No school on Friday?

I am going out on a limb here in admitting this, but I don't understand why the Fairmont Area school district is not having school on Friday.

I understand that it is a big deal for the football players to go off to state, I get that it is important for these boys to be cheered on by their families. But I just don't get how that translates into everyone getting one day less to learn.

This seems to fly in the face of everything the district preaches about education. Is learning something the kids just do in between sporting events so much so that if there is a big event they don't have to learn?

I understand the players need the day off. I would even say the cheerleaders should have the day off. I would even support having school go on as regular, but giving football supporting students an extra day to get their missed homework in. But I really wonder how many families are going to head to the cities for the game. Enough to offset the number of families that now have a major re-scramble to do to accommodate a change for such a teen-centered activity.

The citizens are all confused because many think the long-standing parade the weekend before Thanksgiving should be postponed for the glory of 57 boys. Nope, the parade is going as planned. The whole town doesn't need to come to a screeching halt because of a football game.

Don't get me wrong. I was happy the team made it. I thought back to my time in high school and how proud I would have been if my team had been at state. But I am not convinced this whole town needs to revolve around group of teen boys.