Welcome to the Family Studies Department!
Family studies courses provide students with essential knowledge and transferable skills that are applicable in various areas of their lives – in their personal and family lives as well as in their postsecondary studies and in the workplace.
The Family Studies Department enables students to become informed individuals by connecting the home, family, and society. Courses offered in Family Studies help students develop life skills preparing them to become productive citizens who learn to respect the opinions and ideas of others. Areas of study include: food and nutrition, clothing and textiles, individual and family development, as well as career options related to working with children. In Family Studies, students learn through a variety of teaching methods and classroom experiences including hands-on practical tasks, guest speakers, individual and group work, role playing, and the use of current technology.
Follow us on Instagram @familystudiesphs for photos and classroom news.
Extra Opportunities in Family Studies
- Weekly food labs in Food and Nutrition courses, preparing for real world childcare by experiencing the Real Care Baby, field trips and guest speakers from people working in the field, are all opportunities that may be experienced in Family Studies courses.
- Join our cooking and baking club which meets weekly at lunch to prepare a variety of student-selected recipes.
Student FAQs
Q: Can I take Family Studies courses in grade 9?
A: We currently do not offer any courses in grade 9. However, our grade 10 foods course is a very popular elective course that students select while in grade 9.
Q: What kind of food do we learn how to make in foods classes?
A: Grade 10 foods courses are geared for those who are just learning to prepare food, as well as those who cook and bake as a hobby. Students will learn to prepare basic recipes for the home cook such as pasta, cookies, homemade pizza and much more!
Grade 12 students will learn to make more complicated recipes such as pasta from scratch, soups, homemade dough and have the opportunity to select some of the recipes that they will prepare.
Q: I heard that I have to take home the “robo-baby” in Parenting. Do I have to?
A: Grade 11 parenting offers students the opportunity to experience caring for an infant through taking home the Real Care Baby, infant simulator. Students who choose not to are offered an alternative assignment.
Parent FAQs
Q: What prerequisite courses do I need to take family studies courses?
A: There are no prerequisite courses required for family studies courses. You are welcome to take these courses in any grade.
Q: What courses are available when my child wants to work with people in the future?
A: The social sciences and humanities courses teach about human behaviour, child development, and relationships. The skills learned in these areas are transferable to any future career working with people.
Department Staff
Mrs. Laswick jennifer_laswick@wrdsb.ca Department Head
Ms. Townsley riah_townsley@wrdsb.ca
Courses and curriculum documents
HFN2OI Grade 10 Food and Nutrition
HPC 3OI Grade 11 Parenting
HNC 3CI Grade 11 Understanding Fashion (alternate years)
HSP3UI Grade 11 Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology
HSP3CI Grade 11 Introduction to Anthropology, Psychology, and Sociology
HFA 4CI Grade 12 Nutrition and Health
HSB4UI Challenge and Change in Society
Read course descriptions under the title Social Sciences and Humanities
