Welcome to the Family and Consumer Sciences Page!!

October, 2010

We are at Mid-Quarter!

Thanks for visiting my site!  Here's an update to what's happening in our department!

Culinary Arts 1

Students have been learning about safety and sanitation in the kitchen as well as different equipment and kitchen procedures.  They went on an in-house field trip to a commercial kitchen.  In production lab, the topic has been Breakfast Cookery and the students have made Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins, Frittatas, Eggs Benedict with Hollandaise Sauce, Omelettes, Monte Christos, and Roast Beef/Sausage Hash.

In addition, they have participated in their first catering event by preparing dessert bars and cookies for an Eagle Court of Honor.

The students are looking forward to making breakfast for the teachers as part of their "luncheon" requirement.

Baking and Pastry Arts

These upperclassmen have already taken a Foods and Nutrition, Regional Foods, or Multicultural Foods course with either Mr. Helmin or Mrs. Hogan. They are having a blast in lab production with Quick Breads and Yeast Breads.  They have made biscuits, crepes, sour cream coffee cake, Focaccia, French, Asiago, Honey Whole Wheat and Corn Breads. Their favorite by far has been the Caramel Sticky Cinnamon Buns.  A major project for the semester is the marketing of different Artisinal Breads, selected by each student, and sold to the teachers. 

Child Growth and Development

The widely-anticipated Empathy Belly program is now in place.  Students wear this device during school to simulate what is it like to be pregnant.  Afterwards, they are required to write a reflection paper that highlights their experience in terms of physical limitations, social interaction, and personal emotions.  The "Baby Think It Over" Program® will start in November.  The student have an opportunity to take a computerized baby home for the weekend to further simulate what it is like to be a teen parent.  Within the next two weeks, these students will participate in the Silver Lane School Sister School Project.  They will act as "High School Buddies" for 4 Kindergarten classes from that school, located in East Hartford and will meet with those students at least four times throughout the school year.  The first visit is slated for October 19 at Johnny Appleseeds in Ellington.

 This project is made possible by a grant from Aetna, Inc.

 Next update: December, 2010.

If you have any questions about the program, feel free to contact

Mr. David Helmin

Email: dhelmin@ellingtonschools.net

Tel.# (860) 896-2352 x 308