Let's Braille Together!
Virtual Community Braille Course:
This eight-week virtual beginner class is designed to teach the fundamentals of beginning by sight to help you learn just enough to help your child, student, friend or colleague. Students can then decide if they want to learn more and take more intense training!
Who: Parents/guardians, educators, and community members involved with children who are blind/visually impaired (B/VI)
Where: Virtual Event
Why: To help your child, your friend, your parent, your coworker, or just learn.
When: Class starts MARCH 2 to APRIL 30, 2026; Every Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Register: https://bit.ly/FSDB-Comm-Braille-2026 or SCAN OR CODE
Contact: Jennifer Valderama | valderramaj@fsdbk12.org
Virtual Community Braille Course:
This eight-week virtual beginner class is designed to teach the fundamentals of beginning by sight to help you learn just enough to help your child, student, friend or colleague. Students can then decide if they want to learn more and take more intense training!
Who: Parents/guardians, educators, and community members involved with children who are blind/visually impaired (B/VI)
Where: Virtual Event
Why: To help your child, your friend, your parent, your coworker, or just learn.
When: Class starts MARCH 2 to APRIL 30, 2026; Every Monday from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Register: https://bit.ly/FSDB-Comm-Braille-2026 or SCAN OR CODE
Contact: Jennifer Valderama | valderramaj@fsdbk12.org
Last week in Culinary Arts, 2nd block students had the opportunity to observe a food delivery by approved vendors, adding context to their focus on the receiving process in the flow of food.
Jacob finished his first practice cake (Italian Cream) for the SkillsUSA Baking and Pastry competition, and Ashley trimmed her time spent preparing Elote corn for the Job Skills Demonstration competition.
#CTETuesdays
Jacob finished his first practice cake (Italian Cream) for the SkillsUSA Baking and Pastry competition, and Ashley trimmed her time spent preparing Elote corn for the Job Skills Demonstration competition.
#CTETuesdays
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) announces public meetings open to all members of the public. Members of the public may address the board for up to three minutes per person. All public comments are limited to 45 minutes in total. Only the Regular Board meeting will be livestreamed at https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/board-of-trustees-livestream
📍 Location
Moore Hall, CLD Meeting Room and 215
📅 Date
Friday, February 27, 2026
⏰ Time
8:30 a.m. – Audit Committee Meeting (215)
9:30 a.m. – Regular Board Meeting (CLD)
Happy President's Day!
Did you know back in 1921, U.S. President-elect Warren G. Harding visited FSDB? He made his first visit at the request of A.H. Walker, school president. Harding took a special interest in the school because he had a blind sister. He shook hands with 200 students and staff and said "Your State has provided wonderfully for your training and education... advancing you for full participation in citizenship and... the pleasure of living American lives."
In 1923, he visited again and remarked, "It is a pleasure to see you again, and I wish you the best of luck. If any of you ever comes to Washington, I hope you will call on me as I have called on you."
#HappyPresidentDay #FSDBHistory #ThisIsFSDB
Did you know back in 1921, U.S. President-elect Warren G. Harding visited FSDB? He made his first visit at the request of A.H. Walker, school president. Harding took a special interest in the school because he had a blind sister. He shook hands with 200 students and staff and said "Your State has provided wonderfully for your training and education... advancing you for full participation in citizenship and... the pleasure of living American lives."
In 1923, he visited again and remarked, "It is a pleasure to see you again, and I wish you the best of luck. If any of you ever comes to Washington, I hope you will call on me as I have called on you."
#HappyPresidentDay #FSDBHistory #ThisIsFSDB
FSDB Girls Varsity Basketball left it all on the court in the District Championship, battling St. John’s Country Day School and finishing as District Runner-Up, 33–63. While the scoreboard didn’t fall our way, the heart, resilience, and determination these girls showed all season long speak louder than any final score.
This team represents what it means to compete with passion, pride, and perseverance. We are beyond proud of their fight, their growth, and the way they represent FSDB every single day.
