What a fun Halloween week at FSDB! 🎃 Thursday gave us two especially memorable events, from vocabulary in the morning to a few BOOs at night!
The Elementary Vocabulary Parade was a hit! Students, teachers, and staff from both elementary schools dressed as words and taught us all a thing or two. I learned the meaning of “polysemic” as our BES first graders demonstrated the many meanings of “cell,” including a cell battery, honeycomb cell, human body cell, jail cell, and, of course, a Braille cell! I also grabbed a photo with DES first graders dressed as street and traffic signs. Such a creative way to make learning fun!
Then came the 3rd President’s Haunted House! That evening, David and I welcomed our Middle and High School students to the President’s Residence for one of our favorite recreation activities. We love Halloween, and transforming the first floor into a spooky spot for laughs, screams, and surprises has become so much fun.
This year, our DHS Jr. National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD) students took things up a notch as our haunted-house actors, hiding in just the right places and waiting for just the right moment to… BOO! 👻
A HUGE thank you to Mr. Scott Botelho for the music, lights, and outdoor dance party; our Jr. NAD students and sponsor; our recreation staff; Ms. Trazy Acuff, who made a very convincing witch; and especially my husband, David, who worked side by side with me, evening after evening, to get the house just right.
We hope our students and staff had as much fun as we did! Happy Halloween, FSDB!
#PrezSnowDay #FSDB #HalloweenAtFSDB #ThisisFSDB #StudentLife
Photo 1– Elementary Vocabulary Parade:
A two-photo collage from the Elementary Vocabulary Parade shows students and adults posing in front of a backdrop of hanging orange jack-o’-lantern decorations. In the top photo, students pose with President Snow seated in the middle as they display colorful handmade street and traffic signs, including a school bus, stop sign, traffic signal, bicycle sign, and speed-limit sign. In the bottom photo, President Snow joins first-grade students demonstrate different meanings of the word “cell” with creative costumes and props, including a Braille cell, a human body cell, a jail cell, a honeycomb cell, and a battery. Their teacher stands at the right holds a “Polysemic” sign explaining that the word refers to words with the same spelling and pronunciation whose meanings are related.
Photo 2 – President’s Haunted House:
A four-photo collage shows Halloween decorations and participants at the President’s Haunted House. One photo shows a room glowing in flame orange light with skeletons gathered around an open coffin-style display and Halloween decorations throughout the space. Another shows the living room illuminated in black light, entirely covered in spiderwebs and oversized black spiders. A third shows an open doorway and staircase decorated with yellow “DO NOT ENTER” tape behind a web covered "human" hanging upside down in the doorway with tombstones placed underneath its head. The final photo shows the group of Jr. NAD students, Mr. Botelho, David and President Snow, and Ms. Trazy (as the witch) dressed primarily in black and Halloween costumes posing together in front of a dark, spooky backdrop.
The Elementary Vocabulary Parade was a hit! Students, teachers, and staff from both elementary schools dressed as words and taught us all a thing or two. I learned the meaning of “polysemic” as our BES first graders demonstrated the many meanings of “cell,” including a cell battery, honeycomb cell, human body cell, jail cell, and, of course, a Braille cell! I also grabbed a photo with DES first graders dressed as street and traffic signs. Such a creative way to make learning fun!
Then came the 3rd President’s Haunted House! That evening, David and I welcomed our Middle and High School students to the President’s Residence for one of our favorite recreation activities. We love Halloween, and transforming the first floor into a spooky spot for laughs, screams, and surprises has become so much fun.
This year, our DHS Jr. National Association of the Deaf (Jr. NAD) students took things up a notch as our haunted-house actors, hiding in just the right places and waiting for just the right moment to… BOO! 👻
A HUGE thank you to Mr. Scott Botelho for the music, lights, and outdoor dance party; our Jr. NAD students and sponsor; our recreation staff; Ms. Trazy Acuff, who made a very convincing witch; and especially my husband, David, who worked side by side with me, evening after evening, to get the house just right.
