Educational Dealer October 2020

October 2020

FOR PEOPLE WHO SELL TO TEACHERS, PARENTS AND SCHOOLS

School business Schoolturned business upside turned upside down. down EDSpaces 2020 is a digital experience • Libraries rearrange for safety • The endless aisle capabilities of Educators Resource •

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THE ISSUE

Ticket to Ride

by Kevin Fahy

I can’t say that I was surprised back in August to hear that the EDspaces and WeConnect shows scheduled for November had been cancelled. After all, every trade show on my calendar over the past seven months was scrubbed, and over that time I have not left the town where I live.

It was sad news nonetheless. I have been attending school supply events for over 40 years, during which time they have been a big part of my life. We built our business primarily through the contacts we made at shows, and many of my most significant friendships can also be traced back to events put together by NSSEA and EDSA. I hate to think that I won’t see any of those old friends this year. Of course it’s possible that I won’t see them again at all, but I try not to dwell on it.

There was really no choice in terms of whether or not to cancel the shows.

States and cities have ordinances these days regarding the number of people who can gather in one space, particularly indoors, and trade shows simply aren’t allowed. Even if they were, it’s not clear how many people would show up.

Over the course of this thing, it has become more and more apparent that it transmits primarily by breathing rather than touching. That probably makes the idea of staying at a hotel a little less intimidating, but it still leaves the problem of how to get there.

There are cities, especially in Middle Atlantic states, that like to point out that a third of the U.S. population is within a few hours driving distance, but I’ve rarely driven to a convention. Although a few local dealers usually do drive in, the great majority of people fly.

Who would want to get on an airplane right now? It was bad enough before.

Believe it or not, when I started traveling regularly in the late 1970s, most people actually enjoyed air travel.

Seats and aisles were bigger, planes were not often full, and there was no security screening. A lot more of the flights between smaller cities were direct back then, luggage flew free, and any flight longer than one hour included a hot meal.

There was also a difference in those days that was even more significant, and that was the reservation system. Airlines used to operate the same way as hotels.

You just called up and booked a flight, and if your plans changed you called back and changed it, or cancelled it.

Some people didn’t make reservations at all, they simply showed up at the airport and bought a ticket.

Those of you who are too young to remember the 1970s may think that I am idealizing a past that never really existed. I will concede that there is a natural human tendency to do that, often enhanced by movies and other cultural touchstones.

If you watch a lot of old movies, for example, you might come to believe that folks during the 1930s dressed in evening clothes and hung out all night in art-deco ballrooms drinking cocktails.

It was a world where you couldn’t turn around without bumping into a beautiful, madcap, runaway heiress.

Now I don’t doubt that people found ways to have fun during the Great Depression. It just doesn’t seem likely that it was so elegant.

At any rate, I do understand that (continued on page 6)

18.

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October 2020

FOR PEOPLE WHO SELL TO TEACHERS, PARENTS AND SCHOOLS

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The Issue Ticket to Ride

by Kevin Fahy

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Q SE EX SO VA O

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School Libraries Redesigned and Rearranged for Safety Helping libraries through this difficult chapter is Tesco Learning Environments, a manufacturer of versatile furniture. It’s been meeting the needs of libraries for 66 years.

ER’s Fulfillment Capability Gives Customers an “Endless Aisle” Stores turn to Educators Resource for inventory control, shipment, and logistical solutions in order to give their customers an unlimited selection of products online.

Retailers Recommend Fabulous Products Posted Online Everyone is Stressed about Politics The rhetoric around this year’s election is more divisive than ever.

Here are some steps business owners and managers can take to prevent discussions from polarizing the workplace.

Unique Virtual Tour Features Schools in Five States This year, the annual EDspaces conference and tradeshow becomes The EDspaces Digital Experience, complete with visits to new schools in Missouri, South Carolina, California, Arizona, and Illinois.

Departments

20 Eye on Education 28 24 Industry News 28 New & True 32 Business Notes 34 Cool & Hot 37 Educational Dealer Welcomes

37

Bob Ross Inc. to its Family of Advertisers Index of Advertisers

About the cover

Under upright circumstances (aka “normal”) you could better appreciate how the flexible spaces of the new Canyon View High School in Waddell, Arizona, bring students and faculty together. But luckily, during a pandemic, they also help keep them apart. Designed by DLR Group, the 231,000-square-foot school is spread across multiple buildings connected by a large, open-air marketplace.

The high school will be a stop on the EDspaces virtual tour on Thursday, November 12.

Photo ©Tom Reich/trPHOTOart

Ca

TE

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THE ISSUE (continued from page 3) nostalgia colors our view of the past, but I am not exaggerating about air travel. It really was a lot more pleasant back in the day.

Everything is a trade-off, though, so we must have gained something from giving up all those perks, right? Yes, we have.

Air travel is much cheaper than it used to be. Prior to the Airline Deregulation Act of 1978, the government treated airlines like a public utility, setting fares for each route on basically a cost-plus basis. It was virtually impossible for major airlines to lose money.

After that point, the magic of competition changed everything. According to a study by Compass Lexecon, the average price of a roundtrip ticket in the United States in 1979, adjusted for inflation, was $616. By 2016, the average had dropped to $344. In terms of price-per-mile flown, the average dropped more than 40 percent between 1990 and 2016.

Personally, I would rather spend more money than have to endure an experience that I’ll dread for a week leading up to it, but I am a believer in free markets. If most people are willing to put up with discomfort and inconvenience for a few hours in order to get a cheap ride, then that is what a competitive marketplace will provide.

I had assumed that the trend would just continue indefinitely, with air travel growing ever cheaper and more horrid. Eventually we would be able to fly for about 10 bucks, but we would have to go naked, and the plane would have no heating system. Want to bring a sweater? That will be an additional $50.

Perhaps it would have gone there, but now we’ll never know. The virus has changed everything, and nothing more than air travel. In early September, United Airlines announced that it would no longer charge passengers for changing their reservations – not just for the duration of the pandemic, but permanently. The next day, American Airlines and Delta followed suit.

(Southwest does not charge change fees.)

