This is Anabelle and Jonah Abenchuchan.
Jonah is a Junior, and Anabelle is a Senior in the Deaf Department.
Jonah has attended FSDB for ten years. Throughout his time at FSDB, he has many great memories that make it hard for him to choose; however, traveling with his teammates will always be his favorite.
A fun fact about Jonah is that he has a pet cat named Fuzzy, and he is the ultimate gym buddy, meaning he watches him work out!
Anabelle has attended FSDB for twelve years. She said that she has many memories that she wishes to share, but one thing she loved was doing the dance troupe performances.
Here are some fun facts about Anabelle: Her favorite subject is forensic science, and fall is her favorite season.
We loved seeing you both grow over the years at FSDB!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
This week, the Communication & Public Relations Department will be stepping in front of the camera, taking on a more visible role instead of their usual position behind the scenes. Be sure to check out our stories!
#FSDBTakeoverThursday
In the 1920s, the posing children stood on the raised sidewalk, some with their houseparents standing on the ground. It occurred before the Wartmann Cottage, Bloxham Cottage, Rhyne Hall, and McLane Hall existed.
This photo was taken in front of the FSDB campus, where the gate is currently located.
#FSDBWayBackWhensdays
We want to congratulate Johanna Lennon for her new position as Deaf Middle School Staff Assistant.
Johanna joined FSDB in October 2021 as a Spanish/ASL Language Facilitator and DES Instructional Assistant.
"I am excited about working with the students, staff, and parents and building great relationships with them." shared Johanna.
Johanna was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She moved to Florida in 2009, where she first learned English. She eventually joined FSDB, where she learned ASL, and became an FSDB Alumni of 2011.
A fun fact about Johanna is that she loves reading, writing, crafting and spending time with her husband and three children.
Congratulations on your new position, Johanna!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
October is Blind Awareness Month. Throughout the month, our Blind department celebrated. This past Friday was our annual Blind Awareness Parade. Staff and students from the Deaf Department came out on Usina Field to cheer on our Blind Department.
To view the photos from the parade, please click the link share below: https://zenfolio.page.link/CNZWU
#FSDBCampusLifeWednesday
Save the Date!!! The FSDB Braille Challenge will be held on February 27, 2025, on the FSDB campus.
Open to students in grades 1-12, the Braille Challenge provides a fun and friendly competition for students to show off their braille skills, meet new people, and participate in the day’s activities!
Braille Institute developed the Braille Challenge to motivate students to practice and hone their braille literacy skills, which are essential to academic and employment success.
For more information, please contact April Wallace at wallacea@fsdbk12.org or 904-827-2355.
Jehieli works with Mrs. Michelle Sminkey on her math enrichments, learning partial products with two three-digit multiplication after school.
Way to go!
#FSDBAcademicMonday
The volleyball team traveled to New Mexico for the Spike Out Tournament on October 4th & 5th. Even though we did not win, we still had a great time playing against other schools and spending time with our teammates!
#OneTeamOneHeartbeat #GoDragons #FSDBSportsSaturday
This is Jade Spann, a FSDB alumni of '13.
Jade attended FSDB in 7th grade and went there for six years.
She chose to attend FSDB because she wanted to be around Deaf students who is like her and be able to comunicate via ASL.
Her favorite memory at FSDB was making friends and partipcated in the sports.
"My advice for current students are to reach out for help if needed, and don't hesitate about it." shared Jade.
After FSDB, Jade went to a community college for her Associate, then got into University of Alabama as a undergraduate student.
Her proud accomplishment was battling with Type One Diabetic and Rhematiod Arthritis and made it through ever since she left FSDB.
As of right now, she is currently engaged with her fiance, Wally Jones and is living with a dog, Foxy, in Destin, Florida.
We are glad to hear you are doing great!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Our Takeover Thursdays are back! This week, the Orientation & Mobility Department will be taking over. Throughout the day, you can check out stories about what the O&M Department does.
