The city of Seattle is buzzing - and for good reason. The Seahawks are Super Bowl champions once again, knocking off the New England Patriots on Sunday to secure their second Lombardi Trophy in franchise history. The win not only cements this team’s place in Seahawks lore, but also brings a wave of celebration across the Pacific Northwest that’s been building for years.
And now, the party’s officially on the calendar. A championship parade is set for Wednesday at 10 a.m.
PST, and fans are already planning to line the streets to honor the team that brought the title back to Seattle. But if you’re a student in Seattle Public Schools hoping to skip class for the festivities, think again.
The school district made it clear: classes are still in session.
In a statement released by Seattle Public Schools, Chief Operating Officer Fred Podesta confirmed that schools will remain open on Wednesday, sticking to the district’s regular early-release schedule. That means students will be dismissed between 1:10 and 2:30 p.m. - a few hours after the parade kicks off downtown.
“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,” the district said in its announcement.
And for those thinking about skipping school to catch a glimpse of their gridiron heroes? Any absence will be marked as unexcused.
It’s a decision that might not sit well with young Seahawks fans, but it underscores the balancing act between civic pride and academic responsibility. After all, this is a momentous occasion - but it’s also a school day.
The parade itself is set to be a massive celebration. Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson summed up the city’s mood in a statement Monday, calling the team’s win “historic” and praising the unity and passion the Seahawks inspired throughout the season.
“This year’s Seahawks team brought all of Seattle together with the strongest, loudest, and most united spirit I’ve ever seen,” Wilson said. “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.”
This victory holds a little extra weight for Seahawks fans. Not only is it the team’s second Super Bowl title - the first came in 2014 when they dominated the Denver Broncos 43-8 - but it also serves as redemption.
Seattle’s last Super Bowl appearance ended in heartbreak, a 28-24 loss to these same Patriots in 2015. That game still lingers in the minds of many fans, and Sunday’s win helped ease that sting.
The Seahawks’ Super Bowl journey began back in 2006, when they made their first appearance on the big stage but fell short to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Since then, the franchise has evolved into a perennial contender, and this latest championship adds another chapter to what’s becoming a storied legacy.
So while the schools may be staying open, the city itself is wide awake - and ready to celebrate a team that brought the noise, the grit, and ultimately, the trophy back to Seattle.