SEAHAWKS PARADE: Here’s how many students and staff skipped school today, per district estimates

12 years ago, we reported after the Seahawks‘ first-ever Super Bowl victory parade that about a quarter of all Seattle Public Schools students were absent that day. (The district had initially cited the same policy as it did for today – no excused absences – but then pulled back a bit and let each principal decide how to handle it.) So, how was attendance today? We asked the district, and received this reply:

As Seattle celebrated the Seahawks’ Super Bowl victory parade today, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) recorded an estimated 12,697 student absences as of the start of the school day today. While student absences were significantly higher than usual, over 38,000 students are estimated to have attended school today for teaching, learning, connection, and to receive the many other services our schools provide. Our initial estimates suggest that student attendance was slightly better than during the 2014 Super Bowl parade.

In addition, there were 663 staff absences (as of 2:30 p.m.), which is several hundred absences higher than normal. Central office staff, including SPS Superintendent Ben Shuldiner, were deployed to schools throughout the district to provide additional support considering the increase in absences.

We’ll ask on follow up if the “slightly better” is a reference to percentage or number; SPS enrollment was 2,000+ more students in 2014 than it is now.

West Seattle Mad Sci Guy February 11, 2026 (6:05 pm)

My friend who is a teacher. Well. Wouldn’t you know it he came down with a horrible cold today.

IDC9 February 11, 2026 (10:08 pm)

I hope your friend feels better soon. This cold and flu season has been quite rough for many people.

Rhonda February 11, 2026 (6:20 pm)

I skipped work today to watch the parade. I called in “sick”. #RhondaBeullersDayOff

Mellow Kitty February 11, 2026 (6:35 pm)

I hope they’re easy on the kids. Seriously, how often do they get a chance to see something like this. I’m sure there was an outbreak of the 24 hour flu today.

onion February 11, 2026 (6:37 pm)

Incredibly poor example by the teachers who skipped school to attend the parade. If I was a student or parent I would think far less of them for placing education second to this event. The Seahawks championship is all about each team member’s sacrifice and commitment to a higher goal. Apparently these teachers missed that lesson.

CH February 11, 2026 (9:11 pm)

My daughter was 15 in 2014, and I encouraged her to go to the parade. She graduated from the UW Business School when she was barely 21, so she did fine. That day downtown with her friends is still one of her best memories from high school.
- IDC9 February 11, 2026 (10:10 pm)
  
  Opportunities like this don’t come around often. When they do, they should embraced. Its just one day, after all. Its not like its a whole week or month.
Pinto February 12, 2026 (3:22 pm)

as a teacher I feel bad for kids who grow up not learning the value of celebration. Goals can be paused momentarily for this once every 25 year event.

Mellow Kitty February 11, 2026 (6:38 pm)

Just call it a day off and move on. This is somewhat of a once in a lifetime experience. (Hopefully I’m wrong! Go Hawks!) It should have been a holiday anyway.

Ghill February 11, 2026 (9:27 pm)

Wait? Do parents actually lie to get an excused absence? Is that a thing? Why not just take an unexcused absence? As a parent myself, I have never found reason to lie about it. We received an absence notice for our child who was in school all day today. Figured they just gave up on taking attendance ;)