Family and Consumer Sciences

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS or FACS) is the comprehensive body of skills, research, and knowledge that helps people make informed decisions about their well-being, relationships, and resources to achieve optimal quality of life. The field represents many areas, including human development, personal and family finance, housing and interior design, food science, nutrition, wellness, textiles and apparel, and consumer issues.

FCS is the only profession that integrates knowledge from the basic disciplines of science, humanities, and the arts. It integrates math, reading, communication skills, organization skills, and work readiness in each area of study.

Today’s FCS professionals practice in multiple settings. They are early childhood, elementary, secondary, university/college, and extension educators, administrators and managers, human service professionals, researchers, community volunteers, business people, and consultants who address the issues most important to our quality of life.

HOSPITALITY PATHWAY

Food Preparation Fundamentals 

• Elective: 9, 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

Food Preparation Fundamentals is an introductory course valuable for all students.  It is especially relevant for students interested in careers related to Culinary Arts and Hospitality Foods.  As an introductory course, topics include safety and sanitization, equipment identification and usage, kitchen mathematics, recipe interpretation, food science and technology, and culinary etiquette.  Students will participate in the National Restaurant Association’s ServSafe Food Handler examination.  Projects may include knife skills, baking, food plating and presentation, and general food production.

Culinary: Advanced Cooking Techniques 

• Elective: 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

• Prerequisite: Food Preparation Fundamentals and successful completion of ServSafe Food Handler exam (30/40); can be taken before or after Culinary Arts 2

Culinary Arts I prepares students for occupations and higher education programs of study related to the entire spectrum of careers in Culinary Arts and Hospitality Foods.  This course provides a significant lab classroom experience.  Major topics may include food safety and sanitization, kitchen structure and organization, applied culinary mathematics, emergency procedures and management, professional plating techniques, and commercial food preparation techniques and methods.  Projects may include salad development/production, vinaigrettes, Rice/Potatoes/Starches, Fruits/Vegetables, Proteins/Meats, and complete-meal production.

Culinary: Breads and Baking 

• Elective: 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

• Prerequisite: Food Preparation Fundamentals and successful completion of ServSafe Food Handler exam (30/40); can be taken before or after Culinary Arts 1

Culinary Arts II exposes students to additional commercial preparation techniques and methods.  This course provides a significant lab classroom experience.  Major topics may include safety and sanitization, applied culinary mathematics, professional plating techniques, breakfast foods/cookery, garde manger and food art/presentation, breads, baked goods/desserts, and catering/customer service.  Projects may include desserts such as cakes/cookies/pies/truffles, edible food art, and bread production. 

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND HUMAN SERVICES

Child and Human Development 

• Elective: 9, 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

Child and Human Development is an introductory course for all students as a life foundation and academic enrichment; it is especially relevant for students interested in careers that draw on knowledge of children, child development, and nurturing of children. This course addresses issues of child development from conception/prenatal through the lifespan. It includes the study of prenatal development and birth; growth and development of children; child care giving and nurturing; and support systems for parents and caregivers. This course provides a foundation for continuing and post-secondary education in all career areas related to children, child development, and nurturing of children. 

Early Childhood Education 

• Elective: 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

• Prerequisite: Child and Human Development

This course prepares students for careers and post-secondary study focused on children aged 3 to 8 (Pre-K through 3rd Grade). Through a project-based curriculum, students develop essential skills in leadership, management, and professional communication. The program emphasizes higher-order thinking and foundational strategies necessary for success in both college and the early childhood workforce.

Introduction to Teaching 

• Elective: 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

• Prerequisite: Child and Human Development  

• Students may be eligible for Concurrent Enrollment credits through SCSU upon completion

Introduction to Education provides the foundation for employment in education and related careers and prepares students for study in higher education. The course of study includes, but is not limited to: the teaching profession, the learner and the learning process, planning instruction, learning environment, and instructional and assessment strategies. This class will explore cross curricular areas such as reading and social studies, including the use of technology in implementing Learning Management Systems used for training and education. Core values and character education; respect, leadership, cooperation, responsibility, self-control, and etiquette will be examined. Projects may include: outside classroom experiences.

DESIGN AND VISUAL ARTS

Fashion and Apparel Design 

• Elective: 9, 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

• Meets the Fine Art Requirement 

Fashion and Apparel Design is an introductory course for those students interested in a career in the fashion, textile, and apparel industry. This course addresses knowledge and skills related to design, production, acquisition, and distribution in the fashion, textile, and apparel arena. A project-based approach integrates instruction and laboratory experiences including application of the elements and principles of design; selection, production, alteration, repair, and maintenance of apparel and textile products. Projects may include: clothing construction, fashion illustration and garment repair and alteration. 

Fashion Merchandising

• Elective: 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

The course prepares students for careers in the fashion, textile, and apparel industry; factors influencing the merchandising and selection of fashion, textile, and apparel goods and their properties, design, and production; and consumer skills. A project-based approach integrates instruction and laboratory experiences including application of the elements and principles of design; selection, production, alteration, repair, and maintenance of apparel and textile products; product research, development, and testing; and application of technical tools and equipment utilized in the industry. Visual arts concepts will be addressed. Projects may include: field trips for store merchandising experience, design and sales of an apparel product, and career research.

Interior Design and Housing 

• Elective: 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

• Meets the Art Standard

Housing and Interior Design is an introductory course essential for those students interested in a career within the housing, interior design, or furnishings industry. This course addresses the selection and planning of designed spaces to meet the needs, wants, values and lifestyles of individuals, families, clients, and communities. Housing decisions, resources and options will be explored including factors affecting housing choices and the types of housing available. Developmental influences on housing and interior environments will also be considered. Basic historical architectural styling and basic furniture styles will be explored as well as basic identification of the elements and principles of design. Design and space planning involves evaluating floor plans and reading construction documents while learning to create safe, functional, and aesthetic spaces. Course work is project based and includes an introduction to architectural drawing for interiors and CAD (Computer Aided Design.)

Textile Design 

• Elective: 9, 10, 11, 12

• Length of Course: One trimester

• Meets the Fine Art Requirement 

This project-based course explores the exciting world of textiles, from initial concept to finished product. You'll unleash your creativity by designing, developing, and producing textile-based items for home, fashion, or art. Key skills you'll master include: Design & Planning: Envisioning a product and communicating the plan, which involves sketching, drafting, and creating patterns; Costing & Analysis: Determining the necessary materials, tools, and labor to estimate production costs; Production Techniques: Applying precision skills and understanding spatial reasoning to construct and finish products. Projects may involve quilt piecing, creating 2D patterns for 3D fashion or home textile products, or utilizing techniques like CAD, screen printing, or dyeing to create custom fabrics. Service Learning Option: Students may create textile window coverings as part of the district's House Build Project. This course meets elective credit requirements.

WORK BASED LEARNING

Work Experience/Employment Skills

• Grade 11, 12

• (up to 9 Credits)

• (Class: 1 Credit per trimester, Job: 2 Credits per trimester)

This program is for students who are interested in developing employment skills. You will study and discuss a variety of topics with others in the class. Topics studied center around workplace practices such as: getting, holding and terminating employment: job promotions, career planning, problem solving, team work, work safety, and job shadowing. You will also seek employment in a part time job. This is done through a business agreement with a local employer. Discussion and projects in class will draw from work experience.