Introduction
The Family and Consumer Sciences department offers courses that provide students with real-world learning opportunities. The purpose of this program is to prepare students to be competent, confident and caring in managing their personal, family and work lives.
Shaker High School Students can gain that knowledge with their choice of 2 career pathways in the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. Each career path or sequence of courses is approved by the New York State Education Department and includes a professional exam, work based experiences and at least one college level course. Students who complete all the required courses and pass the professional exam will receive the Regents CTE endorsement on their diploma.
NYSED Approved FACS Career Pathways
- Human Services
- Health, Nutrition and Wellness
Human Services
Grade 9
- 623 Introduction to Early Childhood – ½ credit
- 620 Adolescent Development – ½ credit
Grade 10
- 617 Food and Nutrition across the Life Span – ½ credit
- 610 Gerontology – ½ credit
Grade 11
- 629 Child Development – ½ credit + 3 HVCC credits
- 531 Financial Decision Making – ½ credit
Grade 12
- 628 Careers in Human Service
Health, Nutrition and Wellness
Grade 9
- 617 Food and Nutrition across the Lifespan – ½ unit
- 624 Fitness and Nutrition – ½ unit
Grade 10
- 627 Global Food and Nutrition – ½ unit
- 610 Gerontology – ½ unit
Grade 11
- 623 Into to Early Childhood – ½ unit
- 628 Careers in Human Services – ½ unit
Grade 12
- 531 Financial Decision Making (CFM) – ½ unit
Other Career Areas and Course Recommendations
If students are interested in Education, Social Work and Psychology they should consider taking the following courses:
- Intro to Early Childhood – ½ Unit
- Child Development – ½ Unit
- Adolescent Development – ½ Unit
- Careers in Human Services – ½ Unit
- Families in a Diverse World – ½ Unit
- Gerontology – ½ Unit
- Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP) in Human Services – 1 Unit
If students are interested in Nutrition, Dietetics, Sports Medicine, or a Medical Field (Nursing, Physical and Occupational Therapy, etc.) they should consider taking the following courses:
- Food and Nutrition – ½ Unit
- Fitness and Nutrition – ½ Unit
- Adolescent Development – ½ Unit
- Intro to Early Childhood – ½ Unit
- Careers in Human Services – ½ Unit
- Gerontology – ½ Unit
- Career Exploration Internship Program (CEIP) in Human Services – 1 Unit
If students are interested in the Culinary Arts they should consider taking the following courses:
- Food and Nutrition – ½ Unit
- Fitness and Nutrition – ½ Unit
- Global Food and Nutrition – ½ Unit
If students are interested in a career as an Interior Designer, Clothing Designer, Fashion Merchandiser or Clothing Stylist, they should consider taking the following courses:
- Textile and Design** – ½ Unit
- Housing and Interior Design** – ½ Unit
- Clothing Productions – ½ Unit
Course Descriptions
Note: Courses marked with asterisks (**) may be used towards the Fine Arts Graduation requirement.
610 Gerontology
Second Semester – ½ Unit
Adolescent Development is recommended.
In this course students will explore the field of gerontology. Students will learn about the process of aging and the typical changes that occur in the life of an elderly person. Further, students will understand how to respond to the needs of the elderly due to a variety of changes that the elderly experience. Discussions will highlight life changes that relate to such topics as housing and self-care. Students will have the opportunity to interact with mature adults and professionals in living and working environments, in preparation for potential employment in Gerontology. This course will ultimately allow students to develop positive attitudes toward the elderly and understand their contribution to society. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
617 Food and Nutrition Across the Lifespan
First Semester – ½ Unit
This course will help you develop an understanding of basic cooking and nutritional concepts through real life, hands-on experiences. The course will begin with nutrition and kitchen safety. Students will use this knowledge during dietary planning and food preparation. Other topics include influences on food choices and food technology. Students will learn the fundamentals of cookery and gain practical experience preparing foods. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
620 Adolescent Development
Second Semester – ½ Unit
In this course, stages of the life cycle will be explored as well as how the adolescent interacts with others in these stages. Several theorists will be introduced to students. Students will be reading a novel of their choice that will allow them to explore current adolescent issues. Students will investigate and engage in several community service activities. Past activities include working with local nursing homes and the Ronald McDonald House. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
621 Families in a Diverse World
First Semester – ½ Unit
Learn about self-identities and a person’s role in their family unit. Examine the struggles that families face, and learn techniques used by family members to work through those struggles. Identify the different family structures and interactions in the United States and compare them to family units in other cultures and countries. Explore the steps necessary for a career working with families. Students planning on careers in Sociology, Counseling, Adolescent Development, Gerontology, and Family Development will gain an understanding of who makes a family unit and how family units function. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
623 Introduction to Early Childhood
First Semester – ½ Unit
