Category: Expertise and Education

Staying Connected features the many ways you can keep-in-touch with loved ones during difficult times. From stories highlighting generosity to tips on staying connected, we’ll bring you expert advice, inspiration, and great ways to ensure you maintain contact with the people who mean the most to you.

2020 is shaping up to be a year unlike any other. This is especially true for parents and educators who face unprecedented challenges as children enter a new school year with COVID-19 on everyone’s minds.

Whether your child will be attending school in-person or participating in virtual classes from home, teachers want to keep everyone safe while providing a sense of continuity. Read on for more information from educators about how to ensure your family’s success during this school year’s transition.

What Back-to-School Looks Like in 2020

When the Covid-19 shutdown began in March, many schools were proactive in their approach to preventing the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In some regions, spring break ran long and turned into summer break, while some schools transitioned to remote learning for the last few months of the school year.

Parents and educators — like the rest of us — hoped for a speedy resolution to the outbreak. But as weeks turned into months, it became clear that the impact and re–openings would take longer.

This raised many questions for what back-to-school would look like in the fall. Now, in September, most schools are back in session. In order to abide by social distancing guidelines issued by the Center for Disease Control, schools across the country have adopted the following three options.

In-Person Schooling

Approaches to in-person schooling vary greatly across states and regions, but the majority of school districts are following social distancing guidelines by separating desks, requiring frequent hand–washing, mask–wearing, and temperature checks.

Some schools are also adopting the “cohorting” approach, where students stay in small groups with one designated teacher, so physical proximity within the classroom is reduced to small “pods” of people. Other efforts to reduce the spread of the virus include daily desk washing, socially distanced walking zones, and eating meals in classrooms.

Returning to traditional in-person education has several advantages, namely the assurance that students will be able to receive a consistent education and not fall behind or struggle with virtual lessons and isolation from classmates. Schools also serve a greater social function in communities, providing food and resources for low-income families, and jobs for many community members.

Of course, the risk of contracting COVID-19 is greater when people gather in enclosed spaces for any length of time. Though schools will make efforts to reduce the risk of spread, there is no guarantee of safety when attending any in-person gathering.

Remote Learning

Most schools — regardless of whether they are offering in-person classes or not — are trying to provide a remote learning environment for families who want to avoid sending their children to physical classes. Many states are mandating that school districts offer both options.

While this is beneficial for families, it puts a great deal of strain on teachers, who have to accommodate the needs of all of their students while also converting their lesson plans to be compatible with remote learning.

Remote education is a great option for communities where infection rates are increased, where children might be more likely to spread or contract the virus if attending school in-person. But virtual classes come with their own set of challenges, namely for elementary–age students who struggle with distance learning, or for lower-income families who rely on lunch programs and other support services that may not be available for remote students.

Hybrid Teaching

Some districts have opted for a hybrid approach, where physical contact is reduced by using e-learning platforms part of the week and returning to in-person schooling for the rest of the week. Alternate hybrid approaches may require students to attend remote classes at the beginning of the school year, with plans to return to in-person classes later in the year.

While this approach has the benefit of being adaptable and scalable for each school district based on community needs, it also puts parents in a difficult position when attempting to work from home, potentially putting their jobs at risk if working from home is not an option.

Teacher’s Perspectives on Pandemic Schooling

It’s common knowledge that teachers are incredible people, used to making miracles happen every day on shoestring budgets, with little planning time, against insurmountable odds. But a global pandemic? That’s a new one even for the most seasoned educators.

For Sarah K., an elementary school teacher in Arkansas, the pandemic threw her entire district into chaos. After teaching remotely for the last two months of the 2019-2020 school year, summer brought a fresh wave of anxiety and indecision. “We spent the majority of the summer in the dark, trying to create alternative lesson plans that could be utilized remotely while begging for updates about our contracts,” she said. “We actually had to agree to contracts that we hadn’t even seen yet, inadvertently agreeing to teach both in-person and remotely for no extra pay.”

With the exorbitant fees required to break our contracts, Sarah K. said many teachers had no choice but to adapt. “We want the best for our students, but working 60-hour weeks and trying to meet the needs of students and parents while also taking care of our own families has been a nightmare.”

One common theme seems to be a lack of support for teachers, who often pay for upgraded features for their students out of their own pockets. “If I want to be able to teach effectively, I need the tools to do so,” said Renee D., a veteran math teacher from Wyoming with over 16 years of teaching experience. “I’ve had to pay for upgraded versions of remote learning tools and teach myself how to use these programs in my free time, without any reimbursements.”

Other teachers have had different experiences.

