Happy Teacher Face? Copy That!

 

You know you work in public education, when the gift of school supplies makes you smile.  

In an ideal world (or maybe somewhere other than the USA), this blog post wouldn't be necessary.   Teachers would have the school supplies they need.  Parents wouldn't be asked to supply the basics.

Unfortunately, this is no longer how things are.

Today, I'm going to share with you how to bring a smile to the face of your child's teacher without breaking the bank.

Copy paper.

SAY WHAT?!?!  Yes.  You heard me.  Copy paper.

I speak from experience:   I've worked in a public school setting on and off for 20+ years.  Twenty years ago, I didn't worry about "having enough copy paper for the entire school year".   Heck, I don't think I worried about it 10 years ago.

For at least the last 3-4 years, it's been a worry for me.  This year, it's an even bigger worry as our school's budget has been cut.... again.  Knowing I will have tons of IEP meetings in May and June -- and that every parents wants to leave the meeting with a copy of their child's IEP in hand, well, that means I need copy paper.  Uncle Sam demands I have copy paper -- how else can I guarantee that these parents have a copy of their child's IEP?   That is their legal right.

I digress.... forgive me.

Let's return to buying copy paper without breaking the bank.  This week's (August 23- August 29, 2015) Staples ad shows one ream of copy paper (after their rebate) for $3.  What they don't advertise in their ad is the printable coupon they offer to make that ream of copy paper = 0.01.   YES!  I said, "ONE PENNY!"  It takes a bit of work, but isn't your child's teacher worth it?



 The steps are simple:
1) Go to the Staples coupon page.  Scroll down (not too far) and you should see a coupon for 0.01 Staples copy paper.  Click the box that says "select to print" and then scroll back up to print.  
2) Now here's one of the most important steps:  TAKE THE COUPON WITH YOU TO THE STORE.   
3) Drive to your nearest Staples.  
4) Pick up a ream of Staples MultiPurpose Paper.  It has blue packaging.  You can submit up to 4 rebates per household, but it is only one coupon per customer.
5) Go to check out.   Now, you will pay $4.80 for the ream.  Remember, you will receive $4.79 back in the mail after you submit the rebate.
6) After you pay, make sure you leave with TONS of receipt paper.   Your rebate information and form will print with your receipt.
7) Drive home.  Park the car.  Go straight to your computer.  Do not stop for idle chitchat.  Your goal is to reach your computer.
8) Go to https://rebate.staples.com/staples/home.action and follow the steps to redeem your rebate.  Yes, you can redeem it online!  No need to mail anything.
9) Wait patiently (or do what I do -- completely forget about the rebate) until the check arrives in the mail.

I promise you:  THE CHECK WILL ARRIVE!  I have been doing Staples' Easy Rebates for at least 10 years.... probably closer to 15.   The check ALWAYS arrives.  It takes 6-8 weeks, but it will arrive.

Now, if for some (lucky) reason, your child's teacher says, "No thanks, I have enough paper", don't despair!   You can still bring a smile to someone's face.  Go offer that ream to your school's Speech Therapist or Guidance Counselor or art teacher or librarian.  I promise they will smile because someone thought of them.

I know I would.