Divide and Conquer: How ScreenFlex and Worthington Direct Work Together to Help Alleviate Cramped Classroom Space

(PRWeb) February 23, 2007 -- Like so many other schools in Southern California and across the nation, Santa Monica Boulevard Elementary Charter School was extremely cramped for space. Filing cabinets were being used to separate one large multipurpose room into a technology center, storage area, office and one-on-one learning environments for special education students.

"Needless to say, it wasn't working out," said Linda Lee, Technology Coordinator at the school. "The students could see right into the other work areas and it was extremely noisy and distracting for everyone."

But like so many other schools, Lee knew she would have to make the most of the space she had to work with. The charter simply couldn't afford any additional classrooms, and even if it could, waiting was not an option. The campus was expecting 1500 students in the fall and her special education students would be out a private place where resource specialists could conduct speech therapy, if she didn't move fast.

After a quick search on the Internet, Lee found ScreenFlex Portable Partitions http://www.worthingtondirect.com/appCatalogManufacturerPartSearch.cfm?manufacturerID=753, an Illinois based manufacturer of versatile, flexible partitions. The company offers online planning information as well as free information kits to help make the decision-making process easier for facilities managers and other district personnel.

"Everything I needed was tight there on their website," said Lee. "I placed the order and in less than three months, I had the space I needed at a cost our school could afford."

For approximately $10,000, Santa Monica Elementary School's large 26 feet by 24 feel multipurpose room was transformed into one 9-by-13, one 15-by-13, and one 17-by-9 room, as well as a 7-by-9 storage area. The walls are 6 feet tall and include three doors, which help to create more private study and work areas, as well as mallard green designer fabric that blends in nicely with the school's décor and surroundings.

ScreenFlex designed the partitions so that speech therapy could be conducted in one area, teachers could prepare lesson plans in another, and items could be stored in the remaining section. All of the partitions are on casters so they can be easily wheeled away and stored in just minutes. They fold neatly and compactly, accordion-style, so that the large multipurpose room can still be used for assemblies, programs or special events as often as necessary.

"As your needs change you can open a room back up and you would never know the partitions were there," said Dan Cornell, Planning and Sales Consultant at ScreenFlex. "That is the beauty of portable partitions."

Cornell said this versatility makes partitions an excellent alternative not only to conventional construction, but to modular classrooms as well.

"A school may have tremendous growth one year but a significant decline the next," said Cornell. "Portable partitions allow your school to change its use of space as its needs change, at a much lower cost than using modular classrooms."

In addition to portability and versatility, ScreenFlex Partitions (worthingtondirect.com/appCatalogBlocksViewList.cfm?SubClassID=77 ) also offer a look schools can be proud of. They come in 31 different colors, including fabric and vinyl finishes that are tackable and can be conveniently used to display students' artwork or papers. Partitions are also readily available in six different heights: 4', 5', 6', 6'-8", 7'-4", 8' and lengths come in sixes from 5'-9" - 24'-1". In addition, ScreenFlex's trademarked multiple FREE standing partitions (http://www.worthingtondirect.com/appCatalogPartsViewList.cfm?BlockID=1902)
can be locked together to form unlimited lengths, depending on your own school's needs.

Doors, windows, dry-erase marker boards, and a variety of other features can be also be added to make your dividers more aesthetically pleasing and functional. All ScreenFlex partitions are shippable by truck and require no assembly upon arrival. Costs start at $485 and many partitions are available in-stock for immediate delivery.

High schools, colleges, churches, hospitals and even minor league baseball teams today are using portable partitions. They can transform a gymnasium into a Sunday school, a cafeteria into a study hall, or a conference room into a private meeting place.

"The options are as endless as the imagination," said Cornell. "There are really no limits to what you can do with them."

For more information and to order ScreenFlex partitions visit our website at www.worthingtondirect.com or call 800-599-6636.

After spending over 30 years in the school supply, church and equipment industry, Worthington Direct knows what is important - selection, service, price and timing. Our goal is to make your purchasing job easier. With competitive pricing, knowledgeable sales associates, and "In Stock" products for quick, efficient shipping...Worthington Direct is committed to being your furniture resource.

For more information contact Wren Ovard at 800-599-6636 or via email.

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