We extend our congratulations to the finalists for the Rookie of the Year award, Kelsey Walsh and Alexis Griffin. Below, we present feedback from the FSDB community regarding these outstanding individuals.
Kelsey Walsh:
Kelsey as an educator who builds strong connections with students, creates engaging learning experiences, and helps students feel supported while maintaining high expectations. Through her work in the classroom, as a cheer coach, and as a collaborative team member, Kelsey has made a positive impact on students and the school community. Her commitment to growth, learning, and student success makes her a deserving finalist for Rookie of the Year.
Alexis Griffin:
Alexis has quickly earned the respect of students, families, and colleagues through engaging instruction, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to student success. She helps students build confidence, celebrates their achievements, supports activities beyond the classroom, and creates learning experiences that students genuinely enjoy. Her dedication to students and the FSDB community makes her a deserving finalist for Rookie of the Year.
#ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam #RookieTeacherOfTheYear2027
Kelsey Walsh:
Kelsey as an educator who builds strong connections with students, creates engaging learning experiences, and helps students feel supported while maintaining high expectations. Through her work in the classroom, as a cheer coach, and as a collaborative team member, Kelsey has made a positive impact on students and the school community. Her commitment to growth, learning, and student success makes her a deserving finalist for Rookie of the Year.
Alexis Griffin:
Alexis has quickly earned the respect of students, families, and colleagues through engaging instruction, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to student success. She helps students build confidence, celebrates their achievements, supports activities beyond the classroom, and creates learning experiences that students genuinely enjoy. Her dedication to students and the FSDB community makes her a deserving finalist for Rookie of the Year.
#ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam #RookieTeacherOfTheYear2027
DES held a character education award during Lil Dragon’s PBiS Day. We celebrated students from kindergarten through fifth grade who were selected for demonstrating the character trait of Citizenship in September. Congratulations to this outstanding group!
#DESFridays #ThisIsFSDB
#DESFridays #ThisIsFSDB
Deaf High School is thrilled to announce our Teacher of the Year: Brianna Hadden!
Her exceptional care for students, positive relationships with staff, and willingness to go above and beyond make her a shining example of excellence in education. She consistently builds meaningful connections, supports student success, and makes a lasting impact on our school community.
This award is a reflection of her dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping every student thrive. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Her exceptional care for students, positive relationships with staff, and willingness to go above and beyond make her a shining example of excellence in education. She consistently builds meaningful connections, supports student success, and makes a lasting impact on our school community.
This award is a reflection of her dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping every student thrive. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! 🎉
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Blind High School is pleased to share that Leslie Costello has been named the Teacher of the Year for 27/28. Leslie has helped build a thriving and highly regarded performing arts program.
Additionally, the is the "Triple Crown" for Leslie, as she has won TOY for BES, BMS, (the schools were separately recognized in the past) and now BHS. That's quite an accomplishment!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Additionally, the is the "Triple Crown" for Leslie, as she has won TOY for BES, BMS, (the schools were separately recognized in the past) and now BHS. That's quite an accomplishment!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Deaf Middle School is super excited to announce our Teacher of the Year, Alicia Lugo! Alicia designs engaging lessons, builds great relationships with students, and helps her department in every way possible! She is so deserving of this honor.
Fun fact: the sign Alicia is holding and the crown she is wearing are a 25 year old DMs tradition. Each year an item is added to the crown to represent the new TOY and a message is added to the back of the sign!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Fun fact: the sign Alicia is holding and the crown she is wearing are a 25 year old DMs tradition. Each year an item is added to the crown to represent the new TOY and a message is added to the back of the sign!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Please join me in congratulating the 2027-2028 BEMS Teacher of the Year (TOY), Mr. Derek Ferguson! Mr. Ferguson, a former graduate of FSDB, is our BMS Social Studies teacher extraordinaire, and we could not be prouder to share this news. Mr. Ferguson brings history to life for our students, is a lifelong learner, and is an all-around collaborative and wonderful colleague. Congratulations Fergie!
#ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam #TeacherOfTheYear2027
#ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Deaf Elementary is proud to present Ms. Brooke Stimpfle, Teacher of the Year! Her energy, dedication, and glowing spirit inspire our little Dragons every day. Ms. Brooke works hard to ensure her first-grade students show meaningful growth while fostering a classroom filled with kindness, confidence, and a love for learning. 🐉❤️ Congratulations Ms. Brooke!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Blind High School students traveled to Huntsville, Alabama, to visit the U.S. Space & Rocket Center for a week. This special week is known as SCIVIS (Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students). Students from around the world come together to learn about space and aerospace careers while also developing skills from the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Participants engage in a variety of activities, including mock space missions, scuba diving, space simulators, zip lining, building and launching model rockets, and teamwork activities in the outdoors, among others.
