School Furniture Blog

Bretford announced last week their revolutionary Netbook32 microcomputer laptop cart, jumping on the increasing trend of schools and offices turning towards netbooks to meet their computing and budget needs. This cart includes all the features needed to charge, transport, store and protect your technology investment, 32 netbooks at a time. The new cart is currently available for order from Worthington Direct. Riding the tidal wave of a stunning 4.9 million Asus Eee netbooks sold last just year alone, these carts are sure to be a hit with schools and IT departments trying to manage and charge their new fleet of netbooks.
Representing a significant step forward in supporting the use of technology in schools, these carts received excellent feedback at the FETC and TCEA shows. While the Netbook32 is geared towards the education market, the modern design and anthracite black finish allows it to be used in a business or government environment where the affordable laptops are made available to employees for short term travel and other uses.
Each shelf houses eight compartments that can hold 16 mini computers, for a total of 32 netbooks. Featuring two sources of power, the first a built in automatic timer/charger with two 16-outlet units that automatically switches the current from one charging unit to the other. The second unit provides auxiliary power on a 20’ cord for presentation purposes, powering a laptop, overhead projector, document camera or LCD projection unit. Coated in an environmentally safe Anthracite powder paint that resists scratching and chipping.

Are you looking for a laptop cart to hold your Dell Lattitude, 13.3” Macbook or other full sized laptop? Worthington Direct offers a wide variety of laptop carts and charging accessories from vendors such as Balt, Bretford and Luxor.

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Ever wander down a long hallway at a school, church or conference center, searching for the room you were supposed to be in 5 minutes ago? Wouldn’t it have been nice to have a directory or an informational sign to speed you along to your destination? Many educational centers and places of worship have hallways that span in many directions and for guests or new comers, this can be confusing.

Greet your guest with a welcoming sign or a easy to read message board that will give them instant orientation and confirmation that they are in the correct place. There are several options when it comes to getting your message read. If you have frequent special events, you may need a portable sign that can be moved for location to location. Wall mounted message centers have a professional look and offer a reliable point of contact for visitors.

Wall mounted message centers are usually lockable and are enclosed in clear acrylic to protect messages from being tampered with. They usually have either aluminum frame or oak frame trim to compliment any decor. Customize your enclosed bulletin boards by opting for a header that promotes a particular school club or company name. Mounting them to the wall is a simple process and models are even available for covered outdoor use.

Keep safety in mind and post portable caution signs when there’s construction or provide safe crowd control with clearly marked directions. Avoid conflict between your guests that are waiting in a concessional line by providing an arrowed-shaped sign that clearly states where the line forms. Many portable signs have weighted bases for stability and can be used as a temporary outdoor sign for directing foot traffic or alerting visitors to use an alternate entry.

Not all handwriting is neat, so many portable signs or enclosed message centers have letter boards for the use of changeable letters so that the message is uniform and legible. Cork bulletin panels can also be found on many hallway signs that allow printed flyers and documents to be pinned up with ease. This is especially helpful for guests attending a special event that may have a flyer in hand, as they will instantly recognize that they have arrived at the correct doorway or entry.

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The final $787 billion stimulus bill that President Obama is expected to sign today contains $105.9 billion for education, including $650 million for the federal Enhancing Education Through Technology (EETT) program.
Although encouraged by an increase of more than double its current funding level, ed-tech advocates said they were disappointed EETT did not receive the $1 billion it was slated to receive in earlier drafts of the package. In past years, EETT has been repeatedly targeted for cuts.
“The funding provides a much-needed down payment toward meeting President Obama’s vision that all students receive the benefits of 21st-century learning environments, but the final level of investment falls short of funding in the House and Senate bills, and far short of what is needed by our students to compete in today’s digital age,” read a statement from the International Society for Technology in Education and the Consortium for School Networking.
The two groups noted President Obama’s commitment to education, and urged Congress to increase ed-tech funding levels in FY09 and FY10. An estimated $9.9 billion total investment is needed to ensure that all Title I schools have effective, technology-rich classrooms, according to the groups.
The EETT funding in the stimulus bill “will provide critical support to states, districts, and schools to respond to warnings from the business community that students are not being prepared for the intellectual demands of the modern workplace,” said Mary Ann Wolf, executive director of the State Educational Technology Directors Association.
“Schools are ready, willing, and able to make technology a critical component of education, so that education focuses on what students need to learn and how students need to learn to compete in the modern workforce… For a wireless nation that relies on technology for ordinary tasks and extraordinary achievements, it is time for technology to occupy a prominent place in education operations.”
The stimulus package will help essential funding find its way to schools in the midst of budget deficits and “will help cash-strapped school districts avoid program cuts, prevent teacher layoffs, invest in school modernization and increase funding for Title I, special education, and other important programs,” said a statement from the American Association of School Administrators.
Acknowledging that the bill does lack some key funding areas that educators enthusiastically supported, the administrators’ group said that while the bill “does not include the level of funding for school construction included in the House version of the bill,” it is still a solid step in the right direction.
“This is a solid recognition by Congress that the road to economic recovery runs through our classrooms,” National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel said in a Feb. 13 statement. eSchool News- Education snags $105.9B in stimulus package

