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  school districts in virginia and north carolina are telling students to stay home on wednesday, on a nationwide day of protest called "a day without women," because so many staff members do not plan to show up for work.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  in alexandria public schools in northern virginia, more than 300 staff members have asked for the day off, prompting district officials to take the extraordinary step of canceling class. in a note on its website, the superintendent said its 18 schools would not have enough teachers on wednesday.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  "this is not a decision that was made lightly," the superintendent, alvin l. crawley, said, adding that "it is not based on a political stance or position.
article_headline: on 'day without women,' two districts cancel school