What to Wear for Pajama Day to Support the Save Our Schools Movement

Pajama days at school are beloved traditions that give students a chance to relax and have some fun wearing their comfiest pajamas to class. But these special days can also be used as opportunities to raise awareness about important issues facing education.

With the Save Our Schools March planned for May 1st, 2023, students can leverage pajama day to creatively promote increased funding and resources for public schools across the country. As an education reform expert and policy advisor with over 20 years of experience, I have seen the impacts of chronic underfunding firsthand. I hope this guide will inspire students and families to use pajama day to demand the change that our education system desperately needs.

A Brief History of the Save Our Schools Movement

The Save Our Schools (SOS) movement emerged in 2011 as a way for teachers, parents, students and community members to push back against devastating education budget cuts and misguided reform efforts like high-stakes testing.

"I started teaching in 2008. By 2011, our school‘s budget had been slashed by nearly 25%, even as academic standards increased. We weren‘t set up to succeed. My colleagues and I felt helpless – until SOS gave us a way to speak up." – Sarah R., public school teacher

The first national Save Our Schools March was held in July 2011, bringing thousands of advocates to Washington D.C. The grassroots movement continued building over the following decade, with marches and rallies held annually.

The 2023 March has three key legislative goals:

• Increase federal funding for public K-12 education by $200 billion over 10 years
• Establish 25:1 student-to-teacher ratios
• Reduce standardized testing and tie tests to overall school funding thresholds

These demands aim to rectify years of education budget cuts and ballooning class sizes that have undermined student outcomes and placed unsustainable pressure on teachers.

Follow School Dress Codes

While pajama day allows for relaxed attire, schools typically still enforce dress codes. Avoid anything prohibited by school policies, which commonly ban:

• Excessively short/revealing clothing
• Bare midriffs
• Clothing with offensive language/images
• Unsafe footwear

By following dress codes, students show respect while still participating in pajama day fun.

Pick Comfortable, Presentable Pajamas

Aim for pajamas that are comfortable but also neat and presentable. Some guidelines:

• Opt for matching pajama sets rather than old, tattered sleep clothes
• Choose lightweight fabrics like cotton that allow movement and breathability
• Steer clear of oversized or tight/revealing pajamas
• Consider bringing a jacket in case classrooms are chilly

Maintaining a tidy appearance keeps the focus on your advocacy, not your outfit.

Incorporate School Spirit

Show your school pride by accessorizing with spirit wear over your pajamas. Ideas include:

• School t-shirts, hoodies or sweatpants
• Hats, scarves or socks in school colors
• Backpacks, water bottles or other gear with mascots/logos
• Face paint and other game day accessories

Rallying around school spirit builds community and unity when advocating for a shared cause.

Display SOS Messaging

Use your pajamas as a platform to share the goals of the Save Our Schools Movement. You can:

• Wear PJs with slogans like "Fund Our Future" or "Kids Over Cuts"
• Attach badges, pins or patches related to the march
• Decorate PJs and signs with statistics on funding cuts
• Carry lightweight SOS posters or placards

Prominent messaging ensures that the purpose behind pajama day doesn‘t get lost.

Get Creative with Themed Outfits

Express your advocacy through clever themed pajama outfits. Examples:

• Superhero PJs with an "Education Justice" cape
• DIY a t-shirt with slogans like "Teachers Need Books, Not Standardized Tests"
• Red pajamas supporting the Red for Ed movement
• Outfits decorated with glitters/markers stating "Fund Title I Schools"

Fun, on-theme outfits grab attention while conveying an important point.

Highlight Local Issues

Research problems specific to your school, like teacher shortages, outdated technology or cuts to arts programs. Create PJs that highlight these local issues to remind people what‘s at stake in their own community.

Promote Inclusivity and Kindness

Public schools should provide safe, nurturing environments for all students. Wear pajamas with messages about acceptance, diversity and kindness to promote the welcoming communities we want for the next generation.

Wear Accessories That Make Statements

Pajama day accessories offer another opportunity to highlight education issues.