We hope our students and staff had as much fun as we did! Happy Halloween, FSDB!
#PrezSnowDay #FSDB #HalloweenAtFSDB #ThisisFSDB #StudentLife
Photo 1– Elementary Vocabulary Parade:
A two-photo collage from the Elementary Vocabulary Parade shows students and adults posing in front of a backdrop of hanging orange jack-o’-lantern decorations. In the top photo, students pose with President Snow seated in the middle as they display colorful handmade street and traffic signs, including a school bus, stop sign, traffic signal, bicycle sign, and speed-limit sign. In the bottom photo, President Snow joins first-grade students demonstrate different meanings of the word “cell” with creative costumes and props, including a Braille cell, a human body cell, a jail cell, a honeycomb cell, and a battery. Their teacher stands at the right holds a “Polysemic” sign explaining that the word refers to words with the same spelling and pronunciation whose meanings are related.
Photo 2 – President’s Haunted House:
A four-photo collage shows Halloween decorations and participants at the President’s Haunted House. One photo shows a room glowing in flame orange light with skeletons gathered around an open coffin-style display and Halloween decorations throughout the space. Another shows the living room illuminated in black light, entirely covered in spiderwebs and oversized black spiders. A third shows an open doorway and staircase decorated with yellow “DO NOT ENTER” tape behind a web covered "human" hanging upside down in the doorway with tombstones placed underneath its head. The final photo shows the group of Jr. NAD students, Mr. Botelho, David and President Snow, and Ms. Trazy (as the witch) dressed primarily in black and Halloween costumes posing together in front of a dark, spooky backdrop.
Happy Halloween!
This week, our Cross Country team hosted a Halloween 5K Run on campus. Participants had the option to wear Halloween costumes or themed accessories during the event, adding excitement and creativity to the competition. Throughout the meet, Halloween-themed music played around the start and finish areas, creating a fun, energetic atmosphere for runners and spectators alike.
Following the race, participants were treated to candy as a reward for their efforts. The post-race celebration gave athletes from different schools a chance to socialize, share their race experiences, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
#FSDBSportsSaturday #BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons #GoFSDBCobras
Fourth-grade students visited Marineland last week. They watched dolphins perform tricks, looked at different reptiles and sea creatures, and learned about marine life. It was a beautiful weather day, which made it even better!
#DESFriday #ThisIsFSDB
#DESFriday #ThisIsFSDB
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind invites parents and guardians to join us for a virtual training designed to help you feel more confident navigating important school resources and supporting your student's success!
📅 Thursday, November 19, 2026
⏰ Choose the session that works best for you:
• 11:00 AM
• 5:00 PM
What You'll Learn:
💻 Skyward Family Portal
- View grades, assignments, and academic progress.
- Monitor student absences and tardies.
- Access your student's class schedule.
- View school messages and teacher emails.
- Find your student's keypad number for Food Services and Zenfolio.
📚 Florida Department of Education Family Portal:
- Accessing the Family Portal.
- Viewing FAST scores.
- Understanding student assessment results.
Important Reminder: Please make sure you can log in to Skyward before attending the training. If you need help resetting your password, contact your school's Staff Assistant in the front office before the training.
📌 RSVP by November 17, 2026!
Register using the link below or scan the QR code on the flyer:
https://bit.ly/FSDB-Parent-U-Skyward-2026
We look forward to helping families stay connected, informed, and confident using these important tools to support student success!
📅 Thursday, November 19, 2026
⏰ Choose the session that works best for you:
• 11:00 AM
• 5:00 PM
What You'll Learn:
💻 Skyward Family Portal
- View grades, assignments, and academic progress.
- Monitor student absences and tardies.
- Access your student's class schedule.
- View school messages and teacher emails.
- Find your student's keypad number for Food Services and Zenfolio.
📚 Florida Department of Education Family Portal:
- Accessing the Family Portal.
- Viewing FAST scores.
- Understanding student assessment results.