#BHSThursdays #ThisIsFSDB
#BHSThursdays #ThisIsFSDB
Welcome Ryan Essery to FSDB!
Ryan is our newest kindergarten teacher in the Blind Department. Prior to joining us, she worked as a third-grade teacher at another school.
Ryan is thrilled to be here at FSDB and looks forward to all aspects of her new position.
Originally from St. Augustine, a fun fact about her is that she loves cats!
We are so excited you are here with us!!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Ryan is our newest kindergarten teacher in the Blind Department. Prior to joining us, she worked as a third-grade teacher at another school.
Ryan is thrilled to be here at FSDB and looks forward to all aspects of her new position.
Originally from St. Augustine, a fun fact about her is that she loves cats!
We are so excited you are here with us!!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Ashley Fiolek, a four-time AMA Motocross women's national champion and former FSDB student, came last week to share her journey with our DMS students. The students left inspired to reach their goals and never let deafness be a barrier.
#DMSWednesdays #ThisIsFSDB
Welcome to FSDB, Stephanie Marlow!
Stephanie will be joining us as the staff assistant for Campus Safety. Before coming to FSDB, she worked in Inventory and Purchasing.
Stephanie is eager to embark on this new adventure and meet new people. "I cannot wait to jump in and help in any way I can," she shares. She is especially excited about the opportunity to work at FSDB because she believes in the school's mission to help students who are deaf and blind overcome daily challenges.
In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys making pottery.
We are so glad to have you here at FSDB with us!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Stephanie will be joining us as the staff assistant for Campus Safety. Before coming to FSDB, she worked in Inventory and Purchasing.
Stephanie is eager to embark on this new adventure and meet new people. "I cannot wait to jump in and help in any way I can," she shares. She is especially excited about the opportunity to work at FSDB because she believes in the school's mission to help students who are deaf and blind overcome daily challenges.
In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys making pottery.
We are so glad to have you here at FSDB with us!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Some of our BEMS students in Cary White are giving back by learning to sew simple blankets for local homeless communities. Ms. Laronda is helping the boys learn to make stitches by hand in this group project. They all worked diligently and are very proud of their completed project and the opportunity to do something good.
#BEMSTuesdays #ThisIsFSDB
#BEMSTuesdays #ThisIsFSDB
📰 Journalism Hits the Road!
Our Journalism students traded the classroom for the college newsroom with a visit to UNF Spinnaker Media! Students got a behind-the-scenes look at how a college newsroom operates, learned more about the basics of journalism and media production, and heard firsthand what it’s like to be a student journalist.
The visit gave students a chance to connect what we’ve been learning in class to journalism beyond FSDB—from how stories are developed and produced to the different roles that help keep a newsroom running.
A huge thank you to UNF Spinnaker Media for welcoming our students, answering their questions, and giving our young journalists a glimpse of where their skills could take them next! 📰✨
#DHSMondays #ThisIsFSDB
Our Journalism students traded the classroom for the college newsroom with a visit to UNF Spinnaker Media! Students got a behind-the-scenes look at how a college newsroom operates, learned more about the basics of journalism and media production, and heard firsthand what it’s like to be a student journalist.
The visit gave students a chance to connect what we’ve been learning in class to journalism beyond FSDB—from how stories are developed and produced to the different roles that help keep a newsroom running.
A huge thank you to UNF Spinnaker Media for welcoming our students, answering their questions, and giving our young journalists a glimpse of where their skills could take them next! 📰✨
#DHSMondays #ThisIsFSDB
Started my Friday in the best way possible by spending a few minutes with our Boys and Girls Goalball teams before they headed to the 4th Annual Savannah Goalball Invitational!
I always enjoy the opportunity to spend time with our student-athletes, even when it is just for a short visit. We are incredibly proud of these outstanding students and athletes and wish them the very best as they compete this weekend.
A special thank you goes to our dedicated coaches, who generously devote countless hours to supporting our Goalball teams (and all of our coaches for the various athletic programs). Their commitment helps create meaningful experiences and opportunities for our students.
