Crime & Safety

Mars Area School District on a Two-Hour Delay After Bomb Threat

This is the second time within a month the high school has received a bomb threat.

Mars Area School District is on a two-hour delay Friday after school officials were notified of a bomb threat at Mars Area High School Thursday.

In a letter posted to parents on the Mars website, Superintendent Dr. William Pettigrew said the district immediately contacted Adams Township Police Department upon learning of the threat.

The threat indicated a bomb would go off at 9:28 a.m. Friday, according to the district.

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As a precautionary measure, the high school, located along Route 228 in Adams, was closed immediately following the end of the school day Thursday, Pettigrew said. All evening activities at the high school also were cancelled.

“Police officials and district personnel will conduct a sweep of Mars Area High School today and an additional sweep of the building will occur prior to the start of the school day on Friday, March 8,” Pettigrew said.

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A two-hour delay also is in place Friday for all students, including a modified kindergarten class.

Mars Area High School students will be bussed directly to Mars Area Middle School and then transported to the high school at 10 a.m., Pettigrew said.

Any Mars Area High School students who drive to school should not report to the school until 10 a.m. No one will be permitted on school property at the high school until 10 a.m. Friday.

“In light of this threat, the administration, faculty and staff members at Mars Area High School are taking the necessary precautions and the district will be increasing security at Mars Area High School on Friday, March 8,” Pettigrew said.

The superintendent said the district would post updates on its website as more information becomes available.

This is the second time within a month that a bomb threat has disrupted classes at Mars. as a precaution after officials learned of a threat to the building.

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