It didn’t get a lot of press at the time; it seems there were a few other things going on in the news, but this was a big deal. The

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Hard Plastic Classic Inspiration Zed Squircle®

Let us help you evolve your Educational Environment Contact Us 973.472.0100 www.academiafurniture.com

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Publisher J. Kevin Fahy • kfahy@fwpi.com Editorial Director Tina Manzer • tmanzer@fwpi.com Graphic Artist Christopher Cornett • Christopher@fwpi.com Advertising Director Tim Braden • tbraden@fwpi.com Ad Sales Representative Darlene Ryan • darlene@fwpi.com Enewsletter & Online Advertising Manager Rick Kauder • rkauder@fwpi.com Production Manager Mark Stash • mstash@fwpi.com Marketing Director Amy Colburn • amy@fwpi.com Subscriptions Yesenia Rangel • accounts@fwpi.com Editorial Offices PO Box 1080, 171 Reed St. Geneva, NY 14456 800-344-0559 315-789-0458 FAX: 315-789-4263

Copyright © 2020

About Fahy-Williams Founded in 1984, Fahy-Williams Publishing specializes in magazines, directories, e-newsletters and other promotional material for a wide variety of niche markets.

Art Materials Retailer artmaterialsretailer.com Toy Times the magazine of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association Life in the Finger Lakes lifeinthefingerlakes.com

• View live inventory from Educators Resource • Quickly and easily manage your orders - no need to rekey!

• Send the order for drop ship with the click of a button.

Call Educators Resource at 800-868-2368 and press 2 to reach the Sales Department.

edplay edplay.com ROBEX for the Rochester Builders Exchange Around the Table for the Game Manufacturers Association

8 October 2020 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com

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THE ISSUE fees amounted to $2.8 billion in revenue for domestic carriers in 2019, making it one of their favorite practices, and dropping it may represent a turning point.

Health concerns regarding air travel could linger for years, but even more worrisome to the airlines is the prospect that business travel may never return to the old normal. Businesses have learned to do more things remotely, saving a lot of money in the process. Some conventions and trade shows will fold their tents for good.

Eliminating the change fees could be a big help to the remaining trade associations as they try to resurrect their shows for 2021.

For that to happen, companies have to start planning to attend, and that is much easier if they know they can make changes as the situation requires. If there’s one quality each of us is going to need in order to navigate through 2021, it’s flexibility.

Toy Fair, which is normally held in New York City in mid-February, has already announced its intention to move to sometime in spring. Creativation (formerly the Craft & Hobby Association Convention) which had been a January show, will become a virtual event only.

On the other hand, the International Consumer Goods Show will be holding its convention face-to-face, in Germany, from April 17th through 20th. NAMTA, the International Art Materials Trade Association, plans to hold a flesh-and-blood convention April 23rd through 25th.

I am not opposed to virtual trade shows, and if they help the industry get through this crisis I’m all for them, but I don’t think they’re a long-term solution to the problem of how to go about assembling our industry. No matter how slick the technology becomes, it will never foster the personal connections we made at those old-fashioned trade shows.

During the Second World War there was a popular song that became a cultural touchstone in England. “We’ll meet again, don’t know where, don’t know when, but I know we’ll meet again some sunny day.”

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

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School Libraries

Redesigned and Rearranged for Safety

by Tina Manzer

Above The mobile shelving units in Tesco’s Versa Series are based on today’s needs but have tomorrow’s trends in mind. They come in standard sizes and have a standard curve ratio, but they can also be customized to meet specific needs. Constructed of durable thermally fused laminate panels with a unique integrated caster platform, they are built to last for generations.

There may be fewer seats in school libraries these days, but what is available must be comfortable and welcoming. Tesco’s new soft-seating series, part of its Synergy line, is comfy, colorful and mobile. The vinyl-covered shapes come in a variety of options and are easy to clean.

People were feeling isolated long before COVID-19 sent us into isolation, but many felt welcome, comfortable, and connected within their local public libraries. Recognizing the emotional support they provided, libraries became community hubs that also offered a long list of free and open-access services. Along the way, they grew their resource repertoire to include everything from computer classes for senior citizens to literacy programs for preschoolers. Computer labs gave patrons free access to helpful databases like Academic OneFile and America’s GeneologyBank, plus many options on career choices and job hunting. Meeting rooms large and small, computer labs, and even gift stores and coffee shops encouraged patrons to use their services, linger and socialize.

Similarly, a school library is often the beating heart of a building. “From enriching classroom curriculum by collaborating with

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teachers to directly supporting individual student learning, libraries foster a school-wide culture of literacy and teach literacy skills,” proclaims New Visions for Public Schools. “School libraries bring communities together beyond their role of providing support to teachers,” says a post on elementarylibrarian.com.

“The high school library is a gathering place, a safe house, a refuge, a hiding place, a place of answers, a social center and the list goes on,” posted a school librarian from Canada.

COVID-19 may have shut down these sanctuaries in the spring, but many school libraries are back in business this fall. They look different with less furniture and more barriers but librarians continue to look for safe ways to make visitors feel connected. It hasn’t been easy, so it’s a good thing this situation is only temporary, right?

“This will not last forever, but there’s a possibility that it will happen again,” said architect Amanda Markovic in American Libraries Magazine. An associate principal at GBBN Architects, which has built multiple libraries and community centers around the country, Amanda believes that designing a library today must meet the needs of where we are now, and where we expect to be in the long run. It’s time for some creative solutions.

Tesco Learning Environments has provided innovative library furniture solutions for professionals like Amanda since 1954. “In fact, we encourage our customers’ creativity and give them the ability to customize every product we manufacture,” explains Sidney Youngblood, the company’s vice president of sales. “We work daily with designers and architects to make certain our products meet the intent of the project. We often say, ‘If you can draw it, we can build it!’ Good ideas have evolved into entire series’ of furniture so that we can bring our customers a wide array of options.” (continued on page 23) October 2020 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 11

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The Educators Resource warehouse team boasts a 97.5 percent fill rate, 99.8 percent picking accuracy and 99.5 percent packing accuracy.

Brad and Jack Summersell

ER’s Fulfillment Capability Gives Customers an “Endless Aisle” For more than 28 years, Educators Resource has been the leading wholesale distributor in the school products industry. Teacher stores have come to rely on the Mobile, Alabama-based company for fill-in and backdoor business. “Primarily, they buy from us whatever they need to fill purchase orders from schools and teachers faster, or to keep shelves stocked in between direct orders,” explains Brad Summersell, executive vice president. “Many will consolidate vendors they wouldn’t normally buy from weekly, and purchase smaller quantities more frequently to make sure their shelves aren’t empty.”

