Download - Educational Dealer Magazine

Back-to-school Stress Busters for KidsJUNE/JULY 2013

EducationalDealerMagazine.com

FOR PEOPLE WHO SELL TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS

Why a store in Minnesotagroups toys and

learning products by the skills they build

To Order Contact your Scholastic Sales Representative or Call 1-888-724-1872

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ESSENTIAL RESOURCES FORCLASSROOM

MANAGEMENT

THE ISSUE

New Ballgame by Kevin Fahy

The first company I managed was a

publisher of books for elementary

school teachers. Those of you

who have survived in this business for a

very long time may remember Instructor

Curriculum Materials, or ICM, which

became part of the foundation for

Scholastic in this market.

My first (and only, come to think of

it) instruction from the parent company

was to fire about half of our 30 employ

ees, including all six of our field sales

reps. In order to fill the vacuum that

created, I hired a friend from college,

Tom Williams, and between the two of

us we covered the whole country from

the home office, with Tom on the road

two weeks a month and me one.

One of my states was Wisconsin, and

our largest account in that state was a

company called Valley School Supply in

Appleton, which was perhaps 20th overall

for us in the nation. I also covered Kansas,

which meant an annual journey out to

Salina to visit our 10th ranked distributor,

a firm known as School Specialty.

Fast forward to 1988. By then I had

been running my third business for several

years, this one, and as far as I knew those

two venerable school supply dealers were

continuing to prosper as they had for

decades; but at Valley, at least, that was

not the case. In spite of its attempts to

diversify into various related businesses,

the company was losing a million dollars

a year.

That in itself is nothing extraordi

nary, but what happened next was. One

of the investors who owned the business,

a man named John Spalding, persuaded

the others to hire his 31-year-old son as

CEO and give him the opportunity to

tum the situation around.

Dan Spalding was something of a

wunderkind, having started out as an en

trepreneur in the college apparel business

while still a teenager. At 25 he and a part

ner had acquired the outdoor equipment

maker JanSport in order to get its back

pack line, which they parlayed into a

prominent national brand. After selling

JanSport in 1985, Dan remained as chief

executive until the Valley idea came up.

At Valley he went about the same

process that had worked for him so well

in the past, consisting of three steps.

First, identify the segment of the business

with the most potential profitability.

Second, sell off everything else, and

third, start acquiring other businesses that

contribute to the expansion of that

profitable segment.

By 1991 Valley had moved into

phase three, which began with the

purchase of Western School Supply in

Portland, Oregon. From there it went

on to pick off several of the well

known old distributors throughout the

country at a pace of two or three a year,

including the 1995 acquisition of

School Specialty. The name of that one

had a nice, non-geographically specific

ring to it, and so became the handle of

the whole enterprise going forward.

In 1996, School Specialty was itself

acquired by U.S. Office Products, a sim

ilar operation that had bought up scores

of office supply dealers. USOP left Dan

Spalding in place, and during the next

two years he used their leverage to buy

more than a dozen companies, including

such well-known brands as Childcraft

and Sax Arts and Crafts.

At that point School Specialty was

spun off again as a separate company, but

it continued to buy everything in sight,

borrowing money and assuming the debt

of acquired dealers. Somewhere along the

way it became the largest distributor of ed

ucational products in the world.

(continued on page 8)

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June/July 2013 - ShopSchoolSupplies.com 1

4 EducationalDealerMagazine.com — June/July 2013

June/July 2013

Volume 38, No. 3FOR PEOPLE WHO SELL TO TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS

10 Business SmartDr. Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences helps MakyaVandiver-Hawkins categorize products in her Minnesota school supply store

16 Behind the CurtainA new book by Gallopade's CaroleMarsh tells the story of our industry

22 Products to Help Teacherswith Classroom BehaviorTools teachers want and need to manage their classrooms

28 Stress BustersEllen Metrick’s prescriptive approach to play helps kids relax and clear their heads for learning

PublisherJ. KEVIN [email protected]

Editorial DirectorTINA [email protected]

Senior EditorBRADLEY G. GORDNER

Production ManagerMARK [email protected]

Assistant EditorALYSSA LAFARO [email protected]

Senior Graphic ArtistJENNIFER SRMACK [email protected]

Graphic ArtistLINDSEY WILLIAMSON [email protected]

Director of Sales and MarketingTIM [email protected]

Advertising SalesDARLENE [email protected]

Advertising Production ManagerCHRISTIE [email protected]

CirculationTRICIA [email protected]

Educational Dealer is published by Fahy-Williams Publishing, Inc.President: J. Kevin Fahy; Vice President: Tim Braden.

2013 Closing Dates

The Annual Buyers’ Guide Issue ......June 26

Fall Issue ..................Sept. 20

P.O. Box 1080 Geneva, NY 14456Phone: 800-344-0559Fax: 315-789-4263www.EducationalDealerMagazine.comBack issues may be obtained by sending $8.00 (per copy) to Fahy-Williams Pub lishing, Inc.

Copyright © 2013 byFahy-Williams Publishing, Inc.


12 22 35 54

36 Retailers Recommend Fabulous Products

New Products

20 Cool, Calm and Collected

27 Teacher Loot

30 Cool and Hot

35 Odds and Ends

49 Crafts in Action

50 Reading, Writing and Arithmetic

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3 The IssueNew Ballgameby Kevin Fahy

32 The Legal AdvisorBuying a CommercialBuildingby Fred Steingold

54 EndcapChenille Kraft by Alyssa LaFaro

38 Business NotesCybercriminals targetsmall businesses andAmericans practice retail therapy

39 Industry NewsSchool Specialty acquiresRoyal Seating, Time Timerwins Edison Award,ECRM announces 2014dates and more

46 Eye on EducationChanges to the GED, thepresident’s focus onSTEM programs and more

52 Index of Advertisers

THE COLUMNS

(continued from page 4)

On the CoverTwenty-one-year-old Chad works dust-ing shelves at Smarty Pants Kids, thestore we profile on page 12. OwnerMakya Vandiver-Hawkins takes pride inselling products that improve the skillsof kids with special needs like Chad toparents, teachers and therapists. She washappy to offer him his first job.

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THE DEPARTMENTS

53


THE ISSUE(continued from page 3)

When I was selling to dealers, mytwo largest accounts, by far, wereBeckley-Cardy and J.L. Hammett,which School Specialty gobbled up in1998 and 2000 respectively. Beckleywas doing around 175 million dollarsin sales at the time and Hammett an-other 100, which together helped pushSchool Specialty over 600 million inannual sales, and 18 million in profit.

Meanwhile, the consolidation ofso many dealerships into one jugger-naut was having profound repercus-sions on the rest of us in the industry.For dealers, it was taking much of thebid business and the higher ticketitems off the table, leaving them tofight over more retail-oriented, out-of-pocket expenditures. School Specialty,in fact, avoided the teacher store busi-ness altogether, closing or selling offwhatever stores came along with itsvarious acquisitions.

The effect of the conglomerationwas no less dramatic here at Fahy-Williams Publishing. Although we cre-ated this company in 1984 to publishEducational Dealer magazine, the fol-lowing year we began producing cata-logs for dealers and it quickly becamethe majority of our business. By the mid-’90s, however, it became apparent to usthat School Specialty was decimating theranks of midsize distributors that madeup our customer base. In 1998 we soldour catalog business and turned our at-tention back to magazines.

By the turn of the millennium itlooked like game over in the school sup-ply market, that we would inevitably getdown to School Specialty and a thou-sand small retailers. At such times, ofcourse, we should always keep YogiBerra in mind. There were at least threegame changers ahead that School Spe-cialty could not have foreseen.

First was the untimely death of DanSpalding, who suffered a fatal heart at-tack while on a family ski vacation inMarch of 2002 at the age of 47. Secondwas the financial crisis of 2008, followedby the collapse of the housing marketand the worst recession to hit the school

You can e-mail Kevin at [email protected].

supply business in our lifetime. As youwell know, the market remains depressedfive years later.

