Seattle Schools Deny Excused Absences for Seahawks
Seattle Public Schools (SPS) remained in session today, Wednesday, February 11, 2026, despite a citywide celebration for the Seattle Seahawks’ historic Super Bowl LX victory. In a move that has sparked significant debate among parents and teachers, district officials announced that the championship parade would not qualify as an “excused absence” for students. Chief Operations Officer Fred Podesta issued a formal statement earlier this week emphasizing that the district’s priority is to maintain “stability, safety, and continuity” for its student body. Podesta noted that for many families, schools provide essential services beyond education, including daily meals and reliable transportation, which must remain accessible regardless of the festivities occurring downtown.
The Seahawks’ “World Champions Parade” officially kicked off at 10 a.m. with a sold-out trophy celebration at Lumen Field, followed by a two-mile procession along 4th Avenue. While an estimated 750,000 to one million fans flooded the streets to catch a glimpse of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III and the championship-winning “Dark Side” defense, SPS students were expected to adhere to their normal early-release Wednesday schedule. The district’s firm stance contrasts sharply with other major cities; in recent years, school districts in Philadelphia and Kansas City have fully closed to allow students and staff to participate in local title celebrations.
Social media and local community boards have been divided over the decision. Some parents criticized the policy as a “lost opportunity” for civic engagement and a rare moment of citywide joy, particularly given that the Seahawks’ 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots marked the franchise’s first Lombardi Trophy in 11 years. A few Seattle teachers even voiced concerns on the West Seattle Blog, suggesting the policy creates a “system of haves and have-nots” for families who can afford to absorb an unexcused absence versus those who cannot. Conversely, other community members supported the district, arguing that educational routines should not be disrupted for professional sports and that parents always have the right to excuse their children for personal reasons if they choose to accept the “unexcused” label.
Neighboring districts, including Tacoma Public Schools and Lake Washington School District, followed Seattle’s lead by remaining open on a normal schedule. Despite the school-day conflict, Mayor Katie B. Wilson encouraged the city to celebrate “responsibly, together, and with pride.” For the students who remained in class, the early-release schedule—which typically ends between 1:10 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.—may have allowed some older students to catch the tail end of the festivities, as the parade was expected to take at least two hours to navigate the packed downtown corridor. As the celebration concludes, the district will begin monitoring attendance data to determine exactly how many students chose “Lombardi fever” over the classroom.