Important Reminder: Please make sure you can log in to Skyward before attending the training. If you need help resetting your password, contact your school's Staff Assistant in the front office before the training.
📌 RSVP by November 17, 2026!
Register using the link below or scan the QR code on the flyer:
https://bit.ly/FSDB-Parent-U-Skyward-2026
We look forward to helping families stay connected, informed, and confident using these important tools to support student success!
On Monday, October 26th, FSDB hosted a Fall Community Open House where visitors had the opportunity to see various performances from FSDB music groups. Here are some photos of our Blind High School students participating in the Open House!
#BHSThursdays #ThisIsFSDB
#BHSThursdays #ThisIsFSDB
The Blind and Deaf Elementary School had their annual Vocabulary Showcase this morning.
This is a fun way for our students to expand their vocabulary while dressing up in costumes for Halloween!
To view the photos from the event, click on the link below:
https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/p644344710
#ThisIsFSDB
This is a fun way for our students to expand their vocabulary while dressing up in costumes for Halloween!
To view the photos from the event, click on the link below:
https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/p644344710
#ThisIsFSDB
Curious About FSDB? Step Into the World of Goalball!
Experience the excitement, teamwork, and sound of Goalball at FSDB's B/VI Goalball Tournament!
Join the FSDB Outreach Department for B/VI Family Day on November 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Whether you're exploring educational options, interested in learning more about FSDB, or just want to experience the thrill of Goalball, this is the perfect opportunity to connect with our community and see FSDB in action.
🥅 Try Goalball at Our Clinic
🔔 Learn the Skills and Strategies of the Game
🎨 Face Painting & Family Fun Activities
⭐ FSDB Information Sessions
📣 School Spirit Activities
🏆 Watch the Nation's Top High School Goalball Teams Compete
🤝 Meet FSDB Students, Families, and Staff
Goalball is a fast-paced Paralympic sport that relies on teamwork, communication, and determination. Throughout the day, you'll have the chance to experience the game firsthand, support our tournament teams, and discover how FSDB empowers students who are Blind or Visually Impaired to succeed both on and off the court.
Listen for the bells, feel the excitement, and experience the spirit of FSDB through the game of Goalball!
We can't wait to welcome you to campus! 🥅🔔🏆
Click here to RSVP! bit.ly/BVI-family-day-2026
Yesterday, elementary students participated in trick-or-treating at Kids Town. Different staff offices and high school dorms decorated their buildings and dressed up in costumes to hand out candy to the elementary students. The Dance Troupe also joined in on the fun, dressing in the Halloween spirit and performing on our new Kids Town Pavilion Stage!
#ThisIsFSDB #HappyHalloween
#ThisIsFSDB #HappyHalloween
The girls at Gregg Hall DMS are embracing the fall season this month with pumpkins and spooky decorations.
A highlight of our dorm activities was a visit from a special guest, FSDB alumna Bethany Baker, who is now working as a nurse. She came to speak with the girls about her experience as a deaf nurse and organized some fun relay races where they practiced putting on gloves.
#DMSWednesdays #ThisIsFSDB
A highlight of our dorm activities was a visit from a special guest, FSDB alumna Bethany Baker, who is now working as a nurse. She came to speak with the girls about her experience as a deaf nurse and organized some fun relay races where they practiced putting on gloves.
#DMSWednesdays #ThisIsFSDB
Congratulations to FSDB’s Overall Teacher of the Year and Rookie Teacher of the Year!
We are incredibly proud to celebrate Leslie Costello from the Blind High School as FSDB’s Overall Teacher of the Year, and Alexis (Lexi) Griffin from the Deaf High School as FSDB’s Overall Rookie Teacher of the Year!
Ms. Costello’s nomination describes her as an educator whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom. Through music, leadership, student organizations, family communication, and advocacy for accessibility, she continually creates opportunities for students to grow in confidence and leadership. One nomination said it beautifully: “Leslie embodies FSDB and would represent us well.” Another highlighted the way Ms. Costello helps students develop skills that extend beyond the classroom and prepare them for success throughout their lives.