In this course, students will gain an awareness of the skills necessary to work effectively with children. Topics include: parenting skills, pregnancy and disease prevention, fetal development and childbirth and the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of the child from infancy to preschool. This course consists of class discussion, projects and guest speakers. It is suggested for students considering a career in education, psychology, daycare, nursing or parenthood. This course is recommended as the foundation for the Child Development course offered for Hudson Valley Community College Credit. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
624 Fitness and Nutrition
First Semester – ½ Unit
In this course, students will gain an awareness of the skills necessary to work effectively with children. Topics include: parenting skills, fetal development and childbirth, and the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of the child from infancy to preschool. This course consists of class discussion, projects and guest speakers. It is suggested for students considering a career in education, psychology, daycare, nursing or parenthood. This course is recommended as the foundation for the Child Development course offered for Hudson Valley Community College Credit. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
624 Fitness and Nutrition
First Semester – ½ Unit
This course focuses on lifelong wellness through the development of exercise plans, healthy food selection and food preparation techniques. The course begins by assessing our personal health and wellness with a variety of methods. Students will then apply food preparation techniques related to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Food will be prepared and sampled to enhance each unit experience. Further, students will analyze special diets, examine the nutrient groups, learn about a variety of career opportunities in this field, and research the benefits of exercise. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
625 Textile and Design**
First Semester – ½ Unit
**May be used towards the Fine Arts Graduation requirement.
If clothes, fashion and personal appearance are your interests, this is a course for you. You will have the opportunity to explore fashion, design, and investigate various aspects of clothing from historical styles to current fashions. Further, you will understand the art of clothing design and construction by creating your own garments. Join students who are interested in a career in fashion design and merchandising/promotion, fashion styling and selection for other people, or just learning how to construct garments. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
626 Housing and Interior Design**
Second Semester – ½ Unit
**May be used towards the Fine Arts Graduation requirement.
In this course you will have the opportunity to create a model home by applying concepts of your future lifestyle and your personal housing wants and needs. Students will learn about a variety of housing styles and historical architectural styles when selecting a home. In addition, students will apply design concepts when selecting wall and floor coverings for the interior of a home using design software. Students interested in careers such as design, interior decorating, structural engineering, and real estate will find this course especially enjoyable and worthwhile. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
627 Global Food and Nutrition
Second Semester – ½ Unit
Food is prepared here in America with ethnic roots from all over the world. First, we will investigate the ethnic foods and heritage common to regions in the U.S. Then we look overseas to find out what and how foods are prepared abroad. Be prepared to work in a team to cook, clean and sample ethnic dishes. Join us and you will brush up on your geography skills, social studies, and cultural awareness while getting skilled at dinner preparations. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
628 Careers in Human Services
First Semester – ½ Unit
If you have an interest in better understanding how to help or work effectively with people across the life cycle, this course is for you. The Human Services field has an increasing number of job opportunities available helping all ages in time of need or crisis. Study and examine the ways in which community agencies help address them. Join students seriously interested in investigating a career in the human services field and take part in an opportunity to job shadow a professional working in a career that interests you for one day of six (6) hours. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.
629 Child Development (P) (HVCC Credit Available)
Second Semester – ½ Unit
Prerequisite: Introduction to Early Childhood is recommended.
Child development from conception through preadolescence is explored and related to current research and theories. This course broadens the student’s knowledge of the many systems which influence development. The interdependence among all aspects of growth and development is emphasized. The needs of infants and children at each stage are related to their daily care and educational programs. Join other students who are interested in information that can be applied to careers in teaching, counseling/psychiatry, or social work or for the role as a future parent.
Optional: Three Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) credits available with paid tuition. 30 Hours of informal observation is required to receive college credit. This course is open to students in grades 11-12.
630 Clothing Production (P)
Second Semester – ½ Unit
Prerequisite: Textile and Design is recommended.
In this course students will have the opportunity to be their own clothing designer and expand sewing skills by creating a pattern based on appropriate body measurements. Students will further create the garment using appropriate sewing techniques. This course is designed for students interested in fashion design, clothing construction or furthering their sewing skills. This course is open to students in grades 9-12.