Connecticut PK-12 Digital Backpack Program


The Connecticut State Department of Education wants to show our appreciation to all educators and staff within our PK-12 and adult education school system. This includes teachers, paraprofessionals, custodians, bus drivers, principals, superintendents, adult educators, and everyone who works with our students daily. This appreciation includes both public and private school staff.

Are you a business that would like to sign up? Fill out the Digital Backpack Form!

Print the list of discounts

2025 Digital Backpack Participating Businesses

Business Timeframe Offer How to Redeem

Ascent Climbing Gym

New Haven, CT

June, July, August, September

FREE Day Pass for first-time visitors to Ascent (regularly

$24 each)

$0 Startup Fee for new members (reg $29)

15% off 5 Visit Punch Passes

Non-transferrable. Ascent is open to visitors ages 12+ only.

Bring ID to the front desk and mention the Digital Backpack discount. Our staff will ask you to complete a visitor agreement and free orientation on your first visit.

No reservation required.

The Barnes Museum

Southington, CT

July, August

Free Admission for One Adult and Two Children

Let us know at check-in. Have school ID ready.

Boston Red Sox

Fenway Park Boston, MA

  • July 10
  • August 30
  • September 26

Discounted Tickets

Buy discounted tickets

Black Rock Books

Bridgeport, CT

June, July, August, September

10% off purchase

In-person shopping

Broken Symmetry Gastro Brewery

Bethel, CT

June, July, August, September

50% off all drinks on Fridays until 5PM.

Present proof of employment (ID badge) when ordering.

Cafe Aura

Manchester, CT

July 7 – September 30

1/2 priced glass of wine at the restaurant.

One promo per visit.

Show your school identification badge.

Cambria New Haven Hotel

New Haven, CT

June, July, August, September

10% to 20% off stays. This offer is available to Connecticut school faculty, staff, and others within the ecosystem, and can be used for staycations, visits from family, or personal travel.

The discount is based upon availability which varies based on hotel occupancy.

Any issues, please call hotel directly for assistance.

Reserve a discounted room

Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection

Statewide

Consult state park for hours of operation

Free entry and parking to all State Parks when entering in a Connecticut-registered
vehicle.

State Parks Centers and Historic Buildings Day Pass waives the admission fees for two adults and four children (12 years and under) for the museums and buildings at select State Parks.

Automatic when in a Connecticut-registered
vehicle. More info

Contact the main branch of your local public library.

All-Terrain Wheelchairs are available for free to visitors with disabilities that limit mobility.

May reserve one chair per day for up to 3 hours. Reservations required 4 days in advance. Designated hours. User must have a companion aged 18+.

Connecticut Museum of Culture and History

Hartford, CT

June, July, August, September

Free general admission for school staff and up to 3 additional people.

General admission does not include the Waterman Research Center.

Please show school staff ID at the Welcome Desk.

Connecticut Sun

Uncasville, CT

June, July, August, September

Discounted tickets to home games

Buy discounted tickets

Epicure Brewing

Norwich, CT

June, July, August

10% off bill at the brewery

Let staff know you work in the education field.

EverWonder Children’s Museum

Newtown, CT

June 3, 2025 – August

30, 2025

Closed Mon/Tues in June.

Closed Sun/Mon in August.

Free admission. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Staff member must show proof of employment.

Visit EverWonder Children’s Museum

Select “Tickets” from the menu Look for the June Event

(or July or August), select your ticket date/time, and enter your promo code CTSCHOOL2025.

Please note that you may use other available discounts for the rest of your group.

Florence Griswold Museum

Old Lyme, CT

June, July, August

Beginning June 20

Discounted admission of $5 (adult admission normally $18).

Visit Florence Griswold Museum

Harrison’s House of Styles

Hartford, CT

June, July, August, September

Students and staff with a valid school ID or badge can enjoy a 25% discount on any haircut.

Show school ID or badge.

Hartford Athletic

Hartford, CT

June, July, August, September

Discounted tickets (15%+) to 9 home games in June, July, August, & September

Buy discounted tickets

Hartford Symphony Orchestra

Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center Simsbury, CT

June 27, July 4, July 11,

July 18

A discounted lawn seat to any of the first 4 shows of the Talcott Mountain Music Festival.

Buy discounted tickets

Hartford Yard Goats

Dunkin’ Park Hartford, CT

August, September

20 winners of 4 tickets to home game of choice

Enter the raffle by August 1, 2025

The Hollow at Manchester Country Club

Manchester, CT

June, July, August, September

Available Monday– Thursday.

1/2-priced apps at the restaurant during lunch hours (11 a.m.–3 p.m.)

Show your school badge.

LuAnn’s Bakery & Cafe

All locations

(Ellington & Stafford, CT)

August

$2 off purchase of $10 or more

Mention the discount and show their ID.

The Mark Twain House & Museum

Hartford, CT

June, July, August

$8.00 off the full price adult ticket.

Maximum of 2 adults and does not apply to any specialty tours.

Tickets should be purchased online at least 2 hours before any tour time.

Visit The Mark Twain House Hours and Admission website.

Click the “Buy Tickets Here” button for the General House Tour.

Select a date and time for your tour.

Enter promo code: SchoolWorkers2025

Show proof of school employment upon arrival.

New York Yankees

Yankee Stadium Bronx, NY

June, July, August, September

Discounted Tickets

Buy discounted tickets. Enter code: CSDE25

Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society

West Hartford, CT

Offer ends September 1, 2025.

Open hours: Monday- Saturday, 1–4 p.m.

One free adult or senior admission.

Additionally, receive one sur- prise gift bag with admission!

Purchase tickets in person upon arrival.

School ID must be shown in order to be granted offer.

Prudence Crandall Museum

Canterbury, CT

June, July, August, September

Fridays–Mondays

(Also available during the off-season: November–April, Sundays only).

50% off one adult entry to the guided museum tour

Please show your school ID at the admission desk.

Reserve tickets

Tickets can also be purchased by phone, or on-site.

Quassy Amusement Park

Middlebury, CT

Memorial Day through Labor Day.

Special rates on combo ticket and season passes

Quassy combo tickets and season passes

Enter Code: CSDE25

True Medical Aesthetics PLLC

Avon, CT

June, July, August

15% off of any service

Reach out through our website, or by phone.

West Hartford Yoga

West Hartford, CT

June, July, August, September

15% discount on all class cards (5, 10, or 20 classes) to provide regularly scheduled yoga class (in studio and online), OR for new student, a

$20 for 30 days of unlimited regularly scheduled yoga classes.

Excludes series, trainings, workshops

In-person