THIS WEEK: 275 Events and Activities in Utah to Raise Awareness About School Choice

Beehive State Parents Will Discover Education Options for Children During National School Choice Week

Governor Gary Herbert Issues Proclamation Recognizing Jan. 20-26 as Utah School Choice Week

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Jan 18, 2019, 08:00 ET

SALT LAKE CITY, Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- With education options continuing to expand in Utah, schools, families, and organizations are celebrating School Choice Week with an unprecedented number of events.

The Week will feature 275 events and activities across the Beehive State, including open house events at schools, school fairs, homeschool information sessions, and other celebrations. One of the largest events in the state will be a STEM and charter school fair planned on Saturday, January 26, 2019 11:00 a.m. at Mountain America Exposition Center in Sandy.

Nationwide, 40,549 events and activities are being organized to raise awareness during National School Choice Week (Jan. 20-26, 2019), and 10.8 million Americans are expected to participate. It will be the largest series of education-related events and activities in U.S. history.

In Utah, there are many educational options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. Utah has a publicly funded scholarship program for students with special needs. All Utah students, grades K-12, can enroll full- or part-time in online courses through Utah Online School. All courses are tuition-free.

On the local level, elected officials and community leaders are recognizing the importance of educational opportunity by officially recognizing the Week. Governor Gary Herbert issued an official proclamation recognizing Jan. 20-26 as Utah School Choice Week. In addition, the cities of Draper, Pleasant View, and Santa Clara have issued proclamations recognizing School Choice Week in their community.

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.

"Hawthorn Academy participates in National School Choice Week as it gives our students a voice in why they chose to attend a public charter school. They want others to know that they want to learn, to be accepted, to be challenged and to be known by their teachers. When they get to help come up with ways to communicate why they made a choice to attend Hawthorn Academy, they feel they have a way to have their voice heard," said Dr. Deborah Swensen, superintendent/lead director at Hawthorn Academy, a charter school serving 1,458 students in South Jordan, Utah.

"Utah offers families a comprehensive array of school choice options, and we hope families will use National School Choice Week as a chance to evaluate the different choices that are available," said National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella.

To download a guide to school choice or learn more about featured events in the Beehive State, visit schoolchoiceweek.com/states/utah.

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.

SOURCE National School Choice Week