To spotlight a variety of education options for children, National School Choice Week kicked off Friday and will run through Jan. 31.

Andrew Campanella, National School Choice Week president, said Wednesday during a media teleconference that more than 11,000 events will be held across the country to celebrate traditional public schools, public charter schools, public magnet schools, private schools, online learning and homeschooling.

“Our goal is to shine a positive and uplifting spotlight on all of the education options that parents can choose for kids or want to choose for kids,” Campanella said.

He said events have been independently planned and paid for by each school or organization such as their local chamber of commerce, school district or education groups. Events include open houses, school assemblies, pep rallies and round-table discussions, he said.

“Every event is unique and all have a local message,” he said. “We encourage people in local communities to talk about education opportunities available to families there.”

He said the one thing all events have in common is that attendees at school of choice of events across the country will be wearing yellow scarves, which represent National School Choice Week.

In Calcasieu Parish, two local charter schools — Southwest Louisiana Charter Academy and Lake Charles Charter Academy — planned events to celebrate.

Jacqueline Smith, SWLCA co-principal, said in an email that the school held a “huge pep rally” on Friday in the school’s gymnasium. Smith said the rally included school cheerleaders, the dance line, music, sports teams, the step team and speeches from their students of the year.

Pamela Quebodeaux, LCCA principal, said in an email that next week students at her school will write essays about why they attend LCCA or why their parents chose the school.

“We read these over the speaker, post them in the halls and draw names to win the yellow school choice scarf,” she said.

(MGNonline)