Over the years, Educators Resource earned a reputation as an innovator and early adopter, beginning with its giant leap into ecommerce fulfillment in 1997 – just three years after the launch of Amazon.

Today, with more than 18,000 SKUS from 250-plus suppliers, it offers blue-chip e-retail customers the “Endless Aisle” model. “The model enables e-retailers to list a virtually unlimited selection of products at no incremental cost,” Brad added. “Third-party fulfillment partners, such as Educators Resource, control all the inventory, shipment, and logistics for delivering the product to the end consumer. This allows ER’s customers to offer a broader assortment of products to meet the demand of a wide customer base, as well as to reduce inventory risk and cut down on duplicative shipping costs.”

2020 has taken Brad and his brother Jack on an interesting journey that continues to present them with opportunities. Here’s what they’ve been up to.

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Ed Dealer: How’s business?

Brad Summersell: We are extremely blessed to have survived the COVID changes and we believe we may even hit our annual budget targets established preCOVID. Business is steady and starting to get back to somewhat of a normal pattern, albeit I don’t believe we’ve seen the last major disruption to schools being in-person. That said, we feel we’re in a great position because our expertise is drop shipping to teachers, schools, or parents on behalf of the retailer, whether they are brick-and-mortar-based with drop shipping needs or purely focused on B2C or B2B online.

I read that you partnered with a drop-ship automation company this summer. What will that do for your business?

LogicBroker, like several retailer sourcing platforms we work with, allows us to seamlessly help their retailers add products online including content. It allows us to deploy EDI quickly, and begin drop shipping through Educators Resource within a few weeks. In most cases, these ecommerce businesses do not carry inventory and are able to optimize their resources – time and money – towards capturing online sales.

As we’ve all seen over the last 10-plus years, the growth in e-commerce continues to attract interest from retailers that already sell products in adjacent categories: arts and crafts, office and school supplies, paper, toys and games, etc. We hope to connect with viable retailers wanting to sell an extended offering online beyond what they stock today.

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Were you operating during the COVID shutdown?

Yes. Fortunately, we were designated an essential business and were given the green light to continue operating at 100 percent. Even after we put in place all the right protocols, we contracted with a third-party expert to double check that we were taking all the necessary precautions October 2020 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 13

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to protect our employees and customers. We’ve had very few instances of positive tests among personnel, or contact with suspected positive people, and have had no interruptions due to COVID. We mobilized quickly and put in place the infrastructure to allow our office employees the ability to work from home. For those who preferred working in the office, we put in place strict safety protocols that adhered to CDC guidelines.

The ability to continue our operations helped our customers in ways we hadn’t anticipated. For instance, parents have had to seriously supplement the learning process at home while schools are not operating in-person.

Realizing this, stores in our industry looked for ways to attract dollars being spent by those parents on resources and supplies. Since the majority of our business comes from ecommerce retailers drop shipping to end users, our data reflects what parents and teachers are buying. Using that data, we helped our customers identify and shift their promotion/marketing efforts towards the best sellers in the home-learning environments. Using that information going forward, we can assist retailers looking for insights into the trends at the category or item levels.

How was your back-to-school season?

This year it stretched out further into September because schools started later than usual. Our overall back-to-school season in 2020 grew compared to 2019, largely due to the parent demand for remote learning materials that augmented purchasing made by teachers. The challenge was adjusting to the unusual part-time labor needs for that extended season, but since we operate three expandable shifts between 3 a.m. and 10 p.m., we were able to keep up.

How do you think consumers’ increase in online ordering will affect teacher stores and other brickand-mortar locations that sell things to schools?

You may recall that for five years, we attempted to create an “Ace” or “True Value” concept to connect the brick-and-mortar stores in our industry to build a national presence. The idea was to create a co-brand they could share for national advertising, ecommerce, and marketing purposes.

Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough buy-in from the retailers, so we sadly had to back away from that investment.

From our perspective, the retailers that remain in business after e-commerce established its presence years ago

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are the strongest, most business-minded retail operators who understand the market and their customers. By now, all of them should have developed a strategy to service their customers and compete online for new customers.

There will always be a need for teacher stores, but it may not look the same or be on the same scale as ecommerce continues to grow and be the primary way consumers shop.

The brick-and-mortar retailers understand that they must have the appropriate size and assortment to support the sales that flow through any location they operate. If they are paying to own or rent a space for consumers to physically walk in and shop, the budget to support that needs to be tracked separately from the revenues that may be coming through school POs or online orders. That way, the retailer truly understands what is needed to support the location(s) and the profitability per square foot. Overall I think these brick and mortar-based retailers have already been through so much change that they are more than ready to adapt to continued impacts from e-commerce.

Besides the pandemic, did other outside forces disrupt your business this year, like the weather or protests?

Hurricane Sally hit our area directly and we lost three days to power outages. By mid-week after the storm, we were caught up. We’re used to this kind of thing, and have the right people on our teams to make sure we can shut down properly in advance to make reopening seamless. In our neck of the woods, that is critical.

Our community has only encountered the peaceful protests, and fortunately has not seen the ugly side that has encroached upon, and in some cases, overwhelmed those voices that should be able to be heard.

How will the cancellation of in-person tradeshows impact manufacturers in our industry?

Although there will be some impact on finding new brands, quite honestly, I really don’t see a huge impact overall. First of all, the timing of the trade events in the last 20 years has not even coincided with new product introductions. Because of that timeline, the retailers have already seen the new products and have met with sales reps about them before the trade event has occurred. That’s why We Connect was held in the fall, which I think was very smart.

The face-to-face time can be replicated with technology, and I have actually seen the productivity of it, thanks to on-line technology, as being more effective than in-person.

That said, there is nothing like breaking bread with customers and suppliers and developing those personal relationships.

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Retailers Recommend FABULOUS PRODUCTS POSTED ONLINE Teachers Choice, Brooklyn “A customer sent us a picture of how her high schooler is using Go-Write dry-erase paper available in 6- and 10-foot rolls from Pacon.

Her son needed something to work out big math problems.