Ms. Griffin’s nominations are just as special. Colleagues shared that “Lexi makes learning fun” and celebrates student progress, big or small. They described a classroom where poetry becomes art, students take ownership of their learning, and students seek out her feedback because she has inspired a genuine love of writing and creativity. One nomination summed it up perfectly: “Lexi represents what FSDB is all about.”
Congratulations, Leslie Costello and Alexis (Lexi) Griffin! Thank you for believing in our students, challenging them to grow, celebrating their successes, and representing the very best of FSDB.
Thank you to everyone who was involved in the process this year!
FUN FACTS: For the second year in a row, the TOY is from BHS and for the second year in a row, the ROY is from DHS! How cool is that?!
#FSDB #FSDBProud #TeacherOfTheYear #RookieTeacherOfTheYear
On Friday, October 23, students, staff, families, and interns from Florida State University’s Blindness and Low Vision Studies Program gathered at the Blind Library to celebrate student achievements during the first quarter.Students were recognized for being admitted to the Honor Roll and for achieving Perfect Attendance. The event was livestreamed, and light refreshments were served following the ceremony. As fall festivities continue, students were encouraged to "Do More. Be More. Achieve More." and to make every day count.
Two of our athletes, Shanteria Davis and Aspen Henderson, received honors but were unable to attend due to a goalball competition.
Congratulations to everyone!
#BEMSTuesdays #ThisIsFSDB
Two of our athletes, Shanteria Davis and Aspen Henderson, received honors but were unable to attend due to a goalball competition.
Congratulations to everyone!
#BEMSTuesdays #ThisIsFSDB
This morning, we held a Fall Community Open House. Many visitors came to see different performances by FSDB music groups.
Here are some photos of our Deaf High School students performing with the Dance Troupe!
#DHSMondays #ThisIsFSDB
Here are some photos of our Deaf High School students performing with the Dance Troupe!
#DHSMondays #ThisIsFSDB
Each year, we celebrate our Teachers of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year, and School-Related Employee of the Year, along with their supervisors with a wonderful brunch prepared and served by our Deaf High School Culinary Arts students in the Dragon's Lair.
Chef Gaynor and her students always provide an unbelievable five-star dining experience! Over the years, we have enjoyed chicken and waffles, French Croque Madame sandwiches, a delicious Italian pasta dish, and so many other wonderful creations. This year’s theme was Southwest cuisine, featuring a feast of black bean soup, pork salbutes, and burnt orange flan.
It is always wonderful to gather with our colleagues over amazing food, but what makes this tradition even more special is watching our students put their skills into practice and SHINE! Great food, great company, and another opportunity for our students to do more, be more, and achieve more!
#PresSnowDay #FSDBProud #StudentSucces #CulinarArts #CelebratingExcellence
Photo Description: Photo collage from the FSDB Teacher and Employee of the Year celebration. The large photo at the top shows Deaf High School Culinary Arts students and staff gathered together in the culinary classroom. President Snow is squatting behind the front row near the center, and Chef Gaynor is standing on the far right wearing black. Students are dressed in culinary uniforms, including white shirts, black, gray or red aprons, chef hats, and red bow ties.
The bottom-left photo shows the Teachers of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year, School-Related Employee of the Year, and their supervisors seated together around a long table decorated with yellow and white flowers in vases during the celebration.
The bottom-right photo shows President Snow with Mr. Trejbal, Administrator of Instruction, seated at a table holding plate of pork salbutes from the Southwest-themed meal. Behind them, Culinary Arts students are busy at work.
Chef Gaynor and her students always provide an unbelievable five-star dining experience! Over the years, we have enjoyed chicken and waffles, French Croque Madame sandwiches, a delicious Italian pasta dish, and so many other wonderful creations. This year’s theme was Southwest cuisine, featuring a feast of black bean soup, pork salbutes, and burnt orange flan.
It is always wonderful to gather with our colleagues over amazing food, but what makes this tradition even more special is watching our students put their skills into practice and SHINE! Great food, great company, and another opportunity for our students to do more, be more, and achieve more!
