DeWitt teacher outlines expanded Family and Consumer Sciences program, FCCLA activities

Elaine Blake, the family and consumer sciences teacher at DeWitt High School, described to the DeWitt Public Schools Board of Education on April 14 the program’s classes, student projects and community-service activities, and said she has about a decade of experience at the district.

Blake told the board that her courses include Nutrition and Foods 1 (grades 9–12), Nutrition and Foods 2 (grades 10–12), Parenting and Child Development (10–12), Personal Living (9–12) and Family Studies (11–12). “My name is Elaine Blake. I’m the family consumer science teacher at DeWitt High School. I have been at DeWitt for the last 10 years,” she said.

The courses emphasize hands-on skill development, Blake said. In the parenting class students use infant simulators and have “baby day” and “toddler day” experiences with real children to practice childcare skills. In Nutrition and Foods students learn knife skills, basic cooking and the USDA MyPlate dietary approach; Blake said the class has shifted away from calorie-counting because of concerns about disordered eating.

Blake said Nutrition and Foods 1 is especially popular and that she has seen strong male participation. Nutrition and Foods 2 focuses on international cuisine, table settings and dining etiquette. “We do global foods … and through the lab design and through the presentation, students are required to do place settings,” she said.

Blake also described Personal Living, which she called an “adulting” course covering stress management, apartment searching, career development, basic car and home maintenance, and consumer rights. Family Studies, for juniors and seniors, covers relationship skills, Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, genograms and partner selection.

Blake described the school’s FCCLA chapter (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America), noting the local chapter had more than 50 members this year and takes part in community events such as Halloween safety programs at Shady Road Elementary, childcare “drop and shop” events, and a recent blanket drive for oncology patients. She said Western Michigan University offers scholarship support for students interested in FCS education.

Board members asked whether the classes are electives; Blake replied, “All of my classes are electives,” and said they also carry VPAA credit. Board members praised the program and encouraged community members to visit the classes.

Blake invited the board and community to attend classes and FCCLA events and thanked school administrators for support of the program.