For most students, unless they're wearing a uniform and marching in a band, going to the Steelers parade is not going to be an acceptable excuse for missing school today.

"It's a regular school day, so hopefully everyone will be here ready to learn," said Robyn Tedesco, spokeswoman for McKeesport Area School District.

Schools across the region have been actively celebrating the Steelers' journey to their fifth Super Bowl championship, but many school administrators are drawing the line when it comes to missing school to attend the victory parade.

North Allegheny School District, however, will be closed today. Although the school's Web site does not say exactly why classes were canceled, it does mention that its marching band "will be featured in the Steelers parade in Downtown Pittsburgh."

Pittsburgh Public Schools announced yesterday that students will not be excused from class today, but that district officials understand how important the event is for the community. Students and staff are being encouraged to wear black and gold to school, and events will be held in each school.

Lawrence Korchnak, superintendent of Hampton School District, said putting football before education sends the wrong message to students. "I say that with all deep respect because Jerome Bettis is a resident of our township and he's been generous with our students," Dr. Korchnak said. "But I think Jerome would admit that education is more important than a parade."

The parade will start at 11 a.m. and wind from Centre Avenue to Commonwealth Place. The time could not be changed to allow more children to attend, officials said.

"Parades are traditionally held around this time," said Kevin Evanto, a spokesman for Allegheny County. "It's being held at a time that's relatively convenient for the largest majority of folks. If we held it any later in the day, you'd be looking at rush-hour traffic."

Some school districts already have lost classroom time because of the Steelers.

Pittsburgh Public Schools and a handful of other districts delayed classes by two hours yesterday to accommodate bus drivers and students who may have stayed up too late celebrating the Super Bowl win.

"We were very surprised that some districts had a two-hour delay because of the ballgame," said Tina Vojtko, spokeswoman for North Hills School District. "For the weather, I could understand."

School administrators will be on guard for a medley of excuses for students being absent today. But the worst that could happen is that students would receive an unexcused absence.

Students at in the Fox Chapel Area School District should not expect any leniency, said Bonnie Berzonski, district spokeswoman.

"There are certain rules we always follow," she said. "And [parade day] will be no different."