Educational Dealer October 2019

October 2019

FOR PEOPLE WHO SELL TO TEACHERS, PARENTS AND SCHOOLS

The Pieces and Parts That Keep Our Schools

HUMMING Furniture and equipment at EDspaces page 8 Classroom supplies and instructional materials at We Connect page 13

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THE ISSUE

by Kevin Fahy

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

Do you remember the 1998 romcom “You’ve got Mail!”? It starred Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, and was actually a remake of a prewar Jimmy Stewart movie called “The Little Shop Around the Corner.”

I used it as the basis for an editorial 20 years ago because the storyline was timely for our industry. Tom Hanks plays the CEO of a huge bookstore chain, based on Barnes and Noble, that is in the process of crushing a small independent store owned by Meg Ryan’s character. It’s personal to her, as she grew up in the store that was founded by her mother.

Those of you who were around the school supply industry in the ’90s will remember a very similar dynamic going on at that time. School Specialty was the oversized, aggressive conglomerate buying up family businesses or forcing them out of the market. I don’t recall seeing any movie stars, but otherwise it was pretty much the same story.

I was channel surfing recently when I happened to land on that film and it sucked me back in. It was engaging, funny, slickly produced and just generally better than I remembered, and of course I loved the Nilsson songs and the golden retriever.

The premise of the story was outdated, but in a way that made it more interesting to me. Barnes and Noble (like School Specialty) is still around, but it is no longer an existential threat to mom-and-pop bookstores. Over the past two turbulent decades it has closed 400 locations, leaving it with 627 shops and a greatly reduced market share of about 8 percent. Amazon, by contrast, has built up a U.S. market share of 50 percent.

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Ironically, the “mail” referred to in the title is not the U.S. mail, but AOL’s Instant Messenger, through which the lead characters meet and fall in love. Neither the filmmakers nor the audience realized that the seemingly innocuous internet would soon make the competition between chains and independents virtually irrelevant.

In August a private equity firm called Elliot Advisors bought Barnes and Noble for $683 million. Elliot is the owner of Waterstones, the largest bookstore chain in Great Britain.

The week that sale closed, The New York Times published an article posing the question, “Can Britain’s Top Bookseller Save Barnes and Noble?”

The title was not referring to a British company but rather to a British person.

In 2010, the Waterstones chain was itself on the verge of bankruptcy. It was purchased by a Russian billionaire named Alexander Mamut for $66 million. To run it, Mamut brought in James Daunt, who had founded an independent store and expanded it over 20 years into a very profitable six-store chain.

It took about four years for Daunt to turn the 300-store operation around, but in 2015 he managed a 10-percent return on $500 million in sales, and has continued to maintain those numbers ever since. Last year Mamut sold the business to Elliot Advisors for $250 million.

So now Elliot is sending Mr. Daunt to New York to take over the reins of Barnes and Noble, with the apparent expectation that he will accomplish the same sort of turnaround that he did at Waterstones. I find it a (continued on page 6)

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October/November 2019 Volume 44, No 5 FOR PEOPLE WHO SELL TO TEACHERS, PARENTS AND SCHOOLS

3

The Issue

8

School Tours Pull Us In

Signed, Sealed, Delivered

by Kevin Fahy

A total of four tours to local schools and universities show how learning is facilitated in 21st-century schools.

12

18

8

Visit Ed Dealer Advertisers in the Exhibit Hall A Good Company Serving Good People Doing Good Things

Knowledge Tree’s Andy Gattas does what he can for his community. And it’s a lot.

24 SUPER Hero The founder of Hero Arts vulcanized her first 33 44

rubber stamps in the bathroom of her home. Today her company’s products are distributed worldwide.

10 Questions for Brian Roberts

Educational Dealer Welcomes Three New Advertisers

46

Endcap

13 14

18

Happy Meal Cafeteria designs for EDspaces contain all the right ingredients.

A Journey and a Destination

Visit Our Advertisers at the Show

Departments

22 New & True 26 Industry News 29 Eye on Education

34 Business Notes

37 Cool & Hot

Innovations in the furniture and equipment category 45

Index of Advertisers

4 EducationalDealerMagazine.com — October 2019

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THE ISSUE (continued from page 3) little ironic that a man who was running a “mom-and-pop” a few years ago is now managing the largest bookstore operation in the world. It’s as if Meg Ryan had ended up being Tom Hanks’ boss.

In Great Britain, Waterstones has held onto a 25-percent market share while keeping Amazon “down” to 40 percent. The question is how those numbers were attained, and whether the same strategy will work in a different place and time.

In hindsight there is general agreement on one point. If you try to beat Amazon at its own game, you are likely going to lose. Barnes and Noble lost hundreds of millions of dollars, and years of precious time, trying to become an ecommerce merchant.

Failing that, it made the even-worse decision to partner with Amazon on fulfillment.

B and N’s third strike was the Nook e-reader, which was launched to compete against the Kindle. The problem was that a successful e-reader required the backing of a successful ecommerce site. That was another billion down a rabbit hole.

So we have a list of things not to do when trying to survive as a bookstore in the Internet Age, but we also need a to-do list. James Daunt has not made a public statement of his intentions, but I think we can make a few assumptions from his record at Waterstones.

One is that the big picture is made up of many small details, and he pays attention to those details. Here is how he recently described Barnes and Noble – “It’s a bit ugly. There’s piles of crap around the place. It all feels a bit unloved, the booksellers look a bit miserable, it’s all a bit rundown.”

According to the Times article, Daunt once carried on a vehement argument with a store designer for several weeks about the proper angle of tilt for bookstore shelving. The designer wanted 4 degrees and Daunt insisted on 3.

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Another tenet is that bookstores are local businesses, and will only flourish if they reflect local tastes.

Waterstones, like Barnes and Noble, had made all the product decisions at headquarters and encouraged every store to look like every other store.

The parent company still makes a lot of product decisions, but it also allows managers to adjust their stores to the community in which they exist.

In some cases, even the name of the store has been changed to fit its environs.

Finally, there is one other principle Daunt has applied that may be the most significant, and it has to do with those books that are selected by the home office. When he took over at Waterstones, it was taking in $38 million a year in “co-op fees” from publishers. That was a lot of money for a struggling business but it allowed publishers to decide what was stocked in every store, as well as what was displayed, and where.

Daunt compares that situation to a crack habit, that feels great at first but will eventually kill you. By putting a stop to it, he was able to cut returns from 25 percent to 4 percent, and free up thousands of employees from all that packing and shipping.

Now customers understand that Waterstones makes recommendations based on merit, not money, and Daunt’s selection for a book-of-the-month may sell 100,000 copies. Amazon will offer you a lot of fancy algorithms that analyze your shopping habits, but it will not offer you its own judgement.

That may be the most valuable commodity that you have to sell.

You can e-mail Kevin at kfahy@fwpi.com.

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School Tours Pull Us Into EDspaces

by Tina Manzer

O

Our readers supply the pieces and parts that keep U.S. schools running. But, like most of us, they probably haven’t experienced a classroom firsthand since they were students.

And things have changed since then.

For those who are curious about the ways high-tech, STEM, and project-based learning have reconfigured school environments, we recommend attending the EDspaces Conference & Expo, Wednesday, October 23rd through Friday the 25th in Milwaukee. The event “walks the talk,” says EDmarket President/CEO Jim McGarry, by immersing its partic-

ipants in the ways cutting-edge spaces impact outcomes – in K-12 settings and in higher education.

Here’s an example from the upcoming show: speakers offer insight on transforming school spaces to participants who are sitting in transformative school spaces. Six special prototype classrooms, designed by architects and furnished by exhibiting vendors, will be installed right in the Wisconsin Center.

Here’s another example: offsite, during the Higher Ed tour on Friday, the monumental new Kenwood Interdisciplinary Research

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Stops on the Higher Ed Tour on Friday, October 25, include UW-Milwaukee’s new Lubar Entrepreneurship Center

by Continuum architects; and UWM’s KIRC by Flad Architects (inset). Its lobby is a major pedestrian route in a campus gateway location.

Complex (KIRC) at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee will demonstrate how one cutting-edge science building brings all students on campus together.

And it’s just one stop on the four tours that are scheduled.

Tours are a highlight of the school furniture-and-equipment show, and this year they offer more collaborative spaces, common areas, labs, classrooms, October 2019 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 9

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academic neighborhoods, renovations and new builds than ever before.

Tuesday, October 22, 1 to 6 p.m.

STEM Innovation Tour` Collaboration, Fab Labs and Maker Spaces, hands-on learning and job training Muskego Lakes Middle School, Bray Architects

The new 136,836-square-foot school has a two-story academic wing that organizes grades into neighborhoods.

Each one has five classrooms arranged around a shared resource area. To support collaboration and project-based learning, three have sliding glass doors that open

into the shared space. Natural-light-filled technical education classrooms offer state-of- the-art equipment to help users explore career paths and develop marketable skills.

New Berlin Middle/High School Fab Lab, Palmer Hamilton

The brand new turnkey Fab Lab Makerspace is more than a classroom for tech education. Like a library, it’s a true destination across academic disciplines, bringing 21st-century skills to all students on campus. The space is fun and inviting with an exciting layout and design. Its complete programmatic plan engages students in hands-on learning and prepares them for jobs.

