The Family and Consumer Sciences department is proud to offer a variety of life-skills classes to our student body. Course offerings include Foods (designed for the student who wishes to learn basic food preparation techniques and prepare foods using the Food Guide Pyramid as a foundation) and International Foods (designed for the student who wishes to prepare a variety of foods originating from all over the world. Various regions covered include Latin America, Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Mid-East among others). In addition to Foods and International Foods, we offer a course entitled Fitness Through Nutrition. This course introduces students to the fundamentals of nutrition science concentrating on the building blocks of sound nutrition and human energy production. Computers are used to teach students to track their own eating patterns in order to develop basic lifestyle choices for wellness.
Enrollment in our Textiles & Advanced Textiles & Fashion Design classes has increased dramatically in the last several years with the addition of surface design, quilting, and crocheting to the curriculum.
Family and Consumer Sciences Faculty
Ms. Robyn Cafiero – Ms. Cafiero earned her Bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University in Home Economics Education, and joined Rutherford Public Schools in September of 2005. She received her Master’s Degree in Health Education in 2009 from Jersey City University, and earned a certificate of Nutrition and Exercise Science from Montclair State University in 2014. Ms. Cafiero completed her second Master’s Degree in Nutrition Education from Montclair State University in January of 2017. Ms. Cafiero was published in the Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior in July 2017 for a study she completed from 2015-2016. Ms. Cafiero currently teaches Fitness through Nutrition and Foods. Ms. Cafiero is also the head cheerleading coach.
Mrs. Geraldine Howard – Mrs. Howard earned her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics Education at Douglass College, Rutgers University, and a Master of Science in Educational Technology at Ramapo College. During her teaching career Mrs. Howard has had the opportunity to teach all subjects within the Family and Consumer Science discipline. She is currently teaching Textiles and Advanced Textiles, a personal favorite. Mrs. Howard is also currently serving as Treasurer on the Executive Board of the New Jersey Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, has worked with the State Department of Education to create Home Economics curriculum and is often asked to give workshops to peers on current technology innovations and their influences in the Family and Consumer Science classroom She is also the current advisor of Family Career and Community Leaders of America.
Family and Consumer Sciences Classes
Foods
Textiles
Advanced Textiles & Fashion Design
Fitness Through Nutrition
International Foods
For a description of each course please visit the Rutherford High School Curriculum Guide Book.