Third was the rise of Internet mer-chants, principally Amazon. Althoughe-commerce existed 10 years ago, andSchool Specialty operates significantonline sellers itself, not many of us ex-pected the rapidity at which shopperswould migrate to the Internet, or theproliferation of personal electronic de-vices and social networks.

Without growth, School Specialtycouldn’t sustain the debt burden it hadaccumulated over the course of its 50acquisitions. After posting staggeringlosses in 2011 and 2012, it was forced tofile for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protec-tion in January of this year.

I’m not a financial analyst, and I amnot about to venture an opinion on thefuture of School Specialty. It is safe tosay that it will not be the same companyit once was, since it is in the process ofdownsizing both its staff and facilities,and that in itself will have a significanteffect on the industry.

There is a debate going on rightnow regarding that effect, and whether itwill be good or bad for other schoolsupply dealers and teacher stores. I havedealer friends who think that there willbe more business left on the table forthem to share, and others who feel thatthe vacuum will only invite more ag-gressive competition from outside.

When I was running ICM, I reportedto a man named Bob Edgell, who wastruly a legend in the world of business-publishing. Bob always used to tell methat “every problem is an opportunity.”

I didn’t know Dan Spalding verywell, but well enough to think that hewould agree.

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“This is where most of our games are since they involve playing with other people,” notesMakya, who devloped a game rental program to encourage building this attribute among children andtheir families. It costs $10 per month. Once done with a game, families can trade it in for a new one.If they want to purchase the game, however, they may do so – and with a discount.

“It’s a great way to try out board games, save some money and encourage bonding,” says Makya.A lot of teachers take advantage of the program, too, she adds.

Smarty Pants Kids also hosts game nights at the store. “At one of my game nights, I watched afreshman in high school play a game with his 9-year-old brother, who has Down’s syndrome. Theirmother was ecstatic because the boys had yet to find a game they could successfully play together.”

“A lot of seating cushions and tactile items are inthis section,” notes Makya. She also keeps blanketsand a few games here.

“One time, a boy who couldn’t stand still be-cause he had severe autism came into the store. Hismom and nurse were both beside themselves, anddidn’t know what to do. I got permission to put aweighted vest on him. His mother started crying because he was able to stand at a table in our Kid’sCorner and play with something. She said he hadnever been able to do that before.”

People smart

Body smart Logic smartOlder kids are drawn to the science

experiments in this category, says Makya.“We carry anything and everything frommaking an environmental battery tolemon clocks to magnetic experiments,”she details.

Since numbers and critical thinkingfall under Gardner’s explanation for logicintelligence, Makya also stocks mathproducts in this section. Flashcards,workbooks and more can be found here.

“I always ask for information about the specificchild,” explains Makya Vandiver-Hawkins. “Iwouldn’t ever think: ‘Oh, your child has thisproblem, and all children with this problem needthis product.’ I strongly feel that people whogroup children like that are uneducated about spe-cial or different needs. Every child is different,whether they have a special need or not.”

It is because of this belief that the owner ofSmarty Pants Kids in Eden Prairie, Minnesota,divided her store into multiple kinds of “smart”– music smart, logic smart, body smart, picturesmart, word smart, self smart, people smart andart smart.

Makya, a certified early childhood educator,got the idea from Harvard University professor

Dr. Howard Gardner, who is known for his theoryof multiple intelligences. Gardner believes thereare eight different abilities in which a person canbe smart: spatial, linguistic, logical-mathematical,bodily-kinesthetic, musical, interpersonal, intrap-ersonal and naturalistic.

Based on Gardner’s research, Makya split herstore, opened in 2010, into kid-friendly sectionsthat mimic Gardner’s theory. “I really want to helpchildren improve in their problem areas,” admitsMakya. “Instead of focusing on their strengths,we focus on their weaknesses to help make themmore well-rounded individuals. The goal here isnot only to educate children, but to also educateparents and caregivers on how to educate theirchildren at home.”

Busin

ess

Smar

t

by Alyssa LaFaro


“Younger kids really like our art products,” notes Makya, “especially our pipe cleaners, Do-A-Dot markers, beads andsand art. Our Picture Smart section does well, too, and features things like face flashcards for identifying emotions andpuzzles.” Because her younger customers love to create, she has a magnetic wall loaded with magnets in her “Kid’s Corner.” Tables and chairs, toys, games and weighted blankets also fill this 8- by 10-foot section of the store.

“I created the Kid’s Corner for a few reasons,” she explains. “I knew kids were going to need a place to play to prevent them from taking things off the shelves to play with. Also, I truly believe there aren’t places for kids to play inenough stores these days. It’s not a kid’s job to shop – it’s a kid’s job to play. Lastly, it really gives parents a chance tolook at and study a product, making sure they pick the right one for their child. ”

From left to right: Makya; Eden Prairie Mayor Nancy Tyra-Lukens on a Plasma Car; and the fun that happens in the Kid’s Corner, from birthday celebrations to everyday store play.

Art and picture smart



One store: Eden Prairie (18 miles southeastof Minneapolis), 1,460 square feet, 2010

Number of employees: four, including Makyaand her husband

Core customers: “Most of my businesscomes from teachers and grandparents,”says Makya, “but we also serve some therapists and nannies.”

Demographic: Middle- to upper-class with anaverage household income of $122,783 andmedian age of 37.6.

Current product recommendation: “Flipzles.They are wooden puzzles that feature pieces youcan imagine play with when taken out. For exam-ple, there is one of a house, and on the insidethere are people with a car and a dog. I am sothankful one of my customers mentioned themto me. They were invented by a mom, and weare the only place in Minnesota that has them.”

Community outreach: “We regularly hostgame night and craft time,” says Makya. “Thenwe have special events. For Mother’s Day, dadsbring in their kids so they can make mom anart gift. We host art camps and social camps inthe summer. In September, we have a huge

anniversary party to thank our customers forsupporting our store. We have a carnival ridein front of the store, balloon animals, facepainting and more. For Christmas, SantaClause comes to the store with real reindeerand gives sleigh rides around the parking lot.”

Fun Fact: In 2010, MONEY magazine namedEden Prairie the number-one place to live inthe United States. It is currently rankednumber three on MONEY’s list of “America’sBest Small Cities.”

Store hours: Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to5 p.m.; Sunday noon to 5 p.m.; closed Mondays

Smart Facts

From left to right: Makya cutting the ribbon at her store’s opening in 2010; a principal from a local school plays with students ongame night; one of the many sections of Smarty Pants Kids.

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“Because of products like Nooks and Kindles, people are buying more e-books. I con-tinue to educate people on the importance of a physical book in a child’s hands,” explainsMakya. The Word Smart section is also home to phonics, flashcards and reading games.

Makya also has a designated space for eco-friendly and Minnesota-made products.“We have recycled games, wooden products, organic teethers, links made from corn,books made out of recycled paper and more. The Minnesota section has some great localproducts, like Crazy Crayons. A woman collects broken and used crayons, melts themdown and pours them into molds she’s created herself. They come in all different shapes.She’s prevented more than 2,000 pounds of crayons from going in the landfill.”

Self SmartThis area of the store features products that help kids develop independence, says

Makya. Found here are building kits, stacking toys, manipulatives and more for youngerchildren who are just beginning to discover what they can do on their own.

She offers retailers this final piece of advice: stick to your principles. She makes it apriority to teach parents that kids learn when they play, and in that regard, some toys aresimply better than others. She doesn’t select products based on low prices or “trendiness.”

“I didn’t open this store to get rich,” Makya concludes. “My intent was to make adifference, and I feel good every time I do that.” Chad at work.

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16 EducationalDealerMagazine.com - June/July 2013

First Class, a book by Gallopade

founder and award-winning author

Carole Marsh, is the story of our in

dustry. More specifically, as the

cove states, it's about "The Evolu

tion of American Schoolrooms and

the Amazing People and Companies

That Wrought This lOO -Year Trans

formation." Yes - it's all about us.

