April 2008 Editor's Letter
By: Jill Pinheiro

I have just returned from the National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA) School Products Expo in Orlando. It's always a great opportunity to see the latest school equipment and furniture, and this year was no exception.

I had the opportunity to tour the New Product Pavilion at the show, and I thought I'd share with you five new classroom innovations that caught my eye.

1. Individual Locker Mat
This mat is designed to fit and protect individual classroom locker spaces. Absorbent non-woven material helps contain and trap moisture and dirt from footwear stored in lockers. (Jonti-Craft)

2. Chair Monkey Pack
Using the empty space on the back of a chair to organize school supplies, you can find everything easily, make desks tidy, and maximize storage space. (Awesomely Organized)

3. Flexi-Felt
These chair leg covers protect flooring and reduce chair movement noise by 90 percent. There are several models to fit various categories of furniture footings. (Innovative Engineering)

4. Plastic Stacking Activity Chair
These colorful plastic chairs are as sturdy and resilient as hardwood. Comfortable, one-piece, Uni-body design chairs contour the child to promote healthy posture. (Early Childhood Resources)

5. Construction Paper Storage
This sturdy corrugated box is ideal for storing sheets of 9x12 construction paper neatly in the classroom. The unit holds up to 15 different colors. (Pacon)

With nearly 400 exhibiting companies on the Ed Expo side of the show, which is billed as a "back-to-school" trade show, and more than 150 exhibiting companies on the School Equipment side of the show, which is geared more toward furniture, there were a wide variety of products on display.

We will be profiling these various products within these pages in upcoming issues to keep you up-to-date on the newest educational products for your school.

I'm always interested in hearing from you. You can reach me at jill@cspmag.com.

God Bless,

Jill Pinheiro
Managing Editor