Mukwonago High School, Bray Architects

By opening up the second floor and adding a stunning gymnasium and auditorium, the original school was beautifully transformed. STEAM space moved to a central location to encourage student involvement. It features stateof-the-art equipment donated by local companies to train students in woodworking, manufacturing and other related fields. Art classrooms were created for work with different mediums. Glassy connections between classrooms and surrounding areas enable students to see the process and collaborate. (continued on page 12)

Visit Us at Booth 346 Meet Our Team & See Our New Products 973.472.0100 � www.academiafurniture.com 10 EducationalDealerMagazine.com — October 2019

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Space to Gather

Space to Collaborate

Space to Innovate Space to Contemplate

Space to Investigate

Give Them Space.

NorvaNivel creates engaging spaces for extraordinary futures.

Learn more at norvanivel.com Recipient of the Good Design Award for product excellence

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October 2019 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 11

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Visit Educational Dealer Advertisers at EDspaces Booth 346

Booth 336

Booth 526

Booth 520

Booths 636

Booth 613

Booth 418

Booth 754

Booth 845

Booth 219

Booth 1604

Booth 1238

Booth 536

Booth 1104

See ad on pg 10

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Friday, October 25, 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

EDFacility Tour South New builds and transformations, open spaces, academic neighborhoods, student-centered learning, and collaboration

See ad on pg 31

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See ad on pg 17

See ad on pg 19

St. Augustine Prep, Korb & Associates Architects

The K-12 campus is a new groundup construction featuring academic neighborhoods with multiple types and scales of learning environments, plus flexible, specialized classrooms.

Embedded technology allows for real-time information sharing and collaboration. Smaller, casual breakout spaces are also available for focused groups and one-on-one instruction.

Forest Park Middle School, Plunkett Raysich Architects

This new school, with the capacity to serve more than 1,200 students in grades 6 through 8, replaces a dated, undersized building on the same site. It’s large with three wings to accommodate the grade levels. The wings come together at a central learning commons, the hub of the school, which spans two floors. Like a library, it allows students and staff to quickly access resources and find spaces in which to collaborate.

See ad on pg 11

See ad on pg 25

See ads on pg 17, 19, 21, 35 See ad on pg 16

See ad on pg 48

Franklin High School, Eppstein Uhen Architects

A referendum to address school capacity and add a new performing arts center became a complete transformation. It supports the school’s switch from “teacher-centered” to “student-centered.”

A two-story learning space and a new performing arts center were added, and three STEM neighborhoods were created. Collaboration is emphasized by a centrally located “think tank” space.

See ad on pg 32

See ad on pg 20

See ad on pg 40

K-12 Tour North Flexible spaces in all shapes and sizes, renovation, consolidation and expansion 1. Meadow View Elementary School, Eppstein Uhen Architects

Just opened this fall, the new building accommodates 675 students using a variety of flexible small- and large-group instructional spaces. (continued on page 42)

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CONNECT

A Destination and a Journey

by Tina Manzer

Many of our retail readers, customers of Catalog Solutions, will soon head to the Rosen Center in Orlando to participate in the company’s third annual We Connect School Supply Conference. It’s the only traditional trade show focused on instructional materials and classroom resources for grades pre-K through 12.

“Attendance has continued to grow; we really owe that to our entire customer base,” reports Catalog Solutions’ President Dana Flaherty. “They have spread the word to vendors and other dealers about how amazing the show has been for them.”

Stops along the way

With nearly 80 vendor booths, the exhibit hall opens on Monday, November 4, but the conference kicks off with a golf outing on Saturday, November 2, at 10 a.m. A reception is scheduled for the evening.

“Many of our dealers and vendors arrive early to relax before the event starts, so we arranged an optional evening of food, networking and fun at Topgolf, the premier golf entertainment complex here,” explains Brian Roberts, vice president of business development.

“Anyone can play Topgolf – you don’t have to be a golfer. You score points by hitting micro-chipped golf balls at giant dartboard-like targets on an outfield.”

The $75 ticket also includes appetizers, dinner and dessert.

Two other We Connect “parties” – a Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner on Sunday evening and The Main EdVent on Monday around the Rosen Centre pool – are included for fullconference participants.

Asking for directions

On Sunday, while the vendors set up their booths, dealers can take part in the “Learning Journey,” a series of roundtable discussions that begins at 1 p.m. “Each of the topics focuses on best practices and industry trends,” says Brian. “To help dealers get the most out of the Learning Journey, they received a packet in advance with worksheets to complete. The goal is to get them brainstorming and gathering questions before they sit down at the tables. That way, they can engage in the discussions, create a follow-up list, and take good notes that are relevant to their business.”

Each session will have a moderator and a volunteer to write down comments, ideas, and the high points of each discussion. Moderators will move from table to table every 30 minutes to facilitate discussions with new groups.

After the event, a list will be compiled and distributed to each participant.

The following topics – with questions from the advance worksheets – will be discussed.

Social Networking

What are your experiences with social media? What have you done to elevate your profile? What results/ responses do you anticipate? What questions do you have for dealers who have embraced social media that could help you get started? Do fire sales/ quick-response posts generate results?

What other ideas do customers respond to?

Top Toy Products

This sharing-and-learning discussion asks dealers about their top-selling items

in the toy category. Participants can ask questions, share experiences, and come away with great ideas and a list of strong items that sell.

Special Needs

“This topic will be less of a roundtable and more of a presentation format,” says Brian. “It was a popular session last year, and this year it will offer more information, new suggestions and a sharing of experiences. The presenter, Colleen Harron, has such a depth of knowledge and experience. She’s worked with us on creating a custom 32-page special needs flier/insert for upcoming catalogs. It’s a high-interest area among dealers.”

Promotions to Generate Year-round Sales

Dealers are invited to bring ideas that they’ve used successfully to help teacher stores stimulate traffic all year long.

Top Education Products

What are the best sellers? What categories are experiencing increased sales and interest? What were the top five items from this past season? What products consistently sell year-round?

Which new items have generated interest among teachers and/or parents?

Staff Training

It’s a given that a knowledgeable staff is important to customer experience.

How do you train your staff on new products? On the features and benefits of the many products in your mix? How do you orient new employees? (continued on page 15)

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Visit Educational Dealer Advertisers at We Connect Booth 620

Booth 102

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Booth 313-315

Booth 310-312 See ad on pg 44

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Booth 423

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Booths 402-404-406

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Booth 314

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Booth 210

Booth 505

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Booths 223

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Booths 502, 504, 506

Booth 420-422

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Booths 401

Project Boards

Crestline See ad on pg 14

Study Carrels

Products Products

BoothsSheets 517-519 Project

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Booths 614

Foam Board

See ad on pg 19

Dry Erase Paddles

Booth 322

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Booth 409

See ad on pg 40

Dry Erase Boards Chalkboards Business Easels Childrens Easels

Crestline Products Products

Teaching Easels Diplomas

Project Boards

Certificates

Study Carrels

Border Paper

Project Sheets

The Flipside Family of Products; manufacturer of more than 1,000 educational products. Trusted by Teachers, Parents, & Students for over 30 years!

Foam Board

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Dry Erase Paddles Dry Erase Boards Chalkboards Business Easels Childrens Easels Teaching Easels Diplomas Certificates Border Paper

The Flipside Family of Products; manufacturer of more than 1,000 educational products. Trusted by Teachers, Parents, & Students for over 30 years! www.flipsideproducts.com 14 EducationalDealerMagazine.com — October 2019

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How do you keep the most seasoned staff members enthusiastic and informed?

The Best In-store Events – Step-by-Step Planning and How-to

Share your ideas for creating, promoting, and executing good in-store events. Which ones have been successful and how do you market them? What will you do differently the next time, and what ideas do you have to add?

Some souvenirs

Educational Dealer Magazine is once again sponsoring the We Connect Top Picks of the Show awards. Each exhibitor can submit one product for consideration, and all registered dealers will be asked to vote on their five favorites – a ballot is included in their registration packet. Trophies will be awarded on Tuesday morning, followed by the raffle prize-drawing.

“The Top Picks program is intended to increase awareness for new products introduced for the upcoming school year,” says Brian. “Manufacturers and supplemental publishers have invested time and research to develop products that meet the changing needs of today’s classrooms, and help educators achieve the best results. This is one way to recognize them.”

Among the criteria dealers consider when voting are the product’s effectiveness as a skill developer, and its quality, functionality, and curriculum relevance.

When I asked Dana Flaherty about the ways this third annual We Connect differs from last year’s he said, “If it’s not broken, why fix it? We’ve made small adjustments to the times, workshops and event, but no major changes.

“The biggest difference this year is that the show specials continue to impress,” he continued. “We really appreciate the support from our vendors.

It’s one of the many factors about We Connect that has increased dealer and vendor excitement.”

Going forward, the conference will continue to be held at the Rosen Center; (continued on page 17) October 2019 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 15

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our S t o p by ® f co a S y b Learn t 1604 a booth # es!

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Anything But Standard

Our New School of Thought!

Our Safco® Products just got smarter! We took them to school so we could give you Learn by Safco®! Our thought: Safco has been selling educational products since saddle shoes were in style, so why not put them into a comprehensive collection? Now Learn

by Safco has all your favorite Safco products, easily navigable under one collection.

And while we had our thinking caps on, we decided to introduce several new product lines built for educational environments. Be the first to see them at EDspaces 2019! www.SafcoProducts.com/LearnbySafco

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Dana feels the continuity it provides to dealers and vendors is important. In terms of show dates and times, they’re adjusted slightly each year to maximize attendance.