In chapters with names such as

"Dusted and Dreaded" (about the

first schools in England), "The

Blackboard Jungle" (chalkboards

and whiteboards) and "Tilting at

Trends" ("flipped learning," "vod

casts" and "MOOCs") Marsh takes

her readers through our behind-the

scenes world, introducing inventors

and innovators, and the products

they developed. She hopes educa

tors, history buffs and others will

read it and see "the man behind

the curtain."

"If you have never heard of

NSSEA, I have to admit that neither

had I before I became a member many

years ago," Marsh writes. "It took a

while for me to wrap my head around

the fact that they are sort of a 'best

kept secret,' perhaps, to the average

American. You could say [its mem

bers are] the Wizard of Oz behind the

wealth of products seen in the typical

teacher/school supply store and in the

thousands and thousands of class

rooms across our nation."

She knows us well because she's

one of us - Marsh founded Gallopade

International in 1979. "Truly, my

work on this book has helped me see

that what we do is a real calling, one

that has created lOO -plus-year-old

companies, extraordinary accom

plishments, and children blessed with


the best we can offer,” she writes inthe acknowledgements.

If you haven’t read First Class,you should. My favorite parts werethe bits of history behind the class-room products consumers take forgranted. Here are some of them, excerpted from the book.

The Magical Pencil“James Raford Musgrave,

known as the ‘Colonel,’ had an idea,as we say about entrepreneurial busi-nessmen. In 1916, he traded ‘mod-ern’ wire to farmers in exchange forold fence rails. Long in use, theseTennessee red cedar rails were well-weathered and dry, perfect to bemade into pencil slats.

“At first it was exported to Ger-man manufacturers. Raford Mus-grave later created his ownpencil-making factory in Shel-byville, Tennessee. The companyendured the Great Depression,

World Wars I and II, andthe many changes re-quired to find the appro-priate wood, skilledworkers, and an endlessstream of creative ideas toget their pencils intoAmerica’s school class-rooms.

“Indeed, eventoday, there is evidence (inspite of some schools doingaway with instruction incursive writing) that writing

with a pencil on paper is a key com-ponent of building high-level liter-acy, and even speaking skills.”

The Blackboard Jungle“The first blackboard used in a

regular public school was inPhiladelphia in 1809. These earlyblackboards were made from pinecovered with a mixture of egg whiteand carbon from charred potatoes.Chalk came in chunks and cloth ragsserved as erasers. Once slate black-boards became available, cylindersof soft chalk and felt erasers wereused. Either way, teachers despisedall the chalk dust!

“‘Whiteboards’ evolved from‘blackboards.’ Although such boardscame into being in the mid-1960s,they were not widely used in class-rooms until the late 1980s and early1990s. It took concerns over chalk-dust allergies to create a big demandfor them in schools.

“The whiteboard was invented

the Curtain


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by Martin Heit, a photographer andKorean War veteran. His goal wassimply to develop something to putbeside a telephone on which to makenotes. However, as Heit worked onthe concept, he found that notescould be recorded on film negativesusing a marker pen, and then easilywiped off with a damp tissue. Heitmade a prototype, but the night be-fore it was to be revealed, the displayburned down!

“Heit sold his idea to Dri-Mark,which created whiteboards made out of film laminate, and sold themto schools.”

Useful Tools – Glue “Ok. Since this is a book, in gen-

eral, on education, here’s a quiz for you. Q. Who is Elmer?A. Elmer, the symbol that appears

on Elmer’s Glue, is the spouse of Elsie,the Borden Company’s famous cow!

“Peter Cooper, an innovativephilanthropist with only a year offormal education bought the rights toa glue-making process, improvedupon it, and held a virtual monopolyin the glue business for years.

“Elmer’s Glue, which we mostlikely associate with use in class-rooms, was invented in 1942 byAshworth Stuff, a Georgia Techchemistry graduate. The first con-sumer version of this glue was intro-duced in 1947, packaged (as somemay recall) in a glass bottle withice-cream type wooden sticks at-tached with a rubber band. In 1951,the popular glue was repackaged ina squeeze bottle with a plastic applicator top.”

Marsh notes, under the header“Deal Me In” that “the real stars ofthe school tool business are the hun-dreds of school supply and teacher


new

COOL, CALMand COLLECTED

The Class Roster provides a visual focal point for thewhole class, helping determine which students are in theclassroom or at home. Includes a Lesson Plan/TeachingGuide filled with objectives and activities, as well asframes, stands and cards.minilandeducational.com

The 10- by 5-inch Large Print Royal Blue EZ Graderscores up to 70 problems with up to 30 problems wrong.ezgrader.com

Time Timer PLUS protects its signaturered disk under a clear, durable lens, and in-cludes a volume control dial to help reinforcewhen time is up. Portable and silent, it is agreat way to promote stress-free time man-agement at school, work and home.timetimer.com

The teacher-designed Ward 5-N-1 Book provides theteacher with complete record keeping, and features agrade book, lesson planner, student behavior forms, calen-dar/reminder, and a phone and address keeper.hubbardcompany.com

Kids have fun with these 8-1/2- by 11-inchneon vinyl-framed markerboards,which come in four bright colors.dooleyinc.com

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Teachers can’t teach – and kids can’t learn –in a disruptive classroom. Study after studyreveals that teachers want and need assistancemanaging the behavior of their students.“Classroom management,” defined as main-taining “an orderly environment so studentscan engage in meaningful academic learningand enhance student social and moral growth,”is a priority.

To find out what resources are available, wetalked to the experts, including people in our in-dustry who make classroom management toolsfor teachers. Here’s what they had to say.

Offer fast, practical, easy-to-implement ideas

“Teachers need practical resources thatgive them quick ways to make an immediateimpact on student behavior,” advises CharlineMaher from Corwin, a publisher specializingin meeting the professional developmentneeds of teachers. “However, they also wantthose ideas to be research-based and rigor-ously proven.”

Corwin offers classroom/behavior man-agement books that bring together the best ofboth those worlds, she believes. “Our authorstranslate research and theory into teacher-friendly best practices that educators canput to use immediately in their classrooms.”

In addition, the company offers

by Alyssa LaFaro and Tina Manzer

Products to Help Teacherswith Classroom Behavior



Corwin designs its resources tobe teacher-friendly with quick andeffective ideas.corwin.com

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resources on student engagement and motivation,discipline, differentiation and classroom organi-zation that “are filled with behavior managementstrategies,” she adds. “We also publish resourcesthat focus on how to create a Positive BehavioralIntervention and Support system (PBIS) and howto support students with autism.”

Gryphon House, another publisher of edu-cational resources for teachers, offers books onpreventive techniques teachers can use to main-tain classroom control, as opposed to punish-ment and timeout management techniques.Titles include Socially Strong, Emotionally Se-cure; Preschool Classroom Management;Seven Skills for School Success; and The Anti-Bullying and Teasing Book.

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9

9780

3955

1848

9

9780

6181

5238

4

Explore more Common Core exemplars at www.hmhco.com.

Resources from GryphonHouse offer ideas for preventing disruptive behavior.Gryphonhouse.com


management are “accommodations,” says Lucille Lynch, CEOof Steps4Kids (steps4kids.com), a company that specializes ininstructional DVDs that help educators support children atschool and at home.

Negative behaviors often arise among students who arestruggling with the presentation and response modes offeredin the classroom, she says. They need accommodations, likemore white space, a larger font size and more visual promptsin printed information. “Thanks to technology and affordablegraphics programs, these interventions can be readily used inclassrooms,” says Lynch. “Unfortunately, few teachers havethe resources or knowledge to produce them. It requires a lotof staff time to change worksheets.”

Among the products and services Steps4Kids offers isteaching instructors how to use technology to customize assessment sheets, note-taking sheets, study guides and morefor individual students. “When teachers do that, student behaviors turn around and progress increases in almost everyinstance,” she adds.

Charline Maher from Corwin notes the same trend.

“Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach to classroom management, schools are starting to focus more on positive be-havioral interventions targeted to students’ specific needs,” sheexplains. “In other words, teachers are using more personalized,data-driven techniques for supporting individual students. It’s achallenge in classrooms with students who have a wide range ofneeds – the teacher must manage the entire class while provid-ing individual attention to students with behavior challenges.”

The need to customize for each individual student to im-prove classroom management extends to progress monitoringprograms, adds Lynch. Studies have shown they create higherexpectations, increased student outcomes and increased teamcollaboration. She feels, however, that they are not usedenough. “Schools continue to focus on curriculum-based mon-itoring and assessment, which only benefits neurotypical stu-dents who generally do not have the behaviors.”

A meaningful, literal representation of classroom time prevents frustration

Students who are given 15 minutes to complete an


assignment understand the conceptbetter if they can see the timepass, as opposed to just the num-ber 15. “Digital clocks andwatches have made time less of ameasurement, and more of just anumerical readout,” notes JanRogers from innovation award-winning company Time Timer.“They don’t understand that 15minutes indicates one-quarter ofan hour of time. As a result, stu-dents have a hard time understand-ing duration, and they becomefrustrated and behave negativelywhen they miss a deadline.”

Time Timer creates a visual solution, she explains. Theclock face features a red disk that diminishes as timepasses so students can better monitor how much time theyhave left for work completion or transition. Time Timer

The red disk on Time Timer stopwatches diminishes as timepasses, giving students a visualindication of the time they haveleft to complete a test, assign-ment or project.timetimer.com

products align with theneeds/goals identified by

Common Core Standards.“People buy Time Timers when

they see how they work, so make sure todemonstrate them in your store,” recommends

Rogers. “If you’re preparing a catalog and including TimeTimers, we can provide you with descriptive text, which re-ally helps. Provide a trusted and respected local teacherwith a sample so she can talk about its effectiveness withother teachers in her building.”


new

TEACHER LOOT

Personalize electronics withStickyPix Electronic Stickers. These high-tech stickers are created on state-of-the-art adhesive that sticks firmly,pulls off easily and leaves no markon your device.paperhouseproductions.com

The Sock Monkey pencil assortment comes in polka-dots,camo, plaid, animal, rainbow and patriotic patterns.pencils.net

The allXwrite WoodlessGraphite No. 2 Pencilswrite up to two times longer thanstandard pencils, and their solidextruded graphite sharpens easily.Features a lacquered finish andlatex-free white eraser.staedtler.ca

Oval Office for Lefty is a high-qualitysharpener with two holes and a container forshavings. Helps left-handed children sharpentheir pencils with ease, allowing them to focuson more important tasks in the classroom.kum-ny.com

The SkywriterEraser is magnetic. It sticksto whiteboards and chalkboards that maynot have a tray, and holds two dry erase markers.skyboarderaser.com


by Ellen Metrick

Stress BustersSing, dance and play music

Music therapists know the power of listening to and making music. Rhythms are a way tocut up time just like learning fractions. Music is a mood enhancer, and making music empow-ers and engenders the creative spirit. It also positively affects attention and focus. Here aresome products that strike the right chords with kids.

Beamz is an interactive music system that lets kids usetheir hands to interrupt four laser beams, thus creatingtheir own original music and melodies. It’s a great wayto encourage young bodies to move rhythmically. thebeamz.com

Schoenhut’s Band in a Box inspires movement as well asmusic with a set that combines maracas, a triangle, bells and a tam-

bourine. Kids can knock the kinks out of their day as theyshake away on the instruments.

toypiano.com

The Rhythm Tree Music Therapy set is an interac-tive music set that introduces music and all its benefitsto children with special needs, promoting developmentalmilestones through engaging tunes. The set includes aDVD, instructions and instruments. therhythymtree.com

Write their feelings outJournaling, drawing and exploring emotions through writing are good ways to channel

concerns and clear them out.

Carolina Pad combines the function of school supplies and the fun of fashion-making withnotebooks, folders and more that come alive with color and patterns. They are great for jour-naling the day and putting it away. The Fundanoodle series of writing tablets and multi-ac-tivity kits also inspires kids to develop school skills while having a whole lot of fun.carolinapad.com

Weight can feel greatWeighted pads can help kids with sensory processing issues find some calm and comfort.

Covered in Comfort makes a series of weighted items ranging from lap pads to pencilpals that provide proprioceptive input, pacifies some kids’ nervous systems, promotesfocus, and diffuses tension by providing weight and pressure. coveredincomfort.com

It’s hard to remember a time

when kids had more stress in

their lives. Schools are forced to

pressure children more and

more to pass tests to keep their

stream of funding. Our educa-

tional system is also under

mounting pressure as the global

ranking for America’s schools

continues to trend downward.

Homework has trended upward

with little impact.

What research has proven

again and again is that kids

learn best through play. Guided

play advances cognitive skills

like language, as well as social

skills such as emotional regula-

tion. Group play experiences

also greatly impact a child’s

coping abilities, empathy, mood

and resiliency. Despite evidence

linking play to development,

parents, educators and policy

makers have allowed children’s

play time to drastically erode in

the last two decades.

Play functions as an anti-

dote to the pressures of life,

including school anxiety.

Here are some product ideas

to help kids defuse stress and

refresh their bodies. These

suggestions are especially

beneficial for children with

special needs who have their

share of school struggles.

The pressures of school can be tough on kids, especially those with special needs. Play can helpchildren relax, recharge their batteries and take on new challenges.

Move. just move Encourage movement in children any way y ou can. It is the

best defense against depression.

Pedz is a pedometer that looks like a frog, and can inspire little

ones to leap into action.

mypedz.com

Fidget, squeeze and cuddle Sometimes a child just needs to cuddle and teU her woes to

a secret pal. Other kids need their hands kept busy to free up

their brains to focus.

WishPuppies are soft

plush and the perfect

size for a canine hug

or two. The secret

pocket in their soft

underbeUy is a

place for a child to

bury worries or

shelter secrets.

wishpuppies.com

Squigz by Fat Brain Toys are aptly

described as "fun little suckers," and they are

just that. These sensory, rubbery connectors

can entertain tiny hands, promote focus,

provide sensory stimulations and pop

when puUed apart. Great for kids

whose hands need to be kept

busy.

fatbraintoys.com

Sqwishland Bracelets are

fun, flexible bracelets that can be customized with different

squishable animal characters. They're soft, pliable and fidget

friendly.

sqwishland.com

Ellen Metrick is director of industry

relations and partnerships for the

National Lekotek Center. Lekotek is a

leading authority on toys and play for

children with disabilities. The not-for

profit is dedicated to providing

children of all abilities access to the

benefits of play experiences - visit

ableplay.org for a complete list of

toys. You can also find Lekotek on Facebook.

Rev up your STEM with STEAM by including the

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To order, contact [email protected]



new

The new stylish topdesign on the Lil’Premier portablehot water sinkfeatures a splashguard,and is now NSF Certified. ozarkriver.com

Zenergy and Runtz Ball Chairs feature an exercise ballcovered in fun and energetic mesh colors, and four stationarylegs to provide stability. They help to increase focus by provid-ing movement. safcoproducts.com

The Go-Go Driving Rug was de-signed to stimulate a child’s imagina-

tion. This American-made rug hasskid-resistant backing, carpet stain

protection, is machine washable and ismade of recyclable yarn.

carpetsforkids.com

The tan-colored edge option onMahar’s tables blends beautifullywith the maple tabletop. With matchingpowder-coated table legs and signaturesplit-bucket chairs, your room will beimmersed in natural warmth. mahar.net

The ergonomically correct angle on theJonti-Craft Quad Tablet and Read-

ing Table is great for tablets, while the built-in storage in the center is perfect for books,

chargers and other peripherals.jonti-craft.com

COOLand HOTInnovations in the furniture and equipment category


The Wedging Tableprovides a unique way todivide clay, and its canvascover absorbs moisture as theclay is wedged. Includes a claycutter wire-mounted to the top and angled across the depth of the table. shainsolutions.com

The durable Value Table is now available in square or roundbrightly colored Royal Blue and Candy Apple Red. Safe, roundededges with protective boots helps prevent sliding and reduce noise.Choose from seven table heights.angelesstore.com

WhisperPhone Select is a team-based, direct-to-ear product thatlets teachers assess reading performance and model word pronunciationduring guided reading activities. Provides discrete communication between teacher and student, and provides a setting for paired reading.whisperphone.com

Make any Toobaloo® hands-free with the headset adapter.

