Interested in participating in athletics for the 2025- 2026 school year? FSDB will offer free sports physical exams on the following dates:
• April 15th, 3:30-6:30 pm (Football Players and Current High School Student-Athletes)
• May 6th, 3:30-6:30 pm (All Current Middle School and 5th Grade Student-Athletes)
Are you ready to become a vital part of the FSDB Family? We’re on the lookout for our next outstanding athletic director! If you’re passionate about athletics and leadership, we want to hear from you. Click the link below to discover more about this exciting opportunity and submit your application. Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this message!
https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/careers
Thursday evening, April 3, the Blind High School Performing Arts students enjoyed a full theatre experience. They got dressed up and went out for a night on the town. They attended Les Miserables, a Broadway Musical about overcoming your past and setting your sights on living a good and prosperous life, set during the French Revolution. This musical was held at the Times Union Center for the Performing Arts at Moran Theatre in downtown Jacksonville, Fl.
The students enjoyed having a night out with their friends and listening to amazing music. They also gained experience in ECC components, etiquette, and advocacy. Students were selected by completing an interest form which included short essay answering why they desired to go and what they hoped to gain from their attendance.
Special thanks to the Artist in Residency Program for sponsoring this event.
#FSDBAcademicMonday
Here are some exciting recaps from both our deaf and blind departments!
- In Deaf Elementary, Mr. Homewood's 5th grade class completed a project related to the Florida Gators Softball team. In this project, they were challenged to find the best recruit to add to the Gators team to help them win the 2025 NCAA Women's College World Series. The Florida Gators were super kind and sent the students signed posters and a signed softball to be displayed in the classroom!
- On March 31, Students from BES attended a theatre event through the Artist in Residency program! We traveled to the Florida Theater in downtown Jacksonville to see The Stinky Cheese Man!
- On April 1, Culinary Arts and guest Career Experience/Soar students today toured the Hyatt Regency Riverfront Hands-On training program. Students (aged 18+) can gain paid on-the-job training in an 80-hour program, earning a certificate and a chance for hire at a world-class hotel! There are several training sites in Florida and others around the country.
#FSDBRecapSundays
Our Boys Middle School Flag Football team is thriving and making great strides this season!
#FSDBSportsSaturdays #GoDragons #OneTeamOneHearbeat
This is Logan Cake.
Logan is a senior in the Blind Department and has been with FSDB for six years.
Some of Logan's favorite memories at FSDB include dressing up in fun costumes for spirit days, spending time with staff and students during school trips, events, and classes.
His favorite subjects are math and science.
Logan is very dedicated to his studies and will graduate with his Associate of Arts degree before completing high school this May. He is the first student in the Blind High School to achieve this milestone that any staff member can remember.
What a great accomplishment, Logan! We will miss seeing you around campus once you graduate.
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDBFridays #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Congratulations to Calvin Klinger, who was recently named one of the top 5 finalists for the School-Related Employee of the Year by the Florida Department of Education!
Calvin is the S.H.O.W. (Students Home on Weekends) Coordinator for the FSDB Transportation Department and has been a valued member of the FSDB community for over 17 years. He was awarded FSDB's 2025 School-Related Employee of the Year and is now among the top five finalists from across Florida.
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Dance Troupe presents their production of Disney's Frozen JR. on Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. Both shows are in Kirk Auditorium on the FSDB campus and are open to the campus community as well as the public. Admission is FREE. The spectacular 60-minute musical is based on the 2013 Disney film and the 2018 Broadway adaptation.
Click on the link shared below to learn important information needed to know if planning on attending :https://www.fsdbk12.org/article/2080846
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 16-20, 2025 (ages 8-12)
• June 21-27, 2025 (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!
https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/summer-quest
Our Rhyne Hall Boys High School dorm will take over our social media this afternoon into the evening. We will share what the boys and staff are doing throughout the night. There will be plenty of fun activities, from games to creative projects and meals. Stay tuned to our stories to see all the action!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Frank Turk's early commitment to nurturing youth led him to become the National Director of Junior NAD from 1966 to 1980. In 1968, with the support of Gary Olsen, Frank founded the NAD Youth Leadership Camp (YLC), a four-week summer program that has helped shape over 3,000 Deaf youth into strong, confident leaders and advocates, considering Frank their greatest mentor.
FSDB Junior NAD was founded in 1967 and continues to operate today. Many FSDB students have attended the YLC camp over the years. Frank's encouragement in establishing Junior NAD and assisting FSDB students develop strong leadership skills is greatly appreciated.
In 1977, Frank Turk visited FSDB and gave the students a presentation on Junior NAD and leadership. The students gained valuable insights about leadership and organization. Frank shared wisdom and engaged in meaningful discussions with them.
Regrettably, Frank has recently passed away, which is truly heartbreaking for the Deaf community in America. May he rest in peace.
