The Family & Consumer Sciences Department of Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin School provides a place in the school community which attempts to meet students' needs for leading a Christian-centered life in today's society. As a department, we offer a field of knowledge and service aiming to strengthen personal and family life. We assist in the development of the whole person, striving to instill a sense of individual and societal responsibility through the use of the students' gifts and talents and generosity in sharing with others.

The Family & Consumer Science curriculum attempts to address current needs and seeks to provide instruction in making decisions confidently and performing daily tasks successfully. This curriculum enables students to meet present demands of day to day living with an emphasis on their role in the family, in their community, and within their professions as informed Christian men and women.

The Family and Consumer Science Department of NDCL Invites You to Join Us in Pursuing These Skills for Living!

Independent Living
This course is designed to help students understand the management process necessary for living a secure, independent life today. Whether living in a college dorm, an apartment, or at home, it is important to know how to set goals, analyze resources, make financial plans, organize time, and evaluate the results. Specific components of the process include financial budgeting, consumer choices, creating and maintaining a living space, nutritional choices, and proper food preparation.

Creative Foods I
Creative Foods II
Creative Foods offers opportunities to learn about the nutritional needs of individuals, to study, select and prepare types of foods and to develop confidence in the use of recipes, techniques and equipment. This is a laboratory and lecture course offering group experience in following recipes related to the nutritional principles and food preparation techniques learned in the lecture periods. Laboratory work includes: appetizers, quick breads, yeast breads, and the cookies.

Creative Foods II is a continuation of Creative Foods I. The laboratory work will emphasize main dish recipes, small meals, soups, vegetables, fruits, salads, and desserts.

Foreign Cookery
Foreign Cookery is an elective course for students who have completed Creative Foods I and II. Students will explore cultural heritage and traditions to gain and appreciation for the differences in kinds of foods prepared and served in various countries of the world. Some of these may include Oriental, French, German, Italian and Mexican cuisines. This is a laboratory course that will involve students in projects and demonstration work.

Child Development I
Child Development II
Child Development I is an elective for juniors and seniors to learn about the world of children and their needs. The role of parenting and the emotional and practical aspects of the decision to parent will be discussed along with care during pregnancy, the process of birth and the adjustments involved for the family. This course fosters and awareness of the physical, social, intellectual and emotional development in the lives of parents and children.