TIFTON — Tift County Schools will have a half day Friday, according to a press release from superintendent Patrick Atwater.

Students will be dismissed three and a half hours early, the release states.

The release cites the multiple sports programs that are going on simultaneously Friday, with each one requiring staff, bus drivers and/or faculty to dedicate travel time.

“We currently have over 100 faculty, staff members, and bus drivers directly or indirectly involved in these programs that will need additional time to safely travel and/or transport our students not only home but also to appropriate extracurricular activities. Currently we are short drivers and substitute teachers to accommodate not only the needs of extracurricular activities but to adequately instruct and supervise our student body,” the release states.

Additionally, the school system is receiving “a large volume of students requesting early release for safe travel.”

“The combination of faculty, staff, and approved student absences in conjunction with Thanksgiving opportunities, has prompted me to call for a half day of school this Friday, November 17, 2017,” the release states.

The release instructs parents to contact their child’s school “for specific details if needed.”