FRAMINGHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Staples today announced the launch of the Thank a Teacher campaign, encouraging everyone – students, parents and beyond – to reach out and say thank you to a teacher that has impacted them. According to Staples’ recent surveyi, 83 percent of American adults report having a teacher that made a positive impact on their lives. Yet nearly 30 percent haven’t said thank you to that teacher but wish they did. This back to school season Staples provides the platform to thank the teacher or teachers you have been meaning to, with a chance to win $10,000 worth of school supplies for that teacher’s school†.
“Teachers play a pivotal role in shaping our future, and the relationships that teachers foster with their students are often some of the most enduring and powerful there are,” said Mike Motz, CEO of Staples Stores. “In fact, more than 75 percent of Americans report having a favorite teacher while at school, according to our recent survey. Yet all too often, appreciation for teachers and the importance of their impact goes under-recognized. So, this Back to School season, we wanted to give teachers the recognition they deserve, and unite communities to support each other.”
How to Enter:
To encourage recognition of teachers across the country, Staples asks you to share on Twitter or Instagram a photo, story or video thanking a teacher who has positively impacted your life as part of the Staples #ThankaTeacher Sweepstakes. Now through September 14, you can nominate your teacher for a chance to win $10,000 in Staples gift cards for their school by tagging @StaplesStores and including the hashtag #ThankaTeacher and #Sweepstakes along with your post on Twitter or Instagram. Ten lucky schools will win $10,000 in gift cards to use on getting the supplies needed to ensure they’re ready for a successful school year.
To bring the creative to life even further and kick off teacher recognition across the country, Staples teamed up with mom of three, and back-to-school veteran, Elle Walker of What’s Up Moms. With the help of Staples, Elle surprised her high school media teacher, Robin, with a special thank you for her support in getting Elle to where she is today. Watch the surprise and reunion unfold here: https://youtu.be/0C5V7hYjpEo
Elements of the Thank a Teacher campaign were concepted in conjunction with Staples’ new back to school television spots that showcase teachers who inspire students to find and nurture their own unique potential.
Bringing the Community Together
With a focus on connecting parents, teachers and students for a successful school year, Staples has introduced a variety of programs and initiatives this back to school season:
- Classroom Rewards*: A new program that enables parents to contribute five percent of their Back to School purchases to a teacher or school of their choice. Now through September 15, parents can visit the Classroom Rewards website, select their child’s teacher’s name or school and enter their receipt number and purchase amount. Staples then gives five percent of that purchase back in Staples Rewards to the teacher or school, up to 250 dollars. Teachers or schools can enroll at Staples.com/classroomrewards and earn five dollars just for enrolling**.
- Back to School Block Parties: Fun-filled, two-day shopping events made for students, parents and teachers at all stores nationwide. Staples will bring local communities together to enjoy raffles, giveaways and more while they shop, plus a 20 percent off shopping pass for school supplies. Head to Staples.com/BlockParty to find your local store’s Block Party event.
- Teacher Lists: To uncomplicate the chaos, parents and students can access teachers’ school supply lists in-stores and online. When shopping online, parents and students can find their school list, purchase and have everything ready for in-store pickup or shipped right to their doorstep.
To get started on Back to School shopping, visit Staples.com/stores to find your nearest Staples Store.
About Staples Retail
Staples US Retail supports lifelong achievement for small businesses and consumers with the products and resources they need for continued professional and personal growth. With a focus on community and shared learning, Staples retail locations serve millions of customers from entrepreneurs and small businesses to parents, teachers and students. For more information about Staples US Retail and to stay up to date on weekly deals and events, please visit us in store or online at staples.com®.