Everything seems soooo small on the screens our kids are learning on, and a giant (temporary) work surface make the problems easier to unravel. It’s completely removable.”

From United Art & Education, six stores in Indiana “The book What Is a Presidential Election? from Who HQ, a brand of Penguin Random House, is a must-have for every kid who begs to stay up late on election night. It comes with a color-your-own Electoral College map for tracking the returns.”

pacon.com

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Teachers Choice, Brooklyn “Spectrum Word Problem books for grades 1 through 8 offer focused practice that helps kids master essential math skills.”

“One World Germ Busters Shape Stickers from Carson Dellosa encourage kids to practice good hygiene habits. Each pack includes 72 stickers that say, ‘Germ Free Zone,’ ‘I heart Imaginary Hugs,’ ‘Happy Hand Washer,’ and more.”

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From Brainstorm Educational Supply Store, Lindonhurst, Illinois “Sticker & Chill from Ann Williams Group are activity books made for adults. Each one focuses on a specific theme – travel, succulents, personal spaces or flowers – and features 10 scenes to design with repositionable stickers. It’s very relaxing and creative after working all day.

annwilliamsgroup.com

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RETAILERS RECOMMEND

Satico’s Parent Teacher Store, Endicott, New York “The Confetti and Chalkboard Brights Privacy Screens from Teacher Created Resources are a popular option for students who are learning remotely. They help limit distractions.”

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joycarpets.com Apples & More, A Learning Store, Bellevue, Nebraska “The 18-inch GreenSpace Seating Rounds from Joy Carpets are a bestseller. They’re comfortable, casual, low maintenance, and can be used inside and out. Teachers like them for social distancing. Kids simply sit where there’s a round.”

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Teachers Choice, Brooklyn “Dry Erase Pockets from Charles Leonard are great for both in-school and at-home learning!”

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Apples & More, A Learning Store, Bellevue, Nebraska “We’re having our first-ever Christmas in October with lots of toys and games on sale, including the musical jewelry boxes from Djeco’s Little BIG Room brand; and Jixelz from Fat Brain Toys.”

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EYE ON EDUCATION Too Many Unknowns Leave School Budgets in Limbo

School districts across the country are under “unprecedented financial pressure” due to fluctuating budget projections and uncertain expenses, reports Education Dive. Hit especially hard are states in which tax revenues rely on oil or tourism, like Texas and Florida.

Added variables, including attendance, enrollment, state reimbursements and future federal stimulus, have sent districts into various states of budget limbo, according to Marguerite Roza, Director of the Edunomics Lab education finance research center at Georgetown.

Other education finance experts quoted in the Retail Dive article provided additional details. Kevin Brown, executive director of the Texas Association of School Administrators,

said that in his state, where funding is directly linked to enrollment, districts are being “held harmless” for declining enrollment numbers … but just until early November. If the state doesn’t act after that, districts will get “hammered on funding,” he said.

Katie Silberstein, a research fellow at Edunomics Lab, reported that after dipping into its reserves to grant teacher pay increases, Florida’s Hillsborough County Public School District is losing money it gets from the state due to decreasing enrollment numbers and a delay in in-person instruction.

Also in Florida, the Broward County district is offering pay raises to teachers who agree to teach in-person. Teachers who don’t return must apply for a leave of absence – likely unpaid, Katie added. The practice could initially lead to savings or a reduction in funds, depending on the size and quantity of the raises.

The bottom line is that school districts nationwide “are really scrambling” to line up their budgets with expected expenses. Analyst Mike Griffith from Learning Policy Institute told Retail Dive that districts will likely change their budgets multiple times during this school year, possibly causing furloughs and layoffs.

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Virtual-Classroom Setup Offers Live-Classroom Experience

The sudden switch to distance learning has presented teachers with a new set of challenges, the biggest of which is they’re separated from students by a computer screen. It makes student engagement in content, learning activities, and assessment much more difficult, and leaves both teachers and students feeling frustrated, isolated and unmotivated. Even at the university level, where online learning has been a core component of instruction for years, students are lamenting the loss of face-to-face interaction with professors.

So this summer, when a visiting professor at MIT’s Sloan School had to teach a graduate-level operations class online, he designed a virtual-classroom setup that made students feel like they were right there learning with him.

“In my prior online classes, I could only see the professor’s head in a tiny box at the top of the screen,” says Sravani Yajamanam Kidambi, MBA’22. “But Professor Willems’ class had an interactive atmosphere that felt akin to the energy and enthusiasm of the classroom.”

To create that kind of engagement for his Zoom class,

Credit: Sean Willems

Sean P. Willems, Ph.D., spent 30 days converting a room in his home to a video studio for teaching. He purchased a lot of equipment – cameras and lenses for multiple stations, a Stream Deck that automated the movement between the stations, and a light board station that enabled students to see him and what he was writing at the same time.

Quality-wise, the equipment was somewhere between

what a professional video outfit would use and what an amateur vlogger might have. His entire setup probably cost $10,000, Willems admits, but a research paper he wrote about his experience outlines how others can create a similar setup for less than $1,000.

Of particular importance to Willems was the open source Open Broadcaster Software platform. It served as the studio’s command center and allowed Willems to switch between teaching modes. An instructor teaching in person constantly

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EYE ON EDUCATION changes modalities: walking around the room, posing questions to the class, facilitating group discussion, writing on the whiteboard and projecting applications on a display. “Zoom’s one-dimensional interface is cumbersome and doesn’t allow instructors to smoothly shift teaching modes,” he explained.

“My top priority was to enhance the production quality of a standard Zoom meeting to allow for more dynamism and spontaneity.”

For more information, visit mitsloan.mit.edu.

More Support Needed for LGBTQ+ Student Teachers, Says Study

Student teachers who identify as LGBTQ+ face a number of difficulties navigating their own education – both in the university and public schools where they student-teach.

The small amount of research completed on this subject to date has typically focused on the experiences of LGBTQ+ educators already actively working in public schools. But recently, a new research-based article appeared in the Journal of Homosexuality, a peer-reviewed academic journal, which focused on the experiences of two pre-service teachers during their student-teaching placement.