• Homemade signs/placards promoting funding or policy reforms
• Backpacks decorated with positive messages
• Hair ribbons in "Red for Ed"
• Buttons or stickers with data/facts

These accessories attract interest while keeping the focus on advocacy.

Consider Weather and Activities

Pick pajamas suitable for the forecasted weather and school activities. If outdoor time is planned, layered pajamas make sense. For messy art projects, avoid silk pajamas that could stain. Ultimately, comfort maximizes student participation and attention span.

Why Student Activism Matters

Students have a unique stake and voice when it comes to education policy reform. Pajama day advocacy gives students experience engaging civically around issues affecting them directly.

"We protested terrible cuts to our arts programs. The local news covered it, and the next week the school board reversed course. That success showed me the power students have to create change." – Diego, 12th grade student

Early activism also builds knowledge, skills and habits that fuel a lifetime of civic engagement.

Evidence on the Impacts of Education Cuts

Chronic underfunding has severely hampered schools across the country. To highlight the need for reform, students can decorate PJs with facts like:

• Per pupil education spending dropped 12% from 2008-2018, accounting for inflation
• The average class size is 27 students, up from 17 in 1970
• Schools have cut over 370,000 teaching jobs since 2008 due to funding decreases
• Teacher pay lags 20% behind comparable professions, fueling high turnover

Presenting clear figures helps build urgency around increasing investments.

Funding Data Broken Down

While U.S. education spending appears robust at around $15,000 per pupil, that pot of money must cover many costs including:

• Teacher salaries and benefits (~80% of expenditures)
• Instructional materials, technology and classroom supplies
• Building maintenance, utilities and other overhead
• Counseling, health, transportation and safety services
• Administrative and support staff
• Extracurricular programming

With many fixed costs, budget cuts inevitably limit essential resources that directly impact learning.

How U.S. Spending Compares

Internationally, the U.S. ranks #5 in education spending per full-time student, trailing Norway, Austria, Luxembourg and Switzerland. But unlike the U.S., these countries all achieve higher test scores and graduation rates with less childhood poverty.

Clearly, it‘s not how much you spend but how effectively you spend it. Many argue U.S. education dollars are channeled towards standardized testing and administration rather than learning supports. SOS advocates for directing more resources into classrooms and student services.

Benefits of Funding Schools

Research clearly links education funding with positive student outcomes. For example:

• Graduation rates average 5-10 percentage points higher in high-spending districts (Jackson 2018)
• Increased spending significantly boosts low-income students‘ achievement (Candelaria and Shores 2019)
• Higher teacher salaries, funded by budget increases, reduce turnover and absenteeism (Tran and Smith 2020)

With the right investments, schools can provide equitable education for all learners.

Evidence-Based Reforms

Research points to strategies for making the most of increased education spending:

• Prioritize funding supports like tutoring, career counseling and mental health services (Jackson et. al 2014)
• Invest in rigorous, ongoing teacher coaching and skill building (Yoon et. al 2007)
• Upgrade decaying infrastructure through improved state capital financing programs (Filardo 2016)
• Strengthen local accountability and monitoring to optimize use of funding (Odden 1998)

Through data-driven investments, policymakers can maximize the long-term benefits of education dollars.

Take Action Beyond Pajama Day

While pajama day advocacy raises awareness on these issues, lasting change requires ongoing civic participation. Here are ways students and families can continue pushing for education justice:

• Contact Congress to demand increased federal education funding and reduced standardized testing
• Speak at local school board meetings about issues negatively impacting your school
• Organize community forums bringing together diverse stakeholders to find solutions
• Support progressive political candidates championing equitable, fully-funded public education
• Stay active on social media to maintain grassroots momentum between marches/rallies

This fight requires endurance. Leverage pajama day to inspire sustained movement-building for the schools our students deserve.

Send a Clear Message Through Pajamas

Pajama day presents a unique opportunity for students to creatively construct outfits sending a clear message in support of public education funding and reform. By following school policies, incorporating advocacy elements, and sharing facts, students can participate in this beloved tradition while also demanding the learning environments they deserve. It‘s time to invest in our future. Save our Schools!