After each We Connect conference, Catalog Solutions’ customers are surveyed about the event. “We take that feedback very seriously and adjust accordingly to ensure that we put on the very best show that we can,” Dana added. “Non-catalog customers have been a point of conversation every year, but our continued focus is current dealers and vendors.”

Schedule Saturday, November 2nd 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Golf Outing 7 to 9 p.m.

Top Golf Sunday, November 3rd 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Registration 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Exhibit Setup 1 to 5 p.m.

Dealer Workshops/Learning Journey 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Welcome Cocktail Reception & Dinner Monday, November 4th 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast

DIVIDE... DISPLAY...DISCOVER...WITH PORTABLE WALLS

8:30 a.m. to noon Exhibits Open 12 to 12:45 p.m.

Box Lunch/Exhibits Closed 12:45 to 5:00 PM Exhibits Open

Visit us in booth 613 at EdSpaces!

6 to 11p.m.

The Main EdVent Dinner/Entertainment Tuesday, November 5th 7:30 to 8:30 a.m.

Continental Breakfast 8:30 a.m. to noon Exhibits Open 11:45 a.m. to noon Prize Drawings and Awards Presentation

OUR GOAL IS TO HELP YOU USE YOUR SPACE MORE EFFICIENTLY PORTABLE • VERSATILE • ECONOMICAL • SELF-LEVELING CASTERS • LOCKS INTO PLACE SOUND ABSORBING • COMPACT STORAGE TACKABLE PANELS • GLIDES OPEN

stunning ation & create Display inform w exhibits! portable art sho

Contact: Kevin Maas 800-553-0110-x 109 www.dealerSF.com

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A Good Company, Serving Good People, doing Good Things Ed Dealer: What do you love most about being the owner of Knowledge Tree?

Storeowner Andy Gattas with Pam Henize, a rep from Teacher Created Resources. With a big donation of products from TCR, Andy was able to open a pop-up shop in 2017 that provided free supplies to inner-cityschool teachers.

W

by Claire Sykes

What can a kid and his nine siblings expect when their father owns a store? Work. As early as age eight, Andy Gattas was sweeping the floors, rounding up parking-lot shopping carts and stocking shelves at the Fred P. Gattas Company, in Memphis, Tennessee.

His Lebanese-American father was also one of 10 children, and grew up in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Fred began his career as a peddler, and then bought a wholesale-candy business in 1954. Soon he was manufacturing candy and selling it along with tobacco and other specialty items.

In 1955, Fred stopped making candy and began selling housewares, giftware and jewelry. He opened a catalog showroom three years later – one of the first in the country – and eventually added sporting goods, cameras, radios, leather, luggage and toys.

Andy took a different route to retail. He got an accounting degree, a suit and tie, and a job with Ernst & Young. Five years later he was back at the store, putting his adding machine to good use. It meant a pay cut, which he gladly accepted.

By the 1990s, the retail warehouse/showroom format had gone out of style. Fred sold the business, which included nine locations. That’s when Andy took over. In 1994 he bought a teacher-supply store in Memphis, which became Knowledge Tree. In 25 years it’s become a retail standout with five locations in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas, and 56 employees. Andy gets “all As” for his stores’ wide selection of teacher supplies, classroom decoratives, office and art supplies, paper, instructional materials and school furniture.

But to the people it serves, Knowledge Tree is more than a store.

Andy’s mission is do whatever he can to get the best teaching products into the hands of “the people who are making positive change in our world,” especially if their world needs help. He’s just living the lesson his father taught him: “Make your corner of the world a better place.”

Andy Gattas: Honestly, I feel it’s an honor to serve the educators in our communities. I’m in contact with people who can effect change daily.

They’re the nicest people with the best intentions, and I don’t think I could operate in a more congenial business environment. And I like retailing.

We sell a lot of school furniture, and it’s a blast working with architects and educators to figure out the best solutions. Internet marketing and social media present a whole set of challenges that are both exciting and difficult.

There’s always something to learn.

You sell online, and also from catalogs and at brick-and-mortar locations.

They all feed each other. Most of our business is in-store and then online. Our web business is growing exponentially, with a 60- to 70-percent increase in sales from our existing customer base, selling right here to people who already know us.

You have to have a website and an email-marketing plan, Facebook and other social media, along with the print catalog and brick-and-mortar.

They’re all part of our brand identity and development. We look at all three as one, because that’s how customers view it.

How many different catalogs do you produce?

Since 1995, we have used Catalog Solutions to provide our customers with three different catalogs. We order 4,000 catalogs that feature all our products,

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,

e,

1,000 early-education catalogs, and 500 for furniture – at 440, 304 and 98 pages, respectively. We distribute them to the local schools at the beginning of the season, a couple of weeks later and again at the end of the school year when they have to spend the rest of their budget.

Plus you have five retail locations.

Are they all the same size?

Our biggest store, in Memphis, is 12,500 square feet with a 30,000 square-foot warehouse attached to it.

Next largest is 7,500 in Little Rock, and then 6,500 in Horn Lake, Mississippi.

In the Memphis area, Germantown is 5,200 and Cordova is 3,600.

Do they all carry the same mix of products?

The mix is the same for all five stores, but the depth changes, especially for toys. Teacher supplies are very consistent, but “toys” is the one category that fluctuates, depending on the store’s market. We’ve expanded into toys more, and we’re looking to make Christmas another big selling season by using floor space to turn product during a time that has hasn’t been as busy for us.

We try to maintain the most popular items in our smaller stores.

What are your best sellers?

School, paper, and office and art supplies make up about 35 percent of sales. We have been targeting more parents buying school supplies for their children using pre-packed-supplies boxes. Furniture is 40 percent, and the rest is instructional materials.

When teachers come in, they want classroom decoratives. That’s a big category for us, especially designs from Teacher Created Resources. We sell more office supplies and paper products than anything, dollar- and unit-wise, because every business needs them. It may seem boring to sell them,

Learning Through Discovery Creating spaces that encourage children to explore, discover, and learn—at every age. www.jonti-craft.com | sales@jonti-craft.com October 2019 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 19

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Workstation

Contact your WB Sales Manager or email info@wibenchmfg.com for details!

Demetria Jackson was one of more than 2,500 educators from school networks across the mid-south and beyond, who were invited to “shop” at the Knowledge Tree pop-up. They left with an average of $350 dollars worth of supplies.

because it’s not the cute colors and what everyone’s talking about, but if we didn’t, the rest of our business wouldn’t do as well.

In furniture, with the big shift to collaborative learning in the classroom, we’re selling more 21st-century, mobile and adjustable options. That’s a real positive part of our business. It’s amazing how much the school districts will spend now versus five years ago.

Where do you get ideas for new products to bring in?

We’ll attend the We Connect School Supply Conference in Orlando in November, and ECRM in February.

We also go to a gift show in Atlanta, Toy Fair and ASTRA Marketplace, and occasionally to EDspaces. We also get new-product ideas from our sales reps – they’re really good sources of information. They’ve worked with us a while, so they know our business and what’s worth showing to us.

Social responsibility is very important to you. Tell me about your community support initiatives.

I’m on the board of Communities

in Schools, a national organization that provides support for disadvantaged and at-risk youth, from elementary school to high school – everything from food and clothing to counseling. It’s a pretty big deal. These are kids who don’t have an equal footing. They can’t go to school if they don’t have clothes to wear.

I’ve solicited school supplies from vendors at all the tradeshows. I’ve asked them to give what they can and they all send me stuff. We add to it because kids always need extra school supplies and notebook paper, and then we take it to the schools for them. My employees love it – distributing the items is great for them. Plus, they know they’re working for an organization that’s working for the greater good.

About three years ago, Teacher Created Resources bought another publisher, and they were getting rid of stale products. The owner of TCR said we could take anything we wanted, and it was $1.4 million worth! We just had to pay shipping. So in December 2017, we set up a little pop-up shop for three months in the vacant space next door, and invited all the teachers in the innercity schools to come for free supplies.

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Last year, two other vendors gave the organization $1.1 million in products.

This year so far, we have only received about $10,000.

Many teachers in the Memphis area don’t have a budget for classroom supplies, and children’s families can’t afford them. There’s plenty of poverty here, and a lot of people are suffering.

The city is stricken with racial problems and there’s a great disparity in wealth and income; inequity between the haves and have-nots.

When I was growing up, Danny Thomas often visited our home.

He was also of Lebanese descent and he and my father were friends.

In addition to being an actor and comedian he founded St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. That kind of giving didn’t seem unusual to me – I learned that it’s what you’re supposed to do. You’re supposed to help and contribute.

I believe now that you’re either part of the problem or the solution. So what can I do? I just do what I can.

And I don’t think you can give your time, money or effort without getting more than you give.

How do you want local children, families and teachers to think of Knowledge Tree? What do you want them to appreciate most about it?

What really makes me the happiest is when I’m talking to a young teacher and she remembers coming into the store when she was a girl and playing teacher; loving all the materials she saw in the classroom.

So many kids want to grow up and be teachers, and it’s great to see that as part of their childhood memories. I love that our brand is connected to that.

We’re a good citizen and a good company, serving good people doing good things. What greater legacy is there?

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New True Which would your classmate choose: window or aisle? Mountains or beach? The Choose One board game from Looney Labs is a great get-toknow-you game that builds skills in defending an argument. Teachers can use it at the beginning of the year to build class cohesion, and later in the year as persuasive writing prompts!