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Choosing the right Science Table is important; you need to find one that can handle your daily tasks in the classroom, but also the table that fits your budget. Science tables come in many shapes, sizes, and perhaps most confusing, surfaces. While science tables are almost universally black, did you know that there are at least five general classes of table surfaces?

It is best to choose a surface more capable than your daily needs; this will ensure your tables are always rated better than the chemicals your curriculum is designed around. Beginning science classes have little exposure to chemicals, and in many cases only need standard, high-pressure plastic laminate tables. Middle school and high school science classes will want to consider ChemGuard and Welded Fiber Powder Coated tables for chemical resistance during lab experiments. Phenolic Resin and Solid Epoxy Resin tables represent the very best surfaces and are recommended for dedicated laboratory conditions due to their improved chemical resistance.

HIGH PRESSURE PLASTIC LAMINATE : This is the most basic surface, a classic black laminate with superior resistance to scratching from every day use. While this surface is the most economical, it has limited resistance to the high temperatures and severe chemicals found in the lab. These tables are best for lecture and study use as well as minor, non-liquid experiments.

CHEMGUARD LAMINATE : This laminate has all the features of standard black laminate, but has outstanding chemical resistance and much better wear rating than standard laminate. ChemGuard laminate science tables are excellent value for high school chemistry classrooms using a variety of weaker chemicals and heat sources. If you need a dual-purpose table for lecture and lab experiments, this is a good fit.

WELDED FIBER WITH BLACK POWDER COAT: This finish is a chemically resistant finish with no seams to collect harmful chemicals or contaminants. In addition to superb chemical resistance, this lightly textured surface provides significant improvement in scratch resistance over standard Chemguard laminate. Black powder coated surface table tops are made of a thick, 1” welded fiber (Gemweld) base with sturdy fiberboard core and have rounded safety edges. Twice powder coated, these tables will not stain, etch or show effects when subjected to these standard lab chemicals: Sulfuric Acid 70%, Nitric Acid, 25%, Phosphoric Acid 75%, Sodium Hydroxide 25%, Ammonium Hydroxide 25%. If you need a seamless chemical-resistant surface with improved scratch protection for chemistry or biology lab or classroom conditions, this is a good fit.

PHENOLIC RESIN : Phenolic Resin is impervious to many chemicals found in high school and college chemistry labs. . In addition to superior chemical resistance this surface is typically thermofused, creating a seamless surface where the top meets the sides for ease of cleaning and disinfecting – a plus for biology labs. If you need a table that will see full time laboratory use, such as a dedicated chemistry lab, or teacher’s demonstration desk, this is a prime choice. Phenolic Resin will not stain, etch or show effects when subjected to these standard lab chemicals: Nitric Acid 30%, Phosphoric Acid 85%, Sulfuric Acid 33%, Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Acetic Acid 98%, Hydrofluoric Acid 48% and others.

SOLID EPOXY RESIN : This is the gold standard in science tables, impervious to normal chemicals and heat. Rather than a laminate surface, the Epoxy Resin is solid, homogeneous, molded from modified epoxy resins, completely oven cured during processing. Its soft, low glare surface is simple to clean.
Solid Epoxy Resin is extremely durable and completely impervious to moisture, eliminating any future chance of swelling, delamination or exposure of the substrate. Solid Epoxy tops are heat and char resistant to the point of being considered self extinguishing. It shows even more resistance to chemicals than Phenolic Resin, Nitric Acid 70%, Acetic Acid (glacial), Hydrochloric Acid 20%, Sulfuric Acid 60%, Methyl Alcohol, Toluene, Benzene, and others. For dedicated institutional use, solid epoxy resin tables are the best choice, presenting the best chemical resistance and the most durable science table available.

