This article was written by Ellary Ibrahim
Cooking, sewing and budgeting are all skills used in adulthood. These talents used to be taught in a home economics class available for all students. Northview no longer offers a home economics program for students to take.
Home economics stopped being offered for students after Northview in 2014. When the school was remodeled, the kitchen classroom was demolished. A home economics classroom rebuild was not included in the new building layout. Home economics was a class designed for students to learn practical life skills they can take out of school and be applied to their future. The curriculum included topics such as food, nutrition, personal finance, home management, health and hygiene along with many other useful lessons.
I think home economics should still be an option for students to take if they desire. Taking home economics teaches students how to be more proficient when they are on their own living by themselves. If home economics was available again, teachers would be able to prepare their students for the world outside of high school. The benefits would include being confident in their ability to cook a few meals, sew clothes with holes, and figure out their financial problems without being reliant on a parent or friend.
Kathy Vogel is a teacher at Northview high school. Vogel took home economics from 6th grade up until 12th grade. Vogel was able to learn important skills she still uses to this day.
“We practiced using an iron on an ironing board and starch to iron our clothes. So we looked professional and not like we just rolled out of bed,” Vogel said.
As an English teacher, Vogel gets to talk to students on a daily basis. Speaking with them comes with some rising concerns that don’t get much attention at school. One example of what Vogel sees is in the realm of finance.
“A lot of young people when they first open credit cards don’t understand the interest piece that goes along with it and how quickly you can damage credit if you’re not wise with credit cards,” Vogel said.
Janelle Miles is also an English teacher at Northview high school able to take home economics in middle school. Since Miles took the class she was taught how to make gifts without spending a lot of money.
“I would go to Joanne Fabrics or Field and Fabrics and I would get some fleece. And then I would make scarves and hats and mittens for all my cousins at Christmas and it was just a really great way for me to save money,” Miles said.
Miles has a sense of regret not taking home economics during her high school years.
“If Home Ec. had been offered, which it might have been, but I wasn’t aware of it, I would have done that too. I really, I think that those life skills are important moving into the future,” Miles said.
Sophomore Imonteon Hughes-peak is trying to picture what adulthood will look like. Imagining it makes him nervous for the future and what’s expected of him.
“I’m nervous for living out on my own because I’ll have to do everything by myself, I won’t have help, but I have to get used to it,” Hughes-Peak said.
Freshman Yamil Jimenez is thinking about life after high school. Jimenez realizes there is still a lot that he doesn’t know about, that school doesn’t necessarily teach.
“I want to learn how to deal with money, how to budget it well and invest into stuff,” Jimenez said.
Home economics was a well loved class when it was available to take. Bringing this class back would help prepare students for the real world. School teaches academic work very well but practical skills don’t get much light. Home economics would bring a positive outcome to the students that take it. The take away would be a multitude of new skills students can use their whole life.
Leave a Reply