Schools considering two-day closure for world-class guest

PHILADELPHIA public school students may get a double blessing from Pope Francis.

The school district said yesterday it would recommend closing schools a second day, on Sept. 24, for the Holy Father's visit during the World Meeting of Families on Sept. 26. Schools are already set to be closed Sept. 25, but no decision has been made regarding the following Monday.

The School Reform Commission would have to approve.

"We were primarily hearing from parents, families that they were anxious about the convention that is going to be going on, combined with the preparation of closing streets," district spokesman Fernando Gallard said.

"They were very anxious about their students getting to school safely and on-time and returning home safely and on-time." Gallard said city officials also suggested that not having school buses on the roads that day would make it easier to block off streets.

Additionally, with schools closed Sept. 23 for the observance of Yom Kippur, officials anticipated a very low attendance rate on the 24th, Gallard said.

To make up for it, schools would be in session Oct. 9, a previously scheduled off-day for students.

Mayor Nutter and other officials announced Wednesday that the Ben Franklin Bridge will be closed along with parts of several highways for the papal visit.

There also will be significant traffic restrictions in Center City.