Free supplies for teachers

Faced with ever-tightening budgets, it’s no surprise that today’s teachers are reaching even deeper into their own pockets to pay for classroom supplies. Pencils. Markers. Art supplies. The wish list is endless.

Indeed, with more than 64,000 public-school students in Seminole County, local teachers are constantly scrambling for new ways to obtain much-needed supplies.

Building upon its longstanding commitment to education, the company best known for the yellow No. 2 pencil recently launched a new program that provides free writing and art supplies to schools in Seminole County and nationwide. Dixon Ticonderoga Co., with headquarters based in Heathrow, has created its Prang Power program to empower the community toward supporting local teachers.

Prang Power works like this: sign up for the program, turn in UPC labels from Dixon-family products and designate any school of your choice – and that school will receive credit toward free supplies. There is no cost to participate.

Dixon Ticonderoga is also working with teachers and school administrators toward contributing to the Kids In Need Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides needy children with free school supplies. The company will donate $1 for each administrator or teacher who enrolls in Prang Power through June 1, up to a total of $150,000. Simply sign up at PrangPower.com and use the promotional code KINF to ensure the registration counts toward a donation.

Prang Power is people power

The Prang Power program is open to all public and private educational institutions and school service organizations. Teachers, administrators, parents – anyone can become part of Prang Power to support their local school.

The more people who enroll and participate, the more Seminole County will benefit.

Here’s how the program works:

1. Clip and collect UPC labels from eligible products, including Ticonderoga, Prang, Dixon, Oriole and Lyra brands. Each UPC label is worth one point per dollar, based on the item’s manufacturer’s suggested retail price.

2. The Prang Power coordinator for your school can then mail the collected UPC labels to be credited to the school’s Prang Power account.

3. Free supplies can be ordered once an account reaches 300 points.

How can teachers and schools earn points quickly? Here are some tips to build up Prang Power points and start getting free school supplies fast.

· Ask school administration to buy Dixon-family products for your school, then submit UPC labels from those products for free supplies.

· Add Dixon-family products to classroom supply lists. Make sure parents clip and hold onto the UPC labels when discarding packaging.

· Start contests in and even between classrooms or school clubs to encourage students to collect the Ticonderoga, Prang, Dixon, Oriole and Lyra product UPC labels.

· Become a fan of Dixon Ticonderoga on Facebook and Twitter for opportunities to earn bonus points.

Lisa M. Mack is the retail channel administrator for Dixon Ticonderoga Co. For more information, visit DixonUSA.com.