UPDATE, Tues., 6:30 p.m.: Some Seattle high schools will excuse kids to go to the parade. Latest story here.

UPDATE, Tuesday, 2:16 p.m.: Seattle Public Schools superintendent has revised his position on letting kids go to the Seahawks parade.

Instead of automatically dinging student parade-goers with an unexcused absence, Banda said school principals will have the “discretion” to excuse students who skip school for Seattle’s downtown victory parade.

“I want you to have the flexibility to do what you feel is best for your school community,” Banda wrote to his principals, after 12th Man outrage erupted over his initial announcement. (Full letter below).

It was not yet known which schools would be excusing students for the parade.

Original story here:

When is skipping school justified?

Certainly when you’re sick, observing a religious holiday, or suffering a death in the family. (This being Seattle, also when you’re facing a few baby snowflakes).

But what if your hometown football team brings back the city’s first major, men’s sports championship in more than 30 years? Reason enough to skip school, go to Wednesday’s Seahawks Super Bowl parade, and witness a city screaming with pride?

Seattle Public Schools superintendent Jose Banda says no.

That’s prompted some 12th Man outrage and Seattle Mayor Ed Murray to lean on the district to embrace the raucous, communal joy of a big sports win. (Seahawks victory parade details here).

“It is my hope that the school district will excuse absences for students who want to join their family during the #celebrate48 events,” Murray tweeted Tuesday. He also acknowledged it wasn’t his call to close schools.

Murray’s tweets came after the school district said it would not close schools or excuse absences to accommodate parade-goers. Schools chief Banda called the Seahawks’ win “historic,” but said “academics must come first.”

Rants to Banda: ‘Grinch!’

“Parents who wish to take their students out of school can, but per state regulation, it will be treated as an unexcused absence,” Banda said Monday. That triggered a string of peevish rants, including:

“This is why Seattle isn’t a sports town,” one person opined on Facebook.

“Obviously the superintendent is NOT a Seattleite, nor does he care about the 12s,” wrote someone else.

“Grinch!” sniffed a third.

“The Seahawks and their 12th man frenzy have brought this community together like no other event I’ve ever seen in Seattle,” a man named “John Sosnowy” said he wrote to Banda.

“Please let the children take it in, and learn that the sky’s the limit when people work together for a common cause. This is not just about football..it’s an important life lesson.”

In case you’re wondering, Seattle Schools excuses an absence for illness, family death, religious holiday or doctor’s appointment.

But what’s interesting: The policy also says an absence can be excused for a “special one-time event of a day or two.”

So, 12th Man and 12th Parents, does the Seahawks victory parade qualify? Vote in our poll:

Should Seattle schools excuse absences for kids who want to go to the Seahawks parade? Yes! It's a civic, once-in-a-lifetime event. Come on, let the kids go.

No. Academics come first. And kids can watch it on TV. View Results

Loading ... Loading ...

Here’s the full letter from superintendent Banda to his principals:

Thank you for your participation in the District Leadership Team meeting today, and for taking the time to talk collectively about student achievement.

I enjoyed our discussion around Wednesday’s Seahawks parade, and I applaud your efforts to build a sense of community and celebration at each of your schools tomorrow. I know how important it is for our students and staff to celebrate this historic Super Bowl win. As I mentioned, our schools are a place of home for many of our students, and I know our kids will be fired up to celebrate tomorrow. This Seahawks season has taught us about teamwork, practice and community pride. Watching part of the parade together during lunch is a great activity. I hope you will share photos and stories of your school celebrations.

That said, I do understand the implications on students at different grade levels. I want you to have the flexibility to do what you feel is best for your school community. Under state regulation, you do have the discretion to decide if students who miss school tomorrow for the parade will be considered unexcused or excused. I will support your decision.

Principals, if you need additional supports tomorrow, please work with your Executive Director of Schools.

Sincerely,

José

Follow seattlepi.com on Facebook and Twitter. Follow Vanessa Ho on Twitter and Google+. You can also email Vanessa at vanessaho@seattlepi.com.