Family & Consumer Sciences was teaching the science of child development long before “early childhood education” became a formal field. Support FCS and our Children today!  #FCS #AAFCS

officers (For each of my classes). There were only 4 offices, President, VP, Sec. and

Treasurer. Before the election I would cover what each officer was responsible for in

each class. President was to take over the class in case the teacher was called out of

the classroom, and was to work closely with any substitute that came into the classroom

if I was out for the day (or days). VP also worked with the substitute and was

responsible for meeting/greeting any visitors that came into the classroom. Secretary

was responsible for taking role, and noting anyone absent (in which ever way the school

determined role taking). The treasurer was responsible for handling all monies that

were required or received, and organized fund raising events. Officers changed at the

beginning of each quarter. This certainly supported the leadership requirements in my

classes – and gave everyone a chance to become an officer. (Every substitute I had,

wrote me long notes about how professional each of the officers were, and helpful as

well). This was a “win/win” for me. For more information contact Laine by email:

lalaine61@aol.com

Save the Date: April 9, 2027

We hope you’ll join us at New Mexico State University for another exciting day of learning, collaboration, and celebrating Family and Consumer Sciences. More Summit details and registration information will be shared as we get closer.

As part of this year’s Summit, we are excited to offer a new opportunity for middle and high school FCS students across New Mexico. NMSU FCSE Teaching Methods students are developing the Golden ReDesign Challenge, a statewide, standards-aligned lesson that connects fashion, sustainability, and nutrition education through creative reuse and consumer decision-making while incorporating relevant AAFCS standards.

The challenge will invite students to transform materials that would normally be discarded into a creative design project that demonstrates both innovation and FCS content knowledge. Participating classrooms will have the opportunity to submit student work, with selected projects showcased during the 2027 FCS Educator Summit.

The complete lesson, challenge guidelines, timeline, and submission details will be released later this semester. Participation will be completely optional, but for those who may be interested, now is a great time to begin collecting materials that students can use once the challenge is released.

Start Collecting:

·  Candy wrappers and colorful food packaging

·  Magazines and newspapers

·  Bubble wrap and foil

·  Cardboard and paper bags

·  Bottle caps

·  Fabric scraps and ribbons

·  Other clean, reusable materials

There is no need to purchase anything. Simply save clean materials that might otherwise be thrown away.

The Golden ReDesign Challenge is currently being developed by NMSU FCSE Teaching Methods students and will be shared with educators later this semester. By collecting materials now, interested classrooms will be ready to get started when the challenge is officially unveiled.

We look forward to sharing more information soon and hope you’ll join us as we explore creativity, sustainability, and innovation through Family and Consumer Sciences.

https://fashionweekonline.com/fashion-week-dates

Visit Clothing & Textiles Lesson Plans from https://www.familyconsumersciences.com/

Some Topics:

Mending Jeans Creatively

Family Thrift Store

Global Fashion with Barbie & Ken

Plan your Food & Safety Lessons using the educational resources from the National Food Safety Education Month website: https://www.fda.gov/food/consumers/food-safety-education-month#nfsemresources

Go to the EPA website to locate "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" FCS Lesson Resources for Students & Educators: https://www.epa.gov/recycle/reduce-reuse-recycle-resources-students-and-educators#RecycleCity

Learning to Give provided a Food & Hunger Toolkit with resources and lesson plans for teachers. Here is the website: https://www.learningtogive.org/resources/food-and-hunger-toolkit

Here is a fun lesson from Scholastic-Hungry to help: https://www.scholastic.com/hungrytohelp/pdfs/Feeding_America_AllMaterials.pdf

Discover 8 Creative Ways to teach SDG (Sustainable Development Goal): Zero Hunger to your students. https://www.bookwidgets.com/blog/2024/09/8-creative-ways-to-teach-sdg-2-zero-hunger-to-your-students

Sign-up for free lessons at The Learning Center https://teachers.fee.org/

“Adulting” isn’t something people magically know how to do—it’s a set of life skills that can be learned, practiced, and strengthened over time. Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS)  classes teach these skills.

Programs like the Grown Up U Podcast highlight just how important research-based life skills education is for helping young people navigate real-world responsibilities—from budgeting and taxes to relationships, health, and time management.

📊 Why adulting skills matter:

The Grown Up U program focuses on helping young adults successfully navigate the decisions and challenges of independent living, using evidence-based guidance from Family and Consumer Sciences professionals.

💡 Key skills that support successful adulting:

• 💵 Financial literacy (budgeting, banking, paying bills)

• 🕒 Time management and goal setting

• 🧠 Mental health and stress management

• 🏠 Independent living skills (cleaning, food safety, housing)

• 🤝 Communication and relationship skills

✨ The Takeaway: Adulting isn’t “common sense”—it’s learned. Family and Consumer Sciences intentionally teach life skills, we empower young people to succeed in college, careers, and everyday life.

 
#FamilyConsumerSciences #FCSWorks #ACTE #FCCLA #FCS #AAFCS #FCSSuccess #ElevateFCS #4HBeyondReady #FCSEdMatters #homeeconomics

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) and all Career & Technical Education (CTE) programs are more than electives—they are powerful, evidence-based pathways to student success.

📊 The research is clear: Students who participate in CTE programs demonstrate higher academic achievement, stronger employability skills, and increased likelihood of employment after high school.