One Size Fits All

Create to Educate™

1

1

11

1

Buying a CommercialBuilding

by Fred Steingold

THE LEGAL ADVISOR

Are you thinking about buyinga building for your store-front? If you’ve found one

that looks promising, you’ll want toinvestigate a number of details beforeyou close the deal.

You may prefer to address manyof your concerns even before you signa sales contract. But you can alwayssign a contract with contingencyclauses that give you time to checkthings out. Then, if you’re not satisfiedwith the results of your investigation,you can call off your purchase and getback your earnest money deposit.

Especially if you’re a first-timebuyer, here are some matters worthlooking into.

Will a mortgage loan be availableon affordable terms?

Unless you’ve got a ton of cashstashed away, you’ll need to financeyour purchase in part with a mortgageloan. What size loan can you get? Andwhat will be the interest rate? If com-mercial financing isn’t a viable option,maybe the owner will sell to you on aland contract – in which case you’ll

make installment payments to the owneruntil you’ve paid the full purchase price.

What shape is the building in? Are the heating, ventilating and air

conditioning systems in good operatingcondition? How about the electricaland plumbing systems? Will a newroof be needed soon? Is the buildingstructurally sound? You’ll need a contractor – or maybe several – to do athorough inspection.

Is the zoning adequate for yourintended use?

Even if your business is similar tothe one in the building now, don’t as-sume that your business will meet thezoning ordinance requirements. Checkwith the city, village or township inwhich the building is located.

Do you have any environmentalconcerns?

Do you suspect that a prior occupantmay have contaminated the soil, or thatthere may be an underground storagetank? If so, get a Phase I EnvironmentalSite Assessment.


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If the Phase I shows a potentialproblem, follow up with a Phase IIreport. Know what you’re gettinginto. You don’t want to have to payfor a costly clean up.

Will it be possible to renovateor expand the building?

If you’re planning to overhaul thebuilding or expand its size, you’ll wantto consult an architect. You’ll want toknow if the renovation or expansion isfeasible – and approximately howmuch it will cost.

Are there private use restrictions that may limit your intended use of the building?

There may be limits on howyou use the building that go be-yond the zoning ordinance. If so,the title insurance commitmentwill refer to them. Order copies ofany building and use restrictions,and read them carefully.

What lease rights are in effect? If there are tenants in the build-

ing, you’ll want to know if theyhave long-term leases. If they do,you’ll be buying the building subjectto their lease rights. As long as thetenants meet their lease obligations,you won’t be able to evict them.

How much has the currentowner been paying in utility bills?

It pays to look at the bills for elec-tricity, natural gas, water and sewerservice. Go back at least two years.

How much are property tax bills?

They are another expense youneed to know about. But be aware thatwhen you become the building’sowner, the assessed value may go up,meaning higher taxes. The tax asses-sor’s records in your municipality areopen to the public. Often, you canview them online.


Fred S. Steingold practices law in AnnArbor, Michigan. He is the author ofLegal Guide for Starting and Runninga Small Business and The Employer’sLegal Handbook, published by Nolo.Legal strategies may vary dependingon the state in which you live and thespecifics of your situation. See yourlawyer for legal advice.

Are there any special assessments pending?

Special assessments are differentthan property taxes. They cover suchthings as new sidewalks or streetrepaving, which benefit a certain neigh-borhood. A property owner usually paysthese assessments in installments. Inquireabout whether any such assessments arecurrently in effect for the building, andwhether any are planned.

Do others have the legal right toshare the building’s driveways orparking areas?

If so, their rights should show upin the title insurance commitment. Aswith private use restrictions, get copiesof the actual documents and studythem. Normally, the title insuranceagency that issued the commitmentwill provide these at no cost – but youdo need to request them.

What equipment and other move-able property is the owner willingto leave behind?

Assume that the owner has theright to remove anything that’s not at-tached to the building. To avoid futuredisputes about what’s included in yourpurchase, see that the sales contractspecifies the items that will remain inthe building.

Is the building in a flood plain? If it is, you’ll probably want to buy

flood insurance once you become theowner. Since this is another expense ofownership, check with an insuranceagent to learn what it will cost.


new

ODDS andENDS

With over 100 simple activities,Simple-to-Switch Centersreinforce essential skills, and are agreat way to keep classroom centersfresh and engaging. Each title fea-tures simple-to-use support materi-als, including reproducible patterns,center cards and recording sheets.themailbox.com

Budget your pocket money and experience the joys of asummer fair in The County Fair Game. Win a“Farmer of the Year” or “Youth Showmanship” award;visit “Education Hall,” the blacksmith shop, goats andcattle judging; or watch the marching band pass by.jbelljones.com

The set of Jr. Shape Blocks features eightblocks in bright colors. Made of durable plasticwith no sharp corners, and can be used indoors orout. Sized for ages 18 months and up.childrensfactory.com

Writer’s Blocksmanipulatives getstudents thinkingcritically and cre-atively. Teacherspass around theseclever cubes with

instant-start choices tohelp students stop moaning

and groaning, and start writing.gallopade.com

The 5-1/2-foot tall What GoodMusicians Do ColossalPoster identifies important be-haviors common to good musi-cians. The teacher’s guidecontains additional informationabout each behavior, and providesrelated student activities. mcdonaldpublishing.com


RETAILERS RECOMMEND

Fabulous Products

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Cheryl Thivierge from Children’s LearningWorld in Westfield, Massachusetts

“The Chat Pack for Kids fromWilliam Randall Publishing (1) in-cludes creative questions that can beused as conversation starters, as well asa way to help get kids’ imaginationsgoing. It features 156 cards, and eachcard has a question, like ‘If you could bean inch tall for one day, what specificplace would you like to explore?’ Theyare good for the classroom, sleepovers,family events and more.

“Teachers love Fadeless Designs

made by Pacon (2) for their bulletinboards. It’s resistant to fading from sun-light and classroom lights, so teacherscan keep it up year-round if they want.There are lots of different designs andcolors. I got some new ones in this year– Center Stage and City Lights.”

Jo Ellen Welch from Schools Days inMidland, Michigan

“Twisty Droppers from Learn-ing Resources (3) are these large,bulb-like eye-droppers for preschoolers.They come in bright colors, and the tube

on the dropper zigzags. They are good forfine motor skills.

“Another great product forpreschoolers from Learning Resources is Gator GrabberTweezers (4). Also great for finemotor skills, these colorful tweezerslook like an alligator.

“Edupress has some really greatgames that are doing well. MathologicalLiar (5) is a math game that lets stu-dents solve a math mystery by playingdetective. Players are given a case tosolve, with four suspects in each case,

2

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one of which is guilty. The player readsher alibi, and if the math in the alibi iscorrect, she is innocent, but if it’s incor-rect, she is guilty. Each grade has a dif-ferent level of skills, and coversdifferent math problems.

“Classwords (6), also from Edupress, is a vocabulary game.Players try to see how many wordstheir partner can guess by giving clues.There are different ways to give clues.For example, players can say anythingthat comes into their mind to describethe word, or they can use a one-word

clue given to them by the card, or theycan draw a picture.

“Our Educational Insights’ HotDots Flash Cards (7) are alwaysbest sellers. They feature topics likemath, language, science and socialstudies. There is also a set for pre-school skills called Hot Dots Jr. that’sextremely popular.”

