Work and Family Studies includes two core areas - personal development and resource management. In personal development, students learn skills in raising self esteem, communicating with friends and family, setting career goals, and handling peer pressure. Parenting skills are introduced in child development. Students work with preschoolers for one week during the unit. Our community service project allows students to plan and carry out a project that benefits the community and promotes student leadership. Resource management covers three major units: consumerism and decision making, clothing care and construction, and foods and nutrition. Students learn the process of making sound decisions. This skill is applied to consumer decisions such as buying clothes, housing choices, and planning a budget for life after high school. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed on career development activities and integrated technology. Foods and nutrition addresses the buying and preparing nutritious foods. Students are in lab twice a week preparing foods such as cookies, pizza, cultural meals, and salads. A computer analysis of their diet evaluates their eating habits. This unit also includes microwave cooking and meal planning. Students participating in Work and Family Studies will particpate in Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), a career in technical youth organization through integrated classroom activities.
