In January, the Pink Clover Foundation officially begins the pilot launch of our Floral Therapy Program at Rise Kohyang High School. Before the first class starts, our team visited students and teachers to talk about the program, explain how the workshops work, and answer questions. The visit helped us understand how much interest there is in bringing creative and calming activities into the school setting, especially for students with IEP support needs.
The response from students was stronger than we expected. Many of them were curious, excited, and open about what they hope to learn. Seeing their reaction confirmed that we are moving in the right direction and that Floral Therapy can truly become a helpful part of their weekly schedule.
WHY WE STARTED THE FLORAL THERAPY PILOT
The Pink Clover Foundation was created with a simple goal: help students build confidence, improve motor skills, and enjoy a calm, structured activity that supports emotional balance. Working with flowers is not just about making something nice. It’s about focus, routine, soft movements, and small wins that help students feel more comfortable and capable.
Rise Kohyang High School was one of the first schools to show interest in bringing this program to their classrooms. Their team shared that they were looking for practical, hands-on activities that students would enjoy, not just observe. Floral Therapy fits this need well because it combines creativity with clear steps, which makes students feel safe and supported while doing something new.
The pilot will help us better understand what works best for the school structure, what needs to be adjusted, and how to build a long-term partnership with more schools across Los Angeles.
OUR VISIT TO RISE KOHYANG HIGH SCHOOL
A few weeks before the official start of the program, our team visited Triton High School to meet the students. We wanted them to know who we are, what we do, and what they can expect in each session. The visit included a short talk, a discussion about the steps of Floral Therapy, and time for questions.
We expected some interest, but the level of engagement surprised us. Students were raising their hands, asking how the workshops work, how they will handle flowers, how big the projects will be, and how often the classes will take place. Some students even asked if they could take their designs home or share them with family members. Their excitement showed us that they already felt connected to the idea, even before the first class.
This conversation helped us shape the final structure of the pilot so it fits the school’s daily schedule.
WHAT STUDENTS CAN EXPECT FROM THE PROGRAM
During the visit, we explained how each class will work. The Floral Therapy Program is designed to be simple, structured, and safe. Each session includes:
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A short introduction of the day’s activity
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Step-by-step guidance
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Practice time
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A short review of what students created
Students will work with fresh flowers, learn how to use basic tools safely, explore colors and textures, and complete small tasks that build confidence over time. The focus is not to make “perfect” designs. The focus is the process — touch, movement, attention, and creating something with their own hands.
We also told the students that they don’t need any previous experience. Many of them smiled when they heard this. You could see the relief on their faces. They understood that this is a place where they don’t need to compete or be “good at something.” They only need to show up and enjoy the activity.
THE REACTION THAT MADE US FEEL CONFIDENT
What stood out the most during this visit was how honest and open the students were. They told us what they like, what they worry about, and what they hope to try. One student asked how flowers can help with stress. Another wanted to know why some activities involve both hands and why motor skills support is important. These questions showed us that they were not only interested — they were already thinking about how the program will help them personally.
This kind of feedback is exactly why we created the Pink Clover Foundation. Our goal is to support students in ways that feel natural and positive. When we saw such an active response, it confirmed that the Floral Therapy Program has real potential to make a difference.
WHY RISE KOHYANG HIGH SCHOOL IS A SPECIAL START FOR US
Launching the pilot at Rise Kohyang High School is an important step. Every school has its own needs, structure, and student goals. Triton’s team has shown real commitment to finding effective programs for their IEP students. Their trust in us means a lot, and we take this responsibility seriously.
This pilot program will guide our next steps as we prepare to bring Floral Therapy to more schools across Los Angeles. We will collect feedback from teachers, track student engagement, and study how different activities support sensory, emotional, and motor development. The goal is to create a strong, standardized program that can be easily used in any school.
HOW WE PREPARED FOR THE PILOT
Behind the scenes, our team has been working for months to build a clear structure for the Floral Therapy Program. Preparation included:
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Developing lesson plans
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Designing step-by-step activities
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Choosing safe and easy-to-use tools
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Training instructors
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Setting up supply logistics
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Planning the pilot calendar
During our school visit, we shared this structure with teachers so they know what to expect. Their feedback helped us adjust session length, class size, and the themes we will use in the pilot.
THE ROLE OF TEACHERS IN THE PROGRAM
Teachers are an important part of the success of Floral Therapy. We are not coming in to replace anything. We are adding something that supports students and teachers together. Teachers know their classrooms better than anyone, and their feedback helps us adjust the program so it fits real needs.
During our visit, teachers told us they want activities that are calming, clear, and not overwhelming. They also shared how helpful it is when students have tasks with visual steps. These conversations helped us refine our workshop guides so each session feels predictable, organized, and easy to follow.
WHAT WE HOPE TO SEE IN THE NEXT MONTHS
The pilot program will run through the school year with weekly Floral Therapy sessions. Over time, we hope to see:
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Increased student engagement
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Better focus during short tasks
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Stronger communication skills
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Comfort in working with both hands
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Improved emotional balance during class
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Sense of accomplishment after finishing each activity
We will collect feedback from teachers, track classroom observations, and review student progress. These insights will help us build a long-term Floral Therapy model that other schools can use.
WHY FLORAL THERAPY MATTERS
Many students today experience stress, sensory overload, or challenges with motor skills and attention. Floral Therapy gives them a space to slow down, focus on one task at a time, and see a clear result of their work. Flowers are soft, colorful, and easy to handle, which makes them comfortable for students who struggle with pressure or quick decision-making.
The program supports emotional well-being through gentle tasks. It encourages students to explore, observe, and make choices without fear of mistakes. This approach helps build confidence, which often carries over into other parts of school life.
LOOKING AHEAD: OUR GOALS FOR 2025
Launching the program at Triton High School is just the beginning. Our long-term plan includes:
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Bringing Floral Therapy to more schools in Los Angeles
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Creating training for teachers who want to run the program in their classrooms
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Developing easy-to-use support materials
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Building a network of schools that share ideas and results
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Offering seasonal activities and optional summer modules
Our goal is to make Floral Therapy a stable and useful resource for students who benefit from structure, hands-on activities, and emotional support.
CONCLUSION: A STRONG START AND A PROMISING YEAR
Our visit to Triton High School showed us exactly why this program matters. The students were curious, open, and full of questions. Their interest helped us see that we are building something real, something that can help them grow and feel more confident. Starting the pilot in January feels like the right step, and we are excited to begin.
The Pink Clover Foundation is grateful for the warm welcome from the Triton High School team and their students. We look forward to the first workshops, the progress we will see, and the feedback that will help us expand this program city-wide.
