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3M Dream Big Sweepstakes: $25K for Winning School

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3M Dream Big Sweepstakes

Photograph Credit: 3M Dream Big Sweepstakes

Calling All Educators –

Parents, Grandparents, Teachers, and School Board Members:

Schools of all levels, types, and sizes need your winning entry to receive the one $25,000 cash reward from the 3M Dream Big Sweepstakes.

Before you dismiss the idea with, “Well, I never win anything,” give yourself a chance. You may or may not win, but don’t quit before you try. Most of us cannot write a check for $25K, but we can enter a free sweepstakes.

3M Dream Big Prize Package

When your brilliant entry wins, your school will win the following 3M Dream Big Sweepstakes $50,000 prize package:

    • $25,000 in cash
    • $20,000 in 3M products
    • A presentation by the 3M Visiting Wizards – worth $5,000

I don’t know of a school that wouldn’t love to get this prize package. To help your school with their next project, you must enter the 3M Dream Big Sweepstakes.

School Requirements

In using time wisely, let’s make sure your school qualifies for the prize package. Per the sweepstakes’ rules:

The school selected by entrant must be an operating public school of grades K-12 in the United States, (excluding Puerto Rico), as defined by the Department of Education and not-for-profit private and charter schools grades K thru 12 who are run by or supported by legal residents of the United States or a U.S. corporation. Sponsor reserves the right to make any final decisions regarding the school’s eligibility for the prize. All private schools must be non-profit and exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3) to be eligible. Private schools that are for profit are not eligible for the prize. Submission of a 501(c)(3) letter of tax exemption may be required to verify eligibility.

If you are unsure of your school’s eligibility, contact your school’s finance office for clarification.

How to Enter

You need to write a short essay, no more than 500 words. Don’t panic. Most of the posts you read here on Using Time Wisely are more than 500 words, so we are not talking about a research paper. 😉 Remember, you want your school to win $25,000. Keep your eye on the prize.

To enter, visit www.3MDreamBig.com and tell us in 500 words or less how innovative your school is and what is your big dream for your school. Complete the online entry form and click on the Submit Your Essay link button. Essays must be submitted in English. Only one school can be submitted per entry. Prize cannot be divided between multiple schools. LIMIT ONE ENTRY PER PERSON/EMAIL ADDRESS. Duplicate essay entries will be disqualified. Entries must be received by 11:59:59 p.m. EDT on 10/31/2012.

Tracy’s Writing Tips

I recommend writing your essay in a word processing program, like Microsoft WORD. Upon completion, run the spelling and grammar check and verify your word count. When the essay is complete, copy the words of your essay and paste them into the online entry form and submit. The judges will choose a winner around November 30, 2012.

Judging Criteria

You want to win don’t you? Well, the fine print shares the grading scale. 🙂

Winner selection: A qualified panel of judges will select one winner. Entries will be judged 30% on Innovative Ideas, 40% on Significance of Need, and 30% on Creativity. Each portion of judging will be given a score of 1 to 5. In the event of a tie, tie breaker will be based on the highest score in the first judging criteria, continuing thereafter to each judging criteria in order as need to break the tie. For WI residents only, in the event of a tie, duplicate prizes will be awarded.

With a Halloween deadline, October 31, 2012, submit your winning essay to the 3M Dream Big Sweepstakes. Use storytelling or personal experiences to draw the judges into your big dream for your school. Give them what they want, so they can’t help but give your school that $25,000 reward. Happy composing while thinking how your school could stretch $25K!

Question: How are you helping your school dream big?

Back-to-School: Teacher Gifts

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Back-to-school Teacher Gifts After receiving a postcard in the mail this afternoon from her teacher, my daughter is getting excited about school. Finally! 😉

With the last few school supplies still needing purchased, I am gearing up for our start next week. One item crossed off my list is Back-to-School Teacher Gifts.

Last week in the Back-to-School free printables post, I promised a show and tell of our teacher gifts. With almost all of these gifts found in the $1 section of Target, I scored two gifts under $25.

In stretching our dollars, I loved the price and the Lorax and Cat in the Hat themes since both my children have Dr. Seuss books on their reading list.

With my son entering 2nd grade and my daughter starting K5, I chose the following items for their teacher gifts:

Dr. Seuss' the Lorax teacher gifts

Dr. Seuss theme for 2nd Grade Teacher Gift

2nd Grade Teacher Gifts – $8

    1. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax project magnetic notepad
    2. Box of fruit snacks – free after coupon from Bi-Lo survey
    3. Dr. Seuss container
    4. Washable sidewalk chalk
    5. Red ink pad
    6. Blue ink pad
    7. 4-Count rubber stamps: Wow!, Great job!, super star!, and 100%
    8. 1 Rubber stamp: Awesome!
    9. Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax bag
The Cat in the Hat theme for K5

The Cat in the Hat theme for K5 Teacher Gift

K5 Teacher Gifts – $12

    1. 2 Packages of Dr. Seuss certificates
    2. 2 Packages of The Cat in the Hat certificates
    3. 3 Packages double-sided word strips for writing practice
    4. 3 Packages dry-erase markers
    5. Box of fruit snacks – free after coupon from Bi-Lo survey
    6. Dr. Seuss Flash Cards: numbers 1-20
    7. The Cat in the Hat bag

As we continue preparing for a great school year, these teacher gifts show our appreciation while stretching our dollars. My children are looking forward to delivering these goodies to their new teachers.