301-441-1019, looneylabs.com

Help kids experience the freedom and joy of writing with the Twist ’n Write ergonomic pencil from Baumgartens. Its unique shape ensures that a child naturally holds the tripod grip. Parents, teachers and occupational therapists love it because it’s a simple, innovative, educational tool that accelerates and improves kids’ handwriting skills. orders@baumgartens.com 800-247-5547

Hero Arts is a family-run, 45-year-old, green-certified American brand. Our packaged wood sets are made with the highest quality and are specially designed with teachers in mind. Each set contains woodblock stamps in a kid-friendly theme paired with a cube of ink, perfect for handstamped fun! service@heroarts.com 800-822-4376

Clean and coarse, Sandtastik’s Therapy Play Sand can be used at home and at school for kids ages 4-plus, and even in office sand trays. Certified nontoxic, it’s great for people with special needs and professionals who help develop fine motor skills, intellect, visualization and social conduct.

Choose natural white or beach sand color.

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At Reycraft Books, our mission is to create books of interest for all children, with a special focus on #OwnVoices books. By launching 23 NEW titles in hardcover and paperback, we ensure all children see authentic representations of themselves and realize the world of possibilities ahead of them. info@reycraftbooks.com reycraftbooks.com

Decorate a door, hallway, or bulletin board with Eureka School’s Door Décor Kits – now featuring some of your favorite licensed characters from Dr. Seuss, Peanuts, and Disney! Each set includes a colorful banner with rich foil accents and 30-plus decorative pieces and cutouts.

1-866-394-5047, eurekaschool.com or contact your sales rep

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STEM into STEAM! Dinosaurs can be fun and colorful with Wikki Stix.

Younger kids will love learning about dinosaurs while envisioning them in all kinds of ways. Maybe even polka dots! Made in the USA. 800-859-4554 info@wikkistix.com

Crayola Color Chemistry Arctic Edition is a fun, educational, and creative way to explore the chilly side of color science! This STEAM learning kit includes an easy-to-read instruction booklet and enough supplies to do 18 wintry color experiments – plus directions for 32 more using items typically found at home.

Crayola Sales Department 1-800-443-7771

Space flight is easier than ever with the new Youth-size Astronaut Helmet in Pink from Aeromax.

It’s a little smaller for kids age 3 to 10, but offers rich details: a moving visor, NASA logo and dream-big decorations. Pair it with the top-quality Astronaut Suit (sold separately) with official NASA patches and embroidered cap.

877-776-2291 info@aeromaxtoys.com aeromaxtoys.com

The Stencil Mill, a best-selling evergreen item from Essential Learning Products is now the New & Improved Stencil Mill from Primary Concepts. In addition to all new molds and color styling, it features new retail packaging to expand its reach beyond school supply catalogs and e-commerce.

The clear storage container shows the contents to buyers and it’s available now! (Item# 001953) 800-660-8646 primaryconceptsdealer.com

Kids and grownups alike will love Mixed Emojis from Hoyle. The fun revolves around cute, expressive emojis as players bust out their best facial expressions. The fastpaced game helps kiddos build valuable and important soft skills like recognizing emotions, sharing and listening. Mix fun and learning with this new game – it’s sure to get a thumbs up!

Carrie DeVillez at 859-815-7411 carrie.devillez@newellco.com

Get your game on for fourth-quarter sales with Word Trapeze, the dangling spelling-and-vocabulary family game from Primary Concepts.

The trapeze allows for longer words to grow with a player’s ability for years of fun. Loads of uses in the classroom, too!

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The custom-printed pencil pouch from Musgrave Pencil helps students stay organized by packaging all the essentials in one place – pencils, highlighters, erasers and more.

Choose an imprint to provide a unique identity with a personal touch. sales@pencils.net,pencils.net October 2019 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 23

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Hero I

by Tina Manzer

In 1973, Aaron Leventhal’s mom Jacqueline was the best kind of person – a creative teacher. A photographer who taught art in San Francisco, she was tickled one day to receive fan mail complimenting her new exhibit of photos. What delighted her most were the rubber stamp images decorating the letter. It changed her life.

Hero Arts, the rubber stamp company she founded, turned 45 this year. Its line of handmade woodblock rubber stamps,

Clear Design stamps, inks, embossing powders and paper comprise the best-selling stamp line in the $2 billion card-making and scrapbooking industry.

“Hero Arts began in the bathroom of our upstairs apartment,” explains company CEO Aaron Leventhal, Jackie’s

son, who was 7 at the time. “It had the only three-prong power outlet in the house so that’s where we put our rubberstamp press.”

The small home vulcanizer churned out stamps that Jackie sold at craft shows. A young author saw them and asked Jackie to illustrate a children’s book. A Girl Called Hero was published with stamped images, which inspired the company’s name. Hero Arts Rubber Stamps Inc. was incorporated in 1981, and quickly became a force in the fledgling stamp movement. Many stamp businesses started in the Bay Area about the same time Jackie’s did, including All Night Media, Rubberstampede, and PSX. Soon the industry graduated from craft fairs to gift shows, and local retail stores gave way to international wholesale distribution. In the early 2000s, the craft called “scrapbooking” exploded, and turned the cottage craft industry into a major market.

At the 2019 CREATIVATION trade show, the annual event of the Association of Creative Industries, Hero Arts did something unprecedented. Aaron Leventhal initiated an exhibit partnership with nine other vendors – nine competitors – and launched a Stamping Village on the show floor. “We came together to form this awesome community,” says Kimberly Saldana, Hero Arts’ vice president of sales, “then we all invited our retail customers to come in and play.

It couldn’t have been done without all of us working together.

“We understand that crafters use products from a variety of vendors; that’s why we’re getting everyone together so we can collaborate and grow together,” she adds. “The Stamping

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Village is expanding; we’re adding on new members. It takes time and energy but it’s worth it.”

Aaron says, “Hero Arts was started at our home and was built on the idea of family. Our customers are family. Our retail outlets, employees and vendors are family. The idea of quality original design and innovation all flow from the idea that Hero Arts sees its products and market through this filter of family.”

Ninety percent of Hero Arts’ products are made in the U.S. “We hand-cut our rubber and the wood is maple, really top-of-theline,” explains Kimberly. “We’re also proud to be sustainable and eco-friendly.”

Over the years, the company has eliminated all toxins, chemicals and solvents from its manufacturing processes. It’s an EPA Green Power partner, offsetting 100-percent of its energy usage with sustainable power. Support comes from local wind and solar projects thanks to a partnership with Arcadia Power, a National Clean Energy partner.

A custom-built factory in Oakland features industry-grade machinery for cutting, shaping and sanding cabinet-grade honeywhite maple into blocks, used as mounts for the stamps, says Hero Arts’ website. World War II-era vulcanizers press sheets of 100-percent natural rubber, leaving deeply-etched impressions that are perfect for stamping. Then, the finished rubber and cut blocks are taken to Hero Arts’ Richmond location where they hand- or machine-cut the rubber, mount it to the blocks, and index them with a label.

Products are sold to the education market, craft market and fine-art market (“We have a line of reactive inks that artists love,” says Kimberly.) They’re in the catalogs of Lakeshore and School Specialty; and in retail stores “our products sell really nicely on their own.

“When we went to our first ECRM show last year, people who hadn’t bought from us in years were really surprised to see how beautiful our products had become, and how nice our packaging looks,” Kimberly adds. “It looks really nice on a catalog page!”

The company’s photopolymer clear stamps – the ones stampers can see through to help them position the stamp just right – are outselling wooden stamps right now, but the education market really likes the feel of wood. “We have a teacher line of stamps that say, “Parent Signature,” “Great Work!” “Needs Improvement,” and more. Teachers like the way our stamp sets look sitting on their desks, and they’re easy to use and right at their fingertips.”

Rubber stamping is simple; it’s an accessible art and that’s the beauty of it. It’s perfect for children and creative adults who can’t paint or draw. The stamp and ink (and other mediums) transfer the image for them. It requires few tools and the ones it does won’t break the bank.

Jackie taught her students the art of rubber stamping, and children as young as 4 enjoy the process of making images on paper. Today, Hero Arts offers a line of ink pads called Just for Kids and Scented Just for Kids, for use with stamps and stencils.

They’re water based, nontoxic and FD&C approved.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

C-Line Products Inc., a leading consumer products developer and manufacturer of plastic storage and organization items, is celebrating 70 years in business.

“We are so proud to have inspired organization since 1949,” notes Jennifer Krach, the company’s vice president of sales. She joined the company in 2014, and represents the fourth generation of the family-owned business.

To mark the event, the company has refreshed its look with a new corporate logo, a new tagline, and new packaging for many of its products.

C-Line began in Illinois when

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four reps in the office supply industry purchased a small manufacturing facility and called it The Chicago Desk Pad Company. Founder Elmer Krumwiede was an aggressive sales and marketing force and under his direction, the business flourished.

In 1953, his son Bob Krumwiede joined the firm. Business expanded to include the manufacture of sheet protectors, shop ticket holders and other plastic products; and the company moved to a new facility in Harwood Heights, Illinois.

