Schools in Mississippi and across the country are currently participating in the annual National School Choice Week to inform students and parents about the different K-12 education options available in their area.

On a local level, Annie Means, director of Annie’s Kindergarten and Day Care in Picayune, said she’s been participating in the program for the past two years in order to raise awareness about early childhood education.

Means first learned about the national week via the Internet.

“I’m always on the computer trying to as we say, ‘go beyond the school books’, and beyond my regular curriculum, to do everything I can to get kids exposed to everything and it just so happened that I stumbled upon information about the national week,” Means said.

So she submitted an application, which was accepted.

National School Choice Week is a recognized independent public awareness effort promoting the different types of education options available, including traditional public, public charter, magnet or private schools along with online learning and homeschooling. The schools participate by hosting open houses, rallies and policy discussions during the week, according to a press release from the National School Choice Week.

“School choice week provides families in Mississippi with the opportunity to research and evaluate the K-12 school choices available for their children in advance of the 2016-2017 school year,” Andrew R. Campanella, president of the National School Choice Week, said in the press release.

Mississippi Gov. Phil Bryant and the mayors from Bay St. Louis, Biloxi and Jackson have all “issued official proclamations recognizing Jan. 24-30, 2016 as ‘School Choice Week’,” according to the release.

There are 85 events planned this week in the Magnolia State and 16,140 nationwide.

Means said they’ve received signs, scarves and banners from the organization meant to help raise awareness about the services offered at the school.

Last year, they held a small parade around the school to promote early child education and also held a breakfast, which is planned for Friday, inviting parents and the community to tour the facility and get more information about the school, Means said.

“We’re dealing with our greatest resources and that’s our kids. They’re the future and it’s an honor that we were chosen to participate in the week,” Means said. “What the kid’s learn now at this age will always be a part of them, if they get a good head start.”

Means said they’re documenting the week in pictures in the hopes of being selected to be included in next year’s national week brochure.

Annie’s Kindergarten and Day Care has been located at 716 Davis St. for the past 35 years and is partnered with the Picayune School District’s Early Head Start.

According to the national week’s website, the Poplarville Area Chamber of Commerce is also participating this year.

For more information about the national week, visit http://schoolchoiceweek.com. To reach Annie’s Kindergarten and Day Care, call 601-798-3446.