More Than 1,000 Supporters to Celebrate Idaho School Choice in Boise on January 27

Governor Otter has proclaimed January 24-30, 2016, to be Idaho
School Choice Week

BOISE, Idaho–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Students, parents, teachers, and community leaders will march to the
steps of the Idaho State Capitol to spotlight Idaho School Choice Week
on Wednesday, January 27.

The celebration, which will take place at 12 p.m. on the Capitol steps,
will feature student and parent speakers representing public schools;
magnet schools; public charter schools; virtual schools; independent,
private, and religious schools; and home schools. Key speakers include
Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Sherri Ybarra, who will read
the governor’s school choice proclamation, and West Ada School District
2015 Teacher of the Year Shawna Exline. Vocal performance students from
Idaho Fine Arts Academy, a magnet school in Eagle, Idaho, will perform,
too.

The goal of the rally is to highlight school choice in the Gem State; it
is timed to coincide with National School Choice Week (January 24-30,
2016), which will be America’s largest-ever celebration of opportunity
in education. More than 16,000 events will be held across the country
during the week.

“We hope to raise awareness here in Idaho, especially among parents, of
the education choices available to them,” said Suzanne Metzgar of Bluum,
an Idaho nonprofit committed to ensuring Idaho’s children reach their
fullest potential by cultivating great leaders and innovative schools.
“As a parent myself, I’ve seen firsthand how choosing the right school
for your child can positively impact both academic achievement and
personal growth.”

“Idaho supports and celebrates the unique abilities and interests of
every student through school choice,” said Robert Raschke, executive
director of Grace Lutheran School, a private school in Pocatello, Idaho.
“There’s no better time to spread the word to parents about how to find
the best school for their child than National School Choice Week. We
hope to see plenty of parents, teachers, and students at the Capitol to
show their support.”

The celebration is being planned by a broad coalition, including Bluum,
Idaho Charter School Network, Idaho Department of Education, Idaho
Freedom Foundation, Compass Charter Schools, Idaho Federation of
Independent Schools, Coalition of Idaho Charter School Families,
Northwest Professional Educators, LearnStorm, Grace Lutheran School, and
Idaho Virtual Academy.

About National School Choice Week

Held every January, National School Choice Week is an independent public
awareness effort designed to shine a positive spotlight on effective
education options for every child. Through thousands of independently
planned events across the country, National School Choice Week raises
public awareness of all types of educational choices available to
children. These options include traditional public schools, public
charter schools, public magnet schools, online learning, private
schools, and homeschooling.

About Bluum

Bluum is a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring Idaho’s children
reach their fullest potential by cultivating great leaders and
innovative schools. Bluum works to help Idaho become a national model
for how to maximize learning opportunities for children. In partnership
with the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Family Foundation, Bluum plans to
help create 20,000 new, high-performing school seats in Idaho in 10
years.

Contacts

Bluum
Amy Russell, 208-336-8400
arussell@bluum.org