Class is in Session at Columbus Circle!

School Family Media skipped to the head of the class for one day only in Columbus Circle, unveiling an oversized classroom vignette highlighting the millions our nation’s teachers spend out of their own pockets on classroom supplies, bringing awareness to the launch of TeacherWishList.com.

Class was in session in NYC: A larger-than-life classroom display brought teacher spending and school supply needs to life in Columbus Circle for the launch of TeacherWishList.com presented by School Family Media and Bounty. Photo: WireImage/Neilson Barnard

Complete with a larger-than-life chalkboard and cubbies representing the nearly $500 teachers spend on classroom supplies, the installation brings teachers’ financial burdens to life. In order to address this out-of-pocket spending, School Family Media with support from Procter & Gamble’s Bounty brand have launched TeacherWishList.com, a site that houses wish lists of essential supplies that teachers are lacking in their schools, and in turn, allows parents to help make a difference by fulfilling unmet needs.

The site launch comes in part as a result of a Bounty study conducted earlier this year in which a whopping 71% percent of teachers confirmed they spend an average of $462 out of their own pockets for school supplies which adds up to millions spent every year.

"The fact that 89% of teachers send out a supply list at some point during the year, but are still spending nearly $500 out of their own pockets led us to create a tool to simplify the process and make it easier for parents to contribute to their kids’ classrooms,” said Tim Sullivan, School Family Media president. "We are proud to partner with Bounty to launch TeacherWishList.com which we expect will have a positive impact on teachers, students and their schools.”

Following the reveal, Sullivan encouraged teachers to register with the site and create supply wish lists using iPads stationed around the installation as America’s children prepare to head back to school.

"This site will really make a difference with my faculty and staff,” said Susan Green, Principal, Alain L. Locke Elementary School. "Not only will it provide much needed supplies, but more importantly, it will allow our teachers to focus on what’s really important: educating and fostering our children.”

Starting today through September 27^th, teachers who register their school wish lists on TeacherWishList.com are entered for a chance to win a $462 grant from Bounty to fulfill items on their wish lists. Additionally, schools with five or more registered teachers are entered for a chance to win a grand prize $25,000 art classroom makeover from celebrity designers Robert and Cortney Novogratz from HGTV’s Home by Novogratz. And when parents print out their teacher’s wish lists they’ll have the opportunity to receive a $1-off coupon good on any Bounty product.

"With budget cuts sweeping through schools nationwide, the financial burden of providing necessary school supplies falls on teachers’ shoulders,” said Laura Lewis external relations manager, Bounty. "We’re delighted to help educators be boundless in their classrooms.”

Bounty’s support of TeacherWishList.com is the latest effort in the brand’s ongoing commitment to its Make a Clean Difference campaign that helps to provide clean and fun learning environments for children in a variety of ways throughout the school year.

For more information, visit TeacherWishList.com.

In addition to the Bounty brand’s commitment to education, P&G has teamed up with Communities In Schools to launch GIVE Education, a campaign to increase awareness of the student dropout crisis and help keep more than one million kids in school. For each July 31 P&G brandSAVER coupon redeemed, P&G will donate two cents to Communities In Schools to provide much-needed resources to students. To learn more, visit www.facebook.com/pgmygive.

About School Family Media

School Family Media is an organization focused on inspiring and facilitating parent involvement in schools and education through content, programs and tools that make the connection for both parents and teachers. The marketing and media services company empowers parents to connect effectively with their children's education and school community and provides school PTOs and PTAs with the tools, resources and know-how they need to welcome, engage and serve all the parents at their school. Please visit http://www.schoolfamilymedia.com/.

About Bounty

Bounty has been America’s most popular paper towel for more than 30 years. In the U.S., P&G offers the following premium two-ply paper towel products: Bounty Select-a-Size; Bounty White; Bounty Extra Soft; and Bounty Fun Prints. Additionally, P&G offers Bounty Basic, a quality one-ply paper towel as well Bounty Quilted Napkins. For more information on Bounty, visit www.facebook.com/bounty.

About Procter & Gamble

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers®, Tide®, Ariel®, Always®, Whisper®, Pantene®, Mach3®, Bounty®, Dawn®, Gain®, Pringles®, Charmin®, Downy®, Lenor®, Iams®, Crest®, Oral-B®, Duracell®, Olay®, Head & Shoulders®, Wella®, Gillette®, Braun® and Fusion®. The P&G community includes approximately 135,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide. Please visit http://www.pg.com for the latest news and in-depth information about P&G and its brands.

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