Photo: Jason Getz, AJC
Baby, it was cold outside, but nearly 2,000 parents, students and school choice advocates wrapped warm yellow scarves around their necks and braved the wind to celebrate National School Choice Week at the Georgia State Capitol. For our charter school community, the rally was indeed a celebration of the election day victory that resulted in the re-establishment of the Georgia Charter Schools Commission. Not coincidentally, the new Commission held its inaugural meeting just one day before the rally.
Many public charter schools turned out for the morning rally outside the Gold Dome and then turned their attention indoors as they toured the Capitol and met their elected officials. Above, students from Heritage Preparatory Academy spoke with State Senator Renee Unterman (R-45) and thanked her for her support of Amendment One. Heritage Prep brought 600 students and parents to the Capitol in a tremendous show of support for choice.
Across the street at the Coverdell Building, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from Wesley International Academy lobbed questions about charter school financing to Representative Margaret Kaiser (D-59), another Amendment One supporter. They also spoke with Representative Keisha Waites (D-60) and explained why they value their public charter school option.
Representative Rahn Mayo, (D-84) from DeKalb County also spoke with Heritage Prep students, following his rousing speech delivered at the rally earlier in the day.
Main Street Academy Teacher tells why she supports School Choice
Photo: Lauren Shay Lavin
We thank all who used the platform provided by National School Choice Week to advance public charter school goals and promote our shared values of choice and opportunity for children. Together we helped public school choice shine brightly and powerfully!