I am hopeful that competing in the Savannah Invitational will help our teams sharpen their skills, strengthen team dynamics, and prepare for the National Goalball Tournament, which FSDB will proudly host November 4-7. Go Cobras!
Photo Description:
A group photo of FSDB Boys and Girls Goalball team members and coaches standing together in front of a display labeled "HOME OF THE COBRAS" with President Snow kneeling in the center wearing a pink windbreaker. Team members are wearing blue Cobra shirts, and several students are holding long canes. A Cobra mascot graphic giving a thumbs-up and holding a goalball is displayed in the lower left corner of the image, with a blue banner across the bottom that reads "GO COBRAS!!!" in large white letters.
I always enjoy the opportunity to spend time with our student-athletes, even when it is just for a short visit. We are incredibly proud of these outstanding students and athletes and wish them the very best as they compete this weekend.
A special thank you goes to our dedicated coaches, who generously devote countless hours to supporting our Goalball teams (and all of our coaches for the various athletic programs). Their commitment helps create meaningful experiences and opportunities for our students.
I am hopeful that competing in the Savannah Invitational will help our teams sharpen their skills, strengthen team dynamics, and prepare for the National Goalball Tournament, which FSDB will proudly host November 4-7. Go Cobras!
Photo Description:
A group photo of FSDB Boys and Girls Goalball team members and coaches standing together in front of a display labeled "HOME OF THE COBRAS" with President Snow kneeling in the center wearing a pink windbreaker. Team members are wearing blue Cobra shirts, and several students are holding long canes. A Cobra mascot graphic giving a thumbs-up and holding a goalball is displayed in the lower left corner of the image, with a blue banner across the bottom that reads "GO COBRAS!!!" in large white letters.
Check out these photos from our recent games featuring the Middle School, Junior Varsity, and Varsity Volleyball teams!
The season isn’t over yet! We hope to see you at the upcoming games to support our girls.
Photo credits go to the Yearbook Club.
#BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons
The season isn’t over yet! We hope to see you at the upcoming games to support our girls.
Photo credits go to the Yearbook Club.
#BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons
Students enjoyed a special visit to the Campus Police Department, where they met and interacted with Campus Police staff members, explored the department building, and learned about public safety. Students had the opportunity to see police vehicles and equipment up close, participate in hands-on activities, and discover how officers help keep the community safe.
#DeafELCFridays #ThisIsFSDB
#DeafELCFridays #ThisIsFSDB
FSDB Ski & Winter Sports Club Update
The competition is heating up for the top ten spots on our annual ski trip to Whitefish, Montana! Students completed their first mandatory workout on September 23, and everyone brought their best effort.
During the workout, students completed a 60-second wall sit and 60-second high plank, followed by 60-second challenges of squats, Russian twists, push-ups, and dips. The competition is fierce, and it is exciting to see how hard each student is working toward earning a spot on this amazing trip!
Physical fitness is an important part of preparing for the trip because students will have opportunities to participate in downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, axe throwing, line dancing, snowshoeing, hiking, and even a relaxing sleigh ride through the country.
We are hoping the track will be ready for our next workout so students can add the one-mile run to their fitness challenge. We are incredibly proud of their determination and can't wait to see their continued progress!
Important Upcoming Dates
September 25: Thank-you letters due
October 19: Second Mandatory Workout
October 23: Initial Ski Club Application due
October 23: Two recommendation letters due
October 23: Lunch meeting to turn in paperwork
Keep working hard, Ski & Winter Sports Club! Whitefish is waiting!
Students recently had the honor of performing during the Ringing of the Bells ceremony in St. Augustine in partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution. The event, which commemorates Constitution Week and celebrates the signing of the United States Constitution, brought together community members to reflect on our nation’s history and heritage.
Through their musical performance, students represented the school with pride and professionalism while contributing to this meaningful community tradition. Their participation provided a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with a real-world civic event and share their talents with the greater St. Augustine community.
To view the photos from the event, click the link below: https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/p762991312
#BHSThursdays #ThisIsFSDB
Through their musical performance, students represented the school with pride and professionalism while contributing to this meaningful community tradition. Their participation provided a valuable opportunity to connect classroom learning with a real-world civic event and share their talents with the greater St. Augustine community.
To view the photos from the event, click the link below: https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/p762991312
#BHSThursdays #ThisIsFSDB
Parent Chat : Virtual Only
October 2, 2026 at 9:30 am - 11:00 am.
