FACS Department Gets Early Christmas!

By Mary Ann DuMond

How long would you be willing to wait for a Christmas present? How about 25 years? The Family and Consumer Science teacher, Mary Ann DuMond, at DeWitt High School did.

On Monday, December 7, 2009, after years of applying for a classroom set of sewing machines for her clothing classes, she finally received them!

To understand the story, one needs to start at the beginning. In 1984, Mrs. DuMond began teaching at the high school. At that time the sewing machines, which the classes were using, were circa 1975. She began applying for the money to upgrade the department and included requests for sewing machines.

Under federal guidelines in the Carl Perkins Act, which funds vocational programs, there was never enough money allocated for the Home Economics Department to purchase 12 new machines. During the past years federal money was proposed to add new and different types of machines. She was able to purchase three new Bernina serger machines one year, four new portable Berninas another, and about six years ago she was able to purchase a Bernina embroidery machine.

This year the federal government offered stimulus money to each school district to be used for improving the learning environment. Federal Programs Coordinator Lillie Crossland and Administrator Jeff Rader came to Mrs. DuMond to see what type of equipment she might need.

According to the government's criteria for the 21st Century Classroom, vocational classes must emphasize High Skill/High Wage programs of instruction. In order to modernize the FACS classroom at DeWitt High School, the equipment must be upgraded with computerized equipment. "The Bernina 210s will meet that criterion," DuMond said.

Earlier this school year, the application for use of the stimulus money was approved. Mr. Rader gave the okay to order the machines from the French Seam in Stuttgart.

In early December Karen French of the French Seam delivered the computerized machines to replace the outdated machines. Needless to say, with shouts of glee Mrs. DuMond will have a very happy New Year!