MANHATTAN, Kansas – Staples, the world’s largest office products company and retail destination for back to school, is making it easy for teachers to have the tools they need to do their job by hosting a Teacher Appreciation Day at store locations across the country. According to the National Education Association’s (NEA) research department, ninety-two percent of public school teachers spend, on average, $475 on classroom materials for their students.

“Every year, teachers selflessly continue to reach into their own pockets to pay for supplies to keep their classrooms stocked throughout the school year,” said Demos Parneros, president of U.S. Stores for Staples, Inc. “As part of our continued dedication to teachers, Teacher Appreciation Day is our way of thanking them for the work they do each day and to make it easy for them to get the supplies they need to do their job.”

The first 100 teachers visiting Staples stores on Teacher Appreciation Day, Sat., August 14 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., will receive an Avery Binder filled with paper, a pencil pouch and supplies. Teachers will also have the opportunity to preview new products and services at Staples, such as Welcome Bulletin Board Sets, Storage Pocket Charts and Crayola® Washable Dry-Erase Crayons. New this year, Staples is offering teachers a special Copy & Print promotion throughout the back-to-school season of 5 cent black and white copies of classroom materials.

Teacher Appreciation Day will be held on Sat., August 14 at the Manhattan Staples store located at 632 Tuttle Creek Blvd.

Staples Rewards Teacher, redesigned in 2010 and part of Staples Rewards® program, is one of many ways Staples helps teachers who spend their own money on school supplies. By enrolling, teachers earn 10 percent back in Rewards on teaching and art supplies. This exclusive offer includes classroom decor, educational games & puzzles, teaching aids, teaching and education books, dictionaries, book covers, locker accessories, stickers, colored pencils, crayons, children's markers, arts & craft supplies, scrapbook supplies, drafting tools, poster, display and foam board, easel pads, maps, academic calendars, student organizers, and teacher planners. Staples keeps a full supply of teacher supplies all year long.

Staples Rewards Teacher members also get 10 percent back in rewards on ink and toner, case and ream paper, Copy & Print purchases and free delivery on all orders of $50 or more on staples.com Teachers can also recycle ink and toner cartridges at any Staples store and receive $2 back in Rewards for each cartridge (limit 10 cartridges per month). Teachers may enroll in the program at any Staples store or online at www.staplesrewards.com.

As part of Staples’ continued dedication not only to teachers but classrooms nationwide, Staples is also proud to support Box Tops for Education®, a nationwide fundraising project run by General Mills. This program is dedicated to helping America’s schools get the supplies they need- from books and school supplies to playground equipment and computers. A wide selection of Avery products at Staples have Box Tops coupons, including Durable and Heavy-Duty binders, indexes and ink jet and laser labels all available at Staples.

In addition to Staples Rewards Teacher, Staples supports the education community through Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc., which has contributed nearly $17 million to national and local charities that provide educational opportunities for all people, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged youth. For more information, visit www.staplesfoundation.org.

Log on to www.staples.com/teacherday for more information on Teacher Appreciation Day.