“On Becoming an LGBTQ+ Identifying Teacher: A Year-Long Study of Two Gay and Lesbian Preservice Elementary Teachers,” offers suggestions for teacher education programs concerning ways to recruit, support and advocate for LGBTQ+ pre-service teachers. Topics covered included LGBTQ+ legislation, and diversity in curriculum and classroom resources.

Its findings can be broadly applied to conclude that not enough support exists for LGBTQ+ teaching candidates during the mentorship process, and in general.

Both participants of the study said that their biweekly meetings with the researchers – William Toledo, an assistant professor at the University of Nevada; and Bridget Maher, a research fellow at the University of Michigan – helped prepare them for unique challenges. Deciding when to come out and where may be one of the biggest, especially if it can get them fired.

“Pre-service teachers have to navigate three separate contexts: public schools, student teaching and field placement seminars, plus methods courses and other university-based courses,” says Toledo. “In each context, they must make decisions about whether to be ‘out’ or not, based on their comfort level and other factors.”

Results of the study show that discrimination, mistreatment, harassment and silencing of queer teachers and students are still prevalent. “Other research has shown how important it is to have diverse and representative teachers in schools,” said Maher, “Students report increased feelings of safety, inclusiveness, visibility, and even increased academic success when teachers represent a diverse group of identities, including LGBTQ+ identities.”

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Libraries Rearranged

(continued from page 11)

Designers at the Bellville, Texas-based company are trained and equipped with the latest software to produce accurate and realistic renderings, layouts and custom products.

Perhaps equally important is the tracking software used in the production areas to pinpoint each part of a project any time in the manufacturing process. It has allowed Tesco to consistently meet their customers’ delivery requirements, even during the busiest back-to-school months.

“We don’t believe any learning environment should be limited to standard dimensions or basic designs,” Sidney added. “We understand the need for flexible spaces, and the importance of furnishings that can be rearranged and reinterpreted, especially in light of the issues we’re dealing with right now.”

The ability to move furniture around has created additional safe-distancing options for school libraries. Stacks outfitted with casters at one library in Pittsburgh come together to form smaller private study pods. Moving the stacks to close off specific areas and open up others lets libraries create muchneeded extra classroom space. At the same time, they can still provide resources, media, and technical expertise to students and teachers. Arranging the stacks to form pathways helps

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Full stacks are easy to move thanks to sturdy metal grab bars.

librarians safely manage the way students move through the space. Acrylic shields and mobile desk barriers separate more students at long tables, and study carrels are highly prized.

Looking forward, school libraries are ideal spaces for innovative design solutions. Beyond the goal of safety, they solve issues that include creative storage, outdoor-space programming, and providing more access to more resources for more people – wherever they are.

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INDUSTRY NEWS Toy Fair NY 2021 will be held May 1 through 4.

“Call it ‘pursuing the possible,’ or perhaps ‘optimistic realism,’ but whatever the take, The Toy Association is planning to bring the industry back together as soon as it’s safe and possible to do so,” announced Steve Pasierb, the trade group’s president and CEO. “We have been presented with a window in the opening days of May and we are willing, ready, and able to put resources toward the show and any other projects that will continue to help members grow their businesses.”

Although connecting toy buyers and sellers in a virtual way became a Toy Association reality this summer with Toy Fair Everywhere (TFE), retail buyers and toy sellers made it clear that they did not want a digital event to replace a live version of Toy Fair. “When they were canvassed about their expectations for 2021, the connections, ability to experience products firsthand, and return to some form of human connection in doing business have proven to reign supreme,” wrote Pasierb in a letter to association members.

At the same time, he cautioned that the 2021 event will not resemble the Toy Fairs of past years. “We anticipate smaller footprints, a different exhibitor mix, and less extravagant if not workmanlike displays.”

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Moving forward, the association will work closely with federal, state and city officials, plus contractors and support teams to make sure the show’s environment is safe.

“If at any time we feel that Toy Fair NY 2021 cannot be produced in a safe manner, we will cancel the show,” Pasierb added. “If the event needs to be canceled, any monies paid will shift toward Toy Fair in February 2022, as is the longstanding show policy. In fact, almost all 2021 exhibitors had already shifted to 2022, so May again presents a more immediate opportunity.”

Private preview opportunities with key retailers online – Target, Toys “R” Us Canada, and Meijer – will be available later this year to manufacturers, as will a year-round version of Toy Fair Everywhere. During TFE’s three market weeks this July, August and September, more than 570 brands and nearly 30,000 products were showcased. With unlimited virtual booth space, exhibiting companies leveraged the online platform to book meetings, upload product catalogs, and access real-time analytics to tailor their buyer outreach.

Meanwhile, ToyFest West 2021, the tradeshow of the Western Toy & Hobby Representatives Association (WTHRA) held each year in March, was recently postponed as a direct result of the pandemic. “As the coronavirus has proven to be resilient and unpredictable, we are now shifting our focus to hosting our 60th anniversary event when conditions improve significantly,” said a letter from the association’s board.

The new date is undetermined as of yet.

“Independent sales reps provide an invaluable service and, collectively, we are committed to supporting our customers and our manufacturers through these challenging times,” said WTHRA President Lawrence Nissen. “We are also grateful and appreciate that our customers, in turn, provide a valuable resource to the communities they serve. It is our collective intention to continue the great work we have accomplished together with a hopeful eye towards a healthy recovery for us all in the near future.”

CSI Connect Marketing Inc. has appointed Cindy McMullen sales manager to replace Brian Roberts. Cindy joins the Orange City, Florida-based publisher with more than 14 years of experience in the education and school supply markets.

Cindy began her career in 2006 at Creative Catalog Concepts, another Florida publisher, where she worked with a variety of markets: education, art, toy and bike. After seven years, she joined Ace Educational, a retailer in Davie, Florida to manage its catalog and e-commerce site.

She can be reached at cindy@csiconnects.com and 386-775-1070 x242.

“Cindy has outstanding credentials and is a perfect fit for

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this important position,” explains Dana Flaherty, president of CSI Connect Marketing. “Her knowledge and expertise in the school supply industry will serve our customers well.”

Dana founded Catalog Solutions in 2006, and his vision for the company focuses on exceeding the product and service expectations of every customer. Over the past 14 years, Catalog Solutions has grown steadily and continues to etch its place as the leading supplier of sales and marketing tools for businesses in the school supply industry.