Source: FSDB Museum, Google, FSDB 1978 Yearbook
#FSDBWayBackWhensdays #FSDBHistory
The Blind High School Class of 2025 and the FSDB Recreation Program hosted a carnival on March 13 in the Blind Department Courtyard. The event featured delicious food, lively music, fun activities, and exciting prizes! BES students also had a great time meeting President Snow at the carnival.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
A group of 9 DMS students went to Utah for their National Deaf Theatre Festival this weekend. 🎭 They have immersed themselves in workshops and activities to learn theatre history, networking with peers, and performance skills. They have been buzzing with energy the whole trip! We’re so grateful to have this fantastic opportunity.
#FSDBAcadmeicMondays
In a collaboration between DMS' Brandon Call's Biology class and DHS' Hancock's woodshop, a Chameleon Cage Enclosure was created out of pressure-treated lumber- called to the work to assemble a cabinet from scratch. It was designed carefully to include lighting, water, and air where the screens were installed. Two chameleons are diving into the world of nature in the friendly confines of this enclosure.
The students involved were the entire class, Joey Locklear, Gabe Mitchell, Joey Seppala, Byrce do los Santos, and Frantz Valbrun were great contributors to the work.
Awesome work!
#FSDBReapSundays
In a nail-biting contest, the Lady Dragons triumphed over Veritas Academy on March 25th. The game kicked off with a defensive safety by Mayrani Aguilar, putting the Dragons ahead 2-0. Veritas Academy fought back fiercely, scoring a pick-six and another touchdown to take the lead.
But the Dragons, embodying true grit and determination, cameback to clinch the victory with a final score of 24-20. Anita Reyes, Chazzy Barria, and Mayrani Aguilar contributed crucial points.
The defense was the backbone of this victory, with stellar flag pulls and preventing any major yardage plays. This team exemplifies continuous improvement and resilience.
#FSDBSportsSaturday #GoDragons #OneTeamOneHeartbeat
This is Alison Colvin.
Alison began her career at FSDB in 1997 as a Residential Dorm Staff member. She later transitioned to her current role as an Instructional Assistant for Deaf Elementary.
Alison has been a three-year class sponsor and safety patrol leader for seven years. Additionally, she has been involved in the Reading Summer Camp for sixteen years.
In 1992, due to the hurricane, Alison relocated from Miami, Florida, to Saint Augustine, seeking the best education for her three children. They graduated from FSDB in 2005, 2006, and 2010. Her grandson is currently enrolled at FSDB.
"What makes FSDB unique is the incredible support from teachers and staff, along with the privilege of watching students learn, grow, and thrive!" Alison shared.
Some fun facts about Alison include her love for fishing and participation in fishing tournaments, her enjoyment of traveling, and her favorite hobby, crocheting.
We are thrilled to have you as part of our FSDB Family!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDBFridays #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
Today, our Staff ASL Instructor, LaDonna Snyder, will take over our social media! Check our stories to see a typical day for her at FSDB. This week, our staff members have been learning about De'VIA, a genre of visual art that represents Deaf culture, so you can expect to see some stories featuring their presentations!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Today is the last Wednesday of March, so let's celebrate Women's History Month one final time!
We highlight Inez B. Knowles, a teacher for black students from 1924-1959 for 35 years!
Inez graduated from Georgia School for the Deaf in 1920 and had two deaf sisters.
In 1924, she started working at FSDB as a houseparent, home economics teacher, supervisor and academic classroom teacher. That picture of Old Knowles Hall shows where she taught students during segregation for many years. Many students and staff loved her.
She worked under four presidents: Dr. Walker, Dr. Brown, Dr Settles and Mr. Wallace.
Her hearing husband, Otis Knowles, was the principal of the Black Department and athletic director of black deaf sports teams.
In 1965, there was a building, Knowles Hall, named after her in her honor.
Source: FSDB Florida School Herald, FSDB Museum.
#FSDBWayBackWhensday
Today is the last Wednesday of March, so let's celebrate Women's History Month one final time!
We highlight Inez B. Knowles, a teacher for black students from 1924-1959 for 35 years!
Inez graduated from Georgia School for the Deaf in 1920 and had two deaf sisters.
In 1924, she started working at FSDB as a houseparent, home economics teacher, supervisor and academic classroom teacher. That picture of Old Knowles Hall shows where she taught students during segregation for many years. Many students and staff loved her.
She worked under four presidents: Dr. Walker, Dr. Brown, Dr Settles and Mr. Wallace.
Her hearing husband, Otis Knowles, was principal of the Black Department and athletic director of black deaf sports teams.
In 1965, there was a building, Knowles Hall, named after her in her honor.
Source: FSDB Florida School Herald, FSDB Museum.
#FSDBWayBackWhensday
Congratulations to our Troupe 11048 Thespians on bringing home top honors from the Florida State Thespian Festival! All four students earned a Superior and have qualified for the International Competition!
Be sure to congratulate these talented Thespians when you see them! They did a fantastic job at States!
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays #FSDBArts