In 1959, the first of many signature products was introduced: the 3-1/2 by 2-1/4-inch “Hello my name is” pressure-sensitive name badge. It has since become an industry icon. The badge remains available in a variety of styles and colors and has remained an overwhelming favorite, even when

significant variations were introduced. An “ALOHA” badge was a winner for parties and luaus, and with the release of the 50th Anniversary Pink Ribbon badge, C-Line pledged a portion of the proceeds to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

“It’s quite something that a product we introduced 60 years ago is still being embraced around the world for meetings, seminars, conferences, informal gatherings and more,” notes Krach.

The name change to C-Line Products occurred in 1966, allowing for continued growth and expansion. “In the ’60s and ’70s, we expanded our warehousing and manufacturing capabilities, and continued to add new items. We also moved to new corporate offices in Des Plaines, Illinois,” explains president and CEO Jim Krumwiede, Bob’s son, who joined the company 35 years ago.

In 1980, another C-Line signature product made its debut – the first-ever Polypropylene Top Loading Sheet Protector in the United States. Sales

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continued to flourish as the company focused on providing superior customer service and enhanced product marketing.

In the 1990s, C-Line achieved its industry leadership position in customer service with first-order fill rates that exceeded 99.8 percent.

Today, the company is headquartered in Mount Prospect, Illinois. For more information on C-Line, contact Jean Andersen at 224-580-2049 or visit c-lineproducts.com.

On Labor Day, Lakeshore Learning Materials opened its first pop-up shop, “Gifts for Growing Minds,” in Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. It will remain open through the end of the year.

Lakeshore is a chain of 60 stores, including two in Minnesota. It has been serving teachers, parents and families with top-quality educational products for 60plus years. Each of its exclusive products is designed by an in-house team of expert educators who are all former teachers with years of classroom experience.

From a real-moving robot children design themselves to an enchanting fairyland playset, the 200-square-foot pop-up will showcase a wide selection of exclusive gifts for kids ages 0-11. All products are from Lakeshore’s 2019 Gifts for Growing Minds catalog.

While the company is known for its catalogs, Lakeshore has also developed a thriving e-commerce business.

Pop-up-shop visitors will enjoy free hands-on play stations including a colorful 10-foot tree that featurs Lakeshore’s Turn & Learn Magnetic Gears. With them, kids can construct their own creations.

Lakeshore’s team of “learn & play” experts will be on hand to answer questions about gift ideas and to provide tips on special deals and extra savings.

“It’s beyond thrilling to launch our first pop-up concept at one of the country’s leading retail and entertainment destinations,” said Bob Kaplan, Lakeshore’s president and CEO. “We look forward to connecting with shoppers, sharing our passion for education and demonstrating the power of play in a whole new way.” (continued on page 28)

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INDUSTRY NEWS The new Nature Reading Haven with Floor Mat Set from Whitney Brothers has received a 2020 Teachers Choice Award for Preschool.

Inspired by the “bring the outside in” trend, The Nature Reading Haven features a photo-realistic underside view of a tree canopy. Inside, there’s a fitted floor pad and built-in book display shelves. Cutouts and tunnel openings provide easy access and sight and sound supervision of the children inside.

Products entered in the awards program are judged by an independent panel of teachers in classrooms across the country. Each submitted product is evaluated on quality, instructional value, ease of use and innovation.

Whitney Brothers was founded in 1904, and is based in Keene, New Hampshire. The company pioneered the commercial distribution of wood furniture for early learning through educational distributors and dealers. Each of its products qualifies for LEED credits, meets or exceeds applicable CPSIA, ASTM and BIFMA requirements, and is UL GREENGUARD Gold Certified.

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Insect Lore, the original “Butterflies by Mail” company, is celebrating its 50th anniversary with special editions of Butterfly Farm and Life Cycle Figurines, plus the new Very Hungry Caterpillar Butterfly Growing Kit and The Grouchy Ladybug 2:56 PM Growing Kit.

The idea that customers could purchase a kit with a habitat, and then mail the kit’s certificate and get Painted Lady caterpillars in return, was revolutionary in 1969. But entomologist Carlos White thought it would be wonderful if children could witness the metamorphosis of butterflies up close. After he and his wife experimented with different combinations of food supplements for the caterpillars at their kitchen table, they finally hit on a successful formula. Carlos’ dream could become reality.

The caterpillars were sent to customers in a special jar that included the Whites’ unique food. In about three weeks’ time, the caterpillars ate, changed into chrysalides, and finally emerged as adult butterflies. After a few days they were set free.

The first shipments of Live Butterfly Gardens reached today’s Baby Boomers when they were in elementary school. Since then, Insect Lore estimates it has mailed approximately a quarter of a billion butterflies worldwide.

Then for the company’s 30th anniversary, Insect Lore worked with NASA to send Painted Lady butterflies into space on the Columbia Space Shuttle. Scientists wanted to determine if the caterpillars would undergo metamorphosis in a zero-gravity environment. They all hatched perfectly.

Today, Insect Lore’s innovative product line includes ladybug, praying mantis and ant growing kits, and hands-on educational products that make science more approachable for young learners.

For more information, visit insectlore.com.

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EYE ON EDUCATION More Mental Health Services Needed in Schools, Say Students

The large majority of U.S. high school students feel safe in school, but many see a need for more mental health services, says a new report from ACT, the nonprofit organization behind the ACT test. It also indicated a need to study the effectiveness of the measures schools are implementing to improve physical safety, and that policymakers and school leaders should take students’ perspectives into account when considering which measures to implement.

The report, “Creating Safe Schools: Examining High School Student Perceptions of Their Physical Safety at School,” is based on findings gathered in a survey of approximately 16,000 10th- through 12th-grade students who took the ACT test in October 2018, and then completed the optional survey sent to them afterward.

“While a majority of students reported feeling safe, nearly one in four said concerns about school safety negatively affect their ability to learn,” said Jim Larimore, chief officer for ACT’s Center for Equity in Learning. “Our report is intended to help communities understand student perceptions and address student concerns about school safety so that they don’t interfere with students’ ability to learn.”

For instance, students are divided on the idea of arming teachers as a way to increase school safety, revealed

the report. Nearly half (46 percent) of students said they oppose the idea while 34 percent favor it and 19 percent were neutral. Almost 40 percent believe their school would be less safe if teachers and staff members were armed, while 32 percent believe their school would be safer.

The ACT report offers three major recommendations based on the survey findings.

1. Federal and state funding should be provided to expand and promote the availability of school mental health services.

2. Additional research should be conducted to examine the effectiveness and unintended consequences of safety measures.

3. Policymakers must ensure that the perspectives of their students are taken into account when considering which school safety measures to implement.

Higher Education Trends Threaten Workforce Needs in 16-State Region

The rate of postsecondary attainment is climbing slowly in the South, reports the 2019 “Fact Book on Higher Education” from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). The nonprofit, nonpartisan board says population and college enrollment trends are beginning to slow at a time when advancing technology and artificial intelligence are shifting the workplace to demand higher-level skills.

“Within the next 10 years, SREB states face serious challenges in meeting workforce needs,” said Stephen L. Pruitt, WREB president. “K-12 and postsecondary education will need to combine efforts to prepare more people for middle-skills jobs as well as

high-skill ones.”

The nonprofit, nonpartisan board is based in Atlanta. It was created in 1948

by Southern governors and legislatures to advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region.

For example, SREB’s Academic Common Market has enabled students to pursue out-of-state college degrees at in-state tuition rates, through agreements among the states and colleges and universities.

Across the nation, college

enrollment declined 5 percent from 2012 to 2017, and 3 percent in the SREB region (Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia).

Fourteen of the 16 states experienced enrollment decline.

Enrollment at four-year institutions was almost flat nationwide and grew only about 2 percent in the SREB region.

Two-year college enrollment dropped 11

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EYE ON EDUCATION percent nationwide and 10 percent in the SREB region.

“The drop at two-year colleges is troubling, because they enroll more of the non-traditional-age students returning to complete credentials or to learn new skills as lower-skill jobs disappear,” said Susan CampbellLounsbury, SREB director of education data services and author of the fact book.

For states trying to grow their economies, college affordability is one of the challenges. In-state costs at public four-year institutions increased 4 percent from 2016-17 to 2017-18 in the SREB region, and 2 percent nationally. Pell Grant dollars to students dropped nearly 6 percent in the region, and the number of Pell Grant recipients dropped 18 percent. The South led other regions in state scholarships and grants, at 43 percent of the nation’s total.

Safer Alternatives May Come from Better Data

A study conducted by NPR and ProPublica found that children are restrained or secluded upwards of 267,000 times each year in U.S. public schools. The majority are children with special needs.

“When students pose a threat to themselves or others, educators sometimes need to restrain them or remove them to a separate space,” said an NPR report in June. “That’s supposed to be a last resort, and it’s a controversial practice.”

Research indicates that these types of interventions actually cause, reinforce and maintain aggression and violence, reports Ukeru Systems, a

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crisis training program that offers a physical alternative to restraint and seclusion. Children most “at-risk” for behavioral problems in the classroom typically have a history of trauma.

When a child is restrained or placed in a seclusion room, all their past suffering resurfaces to fuel a cycle of long-term trauma that causes them to act out even more.

According a report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), also released in June, there has been a history of incorrect national reporting of restraint and seclusion in U.S. schools.

“There is currently a large gap between what is being reported and what is actually happening in classrooms across the country,” states Kim Sanders, behavioral health expert and president of Ukeru Systems. “If we are going to provide solutions to schools and teachers,

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we have to know the true data.”