Join us for an open conversation about family engagement at FSDB. During this Parent Chat, we will:
- Review highlights from last year's Schoolwide Parent Survey.
- Discuss programs, services, and supports currently available to families.
- Share updates on family engagement initiatives and upcoming opportunities.
- Help plan this year's parent events, workshops, and learning opportunities.
- Provide feedback and suggest topics that matter most to your family.
Whether you're a new or returning parent, this is your opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and help shape future family engagement programming at FSDB.
Together, we can create meaningful opportunities that support students, families and our school community.
Questions? Contact Misty Porter at porterm@fsdbk12.org
RSVP Link: https://bit.ly/Parent-Chat-Spring-2027
October 2, 2026 at 9:30 am - 11:00 am.
Join us for an open conversation about family engagement at FSDB. During this Parent Chat, we will:
- Review highlights from last year's Schoolwide Parent Survey.
- Discuss programs, services, and supports currently available to families.
- Share updates on family engagement initiatives and upcoming opportunities.
- Help plan this year's parent events, workshops, and learning opportunities.
- Provide feedback and suggest topics that matter most to your family.
Whether you're a new or returning parent, this is your opportunity to share ideas, ask questions, and help shape future family engagement programming at FSDB.
Together, we can create meaningful opportunities that support students, families and our school community.
Questions? Contact Misty Porter at porterm@fsdbk12.org
RSVP Link: https://bit.ly/Parent-Chat-Spring-2027
FSDB Alumni Weekend Football Game 🏈
Join us for an exciting evening of football, school spirit, and alumni celebrations as the FSDB Dragons take on the Indiana School for the Deaf Orioles!
📅 Saturday, October 3
🕕 Kickoff at 6:00 PM
📍 Usina Field
Game Day Information:
🕞 Gates Open: 3:30 PM
🎟️ Admission:
- $10.00 per ticket, plus processing fees
- All tickets must be purchased through GoFan – https://gofan.co/event/6869662?schoolId=FL17928
- Cash will not be accepted at the gate
🍿 Concessions:
- Open at 4:30 PM during the event
- Cash and credit cards accepted
🎉 Enjoy:
- Alumni Weekend activities
- FSDAA Hall of Fame and Annual Meeting celebrations
- FSDB Museum Open (1 PM – 4 PM)
- Alumni Recognition at halftime
- Cheerleader performances
- Fan engagement activities and giveaways
- Dragon Pride and Alumni spirit!
Parking:
Please use the designated parking areas:
🚗 Kramer Loop – Handicap Parking and Referees
🚗 Music Building Parking Lot
🚗 Gibbs Hall Parking Lot
🚗 Hogle Hall Parking Lot
🚗 Gore Hall Parking Lot
🚗 James Hall Parking Lot
Please follow the directions of Campus Police, Athletics staff, and volunteers.
Come reconnect with alumni, support our student-athletes, and enjoy a great night under the lights!
FIRE UP, DRAGONS! 🐉
#BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons #AlumniNight
Join us for an exciting evening of football, school spirit, and alumni celebrations as the FSDB Dragons take on the Indiana School for the Deaf Orioles!
📅 Saturday, October 3
🕕 Kickoff at 6:00 PM
📍 Usina Field
Game Day Information:
🕞 Gates Open: 3:30 PM
🎟️ Admission:
- $10.00 per ticket, plus processing fees
- All tickets must be purchased through GoFan – https://gofan.co/event/6869662?schoolId=FL17928
- Cash will not be accepted at the gate
🍿 Concessions:
- Open at 4:30 PM during the event
- Cash and credit cards accepted
🎉 Enjoy:
- Alumni Weekend activities
- FSDAA Hall of Fame and Annual Meeting celebrations
- FSDB Museum Open (1 PM – 4 PM)
- Alumni Recognition at halftime
- Cheerleader performances
- Fan engagement activities and giveaways
- Dragon Pride and Alumni spirit!
Parking:
Please use the designated parking areas:
🚗 Kramer Loop – Handicap Parking and Referees
🚗 Music Building Parking Lot
🚗 Gibbs Hall Parking Lot
🚗 Hogle Hall Parking Lot
🚗 Gore Hall Parking Lot
🚗 James Hall Parking Lot
Please follow the directions of Campus Police, Athletics staff, and volunteers.
Come reconnect with alumni, support our student-athletes, and enjoy a great night under the lights!
FIRE UP, DRAGONS! 🐉
#BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons #AlumniNight
