THIS WEEK: 3669 Events and Activities in Florida to Raise Awareness About School Choice

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

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Jan 18, 2019, 08:00 ET

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Jan. 18, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Families and educators around the state will celebrate how school choice empowers Florida families during School Choice Week.

The Week will feature 3,669 events and activities across the Sunshine 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 festival planned on Saturday, January 19, 2019 10:00 AM at Pasco Safety Town in Shady Hills. In addition, a Community Expo is planned in Deltona at 10:00 AM on Thursday, January 24, 2019 at The Center at Deltona.

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 Florida, there are many educational options, including traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning, and homeschooling. Florida even offers scholarships for some families to send their children to private or parochial schools. Florida's scholarship programs extend to students in poverty or with an IEP, in addition to a few other student groups. Any Florida student can take courses through Florida Virtual School, full time or part time, free of charge.

On the local level, elected officials and community leaders are recognizing the importance of educational opportunity by officially recognizing the Week. The cities of Aventura, Bonita Springs, Elberta, Crystal River, Doral, Fernandina Beach, Haines City , Hillsboro Beach, Hollywood, Indialantic, Jacksonville, Kissimmee, Lake Hamilton, Madeira Beach, Malabar, Mary Esther, North Port, Palm Bay, Panama City Beach, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, St. Cloud, Tarpon Springs, Venice, Wellington, and Weston 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.

"School choice is a celebration of my students! It is a celebration of their freedom to receive the best fit education. I look forward to this day/week every year," said Kuryn Patterson, assistant director at Gulf Coast School for Autism, special needs school serving 54 students in Panama City, Florida.

"Florida is a national leader in providing K-12 school choice options for children and families, and we hope that Floridians will use National School Choice Week to discover these options," said National School Choice Week President Andrew Campanella.

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

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