SOS = Save Our Schools!

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Week of Action (March 9-13) Toolkit

Across the Commonwealth, educators, students, administrators, administration officials, municipal officials, community members, and more are joining together to send an SOS to Beacon Hill and the Governor, calling attention to the ongoing plight of underfunded rural and declining enrollment schools.

Goal: To open the hearts and minds of state decision makers so that they

  1. Increase funding for rural schools and other critical education line items for schools with declining enrollments (via the Fair Share supplemental bill and FY27 budget),

  2. Pass legislation to launch a foundation budget review commission,

  3. Pass key provisions in the rural schools bill, and 

  4. Work for advances in the target local contribution study

Strategy: Build public pressure and political power by executing creative breakthrough actions which are held in unison, unite districts across  the state, vividly display the hardship of underfunding, and issue meaningful calls for help.

SOS Action

Between March 9 and March 13, rural and declining enrollment schools and school communities are urged to organize and document coordinated activities such as creative SOS signaling, rallies, sign making, letter writing, and more.

Organizing checklist

  • Choose a date/time within the week of action (between March 9 and 13, 2026)

  • Choose an SOS action(s) (see below for ideas) to tell the story of fiscal hardship, a loss of educational opportunities, and more in your schools

  • Recruit for and publicize your action via media, social media, listserves, and more

  • Send a local media release (reach out if you need support)

  • Take photos and other documentation from your action (see below for instructions)

  • Ensure that you have all necessary releases/permissions for photos/videos

Questions?! Email info@ruralschoolsma.org or call 413-773-0573

Four action ideas

  1. Gather local stakeholders to create a physical embodiment of an SOS signal (using objects or people to “spell out” SOS, like above ^^) 

  2. Organize a speak out and/or press conference

  3. Create a short video, enumerating significant losses/inequities

  4. Create signs/graphics enumerating and detailing the losses in your district, especially since 2019, e.g., number of lost positions, courses and/or electives lost, and more.


Send in photos and action documentation

On or before March 14, please send:

  • Any photos (horizontal/landscape orientation preferred)

  • Any videos (horizontal/landscape orientation preferred, please be concise)

  • A brief description of your event and participants

  • Any relevant links (media coverage, social media posts, school website news, etc.), if applicable

  • Your own quote about the consequences of underfunding and hardship in rural and declining enrollment schools

These components will be accepted in any format/platform that is convenient for you. Please note that it is your responsibility to verify that photo and video permissions have been procured for any identifiable individuals in your media content.

Questions?! Email info@ruralschoolsma.org or call 413-773-0573