Seattle students, teachers miss school for Seahawks Super Bowl parade

Thousands of Seattle Public School students didn’t show up for school on Wednesday and they weren’t the only ones.

The Seattle School District reports 565 teachers were absent as Seattle hosted its biggest party ever, with an estimated 700,000 in attendance at the parade for the Super Bowl-winning Seattle Seahawks.

Around 80 percent of those absences were covered by substitutes, with instructional assistants and other staff chipping in where needed.

On a typical school day, around 270 to 400 teachers call out. The district reminds people that some of the day’s absences could have been due to actual illness or prearranged absences.

Among the 51,000 students in the district, 13,523 students were absent Wednesday morning.

The district reports many of the schools offered viewing times during lunch for the students who did show up to school. Many members of staff and students were wearing 12th Man gear to celebrate.

“We appreciate the efforts of our teachers, principals and staff in our schools to ensure our students have the opportunity both to learn today, and to take some time to celebrate the Seahawks in their school community,” Superintendent José Banda said. “We congratulate our Super Bowl winners on a terrific season and thank them for showing our students what commitment and hard work can accomplish.”

Tacoma Public Schools reported about 22 percent of its more than 28,000 students absent Wednesday, the Tacoma News Tribune reports. About 10 percent more teachers and staff than usual were reported absent.

Photos from the parade