As Lori said, we have a long past.  A significant past.  But what is currently happening in Family and Consumer Science?  First, FCS programs are alive and well.  We teach a number of classes that are in sync with the state approved curriculum for Family and Consumer Sciences.  Schools are offering Parenting classes, Health, Personal Financial, Nutrition, courses in Family Living, Fashion Design and Textiles, Interior Design, and Personal Living.  Students want to take these classes and are figuring out ways to fit them into their schedules.  Many of the courses are eligible for graduation credit under the Michigan Merit curriculum in the areas of Health, Fine Arts and Math.  There are three related wage-earning programs that we feed into:  Child Care, Food Service and Fashion Design and Textiles.

FCS teachers can count on their professional organization, Family and Consumer Science Educators of Michigan, to provide high quality training and curriculum updates as we change to accommodate the traditional, updated, and unique topics important in local school districts.

The FCSEM Board recognized the need for better public relations.  We hired a firm to design a poster, trifold brochure, and postcard advertising our programs that can be downloaded these from our website.  Cindy Salfate has been working on a PR strategy for our members to use.  We are developing forms that can be adapted to your individual programs and released to your local newspapers to publicize your courses.  Liz Galimore has a wide variety of promotional items available.  Promote your FCS program by giving them to students, parents and administrators to remind them of your program.

Sonia Buonodono has worked long and hard with our web designer to get FCSEM.org up, running and regularly updated.  The site includes a teacher forum and curriculum resources which will be available only to our members.  Our newsletter will soon be easily accessed on our website

While many FCS teachers retired recently, their positions were filled with graduates from Western Michigan University, Central Michigan University and Madonna University. 

FCSEM maintains relationships with sister organizations including JumpStart, Parent Awareness Michigan, Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan.  Board members Lori Robinson and Laura Paulk regularly attend the meetings of these organizations.

We need to recognize the importance of keeping our legislators updated on the effect our curriculum can have on our students, their families and community.  Board member Cindy Simmons is our very knowledgeable effect legislative liaison.

And now Sonia Buonodono will talk about the future of Family and Consumer Sciences