There’s nothing like the excitement of getting ready and prepping for the first days of school. Even as a kid, I loved it. New clothes and shoes. New backpack and lunch tote. New notebooks and binders and pencils and pens. My mom used to always joke with me that it would take me an hour to go shopping for school essentials because I loved picking out the “perfect” items in the “perfect” colors (always pink and purple!). It was always so much fun to me… and even though I’m now a mom of 5, that anticipation of the first days of the new school year and prepping for it has not lost its wonder on me! The only difference now is that I get to prep my own 5 kids for back to school!

I’m thrilled and honored to be working with Staples this back to school season. Staples is a destination I visit in-store and online very frequently as an entrepreneur, and I love having them as a go-to destination for my back to school needs (the school supply lists are long!), too.

As much as Staples helps families like mine prep for back to school time, they also do something extra-extra special for teachers and students, too. Staples is a longtime supporter of education, and they continue to be an invaluable resource for schools, teachers, students and parents. This is particularly special to me because I’m the daughter of 2 retired teachers, so I know firsthand how much my own parents put into their classrooms out of their own pockets. They did this out of pure love and passion for their students and school that they taught at together.

Well… (ready for this) this year Staples has partnered with Lady Gaga to support education and create a positive classroom experience through the Staples for Students program. I love this because it shows how Staples and Lady Gaga understand the importance of supporting teachers and students and the true impact this will have on so many lives.

This partnership is so perfect because it showcases the correlation between kindness and overall well-being among students, making kindness education a necessity. The incredible part is that Staples donated $1 million apiece to DonorsChoose.org and Born This Way Foundation to support classrooms nationwide and to promote positive classroom experiences. The donations will positively impact teachers and students, giving them the resources they need for successful learning in classrooms nationwide.

The mission behind DonorsChoose.org is beautifully simple… “We make it easy for anyone to help a classroom in need, moving us closer to a nation where students in every community have the tools and experiences they need for a great education.”

Every student deserves a chance.

Every student deserves the best tools and resources.

Every student deserves to be the best version they can be of themselves while in school.

How do they do this?

Easy.

I love that DonorsChoose.org helps make this a reality for classrooms nationwide.
And then there’s the extraordinary Born This Way Foundation, which I personally love to the core. The mission is a wonderful one; they are “committed to supporting the wellness of young people and empowering them to create a kinder and braver world. To achieve these goals, Born This Way Foundation leverages rigorous academic research and authentic partnerships in order to provide young people with kinder communities, improved mental health resources, and more positive environments – online and offline.” With 5 young kids, I cannot think of something more important and necessary is this world than empowering and inspiring our youth to be kinder and braver.

As you’re prepping your family for back to school this year, make sure you include Staples as a go-to destination for all school supplies. They also are giving away a $50K SCHOLARSHIP and a trip for two to Las Vegas to see Lady Gaga in concert -you don’t want to miss out on entering! Staples for Students supports education and this is another incredible way they are doing it!

How can you enter?

Go to StaplesForStudents.com now through September 16th and enter the 16-digit code on your Staples receipt (be sure to make a purchase of at least $25) for a chance to win the Sweepstakes.

Disclosure: Sponsored posting with Staples.