What, pray tell, is a “hybrid filter”? That is what we wanted to know. So, when Hitachi visited our offices last week we took their new hybrid projector filter apart (see image here) and asked them how it worked.

The new hybrid filter has two-stage air cleaning to prevent dust particles from damaging the electronic components and obscuring the optical components. The first filter, with a corrugated design, traps larger particles, and the second filter, with a tighter weave, blocks the much smaller micro-particles. It acts like a HEPA filter in a vacuum. By limiting dust build-up and ensuring the free flow of clean air, the hybrid filter reduces wear and tear on your projector.

All LCD projectors have filters. But, Hitachi is the only manufacturer to offer this unique, hybrid filter design now available on the Hitachi CP-X201, CP-X206, CP-X301, CP-X306, CP-X401 and CP-X450 projectors.

Advantages of the new hybrid filter projectors include:

• Customers never have to clean the filter.
• Change filter only when it is time to replace the lamp.
• Each lamp ships with the replacement filter, which easily snaps into place.

Less wear and tear and dramatically reduced maintenance requirements translate to longer projector life and lower total cost of ownership. Now there’s a two-part approach we like.

More images: close-up of filters, filter put back together.

Help students gear up for a studious summer by highlighting community or school hosted camp sessions and summer reading lists. Get the parents involved with events like field day by posting announcements in prominent locations around the school!

Create a summer reading bulletin board to highlight some exciting book choices to keep them reading all summer.

Save some time and money by using your Awards Maker to create plaques, bookmarks and stickers to highlight your students’ yearly achievements and present the personalized awards at your year-end ceremony. Show appreciation to volunteers who have helped during the school year too.

Send your graduates off with custom posters with congratulatory remarks from friends and family. Start collecting the messages now and display the posters on the last day of school.

By Victoria Cobb, Creative Learning Coordinator

A.J. Ferrell Middle School, Tampa, FL

This school invested in a Varitronics Poster Printer two years ago, and later purchased the remaining items in the VariQuest product line. They have nothing but wonderful things to say about the value of these products. As I walked around the school with Lisa Cobb, Lead Teacher for Curriculum Integration, we saw how they use the VariQuest products to educate, motivate and communicate with the A.J. Ferrell Middle School community.

We stopped in Mrs. Reed-Oliver’s classroom to discuss a new etymology lesson plan. Each day, she places a new word on her word wall. The students work in groups to research the origin, definitions, history and take note of any roots, prefixes or suffixes hidden in the word. Her goal is to help the students understand the complexity of the English language. To kick-start her lesson plan, she holds a mini scavenger hunt for some words to get them familiar with the skills. As the lessons progress, her wall fills with words and the students’ related discoveries.

Mr. Simon, a technology teacher, has just started creating a motivational wall for his students. Using the Cutout Maker he created the title “Mr. Simon’s Stars,” and based on student’s work, he’ll be selecting his star students. Their photos will be placed inside a star frame that will also be created on the Cutout Maker.

Ms. Cobb has used the Awards Maker to create plaques. A.J. Ferrell Middle School recently had a breakfast for the students who received the Principal’s Honor Roll. Each student received a certificate and plaque for their accomplishments.

Ms. Cobb also created plaques as a way to show her appreciation for the school’s international partners. On a trip abroad, she hand delivered a plaque to Beijing 101 Middle School! A.J. Ferrell Middle School often creates a plaque for special guests of the school too. It is a quick and easy way to show their appreciation.

On my way out, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Sykes, the new principal. To herald his arrival to the A.J. Ferrell Middle School community, the staff created banners and posters to welcome him to the school.