As part of Rural Schools Week of Action, on Friday March 13th, the Pelham Elementary Parent Teacher Organization hosted a community advocacy event including a presentation by Massachusetts Association of School Committees representative Tracy Novick. State Senator Jo Comerford, Pelham Elementary parents, grandparents, students, staff and long-time town residents gathered to learn about strategies for effective community advocacy to secure increased state funding for rural sch

Why Rural Schools Need More Support Rural schools, like Pelham Elementary, often serve as the heart of their communities. They provide not only education but also social and cultural connections. Despite their importance, these schools frequently receive less state funding than their urban counterparts. This gap affects everything from classroom supplies to extracurricular programs and places a larger financial burden on the town itself. The Rural Schools Week of Action  is

A group of dedicated elementary school parents has created a new infographic that highlights an important conversation happening in our community: how school choice strengthens our rural school. The infographic illustrates how welcoming students from surrounding communities can expand diversity within classrooms while also bringing additional per-pupil funding that supports programs, staffing, and opportunities for all students. For small rural schools, even modest enrollment