Threatening weather such as snow, ice, or fog, which may occur during the school year can disrupt the normal school schedule. This can be most apparent during the winter months. Winter weather can create conditions, which require school's be delayed or cancelled. Every effort is made to have school at the regular starting time whenever possible, however the safety of students and school personnel is our first priority. The Superintendent and the Transportation Department normally make decisions for school closing and/or delay at 5:00 AM or earlier. School closing information is available beginning at 6:00 AM from the following radio and television stations:

WSWR/FM 100.1
WNCO/FM 101.3
WMAN/FM 105.0
WLKR/FM 95.3
WMFD-TV CABLE 9
WNWO-TV CABLE 24
TV CHANNELS 3, 5, AND 8 CLEVELAND


School closings and delays are provided as a public service by the above radio and television stations. The stations and the school request that you listen to the broadcasts rather than phoning for any information.

WHEN SCHOOL OPENING IS "DELAYED" ONE (1) HOUR:
All schools begin classes one hour later than normally scheduled
This includes St. Francis Catholic and Celleryville Schools
The vocational school bus to Pioneer Career and Technical Center will depart the high school at 8:40 AM.
Morning kindergarten at Central, Richmond and New Haven Elementary Schools report one hour later. Dismissal time will be 45 minutes later than usual. Afternoon kindergarten times will remain unchanged.
Dismissal for all students will be at the regularly scheduled times for all schools.

WHEN SCHOOL'S ARE "DELAYED" ONE AND A HALF (1 1/2) OR TWO (2) HOURS:
Classes will begin 1 1/2 or 2 hours later than usual. Morning kindergarten for all schools will be cancelled. Afternoon kindergarten classes will report at the regularly scheduled times.
St Francis and Celeryville School students will also be on the same delay unless the individual schools give notification.
The vocational school bus will depart the high school 1 1/2 or 2 hours later than originally scheduled.
Dismissal for all schools will be at the regularly scheduled times.
 
CLOSING SCHOOL:
Delaying the opening of school provides additional time for school personnel to remove snow and ice from the roadways and sidewalks. If weather worsens while schools are on a delay, it may become necessary to close school, provided a closing had not been originally called. When schools are closed due to a weather calamity such as snow, ice or fog, all schools in the Willard City School System including St. Francis and Celeryville will remain closed for the day. There is no bus transportation to Pioneer Career and Technology Center in Shelby. Most often Pioneer School will also be closed for the day. If PCTC were to be in session, Willard students are not required to report and are excused for the day.
The school district's central office will generally remain open for the day. Student athletes are NOT required to attend any practice. Should an athletic practice be conducted, athletes should only attend with parental permission. Obviously, the school will not provide transportation.

A FINAL NOTE:
During winter it is not unusual for school buses to run later for student pick-ups. Conditions of roads and visibility can delay the bus from arriving at the appointed bus stop on schedule. Every effort is made to adhere to the normal transportation times but safety of the passengers is the prime consideration. Students are still required to be at the bus stop prior to the arrival of the school bus. Buses will not wait for students if they are already behind schedule.
When a bus is late to individual schools, students are excused for the time and are not counted tardy to school.