Sue Hedtke from Learning Shop in Appleton, Wisconsin

“Two dice games from Blue OrangeGames have been doing really well:

Flash! (8) and Nada! (9), both of whichare for players ages 7 and up.

“As spring approaches – and it be-gins to warm up around here – outdoortoys start to fly off the shelves. Kidsare already grabbing Waboba Ballsand bringing them outside. The StreetBall (10) and the Moon Ball (11) dobest here.

“Lastly, the portable BoogieBoard E-Writers from ImprovElectronics (12) have done well forus, as well as TY Beanie Ballz (13).”

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BUSINESS NOTES

Cybercriminals Target SmallBusinesses

Verizon recorded 621 data breach incidents in 2012.About half happened at companies with fewer than 1,000employees. Cybersecurity firm Semantic found the same

trend, noting that small busi-nesses with fewer than 250 em-ployees represented 31 percent ofcyberattacks last year, accordingto an article from CNN Money.

Because larger corporationshave invested in better securityover the last six years, cybercrimi-nals are targeting small companies.

“A typical small business doesn’t have a50-person IT department and every computer pro-

tected,” Andrew Singer, director of Symantec’s small business group, told CNNMoney. “They don’t have the money for it.”

The bigger problem with small businesses, however, is that they think theyare safe because their business wouldn’t make an interesting enough target forhackers. But Symantec’s principal security response manager, Vikram Thakur,says small businesses shouldn’t think this way. “Small businesses retain veryvaluable information for hackers, like customers’ credit card numbers, intellec-tual property and money in the bank. Small companies are lucrative victims,too. That’s making the target on their back even bigger,” he told CNN Money.

“Ransomware” scams are the most common way small companies are tar-geted. They typically lock computers and demand a “ransom fee.” To avoid theseattacks, small businesses need to remember the basics: use strong passwords, up-date antivirus software and don’t expose essential business services to the Internet.

More Than Half of Americans Engage in “Retail Therapy”

Nearly 60 percent of Americans go shopping to improve their mood, according to a new study conducted by TNS Global on behalf of Ebates.com.Predictably, this group is 60 percent female who shop mostly for clothes (57.9percent), food, shoes, accessories and books/magazines. Most men shop forfood, then electronics, music/movies, clothes and games/toys.

In addition, 66.6 Americans believe that online shopping is more therapeutic than going to the store. More than 80 percent said that getting adeal makes them feel best.

While “therapy” isn’t quite the word professor of psychology Kit Yarrowwould use to describe the positive effects of shopping, she recently listed someof its psychological benefits in Psychology Today. Here are a few.

• It helps ease transitions. (Look for those soon-to-be parents shopping for toys.) • It provides a pleasure boost of creativity and aesthetics. “Judging by the

monumental success of product pins on Pinterest, many people are=inspired by the visual feast of retail,” says Yarrow.

• It’s a way to relax and escape. “Whether it’s window shopping, onlinescrolling or pawing through racks at outlet malls, shopping can be amental refresher like a blip of a vacation without any packing or planning,” she concludes.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Lakeshore Learning Materials, a leading developer and

retailer of early childhood educational materials, was recently

honored by the Arbor Day Foundation. Lakeshore received

the prestigious Rachel Carson Award in recognition of the

company's dedication to connecting children with nature and

inspiring educators across the country to do the same.

The award was presented in Nebraska City, Nebraska, the

foundation's hometown.

Lakeshore believes that putting children in touch with nature

has powerful educational, developmental and behavioral benefits,

from encouraging observation and developing problem-solving

skills, to nurturing a concern for the environment and a love for

physical activity. When the company learned about the Nature

Explore Classroom concept, they made a heartfelt commitment to

integrate it into their own on-site preschool, Kids & Company.

Nature Explore is a collaborative program of the Arbor

Day Foundation and Dimensions Educational Research Foun

dation. Both are SOI(c)3 nonprofit organizations. The goal is to

support efforts to connect children with nature, and they do so

by offering design help to create nurturing, nature-based out

door spaces; workshops that provide effective, inspiring ideas

for enhancing children's learning with nature; family resources

to inspire nature connections at home; and more.

Nature Explore Classrooms are nature-based play and learning spaces. They enhance the physical environment and add natural beauty to the surrounding area.

Family-owned Garvey's Office Products store in Niles, Illinois, recently

raised $100,000 for Chicago charities

through its recycle program, Recycle for

a Reason. What began as a way to recy

cle toner cartridges expanded to include

cardboard boxes, batteries, electronics

and computer equipment. Garvey's

picks up and recycles the materials at no

charge to customers, then pools the

earnings and donates them to a different

charity each quarter.

the American Heart Association, Girl

Scouts of America, Jane Addams Hull

House, Misericordia, Mercy Home for

Boys & Girls, the Chicago Metropolitan

Battered Women's Network, the Make

A-Wish Foundation, the Alzheimer's As

sociation, the Chicago Urban League,

the Salvation Army and others.

Donations from the program have

supported The Chicago Lighthouse, Jobs

for Youth, Prevent Child Abuse, DuSable

Museum, Catholic Charities, StreetWise,

Metallic Framed Magnetic Marker Boards with marker. "T.).).))I .).1 I.�I ..

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JunelJuly 2013 - ShopSchoolSupplies.com 39


G9500 65 pc set G9501 100 pc set G9502 210 pc set

Texo™ is the award-winning 3

dimensional design and

construction system by

architect, author and designer

Lester Walker. At its most basic

level, Texo™ is about stacking,

sorting and sequencing, and

grows in its complexity as a

child grows. Solid wood rods

and planks coupled with the

geometric precision of molded

plastic connectors enhance the

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potential. Also included is a

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ACTIVITY GUIDE INCLUDED

“Many nonprofits purchase supplies from us,” explainsMarketing Director Sheila Garvey Gartland. “We reallywanted to find a way to give back to them. Today, it’s al-most a full-time job for the folks in our warehouse to sortall of the materials that come in, but we’re so proud to beable to make the contributions.”

The 86-year-old company started as a national mail-order house, but now specializes in direct deliveries and hasbecome the top independent office supplier in the Chicagoarea. The siblings – there are eight total, with five brothersand one sister involved in the business – learned from theirdad, Bernard Garvey Sr., who is now retired. Bernie Junior ispresident, and in addition to sister Sheila the company em-ploys brothers Kevin and Dan as sales managers. Ken is theoperations manager, and Mike is the account representative.

In a world where mom-and-pop shops are closing atevery turn, Garvey’s keeps growing. It recently added a3,500-square-foot HON furniture showroom that providesa convenient suburban alternative to the HON showroomat Chicago’s Merchandise Mart.

INDUSTRY NEWS

For the 11th consecutive year, CAMEX, produced by the Na-tional Association of College Stores (NACS), was ranked 151among the top 250 trade shows in the nation by Trade ShowNews Network (TSNN), the world’s leading online resourcefor the trade show industry.

Shows were ranked based on their shows’ net square feetof paid exhibit space in 2012.

Next year, NSSEA’s Ed Expo will co-locate withCAMEX in Dallas, March 8 through 11. The new joint eventwill cover 600,000 gross square feet, and feature exhibits from1,000 companies showcasing innovative products for pre-school through college-age students.

For more information, visit edexpo.com.

Califone International, a provider of audiovisual and supplemental curriculum products for education, has partneredwith FundingFactory, the largest recycling fundraiser forschools and nonprofits. It helps schools recycle end-of-lifeaudio equipment and enhance their sustainability initiatives.


Through the partnership, participantsearn points redeemable for cash ornew technology, including Califoneproducts, by collecting used headsetsand headphones for recycling.

Califone was founded in 1947and offers a complete line of audiosolutions, wireless systems and multi-media products for small, mediumand large presentation needs.

Efficient Collaborative RetailMarketing (ECRM) completed itsthird annual Educational Suppliesevent in late February in Las Vegas.

The event brought in over 100educational product suppliers to meet with buyers.

