Overview

Family & Consumer Science Department

        The philosophy of the Family and Consumer Sciences' curriculum is to improve the quality of life for individuals, for families, and for the community.  The main objective is to prepare students (both male and female) in skills for life using the most recent research. The dual role of parent/wage earner is emphasized throughout the curriculum.  The curriculum follows current trends at the local, state, and national level by emphasizing consumer education, decision making, interpersonal relationships, and family relationships, parenting, nutrition, and career education.   
         The Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum include twenty courses, with a few courses requiring a pre-requisite.  Some courses are only offered to a specific grade level.  The majority of the classes within the department have a mixture of students ranging from Freshmen to Seniors and from college prep to inclusion students. All courses were developed to meet the state vocational guidelines. Hands-on activities are an integral part of all courses in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department.

        Unique to the department is a class that fits the vocational title of "Orientation to the World of Work." The students in this class learn marketable skills in cake decorating and then set-up and run their own professional cake decorating business.

        Special education/special needs/inclusion students have been involved in the Family and Consumer Sciences department since 1971. Students from the following areas-learning disabilities, mildly mentally handicapped, moderately mentally handicapped, emotionally handicapped, and physically challenged have been enrolled in many of the classes.  Good rapport and support have been developed with the Special Education department.  In each course, the curriculum is adapted to fit the needs of the student.