Seattle and Bellevue schools cancel classes for students Friday due to lack of staff

The Seattle and Bellevue school districts have canceled classes on Friday for thousands of students in the Puget Sound area, citing staffing problems, substitute shortages and weather concerns as among the reasons to close down. 

Seattle Public Schools said in an email sent to families Tuesday that “We are aware of an unusually large number of SPS staff taking leave on Friday, and do not believe we have adequate personnel to open schools with the necessary environment for high-quality learning.” The announcement took many parents by surprise.