School Rant

[Damhsa04]

Okay, I'm a senior so it doesn't apply to me but next year they're getting rid of the family and consumer science department at my school. Basically it's Home Ec. I've taken over 9 classes in the department and so now the future students aren't able to take them. My sewing teacher said that the school board said the classes were not important and asked us to write letters for the school board meeting.

This is my letter.

To hear that the Warwick Public School Department is getting rid of the Family and Consumer Sciences Department in the three high schools is shocking. As a student in the senior class of Toll Gate I have been in numerous classes in the department. I have taken both parts of Foods, Nutrition and Wellness; Fashion, Textiles and Construction; Child Development and Psychology; Human Relations; and part one of Textile Arts. I have dedicated nine and a half periods to the Family and Consumer Sciences department and to take away these classes to current and future students, I think, is wrong. You are taking away opportunities. Students may not have the opportunity to work with children outside of school and by taking the child development courses the student may realize that they want to work with children in their future career choice. By taking Fashion, Textiles and Construction courses students will learn vital resources of taking care of their laundry when they become independent adults. As well as in the Foods, Nutrition and Wellness classes where students learn how to cook and bake healthy and tasty food, a skill they will use all throughout their life.

To say these classes are unimportant in a high school environment just seems crazy. The courses are supposed to prepare students for their future roles as parents, family members, productive workers, and family members in the community. These classes have taught me so much in the skills and knowledge of the human mind. Some of the classes also offered me a break in my academic schedule. To be able to relieve stress by baking, knitting or sewing was great. Also having a physical product to show what you have learned in the course by having a pillow you wove and sewed together and a scarf you knit, you really learn to appreciate the products you own and the hard work they all took to make.

With the current economy I can see why the cuts were made but in the long run it will do more harm than good. Please rethink the choice you have made to take this department away from high school students. It is a mistake.
_____________

Do you think it's wrong to cut vital school programs like home ec, music and art?

 

[Babyjustrun]

that's a little strange.
in my province, an art related or lifeskills class is necessary to graduate.
most people take a lifeskills class because they see them as an easy class to pass.

 

[BabyPiglet]

This department was cut in my district as well. I definitely think it was a mistake.

These classes taught practical things that everyone should know in life. Okay, maybe people can get by without knowing how to sew, but I actually think it's interesting and I never got the chance to learn.

This is right there with schools cutting the music and arts departments in order to save money. It's ridiculous and sad, these kids aren't going to get a well-rounded education.

 

[HouseMD1120]

In my area, its required to graduate

 

[Vannah]

At my school those classes aren't required, but I love them.
I took Personal and Family Development last year, which was basically a mix of Child Development, Apparel/Interior Design, Food and Nutrition Science, and various other classes the department offers.
I'm currently taking Child Development and plan to take Food and Nutrition Science and possibly Apparel/Interior Design in the next two years.
I'd be very upset if they took those classes away.

 

[Disney Dork]

I don't think they should have been cut at all.
IMO, these classes are probably more important in the long run than the science and math things they make sure to stuff down your throat every day.

I mean...how many adults do you know that simplify, add and subtract radicals during their every day lives? BUT, they do take care of kids, cook, and fix/sew things. And people have throwing such a fit lately about how kids are getting bigger every passing day and yet they think it's ok to cut a class that teaches about proper nutrition/cooking so that they won't have to eat fast food every day in the future?

I don't get that at all.

 

[crazytp93]

What a shame. Makes NO sense.

 

[pigletgirl]

That is such a shame! It feels as though they're cutting all Fine Art programs and whatnot at these school districts. There isn't any room to be creative anymore. Now its all about learning for the 'test'.

 

[Tinkerbell424]

It's really a shame.
I think Home Ec should be a required class to take to graduate.
My mom said she had to take Home Ec when she was in HS and girls learned to change the oil in a car and guys learned how to sew and vice versa.
It really does teach us practical things we need to know in life. Most kids dont know how to write a letter, an envelope, sew, cook, etc.

I've never taken a home ec class, they didnt offer it at my middle or high school. Although my middle school use to because one of the rooms next to the art room had a kitchen, and individual stove/sinks, etc..so it looked like it WAS offered.

 

[disneyoverload]

We're facing a similar problem in our school. Although we never really had a home ec department or anything, we are losing 8 teachers from our school of about 700 kids. All JV/ freshman athletics are being cut as well. We also will be losing more than half of our clubs, including math team, marching band, jazz band, interact club, color guard, and ultimate frisbee. And now they just realized we don't have enough money for THIS YEAR, so more teachers are going to get laid off during this academic year. I think it's totally unfair to lose all these, and the math team I'm in will be writing letters like yours. It's like they're losing the culture and social necessities of high school.