Sue Warfield has been promoted to interim president of the American Specialty Toy Retailing Association (ASTRA), replacing Kim Mosley.

Sue joined ASTRA in 2014 as director of member services after spending many years in retail, including in the education industry.

She began her career as a part-time sales clerk at Dayton’s department store chain during college, and then became an assistant manager at a hobby and craft store.

Over the years, Sue worked for two major independently-owned retail chains based in Minneapolis/St. Paul where she rose through the ranks to become director of retail operations.

Then in 1990, Sue started a retail consultancy, Retail Specialties, and worked with clients around the U.S. She became a toy rep in 1995, and in 1999, opened a furnishings and décor store with her husband.

Amy Saldanha, chair of the ASTRA Board, expressed her gratitude for Sue’s leadership, saying, “Her expertise, relationships and knowledge of our industry is unparalleled and will serve ASTRA well in the coming year.”

A national search for a new ASTRA president will be held next spring.

Back-to-School Essentials Jonti-Craft’s complete lineup of table dividers, portable sinks, mobile storage solutions, and space dividers can help you reconfigure learning spaces to keep students protected while they fully engage in classroom activities.

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Everyone is Stressed About Politics

The American Psychological Association (APA) regularly releases surveys that take the pulse of the U.S. workforce and explore various topics related to people’s experiences on the job, In the midst of the 2016 campaign season, the APA’s Center for Organizational Excellence surveyed a representative sample of the U.S. workforce and found that one in four employees was affected by

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political talk at work. David Ballard, PsyD, MBA, and the center’s director then, wrote an article about it for Harvard Business Review. In it he revealed that as a result of political discussions, working Americans said that they felt tense or stressed out, were more cynical and negative at work, were less productive, and were producing lower-quality work.

Work relationships suffered, too, wrote Ballard, who coedited the book, The Psychologically Healthy Workplace: Building a Win-Win Environment for Organizations and Employees. Although some workers bonded with their colleagues over shared political views, others said team cohesiveness suffered, they had a more negative view of coworkers, felt more isolated from them, and perceived more workplace hostility.

To manage these tensions, just over half of American workers said they simply steered clear of political conversations at work, but one in five reported avoiding certain coworkers because of their political views. “None of these feelings seem to have dissipated since the election,” said the March 2017 article. “Rather, the pre-election tensions fueling anger, polarization, and conflict remained in full force.”

In fact, more than half of Americans who responded to a January 2017 APA survey cited the political climate as a significant source of stress. Two-thirds, including both Democrats and Republicans, said they were stressed about the future of the country.

The rhetoric around this year’s election is more divisive than ever, but there are some steps business owners and managers can take to prevent political discussions from polarizing the workplace. Here’s what Ballard recommends.

Have a clear policy in place

Even if you’ve made your expectations clear, political conversations are inevitable. The most effective approach is to promote a workplace culture that embraces respect and

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2 FOR 1

trust so that difficult conversations and disagreements can take place in a civil environment. “A psychologically healthy workplace is good for your employees and your business in the best of times, but it’s particularly critical during challenging and polarizing times.”

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Model the behavior and actions you promote to your staff

Demonstrating civility and respect, participating in employee activities, and managing your own stress level in healthy ways will show your employees you are serious about creating a healthy work environment.

Focus on common goals and shared values

Set clear goals for your team and focus people on working together toward common objectives. “When political turmoil is creating tension and distraction, focusing on the work and accomplishing something together may be a welcome reprieve,” Ballard believes.

Step in if things get too heated

If the current political climate is negatively affecting an employee’s job performance, address the issue before it creates a bigger problem. Provide necessary feedback and work with the employee to come up with a plan.

When tensions turn into conflicts between coworkers, counsel employees

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Your favorite visual timer has been updated and redesigned with increased legibility and durability. The Time Timer 3-inch is perfect for one-to-one use. It includes an activity card and portable carrying bag. timetimer.com

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Teach letters with handson play! Create uppercase and lowercase letters and other clever designs with the GeoStix Letter Construction Set from Learning Advantage. Included are 200 flexible GeoStix, 10 different shapes and lengths, and 50 activities.

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Pro Gaff is premium matte cloth tape with a rubber-based adhesive system that can be used for book repair and labeling.

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New and hot! Primary Concepts’ sorting and counting tray system (#1107) is perfect for primarygrade activities. Four of the five sturdy and colorful plastic trays fit into the largest tray’s four outside corners to create activity space.

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The 36-count Halloween Fun Combos from Musgrave include a great combination of Halloween classic designs with a unique and fun topper. This tub of pencils is a must have for party favors, a handout in the classroom, or a treat for your jack-o-lantern adventures. pencils.net

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Hoyle games from The United States Playing Card Company encourage kids to learn valuable socialemotional learning skills to prepare them for the road ahead. In a game of Super Me, players win by empathizing with those in need, identifying solutions, and jumping in to lend a helping hand. JeniferSilz@ usplayingcard.com

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EVERYONE IS STRESSED BY POLITICS

(continued from page 27)

on relevant company policies related to harassment or incivility, and help them find ways to work together.

“The organizational challenges of this environment should not be underestimated,” Ballard concludes. “Even when a majority of employees treat each other with respect and manage their stress effectively, just one person who avoids coworkers because of their political differences, and is more stressed and more argumentative, can create a ripple effect that hurts the entire work group.”

Advice to pass on to your team Keep it civil

People often feel strongly about their political beliefs, and it’s unlikely that your arguments, as logical as they may be, will change their position. Respect opinions that differ from your own and be open to hearing and understanding others’ perspectives, even if you don’t agree with them.

Stay away from contentious issues

It may be best to avoid workplace conversations about topics you know are likely to elicit a fiery response, and you may be unaware of the issues that are sensitive for your coworkers. When disagreements arise, walk away before you say something you’ll regret or damage a professional relationship.

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Take a break from the news barrage

Cognitively, you need time to replenish and return to your normal level of functioning. Set rules for yourself, such as turning off your phone, and closing or minimizing news windows on your computer. Enlist support from family and friends to keep you on track.

Monitor your stress level and mange it in healthy ways

It may sound basic, but take care of yourself by eating right, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, and engaging in regular physical activity. Accepting help from friends and family can improve your ability to manage stress as well.

