When I hear people say, “Schools should teach Home Ec,” all I can say is, “We’re doing it!” Home Ec, now known as Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS), goes beyond baking cookies to teaching practical skills and career pathways. Practical topics include lifetime food and nutrition habits, sewing skills and fashion, child development, and adult roles and responsibilities. The latter is our popular “Life 101” class which covers all aspects of FACS as well as personal enrichment and money management.
Family and Consumer Sciences is project based. Rather than presenting work to fellow classmates, students share project results to real-world audiences. With two school weeks under our belts, my students are off to a running start.
- Life 101 students are sending random acts of kindness through social media.
- Nutrition and Wellness students are working on brochures describing food-borne illnesses, which we will offer to local doctors’ offices.
- In Childhood Development, students are working on an awareness campaign about children’s rights, creating public service announcements.
- In Fashion and Textiles, students are preparing to make a quilt for the CLHS Cadets in Cadence Dinner Auction in December.
The focus of Nutrition and Wellness is easy, cheap, and nutritious foods based on the USDA Choose MyPlate framework. Fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and dairy products are incorporated in kitchen labs. Students are learning to make nutritious meals and snacks — no more living on ramen noodles in college!
Another way FACS is broadening its outreach is affiliating the first chapter in Concordia’s history of FCCLA (Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America). In addition to gaining leadership skills, students can apply for college scholarships through FCCLA.
As FCCLA says on its website: “Everyone is part of a family, and FCCLA is the only national Career and Technical Student Organization with the family as its central focus.” Importantly, FCCLA members can make a difference addressing important personal, work, and societal issues through the lens of a Christ-centered perspective.
One of our first FCCLA events will be a field trip to Joseph Decuis Wagyu Farm. Students will learn firsthand about the farm-to-table experience. FCCLA members may also compete in state and national competitive events and create local service projects.
Thanks to a generous endowment, CLHS boasts one of the best-equipped kitchen and sewing labs in the area. With state of the art equipment and engaged students, it’s going to be a great year for Family and Consumer Sciences.
Lillian Anderson,
Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher