to cancel school on the day of a rare solar eclipse next month, districts across East Tennessee are making plans for the "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Knox County, along with schools in Anderson, Lenoir City, Loudon and Maryville, has purchased special glasses to allow students to view the entire Aug. 21 eclipse safely. Thomas said the district would distribute the glasses whether students are in school or not.

Some districts in East Tennessee are canceling school completely, while others are dismissing early and many are planning lessons and events around the eclipse.

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"It’s my mind that we will be at school all day that day, up to the culminating event of seeing the eclipse," said Loudon County Schools Superintendent Jason Vance. "We'll be creating an atmosphere and a learning environment that kids may never have again the rest of their lives.

"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for most folks, and I think it will be amazing."

Knox County could decide Friday

Thomas had received approval from the state to cancel school for "inclement weather," and had 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.

Thomas said after the meeting Wednesday that he had not made a final decision, though word of a pending cancellation was already circulating on social media.

Northshore Elementary PTA announced on its Facebook page Wednesday evening that school would be canceled. The group later posted a humorous, pun-filled correction, noting the decision had not yet been made.

"We were operating on the news reported to us at the time, and did not “planet” to happen that way," the post reads. "We also regret not being able to 'respond immediately' but we had our clocks set to Venus time when the day is longer to avoid returning to school as long as possible."

A decision could be announced as early as Friday morning, according to Knox County Schools spokeswoman Carly Harrington.

'A really big deal'

Whether or not students are in class the day of the Aug. 21 eclipse, the rare event will 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.

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."

Schools make special plans

In Maryville, which sits in the path of the full eclipse, the city school district decided to dismiss elementary school students early at 1 p.m. on Aug. 21. Those in grades 7 and up will watch the eclipse on the schools' football fields, said Schools Superintendent Mike Winstead.

Lenoir City Schools and Loudoun County Schools, which are also in the path of the full eclipse, will both keep students on a regular school schedule while planning special activities for students centered around the eclipse.

The Lenoir City High School's STEM Academy plans to take a field trip to an area tree farm to watch the eclipse and study it "in-depth," said Superintendent Jeanne Barker.

Anderson County will also keep students in school, even though the district, like Knox County, will be right outside the path. The Anderson school system has purchased glasses for students and the director of schools is considering whether to excuse absences for students who miss school to see the eclipse, said Katrina Oakley, director of elementary education and federal programs.

In Monroe County, where the city of Sweetwater has been marketing its prime viewing location to tourists, both city and county schools will close, officials said.