First day: Aug. 27

Enrollment:3,006

Phone numbers: District: 724-625-1518.

Web site:www.marsk12.org

Lunch prices$2 in elementary and $2.25 secondary schools.

New and revised policiesAnti-bullying; terroristic threats, acts and inappropriate statements; community use of facilities; parent involvement; school-parent compact; admission of beginners; and high school class offerings. Policy details are available on the district Web site.What's newCoed junior high cross-country. For details, call the Mars athletic office at 724-625-9380.

New Construction Construction on an expansion and renovation project at Mars High School is expected to begin in November. The $15.6 million project will completely renovate the rear wing of the high school, moving the main hallway to the existing exterior of the building and adding several new classrooms opposite the new hallway. A second floor will be added to the rear wing, connecting to the existing science wing at the west end of the high school. The project will relocate several departments in the building and will provide additional space for the art, family/consumer science and science departments as well as more classroom space for the technology, technology education, and pre-engineering programs. A new guidance/nurse's suite will be constructed in the location of the existing high school's main office, which will be relocated to a new area constructed on the opposite side of the main entrance. The auxiliary auditorium will be renovated for a new television/ production studio and the stage area will remain intact as part of a large group instruction area. There will be roof replacement and parking lot repaving projects at the high school.

New teachersMelinda Badger of Moon Township, a sixth grade mathematics/science teacher at Mars Centennial School, previously served as a Title I mathematics coach at the primary center.Sasha Bradley of Coraopolis, a first-grade teacher at Mars Primary Center, graduated from Wilmington College.Abigail Burkes of Wexford, a social studies teacher at Mars High School, earned a bachelor's from Indiana (Pa.) University and a secondary social studies certificate and master's degree from Robert Morris University.Carol Deringer of Prospect, a Title I reading specialist at Mars Primary Center and Mars Elementary School, was a fourth-grade teacher in Stafford, Va.Katelyn Derringer of Natrona Heights, a fifth grade teacher at Mars Centennial School, previously a long-term substitute in Deer Lakes School District.Colleen Hinrichsen, of Wexford, a third-grade teacher at Mars Area Centennial School, previously taught first grade at Mars Primary Center.Amy Van Iddekinge, of Butler, a reading specialist at Mars Centennial School, previously served as a Title I reading specialist at Mars Primary Center.Christina King, of Butler, long-term substitute English teacher at Mars High School, previously worked at South Butler School District.Cynthia Mikeska, an art teacher at Mars Area Primary Center, previously worked as an art teacher at Blackhawk School District; a full-time art substitute teacher at Keystone Oaks School District; a co-teacher at Holy Family Institute's Washington School; and an art history teacher at Mars Home for Youth's summer school.Kim Schuelke, of Valencia, a Title I mathematics coach at Mars Primary Center, Schuelke previously taught second grade in Sacramento, Calif., and is self-employed as a children's writer.Richard Szul, of Butler, a social studies teacher at Mars High School, previously worked as a special-education teacher at Baltimore County Schools and Baltimore City Schools in Maryland.Kevin Travis, of Gibsonia, a technology administrative assistant in Mars School District's administration office, previously worked as a technician at Gateway Health.Ashley Vancheri, a biology/chemistry/physics teacher at Mars High School, graduated from Penn State University with a bachelor's degree in secondary education — biology and chemistry.Michelle Weston, of Cranberry Township, a business and computer information technology teacher at Mars Middle School, previously was a technology assistant at Penns Manor School District in Clymer; technical support at S&T Bank; a computer science teacher at Ringgold High School in Monongahela; and a computer science teacher at Mount Lebanon High School.

Other informationThe district publishes a weekly electronic newsletter, The eCommunicator, which is distributed via e-mail at about 3 p.m. every Thursday. The eCommunicator contains district news items as well as upcoming events and activities. Subscriptions to The eCommunicator are available on the district's Web site, www.marsk12.org.