Stacey R., a high school science teacher from Maryland, was fortunate to participate in community town halls and union negotiations that granted her district additional resources which helped with transitioning to a hybrid teaching approach. But even with a supportive community and district leaders, teaching looks very different during the pandemic. “My classes are normally very hands-on with students using a variety of materials and lab equipment,” she said. “At this time, that’s not possible. Many of my students are using cell phones to access Google Classroom and Zoom, which can be challenging.”

What Teachers Want Parents to Know

 At the end of the day, parents and teachers have the same goal: ensuring the best education and development for their children while keeping everyone safe and healthy. Here are teacher-approved strategies to ensure a successful transition for your child.

• Teach hygiene and etiquette. Teach your children to wash their hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. Encourage mask-wearing and teach them about social distancing guidelines. This way, they can be comfortable and confident when at school or in public during the pandemic.
• Provide age-appropriate education about the pandemic. Education about the COVID-19 pandemic should focus on sharing knowledge and good health practices, rather than fear. The CDC offers some excellent guidance on how to talk to your kids about the coronavirus pandemic.
• Establish a remote-learning routine. Just like in-person learning, remote learning is enhanced when children have clear expectations about the order of the day and what they will be expected to do. Start with a healthy breakfast, offer snacks and breaks, and coordinate with teachers so you and your child can establish a schedule that accommodates their classes along with your work schedule.
• Find time for socialization and play. Whether your child is learning from home or still attending in-person classes, they will notice some changes this year. Restrictions such as wearing a mask and not being able to hug their friends, or learning from home and being isolated, could take their toll on your child. Make sure you still arrange virtual play-dates or socially distanced family excursions to give them a chance to still be a kid.
• Communication is critical. Make sure you and your child are communicating with your teacher, and update your contact information. Communication can often stop or mitigate issues. If the teacher doesn’t have the updated contact information, they cannot reach you first.

Back-to-School Gifts for Everyone

Know a teacher or a student going back to school? From flowers to sweet treats, help them transition with an A+ gift that will make their day!

Advice from Interns Who Experienced It & Educational Experts  

Each year, the 1-800-FLOWERS.COM, Inc. Enterprise embarks on an internship program, but due to the times we’re now living in, this summer has been a little different. In honor of Back–to–School and International Youth Day, we asked our interns about their school year in regards to virtual learning as well as their virtual internship experience. We think their learnings can be helpful to students and teachers as they head back to the classroom, whether virtually or in person. 

In addition to speaking to our interns who have experienced virtual learning firsthand, there are also tons of educational resources to help get you comfortable, with tips ranging from making checklists and reducing distractions, to encouraging movement and giving positive feedback.  

As our Founder Jim McCann said, “Be curious. Every interaction gives you a chance to learn, to adjust your perspective, and get a new insight.” During this time, it’s so important we work together and learn from each other and we hope you find these back-to-school tips helpful.  

Virtual Learning: Overcoming Challenges & Experiencing Success 

Like many things, virtual learning comes with its challenges. Below, our interns share what they found challenging in the virtual learning environment, along with tips on how to adapt and succeed. 

Question Asked to Interns: Please share your experience with virtual learning and how you overcame any challenges, in addition to big wins you experienced.  

 “It took a little time to get used to virtual learning. There were many awkward silences and long pauses. After a few weeks, it felt normal. Class discussions picked up. Teachers were available for one–on–one Zoom meetings to answer any questions. One big win from virtual learning was that it prepared me for a virtual internship. Teams and Zoom meetings felt completely normal after the spring semester which made it easy to transition into a virtual internship.” – Nick, Marketing Intern

“When it came to learning virtually, the most important thing I had to do was adapt. Switching to the online setting, I found it best to designate a room in my house to do my work and focus on anything school or work related.” – Zack, Accounting Intern

“It was hard to separate school from normal life because I would attend class in my room, so I felt like I was thinking about class 24/7. I decided to start a 9-5 schedule for school and that helped a lot. We also became a lot more tech–savvy by doing everything online.” – Mattie, Social Media Intern 

“Learning in school virtually is definitely difficult because the resources I am used to having are no long as easy to access. However, I took this time to become better at communicating over email. I reached out to professors frequently, which allowed me to get the help I needed. It is also helpful that my classes consist of a lot of coding, which makes the burden of learning over the computer a bit less difficult.” – Laura, Analytics Intern

How to Stay Connected  

 From FaceTime to engaging in more family activities, one thing is certain: staying connected during these times is important. Below, our interns share their favorite ways to keep in touch. 

Question Asked to Interns: How are you staying connected with friends, family, teachers, and fellow students during this time? 