Hold your heads high, Dragons — this is something to be proud of! 🐉🏀
#FSDBSportsSunday #PassionPridePerseverance #GoFSDBDragons
Last week, the Deaf Department SOAR class held a meeting to discuss T-shirt designs and important information for the school calendar. Afterward, they enjoyed a beautiful day outside and took a group photo for the yearbook.
Additionally, please welcome Becky as a new SOAR sponsor, joining Zachary in this role.
#FSDBSOARSaturdays
❤️ This Valentine's Day, we're celebrating the heart of our school. What do you love most about our school?
Share the love in the comments! 💌
#FSDBQuestionOfTheWeekFridays
Share the love in the comments! 💌
#FSDBQuestionOfTheWeekFridays
Hello FSDB Families and Students...we wanted to send a reminder that this weekend will be a "Long Weekend." All students will go home today, Friday, February 13, at 2:05 p.m. There will be no classes on Monday, February 16 as we celebrate Presidents Day. SHOW Bus students will be picked up on Monday at their normal pick-up time. Classes will resume on Tuesday, February 17. We hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
FSDB is ready for the 2026 Academic Bowl South Regional!
We’re honored to host 16 schools from 13 states here in St. Augustine this weekend as outstanding deaf and hard‑of‑hearing students compete in a fast‑paced showcase of knowledge, teamwork, and quick recall.
The Academic Bowl, created by Gallaudet University in 1997, has become a beloved national tradition promoting academic excellence, healthy competition, sportsmanship, and lifelong friendships. We’re proud to continue that legacy right here on our campus.
Our FSDB Dragons have been hard at work preparing for the tournament and we’re cheering them on alongside every student who earned their spot to compete.
Huge shout‑out to all of our coaches, staff, and volunteers whose time and energy make this weekend possible!
Best of luck to every team as you learn, compete, and enjoy the history and hospitality of the nation’s oldest city. Onward to Nationals at Gallaudet!
#FSDB #AcademicBowl2026 #DeafEd #GoDragons #Gallaudet #StudentSuccess #ThePrezSnowPost
We’re honored to host 16 schools from 13 states here in St. Augustine this weekend as outstanding deaf and hard‑of‑hearing students compete in a fast‑paced showcase of knowledge, teamwork, and quick recall.
The Academic Bowl, created by Gallaudet University in 1997, has become a beloved national tradition promoting academic excellence, healthy competition, sportsmanship, and lifelong friendships. We’re proud to continue that legacy right here on our campus.
Our FSDB Dragons have been hard at work preparing for the tournament and we’re cheering them on alongside every student who earned their spot to compete.
Huge shout‑out to all of our coaches, staff, and volunteers whose time and energy make this weekend possible!
Best of luck to every team as you learn, compete, and enjoy the history and hospitality of the nation’s oldest city. Onward to Nationals at Gallaudet!
#FSDB #AcademicBowl2026 #DeafEd #GoDragons #Gallaudet #StudentSuccess #ThePrezSnowPost
BEMS Parents and Students...break out your fancy shirts and work on those smiles. Picture day will be next week on Tuesday, February 17.
Who did you root for—the Seattle Seahawks or the New England Patriots? Or were you more excited about the commercials and delicious food?
Our Deaf and Blind Residential Department hosted an amazing Super Bowl party in the dorms on Sunday evening, February 8, and everyone had a fantastic time!
#FSDBAfterSchoolHoursWednesdays
Our Deaf and Blind Residential Department hosted an amazing Super Bowl party in the dorms on Sunday evening, February 8, and everyone had a fantastic time!
#FSDBAfterSchoolHoursWednesdays
They go beyond construction in the traditional sense. In addition to building projects from the ground up, they focus on repair and problem‑solving- the art of tinkering. After extensive use in the hands of students, three cordless drills wore down from years of faithful service enabling hands‑on construction projects. Rather than discarding the tools, students Hunter Minch Bohlin and Nathaniel Loomis took them apart, carefully diagnosing the issues and restoring functionality by salvaging working components from other drills of the same model. This hands‑on repair process strengthened their critical‑thinking skills, particularly in troubleshooting, mechanical reasoning, and resourcefulness.
#FSDBCTETuesdays
#FSDBCTETuesdays
Mark your calendars, FSDB Families! Parent University will offer ASL Level 2 Classes every Thursday from January 29 to February 26 for FSDB parents and guardians.
