Department of Family and Consumer Sciences 

The EHS Family and Consumer Sciences Department mission is to provide students with practical life skills in the areas of food preparation, nutrition, financial literacy, child growth and development, and clothing and textiles.  Career based learning is enhanced through “hands on experiences” to make it more realistic for students to transfer skills to real life situations.

FASHION, TEXTILES, AND APPAREL (Introductory)

You are unique and your clothing should reflect your special personality. This course focuses on textiles and clothing construction techniques which enable students to sew and create personalized garments. The alteration, care, repair, and recycling of ready to wear apparel and accessories are included to make students wise consumers.

ADVANCED FASHION, TEXTILES, AND APPAREL (LEVEL 1)

THE BUSINESS OF FASHION - HONORS

Fashion is everywhere! Fashion is art, talent, aesthetics, and skill; fashion is big business. This course will explore the wide variety of careers in the fashion industry while continuing to work on projects and develop the technical skills needed for success in this diverse, creative, and demanding field. Prerequisite: ADVANCED FASHION, TEXTILES, AND APPAREL.

CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Studying children and child development is important whether parenthood is in your future, you plan a career in a child-related profession, or you just enjoy spending time with children. Learn how children develop physically, intellectually, socially and emotionally.

Explore the areas of caring for, nurturing and guiding children. Develop skills for making decisions and thinking critically. Apply what you have learned into practical experience with four-year-olds in a pre-school setting. No Prerequisite required but Child Growth & Development is open to Junior and Senior Students only.

FINANCIAL FITNESS (SEMESTER / 2.5 credits)

Be better prepared to meet the financial challenges of everyday living! The focus of this course is the development of lifelong skills for managing all areas of your life. Maximize your personal traits, learn positive communication and relating to others, examine the skills needed to select and progress towards a career, manage resources, and balance multiple roles.

Housing, food, health and crisis management are also addressed in this course. Grow and develop to your fullest potential. This course fulfills the Financial Literacy requirement for all students beginning with the class of 2014.

FOUNDATIONS OF FOOD AND NUTRITION (INTRODUCTORY) 

Food and its nutrition is a basic and integral part of life. This introductory course focuses on the practical application of food safety and sanitation, food selection, preparation, food costs, food labels and serving of food.  USDA “My Plate & My Pyramid” guidelines will be applied when planning, preparing, serving healthy meals.

Laboratory experiences use technology in food preparation as it relates to safety and time management. Meal etiquette, nutrition and current trends in health associated with nutrition are addressed. Career opportunities in food and nutrition related fields are presented.

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FOOD (LEVEL 1)

Have you ever wondered why popcorn or why cakes rise? Students examine the science of food as it relates to a variety of food preservation techniques, leavening of baked products, emulsions, etc. This course will provide more advanced work in safety and sanitation, food preparation, meal planning, consumer selection and nutrition. Students will be exploring sustainable and organic foods by growing their own herbs in EHS Greenhouse.

Food experiences will take a more creative direction as students discover the visual influence of food with plate presentations and pastry arts. “Hands-on” experience makes this course dynamic and relevant. Career opportunities in Foods and Hospitality Industry are explored. Prerequisite: FOUNDATIONS OF FOOD AND NUTRITION

CULINARY ARTS (HONORS)

This advanced course is designed for students who have genuine interest in food, nutrition and related careers.

Students will master safety and sanitation, the use of professional equipment and service techniques. Learning to prepare and appreciate a wide range of American Regional and International cuisines while developing understanding of the significant role of food in celebrations are some of the goals of this course.

Professional food preparation, visual presentation, catering school events, cooking competitions, as well as experiencing other careers opportunities in food service, hospitality and entrepreneurship will be examined. Prerequisite: FOUNDATIONS OF FOOD AND NUTRITION & THE ART AND SCIENCE OF FOOD

EHS Family and Consumer Science Contacts

Kathleen Hendricks:    kathleen.hendricks@edison.k12.nj.us

Child Growth and Development 

Carolyn Legg: carolyn.legg@edison.k12.nj.us

Fashion Textiles & Apparel,

Advanced Fashion Textiles & Apparel,

The Business of Fashion- Honors,

Financial Fitness

Sandra Ledda: sandra.ledda@edison.k12.nj.us

Foundation of Foods & Nutrition,

Art & Science of Foods,

Culinary Arts- Honor

Donna Schnieder:     donna.schnieder@edison.k12.nj.us