Last weekend, FSDB hosted the U.S. High School Goalball Championships. The event featured ten boys' teams and eleven girls' teams, taking place on Friday and Saturday, with the medal games scheduled for Sunday. We are excited to announce that our FSDB Boys Goalball team won the championship!
To view the photos from the tournament, please click the link below:
https://zenfolio.page.link/abRRX
#GoCobras #OneTeamOneHeartbeat #FSDBSportsSaturday
This is Charles Pascarella.
Charles works as a Residential Instructor in the Apartment program at FSDB.
Charles was a student at FSDB from 2013 to 2016 and became an FSDB Alumni.
He wanted to come back and work for FSDB to make a difference. He wants to encourage more students to enter the workforce and set their goals high after graduation.
One of his favorite memories as a student was attending the goal ball games and making lifelong friendships and connections.
One of his favorite memories as an employee is a mixture of all the special occasions he gets to support the students. He enjoys being there and helping his students at prom and graduation. He also enjoys watching his students progress in the kitchen and improve their independent living skills throughout the year.
A fun fact about Charles is that he enjoys fishing and doing home improvement projects.
We enjoy having you here as part of the FSDB Family!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
Catherine Bailey, the Director of the Early Learning Center, will take over our social media today. She will share updates from the Deaf ELC and the Blind ELC. Check our stories for fun and exciting content from Catherine and our adorable little students!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
1935, the Beauty Shop was in the old Vocational Department, later called old Pope Hall. Students were learning how to trim hair and doing some beautification for students and staff.
It was an excellent start for their career after graduating from FSDB!
Source: FSDB Museum.
#FSDBWayBackWhensday #FSDBHistory
Welcome Summer Flynn to FSDB!
Summer will be working as a Registered Nurse in the Health Center.
Summer looks forward to working with the children and young adult population. She loves working as a school nurse and is excited to join the FSDB team.
In her free time, she loves enjoying the Florida sunshine, spending time with family, and finding activities in our area.
Another fun fact is Summer has rescued an Australian Shepard puppy named Bindi!
We are so happy to have you here with us!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
Kramer Hall has been having a fabulous and festive time!
Before leaving for Thanksgiving break, our students enjoyed Friendsgiving, a heartwarming event filled with good food, music, and laughter.
They also attended The Shine as One event. It was an incredible experience! A collaboration of performances that included the FSDB show choir was inspiring and uplifting. We are grateful that our students had the opportunity to attend such a special event at the Wilson Center for the Arts located at FSCJ in Jacksonville, FL.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
Michelle Sminkey is the Braille Specialist who works with our blind students.
Kindergarten student Savannah practices braille sentences on her braille writer. She loves braille time!
#FSDBAcademicMondays
On Thursday, December 5, the Blind Department held a vibrant holiday performance in the Music Building. The event featured the BHS Concert Band, BES General Music, BHS Concert Choir, and the group Blinding Lights.
Students, staff, and families enjoyed an evening filled with festive music and holiday spirit. The performers showcased their hard work, leaving the audience impressed and fully immersed in the joy of the season!
To view the photos from the concert, click on the link below:
https://zenfolio.page.link/2y74U
#FSDBRecapSunday
Welcome Kimberly Taylor to FSDB!
Kimberly will be a Residential Instructor for our Apartment students.
She enjoys helping others and is super excited to work with kids and learn new things.
One fun fact about Kimberly is she loves doing fundraisers and raising money for those in need.
We are happy you are part of the FSDB Family!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
Meet Matthew Smith, a math teacher at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB).
Matthew began teaching in 1999 as a Deaf High School Mathematics teacher. He taught there until 2015, then moved to an 8th-grade math teacher position at the Deaf Middle School in 2016, where he still works.
From 1999 to 2014, Matthew also coached several sports teams, including cross country, tennis, soccer, football, basketball, and flag football. This role helped him connect with his students outside the classroom.
One of Matthew's favorite memories is taking his 8th graders on trips to the Kennedy Space Center and Washington D.C. These trips strengthened his relationships with his students.
After graduating with a degree in math education, Matthew found that FSDB was one of the few deaf schools looking for a math teacher. He grew up in Georgia and quickly traveled to Florida for the interview. He immediately received a job offer and loved the beautiful FSDB campus, so he accepted the position.
A fun fact about Matthew is that he loves playing pickleball. He plays almost every week and competes in different tournaments.
#FSDBFam #FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
FSDB is hosting the 2024 U.S. High School Goalball Championships! Starting tomorrow at 9 a.m., 10 boys teams and 11 girls teams from across the U.S. will compete to become National Champions. Pool play will be held on Friday and Saturday. Bracket play begins Saturday afternoon/evening, and the Medal games will be held on Sunday morning. For more information about the schedule, scores, and livestreaming, visit https://www.fsdbk12.org/goalball-championships
After Blind High School's lunch, they had a brief pep rally outside of Bryant Hall to celebrate and wish everyone competing in the U.S. National High School Goalball Championships on December 6th and 7th at Florida School for the Deaf and Blind!
