Savannah Perkins

By Savannah Perkins

 

Cache County leaders joined more than 200 other county leaders to have issued National School Choice Week proclamations this year.

 

With 16 elementary schools, six middle schools, four high schools, five private schools and a variety of online schooling options available in Cache County, the council members chose to recognize these opportunities that are available by observing Jan. 24-30 as School Choice Week.

 

National School Choice Week has been held every January since 2011 with the goal to raise “awareness among area parents about the educational opportunities available to their children,” NSCW communications and external relations manager Shelby Tankersley said. The different opportunities available to students include traditional public schools and open enrollment, public charter schools, magnet schools, private school, online learning and homeschooling.

 

“We as a county support options to fit the needs of individuals because every child is different,” said Greg Merrill, the chairman of the Cache County Council. 

 

The proclamation stated many benefits of recognizing the annual event such as diversifying the economy and enhancing vibrancyin the community.

 

Across the state of Utah there will be a total of 118 events in celebration of NSCW.  The Box Elder/Cache County Science Fair at the Logan Library from 2 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 29 is the only scheduled event in Cache County in celebration of NSCW so far. Out of the many schools in Cache County, the Utah Virtual Academy is the only school participating in the science fair and is, therefore, the only option for local parents to recognize throughout the week.

 

These events are structured to shine a spotlight on schools in the area “by encouraging them to open their doors to the community and use the week as a platform to showcase their strengths,” Tankersley said. Merrill explained the importance of looking at options and that the county is going to continue to support educational opportunities.