Before the event, ECRM worksto understand the needs of each com-pany and what it expects to get out ofthe event. Whether it is a new productlaunch or catching up with currentclients, this strategic approach allowsECRM to pre-schedule private meet-ings that make sense for both buyersand sellers. Because of this strategicmeeting approach, planning responsi-bilities can be accomplished over afew days rather than months.

“Because we were able to workclosely with office supply buyers andsuppliers during our other events, wedeveloped a deep understanding of theeducational supplies market, which inturn helped us to identify voids withinthe buying and selling process,” ex-plains Chris Eyring, ECRM vice pres-ident of category development.

“It’s the ECRM format that setsour events apart,” continues Eyring.“It’s the only event where small andlarge suppliers have the opportunityto meet with a small dealer or catalogcompany, and, 20 minutes later, sitdown with the decision makers froma big box retailer. This customer variety allows vendors to reach thecritical mass within the industry.”

Another factor that defines thisevent is the all-inclusive price struc-ture. Everything is covered up front,

INDUSTRY NEWS

including meetings, meals,

hotel accommodations, and

the Internet, electricity and

wastebaskets.

Next year's Educational

Supplies event will be held

February 23 to 26 at the

Chateau Elan Winery & Resort

in Braselton, Georgia. To view

a full ECRM event listing, visit

ecrm.marketgate.com/Events/?

y=2013.

Since 1994, over 1,000

EPPS events have been held

worldwide in various cate

gories that include grocery,

general merchandise, food

service, health and beauty

care, pharmacy and packaging.

For more information, please

visit ECRM.MarketGate.com.

Time Timer was recently honored with

a silver Edison Award. The awards have

celebrated the best in innovation and ex

cellence in the development of new prod

ucts and service for the past 26 y ears.

"Our judges recognized Time Timer's

iPad application as a true innovator out of

the many products in its category," said

Frank Bonafilia, executive director of the

Edison Awards.

In A pril, David Rogers, president of

Time Timer, joined hundreds of senior ex

ecutives from some of the world's most

recognized companies to receive the award

in Chicago. "It is an honor for Time Timer

to be recognized by the Edison Awards for

its innovation in the lifestyle and social im

pact category," he said. "Not only does this

award validate the contributions that Time

Timer has made to society, but it has also

afforded us the opportunity to interact with

42 EducationalDealerMagazine.com - June/July 2013

David and Heather Rogers with the Edison Award.


leaders from top organizations fromaround the world.”

The awards are named afterThomas Alva Edison, whose inven-tions, new product developmentmethods and innovative achieve-ments changed the world.

The ballot of nominees for theEdison Awards was judged by a panelof more than 3,000 leading businessexecutives including past award win-ners, academics and leaders in thefields of product development, design,engineering, science and medicine.

We at Ed Dealer were saddened tohear about the death of Frank Sum-mersell, who died on May 8 after athree-year battle with cancer. Frankis the founder of national wholesaledistribution company EducatorsResource in Mobile, Alabama. Histhree sons – Trip, Jack and Brad –will continue to operate the business.

A native of Mobile, Frank was agraduate of Auburn University, andearned his CPA certificate in the Stateof Illinois. He began his career inChattanooga, Tennessee, with ArthurAnderson & Co. In 1965 he joinedthe Atlanta Braves as the team’s firstcomptroller. Later, he learned thewholesale distribution trade inChicago with Atlanta LaSalle Corpo-ration, parent company of the Braves,and began Educators Resource in1977. He retired in 2008.

School Specialty now owns fullrights to the brands and the exclusivedistribution rights to Royal Seat-ing’s line of K-12 furniture. RoyalSeating will now be exclusively mar-keted and sold by School Specialty,expanding the company’s proprietaryFurniture & Equipment stable ofproducts. It joins brands Projects byDesign, Classroom Select, Childcraft,Korners for Kids and Bird-In-Hand.

School Specialty also owns RoyalSeating’s intellectual property and asso-


ciated manufacturing tooling. The previous Royal Seating facility in Cameron, Texas, has a new operator which School Specialtyhas contracted for product design and development, manufacturing, as-sembly and distribution of the Classroom Select and Royal product lines.

“The process to bring Royal Seating into the School Specialtyfamily has been seamless, and products are now available toorder,” notes Allen Hoeppner, vice president of merchandising andoperations for School Specialty Furniture & Equipment.

Royal Seating has furnished classrooms for more than 45 yearswith chairs and desks available in a variety of styles, sizes and colors tofit a wide range of classroom needs. The 1100 Series Stack Chair, oneof the brand’s flagship products, is designed to promote correct seatingposture, and includes ventilation and comfortable thigh support. Otherbest-sellers include the 1400 Series Combination Study Desk with itspopular 1100 Series seat shell, and the 1600 Series Open Front Deskswith the legroom and space needed to accommodate oversized chairs.

“By bringing Royal Seating into the School Specialty fold, we’reable to continue offering educators the right selection of products thatenable them to facilitate student success,” says Mike Lavelle, CEO ofSchool Specialty. “Royal Seating has a strong reputation of qualityproducts, and the brand is a natural fit for School Specialty.”

INDUSTRY NEWS

Bobby Susser,founder of earlychildhood musiclabel New HopeRecords, has re-ceived the presti-gious DistinguishedAlumni Award fromTeachers College,Columbia Univer-sity. With 12 chil-dren’s albums in themarketplace andmore than 5 millionalbums sold, Susserhas written and produced original, award-winningsongs for children since 1972. His latest album“WO!” won two Dr. Toy Awards and a Parents’Choice award. Susser says a special highlight of hiscareer was recording the official theme song for St.Jude Children’s Hospital.

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EYE ON EDUCATION

GED Test Becomes TougherThe General Educational Development test, better

known as the GED, is experiencing the largest overhaulin the exam’s 70-year history. Changes are being madedue to the “growing criticism that it has fallen far shortof its promise to offer a second chance for the 39 millionadult Americans without a high school diploma,” readsan article from The Washington Post.

The updated exam will be introduced in January2014. It will be entirely digital, and will focus on skillsthat are “more relevant to today’s employers and col-leges, including critical thinking.” It will align with na-tional academic standards as well, bringing it up to parwith the education students are expected to receive intoday’s public schools.

CT Turner, spokesman for the GED Testing Serv-ice, says that the test needs to become a “stepping-stone” to college. “If we are not going to give them achance to better their lives, we are giving them falsehope,” he told The Washington Post. “We are assigningthem to a dead-end job.”

In a study completed by the GED Testing Service in2011, 60 percent of those who took the test said theyplanned to continue on to college, but only 43 percent actu-ally enrolled. Of those 43 percent, one third dropped out ofcollege after one semester, and only 12 percent graduated.

“There are other skills that matter in life: showingup in class, doing your homework, getting along withpeers – things that matter in school and in college,” JohnEric Humphries, a University of Chicago economist,told The Post.

Turner says, however, that creating a tougher test willset the bar higher, which will, hopefully, help students bebetter prepared to enter college and avoid getting stuck inremedial courses.

The new test will take seven hours to complete,and will condense five subject-area subtests to four:Reasoning through Language Arts, Math, Science andSocial Studies. It will also feature two written re-sponse sections instead of one essay, and the math por-tion will “require more analysis and a deeperunderstanding of mathematics.”

First Online-Only Public Universityto Open in Florida

In April, Florida Governor Rick Scott signed a lawthat would allow public university students in Florida toearn a college degree without having to leave the com-fort of their homes.

“We will be home to the first fully accredited, onlinepublic research university institute in the nation,” House

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Speaker Will Weatherford told the

Huffington Post in reference to

state-run University of Florida's

plans to start a series of online

bachelor's programs.

Florida is not the only state

changing the postsecondary education

game - Texas and California are also

developing university programs that

are completely online. The University

of Florida's online courses will cost

no more than 75 percent of its in-state

tuition for its regular classes.

