A Washington D.C. suburb has canceled school this Wednesday, citing mass absenteeism among teachers on what activists have declared will be “a day without a woman.”
Alexandria City Public Schools announced on its website Monday afternoon that more than 300 school staff members have announced they will not report to work on March 8, and because of the mass absenteeism, schools will not open.
Activists have called on women to “strike” on Wednesday to demonstrate opposition to President Trump.
School officials, in a note to parents, said, “this is not a decision that was made lightly.”
“The decision is based solely on our ability to provide sufficient staff to cover all our classrooms, and the impact of high staff absenteeism on student safety and delivery of instruction,” it said. “It is not based on a political stance or position.”
The students will not make up the academic day that will be lost on March 8.
Alexandria enrolls about 15,000 students and the vast majority are either Black or Hispanic.
School officials apologized “this unforeseen burden on parents.”
“We understand that when schools close there is an impact on families, who may have to find unanticipated childcare,” it said. “We apologize for this unforeseen burden on parents and thank you for your patience and understanding.”
It will be one of two days off this week for students in Alexandria. School is closed March 10 for a teacher work day.