The Ukeru crisis intervention program has received national and international recognition including winning the Negley President’s Award for Excellence in Risk Management twice (2008 and 2012); the 2013 National Council Impact Awards; and recognition by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration for clinical best practices in restraint and seclusion reduction (2010).

Recently, a partnership between the National Center for Education Statistics and the Office of Civil Rights was formed to ensure better reporting to the Civil Rights Data Collection.

The collaboration points to the importance of having accurate data – including the incidence rates of restraint and seclusion in schools – for making decisions that affect students, notes

Education Dive.

Meanwhile, the Education Department has been funding the development of a program called Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The program provides strategies designed to reduce the need for restraint and seclusion.

“When I began at Grafton, the behavioral health system where Ukeru

was developed, we were restraining or secluding kids and adults more than 6,500 times a year, says Sanders.

“In less than 10 years, we eliminated seclusion and reduced restraint by 98 percent. Likewise, once we have a true national number that reflects the scope of this problem, we can do the same in schools across the country.”

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EYE ON EDUCATION

Citizenship Investment Programs Flourish in the Name of Education

In the U.S. and the UK, tuition hikes, new restrictions on student visas, and uncertainty over Brexit and the rights of EU citizens has caused a significant decline in international student numbers. But high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) are pursuing alternative residences or citizenship rights so their children can fulfill their academic aspirations without becoming entangled in risky or unpredictable visa application processes.

Education is a fundamental priority for most of the clients of Henley & Partners, a residence and citizenship planning firm with offices in 31 countries. “There are many reasons for acquiring alternative citizenship or residence, but ultimately, it comes down to long-term stability and security – a classic investment hedge against potential volatility,” says Dr. Juerg

Steffen, the company’s CEO. “The dramatically expanded education options that open up by having alternative citizenship or residence in a desirable location is often a decisive factor for families when they are considering making this kind of investment.”

For parents who would like their children to achieve primary, secondary, and tertiary education in the UK, for instance, the company offers a UK Investor Immigration Program. And EU citizenship is helpful for those who want their children to go to the Humboldt University of Berlin, the Sorbonne University in Paris, or the University of Amsterdam, notes Steffen. Fees are much lower than they are for non-EU citizens; up to 50 percent or more.

The U.S. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program is an attractive option for people seeking an American education.

It offers permanent residence in exchange for an investment of USD 500,000 to USD 1 million.

“The Australia Residence-by-Investment Program is another potential avenue to pursue,” adds Steffen. “Overall, the country is renowned for its education system – one of many reasons it remains the top destination of choice for HNWIs looking to resettle.”

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10 Questions for

Brian Roberts

by Tina Manzer

The VP of business development at Catalog Solutions, Brian is also the handsome and affable master of ceremonies at the We Connect School Supply Conference coming up in November. An industry veteran, Brian began his career with TREND Enterprises in Minnesota before moving to Florida in 2006. Here, he frets a bit about the changes in our industry and the impact of negative thoughts, but in the end remains optimistic – just what you’d expect from a Sunshine Stater.

What are you known for?

To be perfectly candid, I’m not entirely sure. I would like to think that, over the years, people have found me optimistic and enthusiastic. I think they appreciate my candor, as well as my honesty and integrity. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to grow up in this industry, and learned a long time ago that today is the best day ever, and that we have a lot to be thankful for.

What is the one thing people would be surprised to know about you?

At this point, I think most people know me pretty darn well! There are no real surprises here – the open book is easy to read. If I have to choose something to answer your question, it would be that I get to my Crossfit a lot – in the senior league now!

What is your current state of mind?

Challenged! There is so much opportunity, but also so much negative stress. Our channel is facing many issues, and many forces threaten to tear away at the insulation. It makes me feel down on occasion. Everyone works so hard for what seems like less and less return.

And then there is a break in the clouds and another day when something wonderful arrives unexpectedly! Sometimes I wonder if our thoughts create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Are we infusing some our own environment with negative thoughts?

What would be the name of your boat, if you had one?

“Duchess” after my first pup. I’ve actually had several boats, and Duchess used to love to ride on the pontoon across Burntside Lake in Minnesota. She was a beauty.

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What is your favorite journey?

Life in general. There’s always something new to deal with, and I’m thankful for a tool box of experience and coping skills to keep everything else in perspective.

The other journey I enjoy is bringing mom down to her winter place in Florida once a year from her home in Wisconsin. At 85, she is very sharp. The 22-hour road trip is a gift, with conversation and memories, long, thoughtful breaks and absolutely beautiful scenery across America – from fields covered with snow to the lush green of the south. Each year becomes another keepsake.

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?

Making choices and dealing with the consequences, and taking responsibility and moving forward.

Who or what inspires you the most?

I get inspiration from several fronts. Personally, from my relationships and professionally, from my relationships. Also my faith and belief that there is a lot of good out there, and everything does happen for a reason – there are no accidents.

When people come to you for help, what do they usually want help with?

They ask for my perspective; to see something from my particular vantage point. Usually they want to see past obstruction to believe in the future. I rarely give advice but ask a lot of questions.

What is the biggest lesson you never learned?

To stop doubting myself.

What is the dumbest thing you’ve ever done that actually turned out pretty well?

Well that’s a loaded question! I would have to say getting my motorcycle license at age 53 and then dropping the bike (with me on it) twice. When we are young, we are not afraid and reactions are fast. It’s not the same in our 50s. The incidents occurred at the Harley dealer during Bike Week, and I could never be more embarrassed. From that I learned humility, and that none of us are invincible.

I also learned to love to ride.

9/24/19 11:49 AM

BUSINESS NOTES Movie Remake Characters Inspire This Year’s Costumes

According to its search data, social network Pinterest reports that television shows and movies are inspiring costumes and makeup across the U.S. Searches for anything “Stranger Things,” from tattoos to party décor, have increased into the triple digits.

Other top searches include “The Powerpuff Girls,” “Toy Story,” “Spider-Man,” and “Aladdin.”

(Of course, you could have spotted many of these trends yourself, but it’s interesting to see what’s trending where, and for whom, especially when you consider what it might mean for marketing your store and its products.)

In its Halloween report, at newsroom.pinterest.com, Pinterest indicates top searches by state and by country, as well as toptrending costume ideas for individuals, couples and groups.

Here are a few highlights from the Pinterest report.

• Among the top costume searches by those identifying as female were characters from “Alice in Wonderland,” pirates and circus performers.

• For those identifying as male – superhero, Viking, a Jedi, the Joker, and Mad Maxx were among the top searches.

• People are also searching for inclusive costumes. From Minnie Mouse to Ursla, plus-size Halloween costumes for women are up more than 90 percent. Searches for wheel chair Halloween costumes are up 26 percent.

• Mermaid costumes are most popular in South America and Southern Europe.

• People in South Africa and Japan, like the U.S., lean more towards entertainment-inspired costumes.

• Among the top-trending Halloween recipes, measured according to the number of “saves,” are - white chocolate skulls and brains (15k saves); - shrunken potato heads (5k saves); - burrito skulls (3k saves) and - Cockroach donuts (4k saves)

Coming Up: Another Record-Breaking Package Delivery Season

UPS plans to hire about 100,000 seasonal employees this year to handle an expected increase in package volume throughout the holiday season, reports Bloomberg. The company hired the same number of seasonal workers last year.

“We expect another record peak season this year, with daily package deliveries nearly doubling compared to our average of 20 million per day,” said UPS Chief Operating Officer Jim Barber.

The supply chain management company is looking for package handlers, drivers and driver-helpers. Thirty-five percent of the people hired as seasonal package handlers in the last three years were later made permanent employees at the end of the season, says UPS, and nearly one-third of its current U.S. workforce started in seasonal positions.

In cities across the country, a portion of the seasonal hires are needed for temporary facilities that UPS builds just for the seasonal shipping rush, in addition to its permanent packaging hubs.

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Male Birth Rates Decline during Stressful Times, Says Study

Research published by Nature Scientific Reports reveals that fewer male babies are born in the U.S. during periods of environmental and ecological stress.

Dr. Ryan Schacht, assistant professor of anthropology at East Carolina University, identified the pattern. He and his colleagues analyzed more than 100,000 births over a 21year period, gathered through the Utah Population Database. The database of genealogical records, family history and U.S. Census data spans more than two centuries and 9 million people.

The researchers examined sex ratios at birth during the 1918-1939 timeframe, which includes three important eras in the U.S.:

• the Spanish Flu (1918-’20);

• the Roaring ’20s (1925-’29) and

• the Great Depression (1932-’36).

They found that fewer sons were born during the Spanish Flu and Great Depression, and more males were born during the Roaring ’20s, with no (continued on page 36) October 2019 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 35

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BUSINESS NOTES

discernible trend emerging during the other years.

The average sex ratio across human cultures is about 1.05. So, for every 100 girls born there are 105 boys.

Rarely does it ever get below 1, or the 100 to 100 mark.

“Quite clearly, we find that during bad times, fewer

boys are being born than during good times,” Schacht says.

“During the Roaring ’20s, we see big spikes – 117 boys born for every 100 girls.

According to Schacht, the era of the Spanish Flu was

one of “extreme general stress coupled with a world-wide hysteria that was experienced by all members of the population relatively equally.

“In Utah, nearly 20 percent of the population was afflicted by the flu and of those, approximately 5 percent died,” he says. “Accordingly, mothers were unable to buffer sons from elevated fetal mortality.”