🎓 They keep students engaged and graduating: CTE concentrators have graduation rates around 96%—significantly higher than the national average, showing the impact of relevant, hands-on learning.

💼 They prepare students for real careers: Employers report that students with CTE experience bring valuable, job-ready skills, and many industries actively seek these graduates 

🧠 They build essential life and workforce skills: FCS programs develop:

• Problem-solving and critical thinking

• Financial literacy and decision-making

• Communication and collaboration

• Health, nutrition, and resource management

These skills support both career readiness and everyday life success.

🚀 They support multiple pathways to success: CTE students are more likely to pursue postsecondary education—especially in high-demand, skills-based careers—while also having the option for immediate employment or entrepreneurship. 

✨ The Takeaway: Family and Consumer Sciences and all CTE programs connect education to real life. They don’t just prepare students for tests—they prepare them for careers, independence, and lifelong success.

#FamilyConsumerSciences #FCSWorks #ACTE #FCCLA #FCS #AAFCS #FCSSuccess #ElevateFCS #4HBeyondReady #FCSEdMatters #homeeconomics

Credentials aren’t just certificates—they’re powerful, evidence-based tools that validate skills, build confidence, and open doors. 

Programs like AAFCS (American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences) Pre-PAC (Pre-Professional Assessment and Certification) provide industry-recognized, standards-based credentials designed to measure what students know and can do in real-world settings.

📊 Why credentialing makes a difference:

✅ Validates skills and competencies: Students receive certification that documents their knowledge and abilities—giving them a competitive edge in the workforce.

💼 Improves employability: Credentialing helps employers identify candidates with verified, job-ready skills, making students more attractive hires.

🎓 Supports college and career pathways: Students may gain advantages like articulated credit or credit-by-exam, helping them transition more smoothly into postsecondary education.

📈 Strengthens education programs: Credentialing systems provide data that helps educators evaluate student learning, meet accountability standards, and continuously improve instruction.

🏢 Meets workforce and industry needs: Employers can use credentials as a quality-control and human-resources tool to ensure workers meet current industry standards.

✨ The Takeaway: Credentialing bridges the gap between education and employment. It ensures students don’t just learn skills—they can prove them.

#FamilyConsumerSciences #FCSWorks #ACTE #FCCLA #FCS #AAFCS #FCSSuccess #ElevateFCS #4HBeyondReady #FCSEdMatters #homeeconomics

Would you know how to prevent foodborne illness, safely prepare a meal, or protect your family from cross-contamination?

These aren't just cooking skills—they're essential life skills.

Through Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS), students gain hands-on experience in food safety, nutrition, sanitation, and safe food handling that prepares them for everyday life, careers in the food and hospitality industries, and healthier communities.

When we teach food safety, we don't just prevent illness—we build confidence, responsibility, and lifelong healthy habits.

🍎 Food safety is more than a lesson. It's a skill for life.

💬 What food safety tip do you think everyone should know?

#FamilyConsumerSciences #FCSWorks #ACTE #FCCLA #FCS #AAFCS #FCSSuccess #ElevateFCS #4HBeyondReady #FCSEdMatters #homeeconomics

“Adulting” includes knowing how to eat well, manage food budgets, and keep families healthy—and that’s exactly where EFNEP (Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program) makes a measurable difference.

📊 The evidence-based impact: EFNEP is a national, research-driven nutrition education program that helps individuals and families build the skills needed for better health, food security, and self-sufficiency.

✨ What participants gain:

🍎 Improved nutrition habits: Studies show EFNEP participants consistently report better diet quality and healthier eating behaviors after completing the program.

💵 Stronger food resource management: Participants learn how to stretch food dollars, plan meals, and shop wisely, increasing food security and reducing waste.

🧼 Safer food practices: EFNEP emphasizes proper food handling, storage, and preparation—helping reduce the risk of foodborne illness.

🏃‍♀️ Healthier lifestyles: Participants also report increases in physical activity and overall wellness behaviors, supporting long-term health outcomes.

📈 Proven results at scale: Over 96% of adult participants improve what they eat and millions of families have gained skills that support healthier living

🎓 Why EFNEP certification matters: Completing EFNEP programming signals that individuals have gained evidence-based knowledge and practical life skills—from nutrition to budgeting—making it a valuable foundation for health, independence, and family well-being.

✨ The Takeaway: EFNEP isn’t just a class—it’s a pathway to healthier choices, stronger families, and lifelong skills that make “adulting” a little easier.

#FamilyConsumerSciences #FCSWorks #ACTE #FCCLA #FCS #AAFCS #FCSSuccess #ElevateFCS #4HBeyondReady #FCSEdMatters #homeeconomics

Grant funds up to $1,000 can support projects and ideas that today’s tight budgets won’t accommodate and converts shared goals into real-world impact. Whether you are an educator in the classroom or a community with the next great idea or a donor interested in making an impact with your investment, Spark FCS Success is your perfect partner.

Click on the Link below to find out more:

https://higherlogicdownload.s3.amazonaws.com/AAFCS/2f75e095-e299-4dd8-ad49-86b6ef0603f5/UploadedImages/Grantmaking/Grants/spark/Flyer_REV_A.pdf

Click on the link below to discover USDA resources, curricula and teacher training opportunities to encourage participation in agricultural education.

https://www.usda.gov/youth/educators