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!
| Business | Timeframe | Offer | How to Redeem |
|---|---|---|---|
|
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. |
|
Southington, CT |
July, August |
Free Admission for One Adult and Two Children |
Let us know at check-in. Have school ID ready. |
|
Fenway Park Boston, MA |
|
Discounted Tickets |
|
|
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. |
|
Manchester, CT |
July 7 – September 30 |
1/2 priced glass of wine at the restaurant. One promo per visit. |
Show your school identification badge. |
|
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. |
|
|
New Haven, CT |
June, July, August, September |
Buy 1 Get 1 Free Intro to Climbing classes |
Must call to schedule To obtain this discount, education staff should call us at (203) 891-7627 to schedule a class. You will be asked to put down a deposit for one climber, but will not be asked to pay for the second climber upon arrival when showing an educator ID. |
|
Coastal Naturopathic Medicine, LLC Southport, CT |
June, July, August, September | 50% off Food Intolerance Evaluation for New Patients | Call (475) 999-2032 to schedule an appointment and mention the promotion. |
|
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 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. All-Terrain Wheelchairs are available for free to visitors with disabilities that limit mobility. |
Automatic when in a Connecticut-registered Contact the main branch of your local public library. 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. |
|
Uncasville, CT |
June, July, August, September |
Discounted tickets to home games |
|
|
Online |
July, August, September | 20% off any of our bilingual playgroups or sensory items or bilingual boxes! | Enter code MOCHILA at check out |
|
Norwich, CT |
June, July, August |
10% off bill at the brewery |
Let staff know you work in the education field. |
|
Newtown, CT |
June 3, 2025 – August 30, 2025 Closed Sun/Mon in August. |
Free Admission for School District Employee only |
Staff member must show proof of employment. Visit EverWonder Children’s Museum Select “Tickets” from the menu. Look for the July or August event, 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. |
|
Old Lyme, CT |
June, July, August Beginning June 20 |
Discounted admission of $5 (adult admission normally $18). |
Visit Florence Griswold Museum |
|
Southbury, CT |
July and August |
10% off 10 Class Pass 1 Per student or Teacher |
Must purchase in person |
|
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, CT |
June, July, August, September |
Discounted tickets (15%+) to 9 home games in June, July, August, & September |
|
| Hartford County 4-H Fair Somers, CT |
August 15, 16, and 17 | $5 admission to the Hartford County 4-H Fair at 56 Egypt Road, Somers, CT. | Discount available at the gate with proof of school ID |
|
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
Voluntown, CT |
July | 15% off total purchase in our gift shop located at 411 Beach Pond Road in Voluntown. You may also schedule a free farm tour to see the alpacas at lavender-hill-farm.square.site. | 15% off is for in-store purchases only |
|
All locations (Ellington & Stafford, CT) |
August |
$2 off purchase of $10 or more |
Mention the discount and show their ID. |
|
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. |
|
Enfield, CT |
June, July, August, September |
A free lesson on any available instrument/instruments of your choice. Music is very important in our lives and can help relieve stress. Just a one-time come in and try any instruments you have always wanted to learn. |
Simply contact us via Facebook, our official mattysmusic.biz page or just by calling us at (860) 416-1672 to book a date and time |
|
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. |
| Possible Futures-Neighborhood Bookspace and Beloved Community | July, August, September | 20% discount offered to school employees on books. Some exclusions apply. See store for details. | In-person |
|
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. Tickets can also be purchased by phone, or on-site. |
|
Middlebury, CT |
Memorial Day through Labor Day. |
Special rates on combo ticket and season passes |
Quassy combo tickets and season passes Enter Code: CSDE25 |
|
The Science of Well-Being with Dr. Laurie Santos Virtual |
Year-round | Free courses on the science of well-being | |
|
Avon, CT |
June, July, August |
15% off of any service |
Reach out through our website, or by phone. |
|
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 |