THIS MONTH: New York Families, Educators Spotlight Importance of K-12 Education Options

Empire State Parents Find New Ways to Celebrate Learning, Support Opportunity for All

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Jan 15, 2021, 04:30 ET

ALBANY, N.Y., Jan. 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the midst of a school year like no other, New York families and educators are gearing up to safely spotlight education options during School Choice Week 2021.

New York families are hosting 1,596 virtual or at-home celebrations during the Week. In New York City, the Children's Scholarship Fund will host a parent panel over Zoom to bring information about school scholarships to all families looking for options.

Taking place annually since 2011, School Choice Week is America's largest celebration of educational choice. While typically the Week is packed with large, in-person events, school choice advocates have adapted to this year's health and safety protocols, opting for drive through scavenger hunts, virtual information sessions and showcases, online contests, drive-in movie screenings, and more.

Across the country, more than two dozen iconic U.S. landmarks and notable buildings will light up in special colors to mark the Week. In New York, Niagara Falls will illuminate in yellow and red from 10:00 - 10:15 p.m. on Jan. 24. The iconic Rochester Kodak Tower will illuminate in yellow and red Jan. 24-30, and the Helmsley Building will illuminate on Jan. 24.

A growing number of communities have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community, including the New York cities of Tuckahoe, Lake George, Hornell, Lewiston, Woodbury, Belfast, Clarkstown, Buffalo, Montour, New Albion, Clyde, Friendship, Esperance, Mount Hope, Middleport, and Painted Post.

"The disruptions of this past year have underlined the continued need for all the types of schools New York families choose for their children," said Andrew Campanella, president of National School Choice Week. "This National School Choice Week, let's talk about how families and educators need school choice that works for them."

In New York, there are a variety of educational options to attend including: traditional public schools with open enrollment at the discretion of each district, charter schools, magnet schools, private schools, and homeschooling.

New York families will be raising awareness about these choices at their virtual celebrations, which make up some of the more than 33,000 planned nationwide to spotlight K-12 education options.

To download a guide to New York school choice, use the Schools Near Me tool to search for schools in your area, or see celebration photos and proclamation updates, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/new-york.

National School Choice Week is an independent public awareness effort; the Week is nonpartisan, nonpolitical, and not related to any legislative advocacy campaign.

Select local celebrants are available to discuss their plans with reporters upon request.

National School Choice Week shines a spotlight on effective education options for children and is the world's largest celebration of opportunity in K-12 education. The Week is a not-for-profit effort that focuses equally on traditional public, charter, magnet, online, private, and home education options. Every January, participants plan tens of thousands of events and activities 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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week