Mission Statement

Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) Education empowers individuals and families across the life span to manage the challenges of living and working in a diverse global society. Our unique focus is on families, work, and their interrelationships. We do this by providing opportunities for students to develop the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors needed for:

• Demonstrating teamwork and leadership skills in family, community and workplace.
• Applying academic knowledge and skills in family, community and work settings.
• Demonstrating communication skills that contribute to positive relationships and success in family, community and workplace settings.  
• Being successful at life management, employment, and career development.
• Balancing personal, home, family, and work lives.
• Using critical and creative thinking skills to address problems in diverse family, community, and work environments.
• Becoming responsible citizens and leaders in family, community, and work settings.
• Appreciating human worth and accepting responsibility for one’s actions and success in family and work life.
• Strengthening the well-being of individuals and families across the life span.
• Promoting optimal nutrition and wellness across the life span. 
• Managing the resources to meet the material needs of individuals and families.
• Functioning effectively as providers and consumers of goods and services.
• Recognizing the value of each individual’s talents and cultural heritage.
• Demonstrating teamwork and leadership skills in the family, community and workplace.
• Applying academic knowledge and skills in family, community and work settings.

Middle School Program

Home and Career Skills is the middle-level course of study in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. Home and Career Skills is designed to help students gain the skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to meet their present and future responsibilities as family    members, consumers, home managers, and wage    earners. The intent of this course is to help adolescents live in a society of constant change and to improve their quality of life. During Home and Career Skills students learn and apply essential skills in the context of real-life situations that are relevant to adolescents. In addition, Home and Career Skills provides multiple opportunities for students to read, write, and compute in the context of real-life situations. Home and Career Skills at Shenendehowa is taught over three grade levels in order to allow student maturation and experiences related to the course concepts to develop: grade 6, 10 weeks; grade 7, 20 weeks; grade 8, 10 weeks.

ESSENTIAL SKILLS:

• COMMUNICATION, CRITICAL AND CREATIVE THINKING, MANAGEMENT, AND LEADERSHIP. 

CONTENT TOPICS:

• · Career Development

• · Clothing Management

• · Community Connections

• · Consumer Resource Management

• · Family/Parenting

• · Financial Management

• · Human Development

• · Interpersonal Relationships

• · Nutrition and Wellness

• · Personal Environment Management

SPECIAL PROJECTS INCLUDE:

Community service projects, Project Adventure experiences, 8th grade Career Expo, career research using NYS Department of Labor’s Career Zone web site, computerized dietary analysis, working with young  children, Holiday Shop entrepreneurship project, and FACS is included on 7th grade academic teams.

High School

The Family and Consumer Sciences Department currently offers courses in three out of the four cluster areas.  These three areas are Lifespan Studies (previously known as Human Development), Textiles and Design, and Housing an Environment.

Family and Consumer Sciences (FACS) courses at the high school can be taken as electives or as part of the Child Studies Career Sequence. This sequence of courses prepares students to continue their education in the early childhood and/or elementary education fields. Students completing all six FACS courses (5-units) earn a Regents Diploma with Advanced Designation. Department offerings include:                       

Child Psychology and Development:  This 20-week course is available to students in grades 9-12 and focuses on major theorists, parenting, and child  development to age 5. Students observe and work with young children. Projects and activities include: child observations, working with elementary students on a community service project, and participating in the Baby Think-It-Over infant simulation.                                                     

Creative Activities and Experiences for Children: This 20-week course is available to students in grades 9-12 who have completed Child Psychology and Development. During this course students learn how play enhances a child’s development and then  create activities that promote self-expression.     Projects and activities include: children's literature,   music, art, science, math, nutrition and cooking, and puppetry.

Child, Family and Personal Health:  This 40-week course is available to students in grades 10-12 and fulfills the high school health requirement. Since the focus of this course is on child, family and individual health, students interested in pursuing a career in the human service, health service or public service    career fields find this course particularly interesting. College credit is available to 11th and 12th grade students.                        

Early Childhood Education Programs:  This 40-week course is available to students in grades 11 and 12 who are interested in the teaching field and have completed Child Psychology and Development. During this course students learn teaching methods and prepare unit and lesson plans to use during their internship at a Shenendehowa elementary school or community agency serving young children. College credit is available.  

Fashion, Clothing and Textiles: This 20-week course is available to students in grades 9-12 and focuses on topics such as: clothes and personal appearance, historical clothing styles, fashion fads, principles and elements of design, wardrobe evaluation, consumerism, garment redesign, fibers and fabric, and careers in the fashion, clothing and textile fields.  Students enrolled in BOTH Fashion, Clothing and Textiles PLUS Housing and Interior Design may use these courses to fulfill the one unit art/music graduation requirement.

Housing and Interior Design: This 20 week course is available to students in grades 9-12 and focuses on topics such as: historical architectural styles, selecting a home, principles and elements of design, window styles and covering wall coverings, flooring, furniture styles, floor plans, and careers in the housing and interior design fields.  Students enrolled in BOTH Fashion, Clothing and Textiles PLUS Housing and Interior Design may use these courses to fulfill the one unit art/music graduation requirement.

Individuals With Exceptionalities:  This 40-week course is available to students in grades 11 and 12 who have an interest in working with children with special needs and have completed Child Psychology and Development. Students will study the variety of physical, emotional, social, and intellectual disabilities and examine public policy as it relates to children with special needs. 25 hours of field visits to local agencies or educational settings that meet the special needs of children is also a part of this course. College credit is available.

Seminar in Child Growth and Development:      Theory and Practice—HONORS:  This 40-week course is available to students in grades 11 and 12 and focuses on advanced child psychology and  development. Practical application of child development theory to current issues of children and families is investigated. College credit is available.