One week to go before 10 Canadian schools can say "that was easy" about
winning $25,000 computer lab
TORONTO, Feb. 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Canadian schools have another week to
highlight their commitment to the environment and earn a chance to win
the technology tools to help students succeed.
Staples Canada's Recycle for Education Computer Lab contest, held this
year in collaboration with Earth DayCanada, is into its final week of submissions. The contest closes on Friday,
Feb. 22 at midnight ET. For every school that enters, Staples is
donating $25 to Earth DayCanada.
"Hundreds of schools across the country have demonstrated their
commitment to the environment and we want to keep the momentum going,
both for the benefit of students and our planet," said Steve Matyas,
president of Staples Canada.
To enter, one student from every publicly funded Canadian elementary or
secondary school can submit a principal-approved short paper (one page)
on how his or her school has become environmentally responsible.
Students can submit entries at Staples.ca/RecycleForEducation, or on the Staples Canada Facebook page.
"We work closely with teachers across the country to help develop
programs designed to teach students about the importance of
sustainability," said Jed Goldberg, president of Earth DayCanada. "The
Recycle for Education contest offers schools a terrific incentive to
use technology to research and implement new strategies for
environmental initiatives."
Schools from every region in Canada will win, in accordance with the
following breakdown:
-
British Columbia and Yukon: 2 labs
-
Alberta, Northwest Territories and Nunavut: 2 labs
-
Saskatchewan and Manitoba: 1 lab
-
Ontario: 2 labs
-
Quebec: 2 labs
-
PEI, Newfoundland & Labrador, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia: 1 lab
The principal of one of last year's winners, Langstaff Secondary School
in Richmond Hill, ON, said the recognition has given a huge boost to
the entire school community.
"The benefits of winning the Recycle for Education grant from Staples
were numerous. Firstly, the award recognized the efforts of the
students and staff on various environmental projects. It also enabled
the school to convert an outdated computer lab into a state-of-the-art
Digital Media Lab complete with new computers, a mounted LCD projector
and a document camera. As a result, the visual arts and technology
students are able to extend their learning beyond what was possible
before winning the grant. The students, staff and parents deeply
appreciate the support provided by Staples."
The papers will be judged by seven industry experts and the winning
schools will be announced in early April.
For more information on Staples' environmental programs, or how schools
can get a free ink cartridge bin, please visit Staples.ca/environment.
About Staples Canada
Staples, Canada's largest office products company is committed to
providing Canadians with a wide choice of office services and products.
Serving all types of business - from the small home office to large
enterprise - Staples makes it easy for customers to operate their
offices efficiently and affordably by offering an extensive selection
of office supplies, technology, electronics and office furniture as
well as business services, including computer repair and maintenance,
and copy and print services. Operating as Bureau en GrosMC in the
province of Quebec and Staples Canada in all other provinces, the
company employs over 15,000 associates at 330+ stores and at their head
office in Richmond Hill, Ontario. Ranked as one of Canada's top ten
Canadian companies in Marketing Magazine's Marketing/Leger 2011
Corporate Reputation Survey, Staples/Bureau en Gros is dedicated to
offering customers the highest level of service, whether they choose to
shop in-store, by catalogue or online. Staples Canada/Bureau en Gros
also is invested in a number of corporate giving programs that actively
support environmental, educational and entrepreneurial initiatives in
Canadian communities from coast to coast. Visit www.staples.ca for more information, or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.
About Earth DayCanada
Earth DayCanada (EDC), a national environmental charity founded in
1990, provides Canadians with the practical knowledge and tools they
need to lessen their impact on the environment. In 2004 it was
recognized as the top environmental education organization in North
America, for its innovative year-round programs and educational
resources, by the Washington-based North American Association for
Environmental Education, the world's largest association of
environmental educators. In 2008 it was chosen as Canada's "Outstanding
Non-profit Organization" by the Canadian Network for Environmental
Education and Communication. EDC regularly partners with thousands of
organizations in all parts of Canada. To donate to Earth DayCanada,
please visit www.earthday.ca/donate.
Image with caption: "Students at Joseph Giles Elementary School in Dartmouth, N.S., use the tablets they won in the Staples' 2011-2012 Recycle for Education Computer Lab Contest (CNW Group/Staples Canada Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130215_C6078_PHOTO_EN_23807.jpg
SOURCE: Staples Canada Inc.
