To paraphrase Bob Dylan, winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature, the seasons they are a-changin’. The severity of winter is uncertain but it’s a safe bet that snow, ice and frigid temperatures are coming. That means decisions to delay the start of school by two hours or cancel classes for the entire day are possible over the next four months.
Mansfield City Schools understands that delays or cancellations create difficulties for some families, but the safety of students – those who walk and those who ride buses – must be our first priority. Every attempt will be made to decide delays or closings by 6 a.m. but that isn’t always possible.
When we delay or cancel school we notify the following media immediately: WVNO 106.1 FM, WMAN 1400 AM, WBNS Channel 10 Columbus, WJW Fox8 Cleveland, WKYC Channel 3 Cleveland, Y105.3 FM, WRGM 1440 AM and WMFD TV 68 Time Warner channel 16.
We also will record appropriate messages on our Cold Weather Hot Line, 419-755-2159, and the Blackboard Alert System. For information about how to register for Blackboard notifications, click on the ‘Parents & Students” bar on the left side of the Tygerpride.com home page, then scroll down to “school closings and delays.”
If there is a two-hour delay, morning preschool classes will be cancelled. Afternoon preschool classes will be in session as usual.
If there is a two-hour delay follow the daily schedule at other schools but two hours later. If a bus normally comes at 7 a.m. it will arrive at 9 a.m. Accordingly, starting times at each school will be two hours later.
Breakfast will be available to students upon arrival. Lunch will be served at regular times. For those students on a period schedule, each period will be shortened to accommodate the delayed start.
If weather conditions deteriorate while schools are in session, the safety of students may require early dismissal. In homes where both parents work, early dismissal can be inconvenient. We urge those parents to be certain that children, especially younger ones, know where to go if we dismiss early. We will use the same methods of notification for early dismissal that we use for cancellation or two-hour delays.
No announcement will be made by the media when schools will be open.