Buffalo Public Schools announces half days next week due to heat

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Buffalo Public Schools announced that they are implementing four half days next week due to the National Weather Service's forecast of excessive heat in the Buffalo area, Jeffrey Hammond, the school's director of public relations and information, said in a statement.

The half days will be implemented for students in pre-K through eighth grade on June 17, 18, 20 and 21.

Lunch will be served to all students before their dismissal. Students will be released three and a half hours earlier — at 10:55 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. — than their usual dismissal times.

"High school students are not in school on Monday due to NYS regents exams," Hammond said. "However, high school students will be expected to report for their regularly scheduled NYS regents exams throughout the rest of the week."

Water stations will be available for students taking the exams.

Hammond said the school's staff will remain at their assigned locations for full workdays next week.