Choose a School Arizona to Celebrate National School Choice Week

Dr. Mitchell Zais, community leaders, Phoenix Suns Gorilla to attend

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Jan 16, 2019, 08:00 ET

MESA, Ariz., Jan. 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Mitchell Zais, deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, will join hundreds of students and staff from public schools, private schools, charter schools, and home-schooled programs for Choose a School's celebration at Heritage Academy Charter School at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 24.

Performances will showcase Heritage Academy's jazz band, barbershop quartet, and chamber choir. Home-schooled students will lead the pledge of allegiance and Torah Day students will help pass out National School Choice Week scarves. The Phoenix Suns Gorilla will also be present to excite the crowd and take pictures with students.

The celebration will feature a keynote address by Curtis Zimmerman, inspirational speaker for the arts in education. Other speakers will include Sen. Warren Petersen representing District 12; Rep. Shawnna Bolick, representing District 20; Jared Taylor, CEO of Heritage Academy; E.J. Anderson, director of dual enrollment at Rio Salado Community College; and Liz Dreckman, president of Choose a School Arizona. Rabbi Ariel Shoshan, parent of a scholarship student at Torah Day Private School, will also deliver remarks on the value of school choice.

This event is planned to coincide with the history-making celebration of National School Choice Week 2019, which will feature more than 40,000 school choice events across all 50 states.

"Choose a School Arizona believes that all quality school choice options should be shared with families so that they can determine the best educational opportunity for their children," said Barbara Duncan, vice president of Quality Schools.

Choose a School Arizona is a nonprofit organization that promotes quality schools in the public, charter, and private sectors. Choose a School Arizona showcases school successes through social media, strategic events, attending community events, and personal parent outreach.

Community members are encouraged to attend this event.

As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical public awareness effort, National School Choice Week shines a positive spotlight on effective education options for students, families, and communities around the country. From January 20 through 26, 2019, more than 40,000 independently-planned events will be held in celebration of the Week. For more information, visit www.schoolchoiceweek.com.

SOURCE National School Choice Week