That’s right, kids: Pope Francis is blessing more than 5,000 of you with the equivalent of a snow day.

KIPP DC—a network of 16 public charter schools that serves students in grades pre-K3 through 12—will close next Wednesday, Sept. 23, for the second day of the pontiff’s three-day visit to the District. The schools are spread over six campuses in the Northeast and Southeast, focused on “the city’s under-resourced communities.” The network announced its decision this morning:

In anticipation of public transportation and roadway disruptions throughout the city related to Pope Francis’ visit to Washington, D.C., all KIPP DC schools will be closed on Wednesday, September 23rd. All activities at KIPP DC campuses (including before care, after care, and extracurricular activities such as athletic practices and events) will be cancelled on this day as well. All KIPP DC schools will resume their normal schedules on Thursday, September 24th.

(Lindsay Kelly, who wrote the announcement, could not immediately be reached for comment.)

KIPP DC currently has 5,240 students, 632 teachers, and 981 alumni according to its website.

Too bad for the rest of D.C.’s tens of thousands students, though: “DC Public Schools and Public Charter Schools will stay open, unless otherwise announced,” the District government has stated.

Photo by Darrow Montgomery