Dear Mars Area Parent(s)/Guardian(s),

Mars Area School District is aware that some Mars Area High School students may be planning to participate in the National School Walkout at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14.

Scheduled exactly one month after the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, the National School Walkout is a student-led protest asking supporters to pause for at least 17 minutes in memory of those killed.

Mars Area School District recognizes students’ freedom of speech and their right to express themselves, as guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. Therefore, the Mars Area High School campus will be closed from 9:45 to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 14, and the District, working in cooperation with local law enforcement, will take any necessary measures to ensure the safety of students who choose to participate in this protest. Classroom instruction will continue as scheduled throughout the school day.

Thank you,

Dr. Wesley W. Shipley
Superintendent 

Mrs. Lindsay Rosswog
Mars Area High School Principal

Mr. Dale Sleva Jr.
Mars Area High School Assistant Principal