This afternoon, Mars Area School District was made aware of one (1) Mars Area High School student, who is quarantining after testing positive for COVID-19. This case is in addition to the four (4) cases reported yesterday (Monday, March 15), bringing the total number of positive cases at the High School to five (5).

While the total number of positive cases is one less than the threshold that would require the school to close for three (3) days; the District has decided to preemptively close Mars Area High School; given the likelihood of another case that would require a closure, and due to a current shortage of high school staff that is related to this week’s COVID vaccinations.

In accordance with Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) guidelines, which establish the minimum number of active COVID cases that require a building to close based upon the school’s enrollment, Mars Area School District is required to close the Mars Area High School for a minimum of three (3) days, while the building undergoes a deep cleaning.

Note: As Mars Area High School is considered a “large school” (more than 900 students), it is required that the school close for a minimum of three (3) days when 6-10 positive cases are reported or for a minimum of 14 days with 11 or more positive cases, while the building is thoroughly cleaned. School closures are based upon a “rolling 14-day period,” which, as defined by PDE, begins with the date of the first positive case in each building.

In addition to the closure, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) is in the process of conducting contact tracing and will be notifying any individual who may have been in close contact (within six feet for at least 15 minutes) with the aforementioned students who tested positive for COVID-19. Any such individuals will be required to quarantine at home for a minimum of 14 days. Any students, who are determined to be close contacts, will receive a separate communication from the school, noting the specific dates during which they must quarantine as well as the date that they may return to Traditional Instruction.

To prepare for this building closure, we also ask that you please note the following:

Switch to LSI Instruction — During the building closure, all Mars Area High School students, who have attending school for Traditional Instruction, will need to switch to Live-Stream Interactive (LSI) Instruction through which teachers will facilitate instruction from home on a period-by-period basis. Note: Building administrators, paraprofessionals and support staff members will be temporarily relocated to Mars Area Middle School, while custodial crews clean the building.

School in Session on Friday, March 19 — In August 2020, Mars Area School Board amended the 2020-2021 School Calendar, cancelling the In-Service Day that was previously scheduled on Friday, March 19. Therefore, school will be in session for all students on this date. All Mars Area High School students will be expected to participate in LSI Instruction on Friday, March 19.

Technology — Students, who do not have access to a District-issued technology device, will be provided with a device, free of charge, during the closure period only. Those devices must be returned to the school immediately upon the students’ return to the traditional setting. Please be advised that any damages to the device are subject to repair or replacement costs being incurred by the parent/guardian. To obtain a device, contact the Mars Help Desk at [email protected].                        

Athletics/Activities — Athletics events and/or activities scheduled for today (Tuesday, March 16) will be held as planned. During the closure, athletics will continue to be held as scheduled; however, beginning Wednesday, March 17, athletics/activities occurring at Mars Area High School will be cancelled or relocated, where possible. Students are encouraged to contact their coach or activity sponsor for more information. 

Food Services — During the building closure, the District will continue to offer free meals for students and anyone in a student's household who is under age 18. To arrange for meal pick-up, contact Bridget Buyna, Food Service Director, at (724) 625-1988 or [email protected].

Mars Area High School students may return to participate in Traditional Instruction on Monday, March 22, pending the District’s review of the school’s COVID numbers at that time. (Note: Once a school has undergone a deep cleaning, the total number of active positive cases at that school reverts to zero (0), beginning with the first day that students and staff return.)