“To be sure, uncertainty currently rules the day,” says Ballard, “but a psychologically healthy work environment – where people feel supported – can make an outsize difference in our daily lives, regardless of political differences and the challenges that lie ahead.”

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BUSINESS NOTES Ad Campaign Urges Shoppers to Skip the Last-Minute Rush Optimistic sales outlook is clouded by “wildcards”

By any measure, this holiday season will be unlike any other. That’s why the National Retail Federation is launching

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a nationwide consumer education campaign called “New Holiday Traditions” to encourage consumers to shop safe and shop early amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The campaign will include advertising across digital and social media, radio and Connected TV that will air from October through mid-November in target markets across the country.

Despite concerns related to COVID 19, 43 percent of holiday shoppers surveyed this year say they are waiting until November to start buying for the season. A majority (59 percent) plan to shift more of their shopping online, according to NRF’s annual consumer holiday survey.

Forecasting holiday sales this year is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle without all the pieces, says NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz. “I am cautiously optimistic about the fourth quarter in terms of the economy and consumer spending. The test is whether they can be sustained amid wildcard puzzle pieces that include policy surprises, the election and a resurgent virus.”

The October issue of NRF’s Monthly Economic Review noted the clear V-shaped recovery of consumer spending, which may have enough momentum to carry the country through the fourth quarter, notes Kleinhenz, but government programs have now ended, and only about half

5/8/20 10:47 AM

of the 22.2 million jobs lost in March and April have been replaced. Full economic recovery is not likely before 2022.

Still, there is “solid evidence that signals a better-than-expected outcome” through the just-ended third quarter, says the report. Retail spending and housing have recovered strongly. Home sales, spurred by low interest rates, have boosted sales at home improvement, furniture and appliance retailers.

Employment growth is slowing but remains positive, and consumers have saved a portion of their stimulus checks and unemployment benefits. Consumer confidence remains below pre-pandemic levels, but it is improving.

We’ll just have to wait and see how the puzzle comes together.

New Law Would Expand ADA Compliance to Websites

Legislation was introduced on October 2 to establish standards that clarify what’s required to make websites and mobile apps accessible to the visually impaired under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The Online Accessibility Act, introduced by Representatives Ted Budd, R-N.C., and Lou Correa, D-Calif., would expand the ADA’s coverage of physical locations to include consumer-facing websites and apps operated by private entities. Those that are in “substantial compliance” with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines established by the Web Accessibility Institute, or that offer “equivalent access” through

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an “alternative method,” would be in compliance with the ADA. However, the Justice Department would be required to issue regulations spelling out definitions and details.

Neither Congress nor the Justice Department, which oversees the ADA, have issued guidance on what constitutes access to a website.

The department would be required to establish a dispute resolution process, and violators could be fined $20,000 for a first offense and up to $50,000 for subsequent offenses. Private lawsuits would be allowed but only after administrative remedies are exhausted.

The legislation comes in response to thousands of lawsuits alleging website ADA violations.

Small Home Offices Stymie Office-Furniture Giants

When millions of workers-fromhome changed their guest rooms into offices this spring, big office-furniture manufacturers felt the impact like a punch in the gut. According to Reuters, shares of Steelcase and Herman Miller both fell about 70 percent after the pandemic hit. By September, they were still down around 50 percent, even as the wider stock market had nearly recovered its losses from the early days of the shutdown.

Both Steelcase and Herman Miller have thrived over the years by selling through their own dealers to companies

that bought office furniture by the truckload. They employed teams of designers and technicians to deliver and install them. “But the average workat-home customer wants a product that can be sent by a delivery service in a single box and can be easily assembled – ideally without needing special tools,” says the article.

“The big companies simply weren’t structured to serve people from home,” said Ron Wiener from iMovR, a Seattle-based maker of adjustable desks.

“We’re not used to dealing with the end users,” explained Soren Stig-Nielsen, president of LINAK U.S., a Danish company that makes equipment in Kentucky for adjusting the height of desks. “If we get a call from a customer about a missing screw, we’re not set up to handle that.”

The firm sells its actuators to most of the big domestic furniture companies, including Steelcase.

“COVID has created huge demand in the home office area and traditionally, we have not been a big player in that market,” Stig-Nielsen told Reuters.

Price is a factor, too. “An Aeron chair, a classic design sold by Herman Miller, comes in versions that can easily cost $1,000. Workers stuck at home are far less likely to splurge on such an expensive option.”

Meanwhile, the office furniture industry is not giving up on actual

offices, said the article. Lori Gee, a vice president at Herman Miller, reported that its designers are already working on concepts for a new style of working.

Rather than being based on large centralized offices, it focuses on small satellite offices that serve workers who are more widely dispersed than in the past.

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Cool Hot innovations in the furniture and equipment category

1 1. The Squircle from Academia Furniture allows students a comfortable and safe way to release energy. Its unique dome base is angled to sway securely in every direction. academiafurniture.com 2. Divide a table or worktop into four stations with the Jonti-Craft 4-Station See-Thru Table Divider. Perfect for educational environments, the see-thru acrylic creates physical separation and allows excellent visibility. jonti-craft.com

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5. The Wood Designs All-in-One Sanitation Station (WD991782) helps create a safe and healthy environment for any room or building entryway. It provides an abundance of storage for gloves, masks, and cleaning supplies. The unit’s full dimensions are: 54-1/4 inches high with hand sanitizer docking station (39-1/2” high without) by 42-5/8 inches wide by 22 inches deep. wooddesigns.org

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6. The Floor Wobbler allows children to sit comfortably on the floor in one spot while still moving naturally – which increases focus. It’s ideal for classrooms that require flexible or alternative seating. There’s ample finger space under the rim to prevent pinches. Manufactured with antimicrobial protection in the USA; comes with a lifetime warranty.

7. New Tesco Synergy Series Soft Seating is the perfect solution for common areas or media centers. The nine color options were designed to complement Tesco’s Library and Classroom furniture. tesco-ind.com 8. WB Manufacturing’s new Assurance Collection includes Handwashing and Sanitizing Stations that help schools prepare to open safely for students and staff. wibenchmfg.com

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Cool Hot innovations in the furniture and equipment category

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9. Illumi Mite from ChildBrite helps children explore the wonders of light. By setting the light to one of several color options, including white, kids see how colored light interacts with colored manipulatives (not included).