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) announces public meetings 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, August 23, 2024
• 8:00 a.m. – Enrollment and Outreach Committee (Room 215)
• 8:45 a.m. – Audit Committee (Room 215)
• 10:00 a.m. – Endowment/Investment Committee (Room 215)
• 10:45 a.m. – Board Workshop (CLD)
• 2:30 p.m.– Regular Board Meeting (CLD)
Please note: Only the Regular Board meeting will be livestreamed and available on the FSDB Board of Trustees Meeting webpage at www.fsdbk12.org/board-of-trustees-meetings.
BHS art students are excited to showcase their work in The St. Augustine Art Association’s Tactile Art Show again this year with 24 pieces included in the show.
STAAA hosts this annual show in partnership with the Florida DeafBlind Association and FSDB. The show is on display in-gallery (Tuesdays through Sundays, 12:00 – 4:00pm) and online at any time: October 4 – 27, 2024.
https://www.staaa.org/event/tactile-art-show/
A small group of BHS students visited the gallery on Friday for a community service project with Ms. Hall, Mr. Crozier, and Mr. Jacobsen. Students prepared Braille signage for the show and previewed the art. BHS art classes will take a field trip to visit the show later this month. Here’s a sneak peek!
In 1980, FSDB and MSSD played a football game in Miami, Florida called North-South Bowl. It was the first time in history both played each other. However, FSDB lost the game 7 - 44.
This coming Friday, Oct 18, FSDB football team will be playing a game at MSSD and this will be the first 8-men team game.
History record:
11-men team- FSDB 3 won and 11 losses
8-men team: (0-0)
We wish FSDB the best of luck at the game!!
#FSDBWayBackWhensday
On Saturday, October 5th, six Blind High School students traveled to Huntsville, Alabama for Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCIVIS). The US Space & Rocket Center Space Camp hosts this camp once a year, specifically adapted for students with visual impairments.
The students participated in activities that would allow them to experience tasks or missions like those of astronauts and pilots. Some of these included scuba diving, team building exercises in the outdoors, simulators, and more. As part of their training, students participated in missions that would allow them to put into practice the skills and knowledge they learned throughout the week.
Our Advanced Space Academy students Alden Porter, Damian Palacios and Christian Chapu were part of team Marineris. Our Aviation Challenge students were Jazmin West, Hope Dixon and Kayla Bodiford. As part of the camp, the students were able to meet other visually impaired students from across the US and other countries like Costa Rica, Canada, Romania and Belgium.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesday
Welcome back, Sarah Robinson!
Sarah will be working with our Deaf Middle School girls in Gregg Hall.
Sarah previously worked as a residential instructor at Rhyne Hall and for Amazon.
She also attended FSDB from 2004 to 2015, graduating in 2015. Sarah shared that FSDB taught her a lot as a student.
"I am excited to return to my second home and contribute to FSDB with the knowledge I gained while growing up!" shared Sarah.
FSDB is thrilled to have you back with us!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
Welcome Erin Keane to FSDB!
Erin will be a Residential Instructor for Gregg Hall.
Erin is looking forward to starting her position by doing two things she loves- teaching & working with students with disabilities.
Erin is originally from Quincy, Massachusetts, and loves singing, swimming, fishing, and everything outdoors!
We are super excited to have you as part of our FSDB Family!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
The FSDB campus has been assessed and determined to be safe for staff and students to return. Classes will resume on Tuesday, October 15, as originally scheduled after the long weekend. Click the link below to read the full announcement and view it in ASL.
https://www.fsdbk12.org/alerts
Based on the most recent weather advisory and due to the lateness of the storm passing through our area, FSDB will be closed the remainder of the week.
Click the link below to read the full announcement and view it in ASL.
https://www.fsdbk12.org/alerts
FSDB participated in several weather briefings this morning on Hurricane Milton. The leadership team has decided to close the school from Tuesday, October 8, through Thursday, October 10. Click the link below to read the full announcement and view it in ASL.
https://www.fsdbk12.org/alerts
Recap of September 30- October 4:
- FSDB Swim Team had a meet against Tocoi and Fleming Island on Thursday, October 3.
- Two 2nd graders earned pennies in their class throughout the week. They visited the class store and had enough saved to buy cat ears.
- The Apartments make dinner every night as part of their Daily Living Skills Instruction. On one of the nights this week, they made spaghetti, Italian sausage, green beans, and garlic toast for dinner. Yummy!
#FSDBRecapSundays