SCIENCE TABLE LEGS: Most science tables come with solid wood legs that are a fixed height of 29” or 30” high. However, most tables are also available with 36” high legs that are a more comfortable standing height and for use with taller lab stools. Look for the adjustable height science table by Diversified Woodcrafts with legs that individually adjust to create unique table angles; perfect for physics class.

Black plastic, vinyl or rubber boots are commonly used on the bottom of wooden table legs to protect the wood from liquid spills or routine mopping. Most science tables will ship with these boots included, or can be ordered additionally.

If you have any questions regarding the science tables or lab furniture sold on the Worthington Direct website, please contact our knowledgeable customer service team at 800-599-6636 or email sales@worthingtondirect.com.

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Worthington Direct

Worthington Direct is proud to offer environmentally friendly school furniture from top manufacturers such as Virco, Smith System, Jonti-Craft, Best-Rite and Bretford.

Look for Greenguard Certified products that ensure improved indoor air quality (http://www.greenguard.org/ ). Our website, http://www.worthingtondirect.com/, features a section for “Greenguard Certified Eco-Friendly Furniture”, and the Greenguard logo can also be found throughout our printed catalog identifying participating products.
We also offer products constructed of reclaimed materials. These products include Telos classroom furniture from Virco and Rubber-Tak boards made from 100% recycled rubber by Best-Rite. New for 2009 is Best-Rite’s Green-Rite markerboard that has 30% recyclable product and is recognized for its exceptional material content and emission standards.

As a direct mail company, Worthington Direct is also environmentally aware and participates in the “Partners in Planting Program” which underwrites the planting of trees.

Worthington Direct is a very competitive furniture dealer who offers a 2% discount if you take advantage of pre-pay. Purchase orders accepted or you can order by phone, fax, or online. Receive instant shipping quotes online or request a custom volume quote from their courteous sales staff. For more information, contact the Sales Department, 800-599-6636 or info@worthingtondirect.com

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Top 100 Products of 2008 Revealed by District Administration
District Administration magazine.

The Califone MP3 player has been selected for inclusion in the “2008 Readers’ Choice Top 100 Products” annual survey. Conducted by District Administration magazine, the 8101 was chosen for its ability as a solid resource that can further school district initiatives. 

“This year we received a tremendous amount of product recommendations, making it very difficult to limit the list to just 100. The winning list contains products that our readers have successfully implemented at the district, school, and classroom levels. We hope that these products can help you manage your district,” says DA Editor Judy Faust Hartnett.

“We’re honored to learn the 8101 has been recognized by educators,” shares Califone VP of Marketing, Tim Ridgway. He continues, “Schools and districts across the country are looking for innovative ways to help burgeoning populations of ELL, ELD, and special needs students acquire literacy skills and we’re pleased the 8101 is helping them achieve their goals.”

One such school is Afton Central School, located in rural upstate New York and with more than 800 K-12 attending students. To help the special education team with their reading activities, Dan DeVona, the school’s librarian and media specialist for grades 6-12, decided to research how personal media players can enhance the learning environment and began using the MP3 players from Califone with the school’s students.

Susan Bethel, one of the school’s special education teachers, manages a self-contained resource room and helps students with learning disabilities who are taking regular classes throughout the day. “The MP3 Player is easier to use than a tape recorder, and students can use it without drawing attention to themselves. It doesn’t make them stand out,” Bethel said. Continue reading

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Thank you for your quick response, we can always trust you will take care of our needs.  It is a pleasure to do business with you.  Thank you for making my job easier!

Peter T.

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Bretford announced last week their revolutionary Netbook32 microcomputer laptop cart, jumping on the increasing trend of schools and offices turning towards netbooks to meet their computing and budget needs. This cart includes all the features needed to charge, transport, store and protect your technology investment, 32 netbooks at a time. The new cart is currently available for order from Worthington Direct. Riding the tidal wave of a stunning 4.9 million Asus Eee netbooks sold last just year alone, these carts are sure to be a hit with schools and IT departments trying to manage and charge their new fleet of netbooks.

(continue reading…)

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