If school is already in progress, consider a survival kit for the 2nd week of school or the 2nd month of school. My son’s kindergarten teacher loved banana bread, so I would surprise her periodically with a fresh loaf.

Remembering your children’s teachers throughout the year with little appreciative notes or gifts brightens their day. Encouraging your teachers is a great use of your time. Happy new school year!

Question: When did or does school start in your area?

Back-to-School Free Printables

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Back to school free printables

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

After squeaking out the last few days of summer with shopping trips for those items that just didn’t go on sale and one more trip to the water park, I will return to this post to print these items for our school activities.

Though our school year begins at the end of August, I know many have or are returning to school this week. To send you off prepared, enjoy stretching your dollars with these free school-related printables from around the blogosphere:

First Day Picture Signs

Telisa from Sugar Tots Designs created grade signs for your child to hold during your first day photo shoot.  Find your desired sign at I Heart Nap Time and download it. Then attach to a paint stick or pencil for your child to hold while picture posing.

Lunch Box Notes

I am one-of-those sappy moms who writes a note each day, dates it, and keeps it when it comes back home. Realizing that these notes probably mean more to me than to my son, I file them away with that year’s documents.

These notes may one day get tossed, but I continue to write. With my daughter beginning school this year, the notes will mean more to her, and I know she will keep them. 🙂

Though a plain sheet paper, folded and torn, works fine, I really like these cute printables for a nice change:

1. The Happy Home Fairy posted this Free Printable Lunch Box Notes Round-Up with lots of options.

2. For a more whimsical note, Build-A-Bear Workshop offers these free lunch box notes on their Facebook Page.

3. With these free lunch box notes by Paper Coterie, I love the Top 10 Reasons I love you. 😉

NOTE: If you get a TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE message through the Paper Coterie link, then click on the green DOWNLOAD button in the right hand corner of the Media Fire page. Then the printables should load.

Notes for School

When you need to inform the school of a late arrival, early pickup, absent notice, or any other information, Anything But Perfect created these free school notes. I love the clean, organized look to these school notes.

Money Notes for School

For the picture orders, book clubs, pizza orders, and field trip payments, these money notes designed by Anything But Perfect provide a quick and easy way to communicate with the teacher regarding your financial designation.

Teacher’s Survival Kit

Last year, I created this cute Teacher’s Survival Kit for my son’s teacher. Allowing him to help gather the items and put the package together geared up my son for a new school year.

This year, I put together items purchased from Target’s Dollar section that would benefit our two teachers. Next week, I will share with pictures our teacher kits. If you would like more inspiration, check out these posts from Teaching Heart and Kim’s Korner 4 Teacher Talk.

In using time wisely to finish this summer without regrets and to plan for the next chapter this fall, use these free printables to get you on track while stretching your dollars. With adjustments to the change of pace and routine, these printables offer simple solutions for back-to-school while saving you money, energy, and time. Happy saving!

Question: Which printable is your favorite?

JCP: Kids’ Eyeglasses for $25 through August 31, 2012

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$25 eyeglass for kids through August 31, 2012

Photograph Credit: JCP

With the announcement this week by J. C. Penney’s CEO Ron Johnson, J. C. Penney stores will offer “many innovations in the coming months.”

I’m not sure what JCP leadership has in mind, but they have already begun great deals. In addition to the free kids’ haircuts, participating JCP locations also provide kids’ eyeglasses for $25 through August 31, 2012.

This offer is valid for children ages 16 and younger and cannot be combined with other offers, package pricing, prior orders, or vision insurance.

Though JCP offers eye exams, this offer does not require an exam at J. C. Penney’s optical. However, you will need a current prescription (written within one year) to purchase your child’s $25 eyeglasses.

As you prepare your children for a new school year, these new changes at JCP come with deep savings. Continue stretching your dollars while using time wisely. Spend wisely!

Question: How are you stretching your dollars during back-to-school season? 

CVS: Free Health Screening and $5 Store Coupon

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CVS free health screening

Photograph Credit: CVS

During August, select CVS locations will offer a free health screening for immunization awareness month. In helping to raise awareness, you will receive a $5 CVS coupon after completing your free health screening.

To get the free screening and coupon, you must present your Extra Care card at your visit. The coupon is limited to 1 per customer and cannot be used with other CVS coupons. You can use your $5 CVS coupon with manufacturer coupons to lower your out-of-pocket expenses.

Participating CVS locations

CVS free health screening

Photograph Credit: CVS

Health Screening Details

CVS free health screening and $5 coupon

Photograph Credit: CVS

If you have further questions, call 1-855-287-7867 for more about the free health screening events.

In stretching your dollars, consider stopping by a participating CVS location for a free health screening and snag a free $5 coupon while using time wisely. This event runs through August and expires on September 1, 2012. Happy savings!

Question: Would you use this service or schedule an appointment with your own doctor?