PUBLIC SCHOOLS WEEK 2026

Now more than ever we need to celebrate, appreciate and advocate for our public schools! 

We are honored to, once again, be joining with the Learning First Alliance and partners nationwide to celebrate educators, students, and school communities during Public Schools Week 2026, February 23-27. Please take the time this week and take action to show your support for Indiana’s amazing public schools! 

Here are ways that you can celebrate Public Schools Week 2026 (#PSW26) starting TODAY.

Sunday 2/22 : ACTIVATE

Join us for our final Action Party of the 2026 Legislative Session. What makes public schools public is having the voice, accountability and transparency of democratically elected board members. HB1423 would set a dangerous precedent of stripping the power from the people in Indianapolis, handing it over to a new layer of unaccountable, unelected bureaucracy. Come to this virtual event at 7pm and learn what YOU can do about it. Register here and like and share our facebook event here: 

Monday 2/23 : CELEBRATE

Public Schools Week (#PSW26)  is an opportunity to celebrate all of the amazing things happening in our public schools every single day. There is so much to celebrate! #PublicSchoolProud

Do you have a story about why public schools are meaningful to you? A vignette about a favorite teacher?

1. Share your thoughts, your drawings from kids, your pictures or even a video. Make sure to tell us about yourself (name, Indiana town, school district, whatever else you’d like to share)! We would love to share your submissions (either publicly or anonymously – you choose) on ICPE’s social media this week to show the world we are #PublicSchoolProud! Send submissions to: info@indianacoalitionforpubliced.org.
2. Go on your own social media and share your love for public schools. Don’t forget to tag us (@Indiana Coalition for Public Education) and use the hashtags #PublicSchoolProud #PSW26 #ICPE #KeepEducationPublic
3. Write a letter to the editor to your local newspaper and explain why public schools are important and the heart of your community
4. Create a local hashtag and try to get it trending in your community. Example: #WeLove[your school]Schools

Tuesday 2/24 : RECOGNIZE

This Tuesday of Public Schools Week 2026 (#PSW26) recognize the essential democratic process of keeping the public in public schools= elections. 

When we democratically elect our public school board members, we have the power to influence the direction of our schools; we have a voice. Elected officials are accountable to those who elect them; appointed boards are accountable to the person doing the appointing. We must keep education public.

Today, thank those whom we elect to represent our voice on the school board.Being a school board member can be a difficult position and they don’t often hear the positive! Do you have a school board member who is a voice of reason in a heated meeting? One who is a strong advocate for public education, for equity, for kids? If you don’t have one you can recognize, get involved! Run. Support. This is how we lean in. 

Public education policy is also created in the Statehouse. If you are lucky enough to have a state rep or senator who is a proponent of public schools, thank them! If you have one who may not be as pro-public education, send them an email telling them what you value about your public schools!

Wednesday 2/25 : ORGANIZE 

On this Wednesday of Public Schools Week 2026 (#PSW26) it’s important to recognize the people who are doing the WORK. Not just the vital and essential work that goes into educating our kids, but the work of defending public schools from attack. Local advocacy and engagement is essential. #PublicSchoolProud

There is a well-funded, organized effort, backed by billionaires, to dismantle our public schools and siphon the public funds into private hands. School-choice policies have created public revenue streams for private operators and vendors, who then invest in politicians and political advocacy to protect and expand those policies. Stability and investment in our neighborhood public schools is disrupted and children pay the price. Check out our tools demonstrating the defunding of public education and its effects on your local schools here.

Most people do not understand this complex situation. That’s why we at the Indiana Coalition for Public Education work hard to inform our communities about the issues surrounding public schools and how what happens at the Statehouse has a direct effect on the kids and teachers in the classroom. Informed community members are empowered to advocate for our kids! 

This public schools week, look for the people doing the work. Do you have local advocates in your community you can support? Would you like to start a small group in your area? Get involved with us or support our work here. 

Thursday 2/26: THANK 

Public Schools Week (#PSW26) is the perfect opportunity to express our appreciation and gratitude. Public Schools are the heart of our communities.  Show your love for them and for all the people who keep that heart beating.

On this day, “Thank You” Thursday, write a note of thanks to teachers, school board members, school administrators, counselors, nurses, coaches, bus drivers and cafeteria staff – anyone you know who is making a difference for children in Indiana’s public schools. Let them know you care and you see how hard they work! Details are appreciated. For example, “My son came home and told me that you always have a smile on your face when he gets on the bus! THANK YOU for delivering our precious kids with such care each and every day!” 

Friday 2/27: UNITE

The Indiana 2026 Legislative Session is scheduled to end on this day, as is Public Schools Week (#PSW26). However, our public education advocacy does not. This Friday we must remember to look to the FUTURE, near and far. The power of public education rests in the people and our power lies in our vote. Public schools are not just the heart of our communities, they are the cornerstone of our democracy. Public schools unite us. It’s where we come together from all walks of life and all backgrounds to learn together and find common ground. 

It’s not left or right, Republican or Democrat, it’s about the future we want for all of our children. We need an educated citizenry to participate in our democracy and contribute to our society. Public schools build that future. How can we unite for the schools our kids deserve?

1. Stay engaged. Follow ICPE on our social media and join us so that you will receive our monthly newsletters and calls to action. Attend local school board meetings and report to friends. Attend legislator third house meetings or cracker barrel meetings and speak to your legislator about public education issues and what happened this session.
2. Know where your elected officials and candidates stand. We have primary elections coming, school board candidates filing to run, referendums on the ballot, and a big election for public schools in November. Get involved in a public education advocate’s campaign or in your local referendum campaign. #VotePublicEd
3. Contact your local school board member to say thank you. Elected school boards are what make public schools public.
4. Share your photos, videos, drawings from kids, and other testimonials on why you are #PublicSchoolProud and use the hashtag!
5. Continue to shout your love for public schools from the rooftops after the week is over. So often the message we hear is that public schools are “failing.” We can never do too much to combat this harmful and incorrect narrative. Celebrate your schools every day in small ways and big.