#PresSnowDay #FSDBProud #StudentSucces #CulinarArts #CelebratingExcellence
Photo Description: Photo collage from the FSDB Teacher and Employee of the Year celebration. The large photo at the top shows Deaf High School Culinary Arts students and staff gathered together in the culinary classroom. President Snow is squatting behind the front row near the center, and Chef Gaynor is standing on the far right wearing black. Students are dressed in culinary uniforms, including white shirts, black, gray or red aprons, chef hats, and red bow ties.
The bottom-left photo shows the Teachers of the Year, Rookie Teacher of the Year, School-Related Employee of the Year, and their supervisors seated together around a long table decorated with yellow and white flowers in vases during the celebration.
The bottom-right photo shows President Snow with Mr. Trejbal, Administrator of Instruction, seated at a table holding plate of pork salbutes from the Southwest-themed meal. Behind them, Culinary Arts students are busy at work.
Last weekend was absolutely amazing! Homecoming weekend was a blast!
We kicked things off on Friday with an exciting swim meet that also celebrated our incredible seniors during Senior Night. Then, on Saturday, the energy was through the roof as we hosted the football game against the Maryland School for the Deaf, and we won!!!
To view the photos from the events, click the links shared below:
Swimming: https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/p194641262
Football: https://www.zenfolio.com/fsdb/e/p281591923
#BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons #GoFSDBCobras #FSDBHomecoming2026
We kicked things off on Friday with an exciting swim meet that also celebrated our incredible seniors during Senior Night. Then, on Saturday, the energy was through the roof as we hosted the football game against the Maryland School for the Deaf, and we won!!!
To view the photos from the events, click the links shared below:
Swimming: https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/p194641262
Football: https://www.zenfolio.com/fsdb/e/p281591923
#BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons #GoFSDBCobras #FSDBHomecoming2026
Vaill Hall always has some kind of fun activity planned. Last week they used washable dyes with balloons to have lots of outdoor fun. Then the perfect opportunity for a lesson on washing clothes!
#DESFridays #ThisIsFSDB
#DESFridays #ThisIsFSDB
The girls in Koger know how to spend their time in both work and play. Some of our girls are well into their cooking program this year. They go shopping every other week, sticking to a budget to purchase the food they'll cook for dinners in the dorm. But they also get to relax in the evening time, playing games or making crafts. All while enjoying time with their friends.
#BHSThursdays #ThisIsFSDB
#BHSThursdays #ThisIsFSDB
🧩 Hexagons + literature = powerful thinking! In Alicia Lugo's class today, students became literary detectives by connecting characters, events, symbols, and themes from "The Monkey's Paw." They had to defend each connection with evidence, demonstrating that great readers don’t just identify themes; they explain how those themes develop!
#DMSWednesdays #ThisIsFSDB
#DMSWednesdays #ThisIsFSDB
Blind ELC has been busy this week. We have worked on Halloween activities and lessons. We have also focused on counting and life skills. It has been a fun and active week!
#BlindELCTuesdays #ThisIsFSDB
#BlindELCTuesdays #ThisIsFSDB
Last Thursday, our Deaf High School held its Skit/Coronation Night, followed by a Homecoming Dance.
To view the photos from the event, click the link shared:
https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/deafhomecomingskitsandcourt2026
#DHSMonday #ThisISFSDB #FSDBHomecoming2026
To view the photos from the event, click the link shared:
https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/deafhomecomingskitsandcourt2026
#DHSMonday #ThisISFSDB #FSDBHomecoming2026
On Friday, October 16th, we had our annual Deaf Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally. Thank you to everyone who joined us to support our Deaf High School Department and the Homecoming Court!
To view the photos from the event, click the link shared:
https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/deafhomecomingparadeandpeprally2026
#FSDBHomecoming2026
To view the photos from the event, click the link shared:
https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/deafhomecomingparadeandpeprally2026
#FSDBHomecoming2026