During the Great Depression, a time of prolonged nutritional and economic stress, approximately 102 boys were born for every 100 girls. However, mortality rates went down in the ’20s, in part due to better sanitation, healthcare

and infrastructure development. It was a better economic period overall for most Americans.

According to the research, reduced access to health care, economic hardship and poorer quality environments all may contribute to the higher numbers of male-biased fetal attrition. Schacht said these findings have important implications for public health policy as it relates to understanding fetal health and mortality risk, and also raises concerns surrounding social justice issues.

un

dC

Quiet SProduc pac t L & Sit Aro e C

ch r Tents n au rne ons: o ushi

( 3 yrs & up )

Perfect retreat for “me time” that’s inviting and distraction-free. Corner Tents and Cushions featuring fun themes and realistic photos that will add to any classroom seating and curriculum. Engage young creative minds with STEM education, favorite books, story time, nature, and much more.

800-877-9399 x 501 joxendine@brandnewworld.com 36 EducationalDealerMagazine.com — October 2019 BrandNewWorld_WRK.indd 4

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Cool Hot innovations in the furniture and equipment category

Floor Wobbler Balance Discs from Kore are for sitting, standing, or fitness, and are ideal for classrooms that require flexible or alternative seating.

They allow comfort and natural body movement to increase focus for children sitting on the floor in one spot. Ample finger space under the rim prevents pinches. Manufactured with antimicrobial protection in the USA; comes with a lifetime warranty. korestool.com

NEW! Teachers said, “The bigger the better,” so we made the Time Timer MAX 17 inches. It can be seen in large classrooms, gymnasiums, cafeterias, and auditoriums.

It’s also eight timers in one.

With the Dry Erase Timer Face (included) and colored set of markers, it offers maximum flexibility and creativity in classroom management.

513-561-4199 support@timetimer.com timetimer.com

Don’t fall off the log! Use the 15 rubber pieces in Nature’s Footsteps from Learning Advantage for active and imaginative play, obstacle courses, fairy garden parties or classroom decor. The mats won’t tear, are nonslip and feature heat-pressed images: eight leaves from all seasons, three log cross sections, three rocks and one log.

1-866-564-8251, info@learningadvantage.com, learningadvantagedealer.com

The Runtz Swivel Ball Chair is a great flexible seating option for classrooms. It allows students to twist and turn to keep them moving and active throughout the day. This natural fidgeting motion helps keep students on task in a less distracting way to help keep them learning. safcoproducts.com

GENGA, a system of foam blocks from NorvaNivel, is recognized by educators for encouraging communication, creativity and critical thinking. They’re used intuitively by students as seating, work surfaces, space dividers and soft structures, as well as tools for learning activities. This collection includes 10 large blocks (47 by 14 by 6 inches) and four small blocks (24 by 14 by 6 inches.)

972-682-6223 sales@norvanivel.com norvanivel.com

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Cool Hot innovations in the furniture and equipment category

Premium 12- by 48-inch Study Carrels from Flipside are made of eco-friendly, 100percent recyclable polypropylene and last longer than corrugated paper carrels. Rounded corners are safe for children. They’re available in packs of 12 and 24, in white, blue and assorted colors. flipsideproducts.com

Quiet Space Corner Tents & Sit Around Cushions from Brand New World are a great addition to any classroom seating, alone space, and curriculum. They feature fun themes and realistic photos to engage young creative minds in STEM education, favorite books, story time, nature, and much more.

800-877-9399 ext 501 joxendine@brandnewworld.com

Quality Built Screenflex Portable Room Dividers can be set up in seconds literally anywhere at any time by almost anybody. Create temporary or semi-permanent classrooms within your existing space without the need for expensive remodeling or building programs.

Learn more at Booth #613 at EdSpaces.

Kevin at 800-553-0110, dealersf.com

The Learning Time Game and Clock Educational Rug from Children’s Factory makes learning to tell time fun!

Students roll the 6-inch-square dice and set the clock hands to the coordinating time. The 6-foot, 6-inch rug can also be used to teach counting and colors. Clock hands and dice are foam filled and covered in polyurethane. For age 2 and up.

314-821-1441 sales@childrensfactory.com childrensfactory.com

The Quad XL Collaborative Workstation from WB Manufacturing is the mobile STEAM storage solution you’ve been looking for! The “x” cabinet configuration below a large shaped top is designed for storage on all four corners, plus easy access and leg room for sitting. Several heights for all grade levels save project setup time.

800-242-2303 info@wibenchmfg.com wibenchmfg.com, or contact your sales rep

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Academia Furniture’s curved bookcases, single or double, create an “S,” horseshoe, circle or semicircle shape. They’re mobile, customizable, and available in a variety of colors. Thick shelves with countersunk holes provide stability. Pair them with Arc 6 Mods in a library, media center or classroom. Visit us at Booth #346 at EDspaces.

973-472-0100, academiafurniture.com

AWT’s Complete Standard and Professional-Grade Screen Printing Units are manufactured with professional screen printers in mind. Perfect for short runs, prototypes, and training, they’re made with kiln-dried, non-warp frame lumber and come with registration guides, a squeegee blade, wood base and side-frame support. The frame is stretched with high-quality polyester fabrics – many sizes and mesh counts are available. sales@awtworldtrade.com awt-gpi.com/product60.htm

Using the remote control included with ChildBrite’s Illumi Mite Sensory Table, light color can be set to white and several other colors to show children how light color interacts with colored manipulatives (not included). Four EZ-Roll 2-inch casters provide mobility or lock for stability. The molded construction using certified nontoxic resins is sturdy and colorful.

800-252-0276 contact@childbrite.com childbrite.com

Modernize your playroom with Wood Designs’ faux Stainless Steel Appliances. This toddlersafe wooden refrigerator, sink and stove set is designed for early learning imaginative play. Each unit is equipped metal handles, PinchMe-Not hinges, and ample space below for quick storage and cleanup.

800-247-8465 sales@wooddesigns.com wooddesigns.com

Looking for storage that provides maximum visibility for Montessori space? Jonti-Craft’s new stationary unit with two adjustable shelves features no back, but has cutout side openings. The top has a raised back and sides to help contain items.

800-543-4149 sales@jonti-craft.com, jonti-craft.com

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ENDCAP (continued from page 46)

AmTab’s cafeteria design for EDspaces contains all the right ingredients.

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• Casters on the furniture increase the room’s versatility. Tables, chairs, and booths can be moved and rearranged. The layout easily changes from daily casual dining to something more formal and open.

• The furniture folds up. Pieces can be neatly stored away to repurpose the entire space for other occasions.

• Seating heights, table styles and sizes vary.

It helps the room look more like a restaurant, and reminds students to be on their best behavior.

• Comfortable booth benches encourage students to linger and finish their meal.

• Warm and darker colors. They prevent the cafeteria from feeling vast and impersonal.

• Color customization opportunities. Selecting school colors and adding logos, mascots or mottos to surfaces provide positive energy, strengthen student pride, and create a feeling of belonging.

• Booths and smaller table choices encourage small group interaction.

“Research suggests that physical attributes of a school cafeteria, including design, display, and layout at multiple environmental scales can affect meal choices, especially when students are faced with long lines and short meal times,” concludes Rollings. “Attractive cafeteria design that limits noise and crowding, has bright lighting and provides adequate food storage and preparation space, is linked to healthier eating choices.”

Google and schools look for the same results

For its employees, Google’s Mountain View, California, campus features hundreds of pantries stocked with snacks and beverages, and more than 35 “canteens” that serve free, freshly cooked meals. All of them have been specifically engineered to encourage healthy eating, notes thedailymeal.com. Treats are hidden in the back, and healthy options are displayed front and center. Meals are served on miniature dishware, and foods are labeled to indicate how often they should be eaten.

Like school cafeterias, Google’s canteens and pantries are meant to keep diners happy and healthy over a long day.

“Tables for seven to eight as opposed to 40 are intended to provide the right climate for offhand brilliance,” notes an article in Forbes. “‘The cafeterias are designed to make food social rather than fast,’ noted Jennifer Kokowski, one of Google’s in-house social scientists. ‘We recognize that innovation requires serendipity, and the lunchroom is the best place for that.’”

To see school cafeterias designed to encourage offhand brilliance, sign up for EDspaces at ed-spaces.com.

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(continued from page 12) Brown Deer Middle/High School, Plunkett Raysich Architects

In order to transform its campus, the school district consolidated the high school and middle school. More than 54,000 square feet of space was renovated to give both schools their own gym and cafeteria, but also to provide common areas to bring all students together.

was gutted, and a new lively space was created thanks to higher ceilings, natural light from windows and skylights, and a new color palette. It supports an innovative curriculum with flexible, large- and small-group learning spaces that are similar to professional business environments.

A 63,500 square foot addition features a fieldhouse, gymnasiums, running track, batting cages, and more, plus seating for 2,000-plus spectators.

Higher Ed Tour Connecting and collaborating, common areas, high tech, transparency and visibility (Three of the four stops on this tour are at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, including the first brand new building on campus in more than a decade.)

Oconomowoc High School East Campus, Eppstein Uhen Architects

The district purchased a vacant medical clinic nearby for new administrative offices, and experiential and project-based learning spaces. The clinic

UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, Continuum architects

Located right on the water in Milwaukee’s Harbor District, the 92,000 square foot research building was completed in 2014. The building’s

functions include interdisciplinary research, instruction, and collaboration.