Scott believes these courses will

"more closely link curriculums with

the needs of employers," and has

made job-oriented education and low

tuition a central component of his

economic developmental package.

President Focuses on Science in the Classroom

After the White House held its

third annual science fair on April 22, President Obama announced his plan

to "create and expand federal and

private-sector initiatives designed to

encourage children to study science,

technology, engineering and mathe

matics," according to an article from

The New York Times. "This is not the time to gut in

vestments that keep our businesses

on the cutting edge, that keep our

economy humming, that improve the

quality of our lives," the president

told the audience of students, busi

ness leaders and science-minded

celebrities at the science fair. "This

is the time to reach a level of re

search and development that we

haven't seen since the height of the

space race."

Obama has already set aside

$180 million in his 2014 budget re

quest to be put toward STEM (sci

ence, technology, engineering and

mathematics) programs and groups

historically underrepresented in those

fields. Another $265 million would

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Pinterest Prevails inClassrooms

Education and career informa-tion resource WorldWideLearn.comlaunched an infographic earlier thisyear titled “Professors, Peers andPinterest.” The eye-catching graphicexplores the role that Pinterest,which now has over 10 million usersper month, plays within the classroom.

Teachers have found that thesocial media site encourages student participation, and use it toshare inspirational quotes, displaystudent work, suggest reading materials and promote creativity.According to the infographic, over350 boards are titled “lesson plans,”400 use the keyword “classroom”and 450 use the keyword “teacher.”

“Professors have a done agreat job incorporating Pinterestinto lesson plans,” explains KevinPhang, spokesperson for WorldWideLearn.com. “They use it forshowcasing student portfolios, creating project mood boards andhelping students work together onvisual projects.” Even college administrators use it to showcasecampus events, student life and academics, says Phang.

Outside of the classroom, col-lege campuses have been getting cre-ative with the social media platform.Boards at Colorado State University,for example, feature things like tail-gating tips and dorm room do-it-yourself ideas. Colleges have alsocreated boards that focus on sportsteams, things to do locally, fashionand college gear, fitness, famousalums and more.

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ENDCAP

When he bought the company in1982 after practicing law for eight years,Chenille Kraft still focused on the to-bacco market. “The only items we wereselling in the educational market werecolored pipe cleaners manufactured inour factory in Chicago,” Brent admits.

But the tobacco side of the businesswas dying rapidly, making the decision toimport craft items for the education mar-ket easy. “To distinguish ourselves fromthe retail craft market, our packagingsizes targeted children and schools,”

Call 1-800-536-2438 to order [email protected]

Back-to-School Common CoreProducts Fit for a Queen!

Common Core Writers Block manipulatives, Concept Signs, and WakeUp Cards seamlessly incorporate Common Core concepts into anylesson or subject!

(continued from page 52)

AdaptDon’t be afraid to try newthings.

RespectEarn the respect of thosewho matter most: your cus-tomers, employees, suppli-ers and community. Thismeans being a good corpo-rate citizen every day, notjust when it’s convenient.

QualityEnsure that new products fulfill your promise for along time to come.

Chenille Kraft’s Business Standards –Great Advice for Longevity

ListenBe open to ideas from everyone – teachers, par-ents, children, customers, employees, commu-nity, company mail ... you get the idea. The morewe learn from those around us, the better ourproducts are and the more kids love them.

DiversityHire the best, brightest and most passionate professionals available.

SafetyChenille Kraft never forgets the “Play-it-SafePledge,” a promise to our customers, employeesand community to produce only products thatmeet or exceed all standards of the United Statesgovernment.

Brent says. “Fortunately, we had moresuccesses than failures with our productchoices, and expanded to more than 1,000items. We also developed a line of earlylearning products that includes puzzles,blocks, activity boxes and more.”

A huge category for ChenilleKraft is EVA foam, which it sells insheets, letters, puzzles and maps underthe WonderFoam brand. “It’s definitelyour most successful line, but we also sella lot of pipe cleaners, wiggly eyes, pom-poms and paint brushes,” Brent says.

The industry consolidates, butfriendships remain

When asked about the changes he’sseen through the years, Brent stated theobvious: there were many more small in-dependent dealers and distributors in 1982than there are today. “Even so, personalcontact and strong relationships are stillimportant for doing business in this indus-try,” he points out.

It’s a “contributor” industry, he says,because it sells and develops products thatteach children in our society. It’s a mis-sion Brent feels is very worthwhile. “Ifeel good about the markets our companysells into,” he told us. “I hope that Che-nille Kraft can continue to develop newand creative educational products that willbe useful to our customers and to the mar-ketplace. We hope they continue to helpstimulate both the creative process andthe learning process.”

A Chenille Kraftproject book

from 1958.


Let’s take a moment to honor thesimple colored pipe cleaner. It’sworked so hard for so long to be-

come something beautiful in the handsof little children. Simplicity and versatil-ity have made it one of the top threecraft supplies for kids, right up therewith popsicle sticks and brown paperbags. For stores that sell learning tools

by Alyssa LaFaro

Celebrate Kids’ Crafts as Skill Builders

to parents and teachers, pipe cleanerpacks are a must-always-have-in-stock.

Twisting that indestructible stem offluff to make a flower or bug gives mostchildren today their very first taste of joyfulcreative success. That bending and formingprocess is the precursor to things like draw-ing, sculpting and painting. Even more im-portant, it helps kids develop skills like

Chenille Kraft’s pipe cleaners comein nine different sizes, from 3mm

Thin Stems to 35mm SuperColossal Stems.


dedication, focus and problem-solving. The Chenille Kraft Company, based

in Gurnee, Illinois, has been a leadingsource of pipe cleaners in our industryfor more than 60 years. Begun in 1930as Bryn Mawr Smokers Sundries inChicago, the company developed andsold pipe- and cigar-related items, in-cluding pipe cleaners. Founders MorrisSiegel and his sons Benjamin and Mar-vin didn’t bring their pipe cleaners tothe education and children’s craft mar-kets until the 1950s, when they soldthem under the Chenille Kraft name.

“From the beginning, the companyworked to offer quality craft products to

promote creativity, in assortments thatwere aimed at the needs ofteachers and their students,”says company PresidentBrent Siegel, Morris’sgrandson. “The vast ma-jority of our craft prod-ucts – more than 1,300SKUs – are aimed at en-couraging children tofollow their own cre-ative instincts withoutdictating any right orwrong way to use them.“Despite the current

emphasis on math andscience, we see a lot ofvalue in promoting cre-ativity to today’s students.”

From smokers to crafters“We carry everything from paint

to dough and chalk to feathers,”Brent told us in a recent interview.

But it wasn’t always that way.

ENDCAP

The Skills Kids Learn from Participating in Art When parents and teachers come into your store looking for help to develop kids’

confidence, problem-solving skills, positive expression and “ways to roll with thechanges,” show them your pipe cleaners, craft kits and other artistic supplies. LisaPhillips, author of the book The Artistic Edge:7 Skills Children Need to Succeed in an In-creasingly Right Brain World, developed a top 10 list of skills that children learn fromparticipating in art, whether it’s theater, music or painting. Here are just a few youcan share with your customers.

Creativity: Being able to think on your feet, approach tasks from differentperspectives and think “outside of the box.” If children havepractice thinking creatively, it will come naturally to them.

Problem Solving: Without even realizing it, kids who participate in the arts are consistently being challenged tosolve problems. All this practice develops children’s skills inreasoning and understanding.

Perseverance: In an increasingly competitive world, where peopleare being asked to continually develop new skills, perseverance isessential to achieving success.

Receiving Constructive Feedback: Art helps children learn thatfeedback is part of learning, and it is not something to be offendedby or to be taken personally. It is something helpful.

Collaboration: Most arts disciplines are collaborative. Throughthe arts, children practice working together, sharing responsibilityand compromising with others to accomplish a common goal.

Dedication: When kids get to practice following through with artistic endeavors that result in a finished product or performance, they learn to associate dedication with a feeling of accomplishment.

The Innovation Continues

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