Four 2-inch EZ-Roll casters provide mobility and lock for stability. The sturdy and colorful construction is molded from certified nontoxic resins. childbrite.com

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Educational Dealer Welcomes Bob Ross to its Family of Advertisers Annette Kowalski, an amateur painter, “discovered” Bob Ross when she took a class from him in 1982.

Like everyone else in the class, she was mesmerized. Afterwards, Annette and her husband took him to dinner and pitched an idea for a company. They became partners and today, 25 years after his death, the company still thrives. In fact, Bob is more popular than ever. Reruns of his PBS series, “The Joy of Painting” continue to air in syndication in the U.S.

This October, a new Bob Ross museum is scheduled to open in his former television studio. “The Bob Ross Experience” is an exhibit of original paintings, artifacts, and media from Bob’s life and career, and will combine with an interactive paint-studio experience planned for next year. The TV studio is located in the historic L.L. Ball home in Muncie, Indiana, on the 40-acre campus of Minnetrista cultural center. It’s the neighborhood in which members of the Ball family – of Ball Mason-jar fame – lived.

By the summer of 1983, Ross had filmed the first season of his brand-new series in Virginia before he embarked on a nationwide tour to promote the show.

Muncie was one of the stops; he hadn’t planned on staying. But based on the support he received there, he and Annette renegotiated the series contract. The show was filmed in Muncie for 10 years and 30 seasons.

In 1988, when the studio moved to

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Ball State University, the house became Minnetrista’s administrative offices.

The “X” where Ross stood remained.

“Lots of people would ask if they could stand on it,” reports George Buss, Minnetrista’s vice president of visitor

experience. “Some of them would cry.

The Bob Ross Experience will reframe how people think about their mistakes, abilities, and self-expression, while creating a space for Bob’s life and work to be remembered and celebrated.”

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ENDCAP

Unique Virtual Tour Features Schools in Five States

It’s not too late to make plans to “attend” The EDspaces Digital Experience 2020. The fact that you can participate right from your business or home office this year makes it easy to sign up at the last minute – whichever “last minute” you choose.

Your registration gives you access to all events via your computer as they happen live, but you also get access to an ondemand library of educational content.

Watch the sessions any time!

The tour of new schools is a highlight of EDspaces each year. Over three days this November, virtual visits take participants to new builds in Missouri, South Carolina, California, Arizona, and Illinois. They’re all award winners, and present the latest and best in educational design. Here’s the lineup.

Tuesday, November 10, 12:15 p.m.

Reeds Spring Middle School, Reeds Spring, Missouri

“Reeds Spring Middle School takes advantage of a steeply sloped and heavily wooded site to combine student learning, community engagement and the natural environment,” says Dake Wells Architecture. The school is at the edge of a wooded area and flows gracefully down an existing ravine.

It’s organized into four key elements: the shed, the stream, the bluff, and the cave. The shed contains all of the tools, traditional and cutting edge, required for learning. A large central atrium collects and accommodates the flow of people like a stream. A massive masonry wall resembling the rock bluffs in the

Ozarks retains earth and provides safety.

A competition gym and a 1,000 seat auditorium nestle into an existing hollow like a cave.

Canyon View High School

Thursday, November 12, 12:15 p.m.

Canyon View High School, Waddell, Arizona

Among the many exciting features of this new school is its “Agora” that Cherry Park Elementary School of includes outdoor project rooms, a Language Immersion, learning stair, student dining, and an Rock Hill, South Carolina athletic training corridor. It spans the

Moseley Architects designed the new 76,000-square-foot, two-story school entire length of the campus, and is designed to be passively conditioned with hallways that feature multiple through green walls covered with teaching spaces. Called “Casa Maisons” plants. Designed by DLR group, and they provide spaces for breakouts and one of five high schools serving the collaborative learning. district, Canyon View is home to a

Cherry Park is an addition to an first-of-its-kind teaching and learning existing middle school, which was Accelerator. Faculty from around the partially renovated to house the fourthdistrict and beyond use it to develop and fifth-grade classroom wing. The and practice modern pedagogies. expanded campus allows the students to Visiting speakers share knowledge, and easily transition from one school to the students and community come together other to provide uninterrupted in-depth language studies through the eighth grade. there to partner and explore.

Wednesday, November 11, 12:15 p.m.

Rio Del Sol STEAM School, Oxnard, California

This 900-student, K-8 campus serves a diverse local community largely comprised of an underserved migrant population. Designed by A4E (Architecture for Education), the building combines the latest thinking in pedagogy with the right balance of creativity and function. It features a highly engaging and interconnected physical environment that includes 21st-century classrooms connected through folding glazed doors.

They open up to private patios and to indoor or outdoor Maker Spaces.

Jefferson Early Childhood Center, Wheaton, Illinois

The 59,000-square-foot center inspires curiosity and discovery for early learners; two-thirds of whom have special needs or disabilities. It offers collaborative classrooms and dedicated indoor/outdoor therapy spaces, as well as a community welcome center and resource room for parent training.

Designed by Legat Architects, its playful patterns, sensory havens and integrated therapy support early learners at all development stages.

To register for The EDSpaces Digital Experience, visit ed-spaces.com

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Storage must be durable, purposeful, agile and most importantly needs to be segregated or isolated.

This “Design Lab” is successful in maintaining heightened agility because every resource is managed in one systematic location. Labeled resources are organized in various heights, depths and widths.

Certwood’s StorSystemTM solutions are intentionally positioned at the centralized core of this mobile lab as resources are selected, transferred, utilized only to be repositioned at the end of class.

email: Info@Certwood.com

web: www.CertwoodUSA.com

Certwood USA Ohio Distribution Center 11 Technology Way Wintersville OH, 43952 Office: 740 314 5874

Certwood UK Laporte Way Luton Bedfordshire LU4 8EF Office +44 (0) 1582 456 955 October 2020 — EducationalDealerMagazine.com 39

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1/8� thick acrylic | Easy to assemble | One year warranty | Made in the USA Our sneeze guards are the ideal solution to protect your students from the rapid spread of airborne germs.

Designed as a defensive barrier, they are durable, light weight, easy to clean, and can be easily moved.

See our full line of school furniture at

www.marcogroupinc.com

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