It also houses faculty and student offices.

Among its features are a flexible learning commons, biosecure and quarantine labs for studying aquatic species, a pathogen testing facility, and the Great Lakes Genomics Center – the first DNA sequencing lab in the U.S. dedicated to water and environmental issues.

“Inside and out, the building mimics the curves and colors of water,” reports the Milwaukee Business Journal. “Its many windows, open spaces and curving architecture mark a stark departure from UWM’s original water research institution, a warehouse-like space used as a tile factory and still attached to the new school.”

The Lubar Entrepreneurship Center, Continuum architects

Opened on May 8, the center provides an engaging atmosphere that

Our games are now in ER and CSI! As a reminder, we make educational games.

Our newest, Time Breaker, is a fun little romp through history, and is a great introduction to the vastness of time for elementary-aged kids.

IN STORES NOW!

Astronomy Fluxx is coming this January!

Visit us at looneylabs.com!

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motivates and inspires excellence and innovation. “With its highly visible location on campus, the facility acts as both a gateway and a beacon,” say the architects.

Kenwood Interdisciplinary Research Complex (KIRC), Flad Architects This building may be tech-heavy with academic and research space for STEM disciplines, the chemistry department, the physics department, and the school of public health, but it facilitates social interaction – found to improve research quality.

It has lots of visible social spaces used by students, all students. Researchers come out of their labs to interact with others, including engineering, business and mathematical-sciences students from adjacent buildings, who like KIRC’s comfortable furniture.

The ground floor is a pedestrian pathway, inside and out, funneling foot

traffic from the parking lot and student union to the rest of the quad. Not only is the lobby the university’s main thoroughfare during colder months, it’s a magnet for students all school-year long. In a 2017 article, College Planning & Management magazine called it “the hippest hangout at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.”

Completed in 2015, KIRC’s monumental size, wall of windows, color (yellow!) and mix of materials make it iconic. As the first new campus building in more than a decade, it creates a new brand for all scientific research at UW-Milwaukee, and the campus as a whole, says the architect.

Diercks Hall, Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Uihlein/ Wilson-Ramlow/Stein architects

The 64,000-square-foot academic facility at the center of the MSOE campus accommodates the school’s

Hero Arts Just for Kids® ink pads are perfect for using with stamps and stencils. These unique water-based, non toxic inks are FD&C approved, making them child safe. Available in a rainbow of beautiful colors. For even more fun, be sure to check out our Scented Just For Kids® ink pads, available in six delicious scents.

software engineering and new computer science majors. “The transformative facility and the classes taught within it will set MSOE at the forefront of artificial intelligence, cyber security, deep learning, robotics and other next-generation technologies,” say the architects.

The new building officially opened on September 13.

Take advantage of Ed Spaces to enhance your skills and become the best resource available to your education customers.

Learn about trends in school design while you connect with architects and designers who specialize in educational facilities. To register for the EDspaces Conference & Expo, visit ed-spaces.com.

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Educational Dealer Welcomes Three New Advertisers!

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New! #FF433 The Happy Architect - Dinosaurs

NorvaNivel USA, in Dallas, Texas, began in Sydney, Australia, in 2010. Since then, its team has been driven to transform learning through furniture and spaces. During the initial visit to the company’s first customer, the school principal talked about a radical shift in learning. As the world transitioned from the industrial era to the digital era, he explained, students needed skills transferable to any learning activity, and ultimately to any profession. Changing the learning spaces was essential to supporting the pedagogy. For NorvaNivel, the challenge was set.

Here are some of the features NorvaNivel’s furniture offers.

• It’s sensorial, with textured fabrics, an extensive array of colors, and no-noise cushions.

• It’s flexible, multifunctional and lightweight so students can move it easily for collaborative or individual learning. Most NorvaNivel collections can be reconfigured with others to maximize space and budget.

• The mix is diverse, so students can select furniture best suited to a specific task, from high desks to floor seating.

See the ad on page 11

Academia Furniture, a family-owned business in New Jersey, has been providing quality school furniture for generations. Since it first opened its manufacturing facility, its goal has been to make the most durable and reliable pieces at the best competitive prices in the industry.

One area it focused on was the cost of conventional desktops. Hard plastic had been the solution for years because it was stronger and more durable than high-pressure laminates. Hard plastic desktops are excellent, says Academia, but pricey. “For us, this was unacceptable. We set out to find a solution.”

Woodstone, launched in 2005, is available on many of Academia’s student desks and combos. It’s a mixture of wood fibers and melamine resin with a laminate finish – baked at 308ºF under high pressure. It’s 10-percent lighter and 15- to 20-percent more affordable than conventional hard plastic desktops.

Woodstone is durable and strong – it exceeds ANSI/BIFMA requirements on five rigorous tests.

Academia offers unique programs such as LULU (preemptively shipping extra goods in case of damage) and Quick Ship two-day shipping, where applicable.

See the ad on page 10 Baumgartens is a woman-owned family business that supplies unique and useful products to retailers and wholesalers in the home, school and office markets.

It was founded in Austria as a fine paper manufacturer by Julius and Rosalia Baumgarten. In 1948, Fred Baumgarten brought the family business to the U.S. with the first hand-held pencil sharpener. Other innovations followed, including the Plastiklip, the first plastic paperclip in the world. In 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007, Baumgartens was recognized as the Manufacturer of the Year by National Wholesalers.

The company’s core values are teamwork, positivity, focus, and integrity. Baumgartens is committed to making a difference in its industry, community and the world, and does so in support of several charitable events and organizations, including Atlanta’s Dogwood Festival, which raises funds for Camp Sunshine for kids with cancer; Concert2Cure, which supports the American Cancer Society; and Kids in Need, Gifts in Kind, Feed the Children, and Green Chamber of the South, an organization that works to connect, grow and develop sustainable businesses in the Southeast.

See the ad on page 28

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SPREAD THE WORD! Company Page Website A.W.T. World Trade

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Tell our advertisers you

A BRAND OF FAHY-WILLIAMS PUBLISHING INC. PUBLISHER J. Kevin Fahy kfahy@fwpi.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Tina Manzer tmanzer@fwpi.com ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Tim Braden tbraden@fwpi.com ________ ART Mark Stash, Production Manager mstash@fwpi.com Christopher Cornett, Designer christopher@fwpi.com Maia VanOrman, Designer maia@fwpi.com _______ ADVERTISING SALES Darlene Ryan darlene@fwpi.com Rick Kauder, Enewsletter & Online Advertising rkauder@fwpi.com _______ MARKETING DIRECTOR Amy Colburn amy@fwpi.com SUBSCRIPTIONS Yesenia Rangel accounts@fwpi.com

Copyright © 2019 EDITORIAL OFFICES PO Box 1080 171 Reed St Geneva, NY 14456 800-344-0559, 315-789-0458 FAX: 315-789-4263

saw their products in Educational Dealer magazine!

October 2019 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 45

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ENDCAP

Happy Meal

If the phrase “school cafeteria” conjures up images of concrete walls, grubby folding chairs, and overflowing garbage cans, you should see the latest lunchroom designs from vendors in our industry. They reveal positive, inspiring spaces that encourage collaboration, interaction and healthy eating habits.

During EDspaces, three different school cafeterias – “cafés” – will be serving lunch for attendees on Wednesday, October 23 and Thursday, October 24. Each one was designed by an innovative vendor:

• Boxlight, a provider of easy-to-use educational

technology, including an interactive flat-panel display;

• Palmer Hamilton, a company that designs and produces

dining, library and collaborative spaces for the K-12

environment; and

• AmTab, a 60-year-old American firm that manufactures

mobile and stationary folding tables and chairs.

A place to develop valuable skills

Today’s designers and educators are retooling cafeterias to meet a range of learning goals, from developing kids’ social skills to teaching them good food choices.

The physical environment sets the stage for skill development, say members of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). “Design the cafeteria to look more like a café, with décor that promotes healthy eating,” they recommend. “Make it inviting, clean, and free of clutter.”

Lunchtime is a naturally occurring, nonacademic time of day for social and emotional learning, the AOTA points out.

by Tina Manzer

“It’s a great place for meaningful activities, including play, social participation, and tasks of daily living. In elementary school, especially, it’s among the best places to model and teach social interaction and behavior. Learning these skills in the early grades can help prevent disruptive behaviors later.”

The website School Leaders Now concurs. “Each activity, like socializing or the lunch line, mirrors real-world interactions students will experience in their personal and professional lives.

Posted rules and lunchroom expectations help make school lunch an opportunity for inclusion and life-skill education for all students.”

A place to enjoy healthy food

The physical environment also influences healthy eating.

In 2018, Kim Rollings, assistant professor of architecture and psychology at Notre Dame; and Nancy Wells, professor of design and environmental analysis at Cornell University, published a study, “Cafeteria Assessment for Elementary Schools (CAFES).” Its goal was to show that even small changes to cafeteria design can get kids to eat healthier.

After assessing four different physical categories of elementary-school cafeterias – the room, the table/display, the plate, and the food – and scoring subcategories like “environment, appearance, windows, layout” and “furniture, availability, serving method,” CAFES generated a list of improvements. They included updating interior design; creating attractive serving displays and seating areas; and selecting appropriately-sized serving trays, plates, and bowls relative to desired portion sizes. (continued on page 41)

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