Of course, back-to-school shopping will be difficult for some families during this tough economy. Staples is teaming up with "Do Something 101" to host a school supply drive.
You can drop off donations in "Do Something 101" collection bins in any Staples store from now through September 18. The supplies will go to disadvantaged kids in local Boys and Girls Clubs.
For more information, log onto www.DoSomething101.org.
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Up the Cool Factor in School Supplies
Top Picks for Teen Trendsetters Deliver Value, Variety and Style for Back-to-School
Fun and Functional:
Add some 'bling' - Take flashy notes with the new hand-crafted Glam Rocks Staplers ($4.99) and Glam Rocks Pens ($4.99). Or, add and multiply some sparkle to math class with the Glam Rocks Calculators ($4.99).
Be fashion forward – Students can let their personality show with Staples Brand fashion products ($1.99-$4.99), including binders, portfolios, notebooks and comp books, fashion dividers and more in all-new designs for 2010.
The write stuff - Unlike dry-erase markers, Crayola Washable Dry-Erase Crayons are completely odorless and washable from skin, walls and other surfaces. To top it off, they have no caps to lose and won't dry out! Available in eight bold, vibrant colors including red, orange, purple, yellow, green, blue, brown and black. The set comes with an E-Z Erase mitt and a built-in dry-erase crayon sharpener.
Just zip it - How is it possible to make a pencil case out of a really long zipper? Just pull it and watch it zip into shape with the Zip It-Unzip Your Mind pencil pouch ($5.99), perfect for teen trendsetters.
Organize it with style - No more digging for folders in the dark, the new LockerMate Magnetic LED Locker Light includes three different illuminating modes to help students find the assignments and the supplies they need to succeed in class. Also, avoid spilling drinks on important papers with the new LockerMate Magnetic Bottle Holder.
Tech Savvy:
Back-to-school bags - No matter which bag students choose, keeping tech gear safe is extremely important. The Microsoft Contender Backpack ($99.99) has a compartment for a laptop, another for large books, one for small supplies and other small compartments for additional accessories. Prefer an over-the-shoulder bag? The stylish High Sierra Beatrice Tote Bag ($59.99) fits a notebook computer, open cell phone pocket, side water bottle pocket and multi-pocket organizer for pens, pencils, pocket change and even keys. Or, try the hip and stylish Built NY Laptop Sleeve ($34.99) which fits up to a 17 inch laptop or notebook.
Get a little flashy - Designed to keep the cap in place, the Omnitech 2GB Swivel Flash Drive ($12.99) is available in black and white, multi-colored dots and peace signs patterns.
"Flex" math muscles - Solving math problems is easy with the new Staples Flexible Calculator ($3.99) that is bendable and unique with translucent and tie-dyed designs. Or, make achieving math "goals" fun with the Staples Soccer Buddy Calculator ($3.99).
Students love music - Listen to favorite tunes in between classes or on campus hands-free with the Omnitech 2GB Clip-On MP3 ($29.99). Want to hear music during study breaks? The Omnitech Portable Speaker ($9.99) is a mini pod that works as a subwoofer providing unbelievable sound quality.
Stay connected - Students can save everything from papers to photos to videos with the HP DV6-3010 notebook equipped with a spacious hard drive.
Socially Conscious:
Go Green - Made from environmentally friendly and recycled content, the Westcott Kleen Earth product assortment ($1.29-$12.99) includes scissors, rulers, erasers, a pencil sharpener, and more in colorful patterns
Inspire teens - Help students keep organized and learn about important issues impacting their communities with Do.Something.org-inspired products ($0.99-$11.99). The collection includes planners, notebooks, comp books, pocket portfolios and a 3-ring pencil pouch. In addition to the cool external designs, these products include background on social issues and tips on how students can make a difference.
Staples top "green" products for the 2010 back-to-school season include:
Crayola 24-Count Crayons: NEW - Crayons made by the sun! Now coloring fun is also eco-friendly with these double-wrapped crayons in assorted colors made from solar power. For children, 4+.
Crayola Assorted Markers: NEW - Markers made with recycled plastic! Now add brilliant color to artwork while keeping hundreds of tons of plastic out of landfills with these environmentally-friendly markers. Black marker barrels use more recycled plastic, giving second life to one million pounds of plastic bottle caps. Available in 10-count and 8-count varieties. For children, 4+.
Crayola Colored Pencils: NEW - Color guilt-free knowing these pencils are made from reforested wood! Available in brilliant colors, these pre-sharpened pencils are perfect for all your coloring needs. Available in 12-count, 24-count, 36-count and 50 count. For children, 8+.
Westcott KleenEarth Kids Microban Scissors: Perfect for small hands wishing to make a big change in the environment! Handles are made from 70 percent recycled plastic and 30 percent post consumer content containing Microban protection in the handles. Available in pink, orange, blue and green.
Westcott KleenEarth Kids Recycled Ruler: For students who want to "measure" how environmentally friendly they can be, this ruler is made from 70 percent post consumer waste. Available in orange, blue and green. ($1.99)
Westcott KleenEarth Kids Erasers: Have confidence sharing your eraser knowing it has Microban protection. These latex-free and smudge-free erasers are also made with recycled materials. ($1.29)
Westcott KleenEarth iPoint Curve Pencil Sharpener: Bring a sense of style to your ordinary pencil sharpener! This battery-operated sharpener allows you to see when the shavings reservoir is full. Requires four AA batteries. Available in orange, blue and green. ($12.99)
Westcott KleenEarth Kids Double-Hole Sharpener: Sharpen both your pencils and crayons with this school tool available in assorted colors. ($1.79)
Westcott KleenEarth Kids Microban Compass: Drawing circles is even easier with this simple grip compass featuring a retractable point for safety. Contains Microban antibacterial protection. Available in pink, orange, blue and green. ($1.99)
Westcott KleenEarth Kids Microban Protractor: Measure angles green and germ-free with this protractor made with recycled material and antibacterial protection. Available in assorted colors. ($1.99)
NEW Book Sox Jumbo Cotton Stretchable Fabric Solid Book Cover: Gone are the days of using brown paper bags to cover books. Now be eco-friendly and cover books in style with cotton Book Sox available in assorted colors including red, blue, green, grey, purple and pink. Use to cover books larger than 10" X 8" in size. ($4.99)
Bic ReAction Ecolutions: Set an eco-friendly example in the classroom with these pens made from 74 percent pre-consumer recycled plastic. Available in black, blue and red inks at Staples retail stores in Spring 2010. ($4.99/3 pack)
Dixon Ticonderoga RENEW Recycled Tire Pencil: Made from some of the billions of scrapped tires in stockpiles today, the RENEW Recycled Tire Pencil's casing is made from 30% recycled tires. With the ability to be sharpened as easily as a standard #2 pencil, the RENEW Recycled Tire Pencil also contains degradable latex-free erasers. ($2.99 in- store and $3.99 online)
Staples Eco-Friendly 1-Subject Notebook, Composition Book, Writing Pad and Sticky Notes: Exclusive to Staples! Be cool with eco-friendly notebooks, comp books, writing pads made from 80 percent Bagasse – a sugarcane-based paper.
ECOTEC Notebooks and Comp Books: Go green with back-to-school basics made from 100 percent recycled paper with 40 percent post-consumer waste. Front cover and back of notebook and comp books are also recycled. Available in green, blue, gray and red. (1-subject compbook/$2.49, 1-subject 9x6 notebook/$2.49, 1-subject 11 x 8.5 notebook/$2.99)
