For Immediate Release

Students Building Character

Currently all schools in New York State are required to teach Character Education. Respect and responsibility are the cornerstones of this program. Students in Family Consumer Sciences are given many opportunities to apply these concepts in real life situations.

Communication skills, making friends, conflict resolution, constructive problem solving and job skills are all part of the curriculum. In self-improvement projects, students pick a goal for themselves, make a plan for achieving this goal and them assume responsibility for carrying out their plan. Child development students develop understanding of other age groups and then interact with others in a meaningful way.

Lab experiences provide a chance for students to work together toward a common goal and take responsibility for the results.

Family and Consumer Sciences is working to make schools and communities safer, more cohesive places. If you'd like to find out more about this topic, see the web at http://www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Over 6500 people a year die from smoking related diseases, alcohol related problems and illicit drug use according to US government statistics. The National Institute for Drug and Alcohol Abuse estimates the economic costs of alcohol and drug abuse is hundreds of billions of dollars a year. The impact these problems have on children and families is immeasurable.

Research done by Cornell Medical College shows that when kids do drugs, it isn't because they don't know how dangerous they are. Rather, they often get involved because they lack the skills needed to make decisions and evaluate risk, the communication or social skills to refuse drugs and get out of risky situations and the ability to deal with stress.

Family & Consumer Science is very much a part of the effort to decrease the use of drugs by our youth. Applying decision making, problem solving and management skills to real life situations is the focus of all our courses, starting in Home & Career Skills in the middle school. Decision-making involves looking at consequences of an action and the effects on a person's family, friends, health and future. Problem solving and personal development units include refusal skills and assertive communication to deal with peer pressure, time management, techniques for dealing with stress and sources of help for teens and families.

Students who have goals for the future are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as drugs and alcohol use. In Home & Career Skills students learn how to set goals and plan how to reach them. They explore careers and make tentative career plans. Both goal setting and career exploration occur in all Family & Consumer Science courses at the high school level.

Currently there is a demand for qualified Family and Consumer Science teachers. If you are interested in teaching today's youth or seeking more information about the many areas of study see http:// www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

March is National Nutrition Month

What is Your Teen Eating?

We really are what we eat. Weight, energy levels, blood sugar, brain activity and health are all affected by our diets. Students who have a healthy diet are more alert and do better in school. Unfortunately, teens today are inundated with advertisements and promotions for junk foods. With busy schedules including sports and jobs, eating on the run has often become a way of life.

All is not lost however. Family and Consumer Science teachers are making an effort to help. Starting in Home & Career Skills in middle school, students have the opportunity to analyze their diets and make plans for improvement. They learn how the U.S. Dietary Guidelines can help them become better students and athletes as well as give them a healthier future. Reading nutrition and food labels, modifying recipes, planning healthy meals and learning healthful cooking techniques are all activities you will see them engaged in.

For more information see web site: http://www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

Working to Reduce Teen Pregnancy

Even though teen pregnancy is declining, according to information from the National Center for Health Statistics, 4 out of 10 American girls become pregnant at least once prior to turning 20. That creates 9000,000 teen pregnancies a year. Adolescents are more likely to experience complications in pregnancy and birth than older females and more likely to have low birth weight babies with health problems. Adolescent moms are less likely to receive a high school diploma. This limits their earning power and ability to support a child.

Across the state Family & Consumer Science teachers are partnering with public health and community organizations to develop and present pregnancy prevention programs. “Bright Futures” taught by Mrs. Jean Newman in Spencerport is one of these coalitions. “Bright Futures” is designed to encourage youth 9-14 to think about, discuss, and practice using information to manage emerging feelings. This program is unique because specially trained high school students are teaching classes. Young students listen and respect older student’s opinions. Assignments done with parents reinforce the lesson opens topics for discussions.

“Project Taking Charge” helps teens explore what they want out of life and then set personal and career goals for themselves. Research shows that students who have goals for the future are less likely to engage in all risky behaviors and more likely to postpone sexual involvement.

Family and Consumer Sciences courses teach about healthy relationships, communication skills, decision making, problem solving, and management skills. Through required parenting classes in high schools, students learn of responsibilities and commitments required in parenthood. By exploring careers, teens are able to envision the future and set personal goals. For more information on teaching this relevant material, see: www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

Financial Management - Teen Credit

Young people today have more discretionary income that any other segment of the population. Adolescent buying power has reached $153 billion annually. Currently 37% of all 18 and19 year olds have their own credit cards and 15% of teens use their parents’ cards. Are these young people ready to pay for the use of this credit? Some college students declare bankruptcy when they realize all too late that the price for consumer credit is costly.

