by Robin Kemp
Clayton County Public Schools announced late Wednesday that there will be no school on Friday in observation of the Atlanta Braves World Series Championship parade in downtown Atlanta.
A statement released by CCPS reads, “Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) is proud to celebrate with the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia as the Atlanta Braves won the 2021 World Series! As part of this celebration, the Clayton County Board of Education and Superintendent/CEO of Schools will close all schools and district offices on Friday, November 5, 2021! Please be advised there will be no makeup day or remote learning/work expectations for staff or students. CCPS is also honored to share the following reported details regarding planned celebrations commemorating World Champion Atlanta Braves. Stakeholders are encouraged to stay connected to local reports for additional details. A parade will start near Centennial Olympic Park at Peachtree Street and Marietta Street at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021. It will then continue up Peachtree Street and 10th Street and onto the interstate, where the team will head to Cobb County. The parade will end at Truist Park. All stakeholders are reminded, as we continue to navigate a global pandemic, to remain safe and enjoy!”
Atlanta #Braves to Host World Series Championship Parade and Celebration THIS Friday, November 5: pic.twitter.com/InPLf2xNb5
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) November 3, 2021
Not everyone was thrilled to hear the news.
“Am I the only one that thinks this is crazy?!” wrote Briana Kimbrough on Facebook. “To cancel schools with two days notice for a baseball celebration? We just not going to show any compassion for working parents, huh?” She added, “Our kids missed an entire year of school last year and already are home every other Friday. This puts a lot of pressure on working parents and disrupts the learning process for the kids.”
Shaneka LaSha Tomkins wrote, “I am a single working mom. I work in another county and as of now, I am scheduled to work. I will have to tell my job tomorrow or figure something out too.”
Jasmine Avril said it was a special occasion: “This is the first time in 26 years! I’m sure students will love to make memories at this historic moment. Whether they go in person or stay home.”
But Kimbrough disagreed: “Well, I hope the mom who has had to call out too much cus of Covid exposures and not work every other Friday cus of ELBC days, and don’t forget all of 2020-2021 school year can figure something out so she can throw down and celebrate this historic victory.”
Cobb, Fulton, Dekalb, and Douglas Counties also have announced Friday closures, as have Marietta and Atlanta Public Schools.
We’ve asked MARTA whether any special route information applies to Clayton County for the event. If you go, you’ll need to get there early and find a spot along the route well before the parade starts. If you take MARTA, keep in mind that masks are mandatory at all times on vehicles and in stations. The parade starts at 12 noon with a free concert by Ludacris and Big Boi, then travels from Centennial Olympic Park at the corner of Peachtree and Marietta. The parade goes up Peachtree Street, then turns on Tenth Street, gets on the interstate, and ends at Truist Park in Marietta. Atlanta Police estimate one million people will attend.
