Amidst public health concerns, Benicia children and teenagers will have the rest of the week off from school.
According to a statement issued by Superintendent Dr. Charles Young, Benicia Unified School District officials decided to end classes early on Wednesday when it was believed the smoke from several Northern California fires had become a health hazard for students. A message was sent to parents and through various social media platforms informing the public of the school schedule change. Parents and guardians were told to pick up their children at their earliest convenience. High schoolers with driver’s licenses were encouraged to have their parents text for the schools’ permission to leave. Schools remained open, so parents or guardians could pick up their children.
Following a shift in winds and worsening air quality in the city as well as consultation with surrounding districts and the Solano County Office of Education, BUSD decided classes would be canceled at all school sites for the remainder of the week. Similar closures have also been instated at other nearby districts, including Vallejo City Unified School District and Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District.
At Benicia High School, all afterschool activities– including athletics and performing arts– were canceled Wednesday. The Homecoming Carnival, previously scheduled for this evening in the lower baseball fields, will be rescheduled but Benicia High promised to inform students about the carnival soon. The same is true of Benicia High’s other Homecoming events, including Friday’s previously scheduled game against Vallejo High School and Saturday’s dance. Additionally, before and afterschool care as well as preschool at all the elementary schools are canceled.
Young sent the statement out to parents on Wednesday afternoon. The full statement can be read on Benicia High’s Twitter page @BeniciaHighBHS. The district will continue to inform parents and students of any new developments.

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