ADAMS TWP — The Mars School District will cooperate with the Mars mayor’s effort to celebrate the Martian New Year this summer.

Mayor Gregg Hartung in December talked with the town’s historical society about coordinating a community celebration during New Year on the planet Mars. When the historical society members agreed, Hartung found out through the National Air and Space Administration that the holiday would next occur on the Red Planet on June 18-19. So Hartung is planning a celebration for those dates.

Hartung wants to include the school district in the event after talking with NASA’s Mars Public Engagement Team, which works with schools across the United States. The team provided Hartung with a list of potential activities that could involve the school district this semester. The school year will be over before the actual celebration.

At Tuesday night’s school board meeting, acting Superintendent William Pettigrew said he had met with Hartung regarding the event.

Pettigrew said he told Hartung that the district would help with the celebration as long as classroom time is not affected and there is no cost to the district. He added that teachers will not be mandated to participate in the Martian New Year, but they can add activities to their classes if they choose.

Hartung will meet with each of the five building principals to present his list of Martian New Year activities. The principals will share the information with teachers, who can then volunteer to participate in the activities.

“It’s a matter of what the staff chooses,” Pettigrew said.

The school board agreed with Pettigrew’s plan for participation in Martian New Year.

The event would replace the New Year’s Eve celebration held downtown in the past several years. The historical society coordinated the New Year’s Eve celebration.

Because the winter solstice only occurs on Mars every other year, the Martian New Year project would be every two years.