*Classroom Rewards:
Offer valid on purchases made 5/19/19 - 9/15/19 in Staples ® U.S. stores or online at staples.com. Exclusions apply. Each eligible receipt may be applied to only (1) Classroom Rewards Teacher. No limit to the number of receipts participants may enter during offer period. In order to qualify and earn 5% back in rewards on eligible purchases for teachers, participant must complete the following steps: 1) Visit staples.com/classroomrewards, select “Add a Receipt” in the “Parent section”. 2) Select the teacher you would like to support. 3) Enter your Staples receipt information and submit. Submissions will only be accepted from 5/19/19- 9/15/19. Rewards member who is enrolled within the classroom rewards program will earn 5% back in rewards, up to $250, for submitted, qualifying purchases that are made at Staples U.S. stores or online at staples.com. All earned rewards, up to $250, will be paid out in a one-time payout with the October 2019 Rewards statements. Earned Classroom Rewards for the benefit of teachers/classrooms are in addition to (and not in lieu of) the rewards benefits which are otherwise earned by the applicable members in accordance with the current Staples Rewards Program. Postage stamps, prepaid phone cards, gift cards, savings passes, purchases made on third-party websites, taxes, and shipping fees do not count toward earning rewards. Rewards are not redeemable for cash. Staples is not liable for unclaimed or expired Rewards. Purchase eligible for Rewards is the amount paid at checkout after application of all promotions, coupons and rewards redemptions. To the extent that Product specific coupons were applied pro rata in a transaction in the past for the purposes of calculating Qualifying Purchase Amount(s) for Rewards, this means such coupons were proportionately allocated across all items purchased in a given transaction. Purchases made pursuant to a contract with Staples Contract & Commercial, Inc., are not eligible for the Staples Rewards Program. The sale, barter or transfer of Rewards, except by Staples, is expressly prohibited. Abuse of the Staples Rewards program, including violation of program policies, or other improper conduct as determined by Staples, may result in legal action, cancellation of member's account, exclusion from the program, forfeiture of all rewards accrued, and liability for past rewards redeemed. Staples reserves the right to change the rewards program at any time without notice. Staples Rewards membership is FREE. Full Staples Rewards program details apply, for more information visit staples.com/rewards.
**Classroom Rewards ($5 Gift Reward for teachers enrolling in the program by 9/15):
Offer valid 5/19/19 – 9/15/19 by enrolling in the Classroom Rewards program by September 15, 2019, a $5 gift reward will be added to qualifying teacher “Classroom Rewards” account and be paid out with October 2019 Rewards statements. Rewards may be redeemed at any Staples® store or on staples.com by the expiration date printed on your reward. Rewards are not redeemable for cash. Staples is not liable for unclaimed or expired Rewards. Promotional Rewards may not be applied to taxes, credit remittance, shipping charges, gift cards, prepaid phone cards, postage stamps, excludes select ink and toner, prior purchases, Staples Industrial(sm) purchases, purchases made on staplesmobile.com, or purchases on third-party Web sites. Purchase eligible for Rewards is the amount paid at checkout after application of all promotions, coupons and rewards redemptions. To the extent that Product specific coupons were applied pro rata in a transaction in the past for the purposes of calculating Qualifying Purchase Amount(s) for Rewards, this means such coupons were proportionately allocated across all items purchased in a given transaction. Purchases made pursuant to a contract with Staples Contract & Commercial, Inc., are not eligible for the Staples Rewards Program. The sale, barter or transfer of Rewards, except by Staples, is expressly prohibited. Abuse of the Staples Rewards program, including violation of program policies, or other improper conduct as determined by Staples, may result in legal action, cancellation of member's account, exclusion from the program, forfeiture of all rewards accrued, and liability for past rewards redeemed. Staples reserves the right to change the rewards program at any time without notice. Full Staples Rewards program details apply, for more information visit staples.com/rewards.
#ThankaTeacher Sweepstakes
† Awarded in the form of Staples gift cards. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of the 50 U.S./D.C., 13 and older who possess a web-enabled mobile device as of 7/6/19. Void where prohibited. Begins 12:01AM ET on 7/7/19; ends at 11:59PM ET on 9/14/19. Sweepstakes is sponsored by Staples the Office Superstore, LLC. Visit staples.com/thankateacher for additional details.
i Survey methodology: Commissioned by Staples and conducted by OnePoll, 2,000 Americans, aged 18-65 were surveyed about their favorite teacher at school and the impact they had on their later life overall.
