The solar eclipse will begin just as most schools are usually letting out students.

Schools in a few New Jersey towns, including Livingston, will have early dismissals today due to the solar eclipse. Officials are citing safety reasons for releasing students early.

The issue is that students will be outside, during dismissal, unsupervised and could look up into the sun - potentially damaging their eyes, according to the Livingston Public Schools.

MORE: Want to take a photo of the eclipse? Here are some tips - and what to avoid The eclipse starts around 2:10 p.m., peaks around 3:25 p.m. and ends at 4:36 p.m.

"Looking at the sun without the right eye protection, for even a short time, can damage your retina permanently. It can even cause blindness, called solar retinopathy," according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Schools dismissing early this afternoon include:

Click or tap here for more information on safety during the solar eclipse from the state Department of Education.