Family Consumer Science Department

Main Office: (203) 797-4800

Attendance Office: (203) 790-2893 or (203) 790-2864

CLOTHING & TEXTILE ART I (COLLEGE PREP) 9-12

This course enables students to develop proficiency in clothing construction and to utilize knowledge of textiles in selection of fabric and ready made garments. Traditional and computerized sewing machines are used in class. An individualized approach will permit beginners to participate on an elementary level and more advanced students to select more complex projects.

FOOD AND NUTRITION (COLLEGE PREP) 9-12

In this course, students will develop skills in planning, preparing, and serving nutritious meals. It includes the study of nutrition, management techniques, consumer decisions, and principles of food preparation.

INTERNATIONAL FOODS (COLLEGE PREP) 9-12

This course helps students to become familiar with the cultures and cuisines of a variety of countries, regions, and ethnic groups. Units of instruction include regional foods, foreign foods, and food history.
PREREQUISITE: Food and Nutrition or Culinary Arts Training and approval of instructor.

BIRTH THROUGH TWO (COLLEGE PREP) 10-12

This course will examine the beginnings of childhood by learning about development from conception until age three.
Students will explore the topics of pregnancy and childbirth, characteristics of infants and toddlers, baby care, typical early childhood problems, and positive parenting techniques. Related topics such as adoption, hereditary diseases, and new childbearing techniques will also be covered. This course needs to be taken if a student is planning to register for the Infant Toddler Practicum.

CHILD DEVELOPMENT (COLLEGE PREP) 10-12

This course will study the physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development of children ages 3-5 years.  Students will learn positive child care techniques and teaching techniques which will be demonstrated as they work with children in the Little Hatter’s Nursery School at DHS during the second semester. Preschoolers from the community will attend the nursery school for approximately 12 weeks from March until June. High school students will have the opportunity to observe and interact with the children in the nursery setting.  High school students (in groups of 3 or 4) will be assigned a day of teaching where they will prepare a typical lesson plan for preschoolers including songs, story time, games, art activities, and a healthy snack.
In addition to the nursery school experience, related topics include: creativity, childhood nutrition, safety, child abuse prevention, disability awareness, children’s literature, and music enrichment. Students enrolling in this program must be mature enough to behave in a professional manner with the children and be capable of completing independent work.  If further study is desired, students may enroll in one or more of the following:  Birth through Two, Early Childhood Workshop, Infant Toddler Practicum, or UConn Individual and Family Development.  This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Young Children’s Council for Professional Recognition.

CHILD PSYCHOLOGY (HONORS) 10-12

This course examines the typical patterns of development of children from birth to pre-adolescence in relationship to historical and contemporary theories of development. Study includes Piaget, Vygotsky, Erickson, Maslow, Freud, Havingburst, and others. Special topics include: brain development, heredity and environment influences, cognitive and language development, learning styles, multiple intelligences, and emotional/ behavioral disorders of childhood. This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Education of Young Children, Council for Professional Recognition.

PARENTING (COLLEGE PREP) 9-12

This course is offered to pregnant and parenting teens.  The topics covered will include goal setting, child care skills, positive parenting techniques, and children’s behavior patterns.  The mission is to promote personal growth, educational competence, and economic self-sufficiency as socially responsible members of society.  This course enables students to gain support from others in the same situation.  This course may be taken over a two year period with a maximum of 1 credit per year.

SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY (COLLEGE PREP) 11-12

This course helps students understand themselves better through the study of topics personality formation, emotions, basic physical and psychological needs, and mental mechanisms. This knowledge is then applied to a variety of behaviors including male/female relationships, alcohol and drug abuse, mental disorders, pregnancy, peer leadership, sexually transmitted infections, and child abuse.
Note: This course fulfills the Health education requirement for graduation.


EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKSHOP (COLLEGE PREP) 11-12

The Early Childhood Workshop prepares students for employment, or serves as a pre-professional experience for the college bound student.  Basic techniques of working with young children are acquired through classroom work and on the job training in Head Start programs, day care programs, nursery school, and observations in elementary school classrooms.  This class meets two periods a day.  This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Education of Young Children, Council for Professional Recognition.
Eligible juniors and seniors can enroll in this course and receive 3 college credits through the College Career Pathways Program at Naugatuck Valley Community College for successful completion. THIS CLASS MEETS FOR A DOUBLE PERIOD.
PREREQUISITE:  Child Development or approval of the instructor 

BAKING AND PASTRY ARTS (COLLEGE PREP) 10-12

This course provides specific skills in using quantitative baking formulas. The student will develop skills in making a variety of bread dough, pastries, and desserts. The students will also operate a bakery, gaining practical work experience.
PREREQUISTE: Foods and Nutrition, Culinary Arts Training I or Culinary Arts Training II (at least one), or approval of instructor.

CULINARY ARTS TRAINING I (COLLEGE PREP) 10-11

This course is an introduction to culinary arts and provides the student with background and training in the basic skills needed to enter the food service career field. Through classroom instruction and laboratory experiences, the student will acquire knowledge and skills necessary for entry level employment in restaurants and other food service establishments.

CULINARY ARTS TRAINING II (HONORS4) 11-12

This course provides the student with specific skills in quantity food preparation. Students will operate a bakery, cater dinners, and run a restaurant. By learning how to prepare and serve a wide variety of foods and meals, students will be prepared for jobs in the food service industry or for further education. This class meets two periods a day/10 periods a week.
PREREQUISITE: Culinary Arts Training I or approval of instructor.



CULINARY ARTS ON THE JOB TRAINING (COLLEGE PREP3) 11-12

Students enrolled in Culinary Arts Training II may elect to participate in an on-the-job training program. The instructor will place students in food service jobs in area restaurants, factory feeders, caterers, or institutions. These will be beginning jobs in food service with the goal of advancement to better positions. In order to receive credit, students must satisfactorily complete a minimum of 240 hours on the job over a six month period.
PREREQUISITE: Must be enrolled in Culinary Arts Training II; must be at least sixteen years of age.

INFANT/TODDLER PRACTICUM I (COLLEGE PREP) 11-12
INFANT/TODDLER PRACTICUM II (COLLEGE PREP) 11-12

Students who have completed Child Development, Child Psychology, or Birth Through Two may elect to participate in the Infant/Toddler program at DHS. Students will gain practical experience in working with infants and toddlers and develop competencies as daycare providers. Interested students must apply in the spring to gain entrance into the next fall semester program. This course will assist in preparation for acquiring a National Child Development Associate (CDA) credential from the National Association of Education of Young Children, Council for Professional Recognition.
PREREQUISITE: Child Development, Child Psychology or Birth Through Two.

NURSING ASSISTANT (COLLEGE PREP) 11-12

This program prepares students for entry into the Allied Health Field as Certified Nursing Assistants and provides them with the foundation for post secondary study in the Allied Health Field in college, hospital, and/or certificate programs. The course of study explores career pathways, medical law and ethics, professional behaviors, client and personal safety, patient assessment and care, and body systems, including diseases and disorders. Students learn through classroom, laboratory and simulated home setting activities and gain clinical experience in the hospital and skilled nursing facilities. Students who successfully complete the program earn the right to sit for state certification.  Academically successful juniors who are 16 years old may be considered with approval of the instructor.  Juniors completing this program successfully are eligible for admission into the Health & Bioscience Academy.  Test fee is $108.00.
This course may be used for 5 science credits and to fulfill health requirement.  Meets 10 periods a week.

HEALTH & BIOSCIENCE I (HONORS) 11-12
ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY (HONORS) 11-12

The academy is a three period year long program that encompasses anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology and health care along with hands on clinical placements in areas of interest or Nursing Assistant Training at Danbury Hospital. The course is taught in the classroom, lab, and hospital setting. Ethics, legal considerations, medical and surgical asepsis, body mechanics, medical language skills, first aid, an introduction to medical facilities and careers within the field are some of the areas to be covered. Furthermore, the course will explore traditional medical diagnostics and treatments, as well as challenges posed by new technologies and alternative medicine. The course will prepare the student with knowledge of normal form and function of the human organ systems, with anatomical and physiological laboratory techniques, which may be applied outside the course; and with a working vocabulary of anatomical and physiological terms, which will allow further independent learning and application. College Career Pathways credits are available. This course fulfills the Health requirement and includes the CNA option. PREREQUISITE: B average in Science