The classes will be from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Moore Hall CLD. On February 26, it will be located in room 215.
Please RSVP at the following link:
HTTPS://BIT.LY/ASL-PARENT-CLASS-2026
Families must check in at the front gate, and travel reimbursement is available.
Questions? Please contact FSDB Parent Liaison Misty Porter at porterm@fsdbk12.org | 904-827-2988
The classes will be from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm at the Moore Hall CLD. On February 26, it will be located in room 215.
Please RSVP at the following link:
HTTPS://BIT.LY/ASL-PARENT-CLASS-2026
Families must check in at the front gate, and travel reimbursement is available.
Questions? Please contact FSDB Parent Liaison Misty Porter at porterm@fsdbk12.org | 904-827-2988
Now Accepting Applications for Summer Quest 2026!
Ready for an adventure in the oldest city with new friends! Summer Quest is an overnight camp offering Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) activities during the day and various recreational and social experiences in the evening.
Dates
• June 7-12, 2026 (ages 8-12)
• June 14-19, 2026 (ages 13-17)
Who Can Attend?
• Blind/Visually Impaired
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Deafblind (dual-sensory)
• 8-17 year olds
• Florida resident
Visit our Summer Quest webpage to learn more and apply!
April Wallace, Literacy Specialist, shares her favorite memory at FSDB below;
"One of my favorite memories at FSDB is when the word of the year was "Empower." A word that has stayed with me and shaped how I approach every role I’ve held here. Today, as the Literacy Specialist for the Blind Elementary School, my daily motto is “Empowering students by supporting the educators.” My favorite moments are when teachers are excited about a new strategy or come to me to celebrate a student’s success. Those moments are the heart of this work and why FSDB means so much to me."
#FSDBMemoryMondays #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
Informed & Included Parent Chat:
FSDB recognizes that family involvement positively impacts student success and encourages parents/legal guardians to take an active and supportive role in parents & staff members to share ideas and work together.
Topics:
- Be included in decision making.
- Meet with FSDB Principals and Staff.
-Provide feedback on grant spending.
- Plan for the upcoming school year.
Date: March 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Moore Hall CLD
Contact: Misty Porter , porterm@fsdbk12.org
RSVP by March 4, 2026
RSVP Link: https://bit.ly/Parent-Chat-Spring-2026
FSDB recognizes that family involvement positively impacts student success and encourages parents/legal guardians to take an active and supportive role in parents & staff members to share ideas and work together.
Topics:
- Be included in decision making.
- Meet with FSDB Principals and Staff.
-Provide feedback on grant spending.
- Plan for the upcoming school year.
Date: March 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Moore Hall CLD
Contact: Misty Porter , porterm@fsdbk12.org
RSVP by March 4, 2026
RSVP Link: https://bit.ly/Parent-Chat-Spring-2026
On Thursday, February 5th, FSDB Wrestling celebrated their Senior Night at home. They completed the regular season with a perfect 2-0 record, defeating Mandarin and Wolfson! Congratulations to all the seniors and the entire wrestling team!
#FSDBSportsSunday
#FSDBSportsSunday
Zachary Bridgett, a dedicated SOAR teacher, recently attended the St. Johns County School District's Teacher and Rookie Teacher of the Year event.
Thank you, Zachary, for your commitment and outstanding contributions to the FSDB community.
#FSDBSOARSaturdays #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
Thank you, Zachary, for your commitment and outstanding contributions to the FSDB community.
#FSDBSOARSaturdays #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
Attention all current students and alumni! We want to hear how FSDB has played a pivotal role in shaping who you are today. Share your journey with us!
#FSDBQuestionOfTheWeekFriday
#FSDBQuestionOfTheWeekFriday
Welcome, Laurel Jones, to FSDB!
Laurel previously worked as a consultant and is now joining us as a Behavior Program Associate in the Transportation Department.
She is excited to get to know the students and to practice her ASL. Laurel is looking forward to her journey ahead at FSDB.
Originally from High Point, North Carolina, Laurel has a passion for learning.
We are thrilled to have you here with us!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
