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August 22, 2006 Last Updated: August 22, 2006 11:57 AM Education

Grade/building: Health and physical education teacher at Mars Primary Center.

Name: Amanda Morello

Experience: Previously taught first grade for two years at Sacred Heart Elementary School

Grade/building: Second grade teacher at Mars Primary Center.

Name: Patricia Murray

Experience: Worked as an elementary art teacher for two years in the Butler School District.

Grade/building: Art teacher at Mars Primary Center

Name: Ashley Pyle

Experience: Previously taught fourth grade in Frederick County, Md., and served as an elementary reading specialist in Slippery Rock School District.

Grade/building: Literacy coach and reading specialist at Mars School District.

Name: Jason Thompson

Experience: Student taught in the Mars School District and the Fox Chapel School District.

Grade/building: Eighth grade social studies teacher at Mars Area Middle School.

Name: Phyllis Will

Experience: Previously taught third grade at Kannapolis City Schools in Kannapolis, N.C., as well as fourth and seventh grades at Fox Chapel School District. She has also was a Title I reading intern at Allegheny Valley School District.

Grade/building: Literacy coach at Mars Primary Center

Name: Brian Zima

Experience: Previously student taught at the Seneca Valley School District and the Mars School District.

Grade/building: Fifth grade teacher at Mars Elementary School.

Contact information724-625-1518The district has launched its new Web site at www.marsk12.org. The site offers a comprehensive information about schools, curriculum, programs and activities.

First day of school: Aug. 30Current enrollment: 1,860Lunch pricesElementary$1.30Secondary $1.50New programs: A+ software to assist in reading instruction; Academy of Reading, reading remediation; 4 Sight Testing, and Cyber Service.New teachersName: Joshua WilliamsBuilding/grade: Junior/senior high school math

First Day of School: WednesdayEnrollment: 2,944Lunch Prices$1.75 Elementary$2.00 SecondaryBuilding projects: 5/6 School — Construction continues on the $10.2 million school building to house fifth and sixth grades. The almost 70,000-square-foot building is along Meredith Drive, near the Mars Middle School campus and Mars Athletic Complex. Once complete, the school will include 26 classrooms, computer rooms, art and music rooms, a library, cafeteria and multi-purpose room. Construction is expected to be done by April 2007 and the school is scheduled to open at the start of the 2007-08 school year.Artificial Turf — The district is installing artificial turf at Mars Athletic Complex for $622,654. The work is being done by ProGrass LLC of Pittsburgh. The district's contribution to the project is $500,000, which comes from a bond issue in which funding has been appropriated for capital building projects. The remaining $122,654 and any additional costs will be paid for through corporate sponsorships and donations by businesses, community organizations and private residents. The project is expected to be this month.New/revised policies:Student wellness; procurement/purchasing cards; affidavit of custody; Reserves/National Guard; locker searches; and employee safety committee.To view any of the above policies, visit the district Web site, www.marsk12.org. Click on "Our School Board" and scroll down to district policies. Click and follow the instructions for viewing a specific policy.New programs: Call the individual school buildings for new program information.• High school: 724-625-1581• Middle school: 724-625-3145• Elementary School: 724-625-3161• Primary Center: 724-625-1588New TeachersName: Michael BaumgartelExperience: Previously coached eighth grade basketball at Mars Area Middle School.Grade/building: Seventh grade social studies teacher at Mars Middle SchoolName: Michael GarguiloExperience: Taught science in the Greece Central School District.Grade/building: Science teacher at Mars Middle SchoolName: Christopher KnauffExperience: Previously taught computer applications at Steelton Highspire High School.Grade/building: Business teacher at Mars High SchoolName: Elizabeth LaGambExperience: Previously taught first and third grades at Cleveland Heights and University Heights city schools and first grade in the Butler School District.Grade/building: Literacy coach at Mars Primary CenterName: Danielle MillerExperience: Served as a long-term substitute teacher at Mars High School.Grade/building: Spanish III teacher at Mars High School.Name: Matthew McCuskerExperience: Worked as a health and physical education teacher at Fox Chapel High School as well as at Bradford Woods Elementary School in North

First day of school: ThursdayNumber of students enrolled: 1,686Lunch priceElementary: $1.25Secondary: $1.50Building projects: Additions and renovations to the Moniteau Junior/Senior High SchoolNew TeachersName: Kylene AdamsHometown: New CastleExperience: Elementary teacher, Youngstown City School DistrictGrade/building: Grade 1, Dassa McKinney Elementary SchoolName: Elizabeth BanksHometown: PittsburghExperience: Elementary teacher at Heston Elementary School, PhiladelphiaGrade/building: Long-term substitute kindergarten, Dassa McKinneyName: Bryan DeanHometown: New CastleExperience: Agricultural business and agricultural education degrees with experience in livestock and crop production. Owning and operating beef cattle operation in partnership.Grade/building: Vocational agriculture, Moniteau Jr./Sr. High SchoolName: Kristi McEwenHometown: Grove CityExperience: School nurse, George Junior RepublicBuilding assigned:Elementary school nurseName: Diane O'DonovanHometown: Cranberry TownshipExperience: Elementary teacher, Emerson Memorial Elementary School, Emerson,N.J.Grade/building: Grade 6, Dassa McKinney Elementary SchoolName:Susan StallardHometown:Grove CityExperience: Elementary guidance counselor, Karns City School DistrictGrade/building: Guidance counselor, Dassa McKinney Elementary SchoolContact Information• 724-637-2091 for Moniteau Junior/Senior High School• 724-637-2321 for Dassa McKinney Elementary School