Financial management and critical thinking skills are vital today in establishing

personal, family and corporate budgets. Students in New York State enrolled in Home and Career Skills or Family & Consumer Science courses investigate money management through analyzing advertising, comparison shopping, the use of consumer credit, resource management and family budgeting. Decision making skills are essential as young adults begin working, financing a car, and supporting themselves at college. Entering the career world one can see that money management skills are highly valued both at home and in the workplace.

Our technological world moves forward with electronic banking and shopping and changing systems of financial services. There is a need for accurate and current monetary information for the future.

If you are interested in teaching resource management as part of Family and Consumer Sciences please see the web for more information at www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

FCCLA Youth Leaders Help STOP the Violence

Violence seems to be everywhere for today's young people. From grade school bullies to hallway fights to tragic school shootings, students observe or experience violence on a regular basis. Members of Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) are taking steps to address youth violence and make their schools and communities safer. Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) is a dynamic and effective national student organization that helps young men and women become leaders and addresses important personal, family, work and societal issues through family and consumer sciences education.

"There's no one solution to youth violence, but we can make a difference," says FCCLA State President, Adam Lammly. "We can change attitudes, teach skills and connect our peers to resources that will help them recognize, report and reduce potentially violent situations."

Projects have already included STOP the Violence training sessions for future trainers, student surveys, board of education presentations, multi media presentations on the prevention of violence, STOP the Violence advertisements on school and community brochures, discussions with School Resource Officers, faculty presentations and character building workshops. This student leadership exemplifies the practical application of the decision making, problem solving and management skills taught in Family and Consumer Sciences / Home and Career Skills classes in New York State. Within these classes practicing interpersonal communication skills and building positive relationships bring to light important alternatives to conflict and violence, as does many of the FCCLA educational programs.

STOP the Violence-Students Taking on Prevention is a peer-to-peer outreach initiative that empowers young people to recognize, report and reduce the potential for youth violence. The national peer education program is sponsored by FCCLA. Funding for its development and piloting was provided buy the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

Family and Consumer Science educators help prepare youth to meet future responsibilities, as family members, leaders, parents, and wage earners. Teachers facilitate personal growth, communication skills, family life competence and career development experiences. Employability skills and group management activities can be observed in FCS labs as the concepts of consumerism, parenting, career development, nutrition, clothing, and money management are taught. Adolescents show positive lifestyle changes as knowledge from class experiences is applied to their lives.

You too can make a difference in the lives of today's youth by teaching Family and Consumer Sciences. This is a career high in demand today, for more information view the New York State Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Educators web site at www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

Students Learn About Careers

What do you want to be when you grow up? This is an age old question yet with all the new career options for today's students it is not an easy one to answer.

Since 1986 Home & Career Skills teachers in New York State, have been fostering the abilities, skills and talents of youth in the exploration of possible careers.

With projects, personal assessments, research, mock interviews and career fairs, all students get a snapshot of the world of work while still in middle school. Many school districts have a seamless program that continues this exploration until graduation.

Career exploration provides the student with community contacts, job shadowing opportunities, mentoring relationships and most important of all, work ethics. In educational partnerships, regional business and agencies, guidance counselors and the

Family and Consumer Science staff are building networks to help students explore their strengths and interests. The skilled leaders of tomorrow are in school now beginning to explore their abilities and investigate future occupations.

Teaching Family & Consumer Sciences Education is a meaningful occupation that is currently in high demand nationally. For further information on helping to guide the next generation into the work force, see the web page at www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

Family and Consumer Sciences Address Child Abuse Crisis

More than three million children are reported as abused or neglected annually in the U.S. Over one million of these reports are confirmed. A landmark statement issued by Prevent Child Abuse America estimates that the United States spends $258 million each day as a direct or indirect result of the abuse and neglect of our nation's children. This estimate includes the cost of intervention services, special education, medical and emotional treatment and law enforcement.

Studies have shown that children who are abused or neglected are less likely to be ready for school and more likely to have behavior disorders, become teen parents and juvenile criminals. These children are also more inclined to abuse alcohol and drugs at an early age. Many adult criminals were abused or neglected children. It is shown that they are more likely to develop chronic illnesses in adulthood, resulting in long lasting effects.

