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THIS WEEK: 548 Events and Activities in Alabama to Raise Awareness About School ChoiceSchool Choice Week began in Alabama and across America this Sunday, with the goal of raising awareness about the options that parents have for their children's education. The Week will feature 548 events and activities across the Yellowhammer State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations. In addition, a rally is planned on Thursday, January 25 at the Alabama State Capitol. Nationwide, 32,240 events and activities are being organized to raise awareness during National School Choice Week (Jan. 21-27, 2018), and nearly 7 million Americans are expected to participate. It will be the largest series of education-related events and activities in U.S. history. The Week brings attention to the different education environments that are available for Alabama's 1.1 million children. For example, families in Alabama can choose from traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling. The state also offers a private school choice program and tuition-free, public online schooling. Governor Kay Ivey issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 21-27 as Alabama School Choice Week. In addition, the county of Chambers and the cities of Brundidge, Clanton, Georgiana, Greensboro, Huntsville, Selma, Troy, Phenix City, Southside, Ecletic, Elberta, and Westover have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community. "School Choice Week is imortant for our school because we feel that we are in partnership with parents, children's first educators, to provide the best educational opportunities for our future citizens. Parents must have a choice. We are honored to be one of the choices and celebrate not only during School Choice Week but every day," said Alesa Weiskopf, principal at Little Flower Catholic School, a private school serving 138 students in grades pre-K to 8 in Mobile, Alabama. Celebrated since 2011, National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort. The Week is nonpartisan and nonpolitical, and it is not related to any legislative advocacy campaign. "Over the last several years, Alabama leaders have taken important steps toward providing parents with access to new and different education environments for their children," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "We encourage Alabama parents to use National School Choice Week as an opportunity to evaluate school options for their children, and we are grateful that so many schools, homeschool groups, and community organizations are holding events and activities during The Week to spotlight their success." To download a guide to school choice in Alabama, or to learn more about featured events in the Yellowhammer State, visit https://schoolchoiceweek.com/states/alabama. For information on events planned near you, please send us an email with information about your coverage area to [email protected]. National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort designed to shine a spotlight on effective education options for children. National School Choice Week celebrates all types of school options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online academies, and homeschooling. Learn more at www.schoolchoiceweek.com or highlight school choice on social media using hashtag #schoolchoice View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180122005631/en/ |