To keep up-to-date scores, and see the livestream if you can't make it in person, click on the link shared below: https://www.fsdbk12.org/goalball-championships
We wish both teams the best of luck!! Go Corbras!!
Welcome Melissa Bull to FSDB!
Melissa is working at FSDB as a registered nurse.
She is looking forward to making a difference and gaining a new perspective. She is also looking forward to learning a new language.
A fun fact about Melissa is she enjoys going to the beach with her kids.
We are super excited to have you here!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) announces a public meeting to which all persons of the public are invited.
Location
• FSDB Campus: 207 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Building: Moore Hall (corner of San Marco Ave. and Macaris St.)
• Room: Center for Learning and Development (CLD)
Date and Time
Friday, December 13, 2024
• 9:30 a.m.– Regular Board Meeting (CLD)
The Board meeting will be livestreamed and available on the FSDB Board of Trustees Meeting webpage at www.fsdbk12.org/board-of-trustees-meetings.
Join us tonight for the Blind Department's festive holiday concert, showcasing an array of talented performers! The evening will feature the beautiful sounds of the BHS Concert Band, the engaging melodies from BES General Music, the harmonious voices of the BHS Concert Choir, and the dazzling performances of the Blinding Lights Show Choir. Don't forget to check out our stories later tonight for uplifting videos that will fill you with the holiday spirit! #FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Welcome Tamara "Tammy" Pellicer to FSDB!
Tamara was an alumnus of FSDB in 1991! She was "Miss Deaf Florida" in 1995-1997. Taria and Andre, her kids, attended and graduated from FSDB.
She will be working with Deaf Elementary students as an Instructional Assistant.
"I am super excited to be working with kids," shared Tamara.
We are happy to have you back at FSDB, Tamara!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
In celebration of FSDB hosting the National Youth Goalball Championship tournament on December 6 and 7, 2024, we would like to share photos of the Boys' and Girls' Goalball teams from the 2013-2014 school year.
The 2013-2014 teams had an outstanding year competing against other teams and hosting the tournament at FSDB. The Girls' team won the 2013 National Championship, marking their 11th consecutive EAAB Conference title. Meanwhile, the Boys' team secured 2nd place in the National Championship tournament.
Source: FSDB 2014 Blind Yearbook, FSDB Museum.
#FSDBWayBackWhensday
Welcome Jessica Stultz, the newest Deaf Elementary teacher, to FSDB!
Before working for FSDB, she was the Director of Academic Programs at Clerc Center in Washington, D.C.
Jessica is thrilled about her new position because she is back home to her family and reconnecting with our students.
Jessica has five sisters. Her youngest sister already has seventeen grandchildren. Jessica is the last one to have grandchildren. She only has one, named Jane, and is almost one year old!
Jessica's parents have 47 great-grandchildren, with her grand darling at number 46. They all live in Minnesota, where she is from, except for Jane, who lives in St. Augustine.
Welcome to the FSDB Family!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
Welcome Sara Kulisan to FSDB!
Sara works at Deaf Elementary School as an instructional assistant.
She has worked with K-12 students in Washington, D.C., for almost ten years, taking on roles such as after-school program leader, dorm staff, substitute teacher, athletic coach, and lifeguard.
Sara chose to work at FSDB because she had returned to her hometown, St. Augustine, and wanted to bring her skills and knowledge to FSDB while seeking professional growth and contributing to its mission.
A fun fact about Sara is that she has always dreamed of becoming a professional dirt bike rider.
Sara, we are so happy to have you here with us at FSDB!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
Welcome Patricia "Patti" Butler to FSDB!
Patti will be working as the Coordinator of Donor Engagment.
She previously worked as the owner of Butler Epic Explorers Travel Agency, LLC.
Patti is very excited about the opportunity to build meaningful relationships with donors and to connect with them more deeply with the mission of the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind.
"FSDB has a unique and powerful impact on the lives of its students and their families, and being part of a team that amplifies this impact is incredibly fulfilling."
She looks forward to growing FSDB's support community and witnessing firsthand the transformative difference it makes in the students' lives.
Patti has a mini poodle named Moxy, a husband who works in construction sales, a daughter in her third year of medical school, and a son who is expecting his first child. She also loves to travel and explore new places, making every adventure meaningful and memorable.
She also wants to share her passion for fostering connections and creating meaningful experiences. From planning an event, collaborating with a team, or developing a creative project, I thrive on bringing people together and making a positive impact.
We are thrilled to have you here at FSDB!!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
