Students and staff at Varnett's Early Childhood Center displayed signs and slogans in showing their support for National School Choice Week, held this year on January 24-30.
School choice means giving parents access to the best K-12 education options for their children. These options include traditional public schools, public charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, online academies and homeschooling.
Started in 2011, National School Choice Week has grown into the world’s largest celebration of opportunity in education, it says on the organization's website.
The week is described as a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort.
"Every January, our participants plan tens of thousands of events and activities – such as school fairs, open houses, and student showcases – to raise awareness about school choice across all 50 states. Year-round, National School Choice Week develops resources and guides to assist families searching for schools or learning environments for their children." The nonpolitical and nonpartisan effort focuses equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options.
Of course, this year was a little different at East campus. The coronavirus forced students to wear masks and practice social distancing, but it did not deter the event.