PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO DISMISS EARLY TODAY BECAUSE OF HEAT

Cape Girardeau School District students will be dismissed early from classes today because of heat in some buildings.

The heat index reached 114 in several buildings earlier this week, and Superintendent Dr. Dan Steska said forecasts did not indicate any noticeable drops for today.

Early dismissals are based on forecasts from the National Weather Service. Half-day sessions will be held whenever the heat index, a measurement of heat and humidity that describes how hot the body feels, is expected to reach 105 or more.

The dismissal schedule for today:

-- 11:15 a.m. -- Louis J. Schultz.

-- 11:25 a.m. -- Central Junior High and High School.

-- Noon -- Elementary schools.

Elementary school students will be served lunch prior to their dismissal.

It is the first announcement of early dismissals because of heat under a new district policy to announce early closings the day before.