 “This strange time in the world has brought my family together for the longest time in a while. We are usually never living in the same house for an extended period of time. COVID changed that. We stay connected through family dinners and activities. My friends and I see each other in backyards from a distance. I am also able to keep in touch with them via social media and FaceTime. One thing I am grateful for is being surrounded by my family. It has been nice to spend so much time with them over the past few months, even though we sometimes get on each other’s nerves.” – Nick, Marketing Intern

“Zoom is probably the main way I stay in touch with friends. Every Wednesday since we’ve been home, some school friends and I play trivia online to stay entertained. FaceTiming is also common amongst me and my friends.” – Zack, Accounting Intern

“Snapchat and Instagram are the biggest ways we’ve been staying connected. As well as sending TikTok videos and FaceTime. I’ve been FaceTiming and calling people way more during this time, which has been nice.” – Mattie, Social Media Intern 

“I take a lot of time to communicate with my friends and family over social media. I also partake in Zoom calls with my friends in big groups. A few friends and I also took the opportunity to take some outdoor walks to hang out while social distancing.” – Laura, Analytics Intern 

We’re All in This Together: Learning from Each Other & Teaching One Another 

 Virtual learning is different for everyone. But remember that students aren’t the only ones going back to school! Don’t forget to show your teachers and parents appreciation during these challenging times. Send them a free back-to-school e-card to show them how much their support means to you.  

Question Asked to Interns: How can parents help their kids to learn during this time, knowing what you know now? 

 “I think the most important advice parents can tell their kids is to be patient. Especially when it comes to Wi–Fi issues. I had plenty of Wi–Fi issues throughout my virtual learning and internship experience. Network issues are out of the student’s control and teachers understand this. It is also important for students to stay focused even though there are distractions at home. Time management is key.” – Nick, Marketing Intern

“The best thing for anyone to have during this time, including parents, is patience. Things are clearly not always going to go as planned, so it is important for parents to support their children during these tough times.” – Zack, Accounting Intern

“Parents can help their kids during this time by being a support system. It is important to be supportive while your kid is struggling during such a confusing time.” – Laura, Analytics Intern 

Thank You #LocalHero Teachers Everywhere  

We conclude this article with a huge thank you to all of the teachers who are local heroes in the communities they serve. Do you know a #LocalHero? Share your story with us on social! 

We’ve been collecting and sharing stories of local heroes from our community over the last few months. We’ve enjoyed hearing all your stories. We are humbled by all the amazing local heroes you have shared.

With back to school around the corner we have been thinking a lot about teachers and the role they play in all of our lives.

When someone says the word hero, many think about traditional heroes. As a Company, we’re also committed to our local heroes and teachers are certainly among the group we call heroes.

Back to school this year will be different for students around the country — whether in person, online or a hybrid of the two. But one thing will be universal for their teachers: They’ll be there to make sure our kids learn. Parents everywhere realized this spring when schools closed that teachers are truly underappreciated local heroes.

Teachers were thrust into a new world of remote schooling along with everyone else this spring, and they’re learning while they teach, too.

We recently heard the story of Lisa Meyer, who has been heroic in her efforts throughout her career as a teacher. Lisa is a first-grade teacher at the public school in Canaan, New Hampshire. She has seen a lot change since she started her career in 1984.

She says her first teaching job in Unity, New Hampshire, was a challenge, despite her bachelor’s degree in education from Keene State College. “They don’t teach the things I had to figure out how to do,” she said, including caring for kids who lacked clothes and food, like the twins who shared one pair of boots and took turns going out at recess. “I made about $10,000 a year when I started, and I put most of my money back in my classroom and spent it on my kids,” she said.

She moved to Canaan Elementary School two years later and will welcome her 36th first-grade class there this month.

One hallmark of Lisa’s first-grade teaching is an original holiday drama production. She adapts or writes an original script that her class performs. She says people underestimate first-graders. “I wanted to push these kids — to work together, do a production, speak in public, memorize lines. It teaches them to be brave, to get over fear, build self-esteem, and it makes them laugh and work hard.” At least one Broadway actor attributes her role as Mrs. Santa in Miss Meyer’s play as the start of her career. Sadly, this year’s play has already been canceled.

Local Heroes Wear Smiles

She also acknowledges that these times are hard on parents regardless of whether their kids are in school or at home. “Working all day — add in reading to kids and helping them with homework, it’s hard.”

They say not all heroes wear capes. About 3.7 million of them, like Lisa, wear smiles as they welcome our kids into their classrooms (virtual or in person) each school day. We applaud their thoughtfulness, flexibility and dedication to their students.

We all have these heroes in our local communities. We hope you’ll learn their stories and share them with this community. SHARE YOUR STORY