Local districts divide on Chiefs parade
By Marcus Clem
St. Joseph public schools will not be holding class on Wednesday amid the championship parade to be held for the NFL Super Bowl LVIII victors, but classes will be held as normal elsewhere in the area.
The St. Joseph School District explained the situation on Monday regarding the Kansas City Chiefs. Given the number of staff likely not to be available during the celebration in Downtown Kansas City, Missouri, as well as the number of parents likely to call in their children as absent, the district felt compelled to cancel class Wednesday, according to a social media statement.
“We understand that this decision may be controversial and not welcomed by everyone, and we also recognize that canceling school on such short notice may pose challenges for some families, for which we sincerely apologize,” the St. Joseph district said.
Meanwhile, the Savannah R-III district went the other way.
“What a game! We (love) our Chiefs, but SR3 will be IN SESSION on Wednesday,” the district announced. “If you plan to take your child to the parade, please be sure to call in the absence before 9 a.m.”
Reached by phone, the administrative office of Mid-Buchanan R-V school district in Faucett, Missouri, followed suit, indicating classes will be held as normal on Wednesday. The Avenue City R-IX school district of Cosby, Missouri, said the same thing.
The St. Joseph Christian School is holding class sessions as normal but is permitting any parent who wishes to take their child to the parade to call it in as an excused absence, Superintendent Danny Maggart said. The St. Joseph Catholic Academy will be holding normal class sessions along with special observations of Ash Wednesday, which happens to coincide with the parade.
