Schoolchildren in Seattle, Washington, were out of luck if they hoped to take part in the second-ever Seahawks Super Bowl championship parade on Wednesday, February 11 — apparently, algebra is more important.
Seattle Public Schools announced on Tuesday, February 10, that the district would remain open on the day of the parade and that skipping school to attend the city-wide celebration would not count as an excused absence.
“Seattle is buzzing with excitement as we celebrate the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory!” SPS chief operations officer Fred Podesta wrote in a letter to Seattle families. “Moments like this bring our city together, spark pride across generations, and remind us of the power of shared experiences in our community.”
He continued, “As the city plans celebrations, including a victory parade planned for Wednesday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m., we want families to know that Seattle Public Schools will remain open with the normal early-release Wednesday schedule.”
Despite the early release, which came 75 minutes before normal dismissal in Seattle, it won’t be enough to get students to the parade. The Seahawks parade kicked off at 11 a.m. local time, with schools letting out between 1:10 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Podesta explained that keeping schools open is vital, not just for education but for providing essential services to families who might not otherwise receive them.
“Keeping schools open is an important part of maintaining stability, safety, and continuity for our students,” he wrote. “For many families, schools provide not only learning, but also meals, transportation, specialized services, and trusted routines. Remaining open allows us to support students’ academic progress while ensuring essential services continue for those who rely on them.”
The Seahawks defeated the New England Patriots, 29-13, on Sunday, February 8, to win Super Bowl LX. The school district’s refusal to close on Wednesday didn’t seem to hamper parade attendance. The festivities began at 10 a.m. with a ceremony at the Seahawks’ home stadium of Lumen Field, where the team says about 50,000 tickets were distributed beforehand.
Seattle officials told local news station King5 that it expected between 750,000 and 1 million people to attend the parade.
“This year’s Seahawks team brought all of Seattle together with the strongest, loudest, and most united spirit I’ve ever seen,” Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson said in a press release on Monday, February 9 to announce the parade. “And [Sunday], they delivered in historic fashion, beating the Patriots and bringing a second Lombardi Trophy home to Seattle. Now it’s time to celebrate. I’m looking forward to the parade this week, and I encourage everyone to come out and join the celebration — responsibly, together, and with pride.”
The Seahawks’ win came one year after the Philadelphia Eagles won Super Bowl LIX over the Kansas City Chiefs. When it came time for the Eagles’ parade, Philadelphia closed its public schools.
“We look forward to joyfully celebrating the Eagles’ victory as a community, and we hope that you do so safely and responsibly with friends and family,” the School District of Philadelphia wrote in a letter to families at the time. “We also hope you enjoy the long weekend and we look forward to seeing our students and staff back at school on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.”