A key to prevention of child neglect and abuse is early intervention. Dr. Bruce Perry, chief of psychiatry at Texas Children's Hospital, states, " If you want the biggest bang for your buck, you'll focus on childhood and you'll focus on things that are going to allow a child to have the best chance they can have. That means making sure that the care-giving environment, including parents, is equipped as it can be."

In Family and Consumer Sciences classes at the middle and high school levels throughout New York State, students are actively part of a living and learning care-giving environment as they observe and interact in child development or parenting classes. Students are learning what is needed in a care-giving environment in order for children to flourish. While studying stages of child development, students learn to stimulate intellectual growth, through reading and appropriate toys. Family and Consumer Sciences students enhance the social, emotional and physical growth of children through creative group play. Food is prepared that meets the nutritional requirements of children. Effective communication is emphasized. The skills acquired in the Family and Consumer Sciences class can be applied to the student's life today and the future.

Providing a healthy start for each child begins with parents and caretakers who are well equipped. If you would like to know more about how Family and Consumer Sciences supports child wellness education or would like to become part of this proactive team see web site: www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

Healthy Kids Learn Better

Research shows that healthy kids are better learners. Some factors that lead students to success are less absenteeism, physical activity in school or in community sports, and starting the day with a nourishing breakfast. Children who have a greater connection to school, their families and the community are less likely to engage in health risking behaviors. Where are these connections made?

The Family and Consumer Sciences curriculum of New York State supports comprehensive wellness by the nature the discipline. Students study human relationships, communication skills, decision making, problem solving, refusal skills, management, nutrition, self-image and the development of an individual career plan. Family and consumer Sciences at the middle and high school level reinforce healthy behaviors needed for individual growth and learning.

Our goal is to keep a balance of the mind, body, and spirit as adolescents learn more about themselves and positive health choices. Many of the students in New York State are able to carry the message further as peer leaders in various out-reach programs. Leaders are trained to facilitate younger students or individually bring the message home.

The Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Educators takes an active part in promoting effective programming for the success of the kids in New York State.

For more information, see the web at www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

Parenting Education Helps Students Step to the Future

Never before has parenting education been so important in New York State. The Board of Regents recognizes this fact and has added a mandated parenting course at the high school level. In this class, taught by Family and Consumer Sciences and /or Health teachers, students focus on parental roles and responsibilities, understand human growth and development, practice communication skills and learn how to use support systems and services when necessary.

Experience has shown that with education and training, informed parents are more likely to create a nurturing environment for children. Thus it is less likely that abuse or neglect would exist in these homes.

This course helps to create a foundation for the future and for the next generation of parents. For more information about the course, check the web site www.nysafcse.org

For Immediate Release

Weight Management

Eating and Exercising for Healthy Living

Weight management seems to be a national pass-time. There are a vast variety of diet plans, behavior therapy, exercises and helpful hints everywhere. Some of these approaches are healthy, and yet others may be dangerous or extreme. Adolescents often relate their body image to movie or music stars and attempt diets that may greatly neglect nutritional needs. Trying to achieve a pencil thin figure may cause teens, especially young women to become anorexic or bulimic. These eating disorders can be treated with medical help and family support, however they interrupt normal adolescent development with large price.

Childhood obesity in the U.S. is on the rise raising a red flag for future problems such as heart disease. Playing video games, logging on to the computer, eating more fast food and exercising less all contribute to this problem. Planning meals that include low fat, and no fat alternatives, keeping a watchful eye on portion sizes and snacking more on fruit and vegetables each day are steps in a healthy direction. It is never too lake to start good habits as a family, both at the diner table and in the gym.

Activities in Family and Consumer Science classrooms help students to learn about their body systems and metabolism. Understanding the importance of healthy food choices, coupled with appropriate physical activity can lead teens to optimum nutritional health and fitness. In nutrition classes, students focus on essential nutrients, portion sizes, calories, menu planning, and reading nutrition labels. Students eagerly put this information into action in food labs as they plan, prepare and enjoy healthy snacks and meals. All these activities are directly connected to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines and the Food Guide Pyramid. Weight management is not complete without the Exercise Pyramid designed in tandem with the food pyramid. The balance of food intake and exercise is an important one that can effect quality of life issues for decades.

Family and Consumer Sciences is a prevention oriented occupation in need of educators at this time, for more information see the web at www.nysafcse.org

Special Thanks to Mary Anne Taylor for developing and distributing these press releases.

Character Education	Drug & Alcohol
National Nutrition Month	Teen Pregnancy Prevention
Teen Financial Management	FCCLA
Career Exploration	Child Abuse Prevention
Healthy Kids	Parenting Education
Weight Management