District 25 considers dropping consumer ed, adding STEM classes

Arlington Heights Elementary District 25 is considering changes to its middle school creative arts curriculum that would include eliminating family and consumer science in favor or more high-tech courses.

The school board discussed the possible changes at its board meeting Thursday after hearing from several parents, former teachers and student who disagreed with the proposal.

The family and consumer science class, which taught skills such as sewing and cooking, would be cut from the rotation of classes students at Thomas and South middle schools take, as would applied or industrial technology, broadcast journalism, global perspectives/world cultures and career connections.

Art, music and drama rotations would remain with the additions of classes focusing on STEM, communication media arts and graphic design, said Nick Filipowski, department director.

"The way we operate as a society today is vastly different from how we used to operate when our current curriculum was developed," Filipowski said.

The new classes would include skills such as robotics, website design, computer programming, 3-D printing, app development and more.

The staff is recommending the board approve buying curriculum from Creative Learning Systems that would also include furniture and resources to build SmartLabs in each middle school for the new classes. There would be a total one-time cost of $845,000 to $885,000, Filipowski said.

One teacher's position would be eliminated under the changes, officials said, while others would be retrained or moved to other positions.

Some board members said they were still unsure about the changes.

"I was taken aback a little bit by the commentary in our packet about the family and consumer sciences not being as relevant as they once were," said board member Diana Chrissis. "I could argue that creating something in the kitchen is just as meaningful as creating sculpture in an art class. I'd rather see us try to make those skill sets relevant to students today."

Board member Charles Williams said he hoped the new courses would not be directing all students only toward college, because some students need career direction as well.

"I'm still not sold on this," Williams said.

Several former teachers and parents also spoke up against the new curriculum.

"I am concerned about the changes that are being looked at," said parent Lori Reich. "Family and consumer science classes are essential to living a healthy life."

Her daughter, Sara Reich, is a college graduate who went through District 25 and said the skills she learned and connections she made with teachers in the family and consumer science classes helped her to succeed.

"I've always considered staying here to raise my children, but if this is approved, I would move faster than you can say family and consumer sciences," she said.

The District 25 school board will vote on the proposed curriculum changes at its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 14.