Our Blind High School Ski Club will be in Whitefish, Montana, from January 21 to 26. They will take over our social media to share their winter adventures with us. Follow our stories to see their fun moments on the slopes and enjoy the beautiful snowy scenery!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Congratulations to Billy Lange on his recent retirement!
Billy worked at FSDB for nearly six years. He began his career as an instructional assistant in the PE Department and was later promoted to Assistant Athletic Director under Donna Johnson. After her retirement, Billy took on the role of Interim Assistant Principal for the PE and Athletic Department. Following this interim position, he was appointed as the full-time Athletic Director.
Billy moved to Florida when he was six years old from Knoxville, Tennessee. He graduated from FSDB in '81. His siblings are Alumnis as well, and his parents worked at FSDB as teachers!
Billy has always aspired to work at FSDB. He retired from the Kentucky School for the Deaf after nearly thirty years and decided to apply for the instructional assistant position. Once he secured the job, he realized he wanted to give back to FSDB for all that it had done for his family.
"My best memories at FSDB are numerous, but two stand out: we won the Mason-Dixon Basketball Tournament in '79 and the Prep Football National Championships in '80," Billy shared.
Now that he is retired, Billy plans to pursue his interests in golf, work on home improvement projects, travel overseas, ride an E-bike on various trails across the state, and spend quality time with his new grandson, August.
A fun fact about Billy is that he used to compete in dirt bike racing and loved skateboarding. He even built a half-pipe ramp from scratch!
Although he wished to continue working at FSDB for a few more years, Billy decided to retire to focus on spending more time with his grandson.
Thank you for everything you have done for FSDB!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
The 1982-83 Wrestling team record was 12-3, and they had a good team. They also participated in the First Mason-Dixon Wrestling Tournament and won the Championship at Georgia School for the Deaf, Cave Spring, Ga. The Mason-Dixon Wrestling tournament was folded in 1988 due to insufficient school wrestling teams. (see picture)
The current FSDB 2024-25 team will attend the XVIII Willigan Wrestling Tournament at California School for the Deaf, Riverside, California, on January 24- 25, 2025.
Last year, the FSDB team got 4th place in the tournament at Texas School for the Deaf, Austin, Texas.
For more information about the XVIII Willigan Wrestling Tournament, go to: https://csdrathletics.com/willigan/
Source: XVII Willigan Wrestling Tournament Program book, picture from FSDB Museum.
Due to the winter storm passing through our area tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 22), FSDB will not run Yellow Bus routes 22, 25, 26, and 27 (morning and afternoon). The forecast includes freezing temperatures, rain and the possibility of ice on roads. Driving our buses in these conditions is unsafe.
School will still be in session, and parents may drop off and pick up their children for classes.
We will continue to work with the SJC Emergency Operations Center to monitor the weather. We will relay any changes to our operations through our mass notification system, the FSDB website and social media.
Please stay safe and warm.
Due to the winter storm passing through our area tomorrow (Wednesday, Jan. 22), FSDB will not run Yellow Bus routes 22, 25, 26, and 27 (morning and afternoon). The forecast includes freezing temperatures, rain and the possibility of ice on roads. Driving our buses in these conditions is unsafe.
School will still be in session, and parents may drop off and pick up their children for classes.
We will continue to work with the SJC Emergency Operations Center to monitor the weather. We will relay any changes to our operations through our mass notification system, the FSDB website and social media.
Please stay safe and warm.
On January 11, the 4th Annual "Run With a Vision 5K" took place on our beautiful campus, hosted by Randall Crosby of Shepphard Industries. Two of our BEMS students represented the school as entertainers while racers were registering and warming up. They were excellent ambassadors of the school during their 30+ minute mini-concert, concluding with the National Anthem. They were presented with a "Spirit Award" medal and an official t-shirt from the race.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
Our Girls' basketball team is Champions for the first time in Clerc Classic history, and our very own Kayla Debrow won Most Valuable Player (MVP)!
WAY TO GO, DRAGONS!!
#FSDBRecapSundays #OneTeamOneHeartbeat #GoDragons
The last home game for the Girls' Basketball team took place on Monday, January 13. During this game, we recognized our senior basketball players: Annabelle Abenchuchan, Kayla Debrow, Ivabella Essex, and our basketball manager, Juliana Diego. We also honored one of our senior cheerleaders, Markiel Jordan.
We will miss all of you!
#FSDBSportsSaturdays #OneTeamOneHeartbeat
This is Vanessa Waldhof, a senior in the Deaf Department at FSDB, where she has been for thirteen years.
Among the many classes she has taken, her favorites are AP English and Literature.
Vanessa holds numerous cherished memories from her time at FSDB, including growing up with friends, attending field trips, participating in sports teams, traveling, and expressing herself through the dance troupe. Lunchtimes with friends were particularly special, filled with laughter and fun.
One fun fact about Vanessa is her love for iced coffee—she’s rarely seen without a cup in hand, as it keeps her energized for her busy days.
We will miss Vanessa once she graudates!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
We are excited to welcome Bridget Monahan to FSDB!
Some of you may have seen her on campus as an OPS Interpreter, but now she has joined us as our newest staff interpreter!
Bridget is eager to provide access to all departments on campus while continuing to develop her interpreting skills.
"I am grateful to this school and all of our hard-working employees for making great things happen!" Bridget shared.
A fun fact about Bridget is that she loves to read; she always has a book with her!
We are thrilled to have you with us, Bridget!
#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.)
• Rooms: 215 and Center for Learning and Development (CLD)
Date and Time
• Friday, January 24, 2025
• 8:30 a.m. – Enrollment and Outreach Committee (Room 215)
• 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.
President Tracie Snow is excited to take over our social media platforms! She had the opportunity to accompany our Boys & Girls Basketball teams, along with our spirited cheerleading squad, on their trip to Texas for the Clerc Classic tournament. Stay tuned and keep an eye on our stories for some exciting behind-the-scenes content, highlights, and memorable moments from our president!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Congratulations to Ashton Bartok!
Ashton has been a part of the FSDB Deaf Department for two and a half years. He decided to defer his diploma to gain more experience before pursuing college. Ashton plans to work until August and then attend Gallaudet University in the fall.
Some of his favorite memories at FSDB include winning the Mason-Dixon competition with the cheer squad, participating in the Lion King performance, and dancing with the Dance Troupe. His favorite subjects are English and Dance.
Ashton shared, "FSDB is an amazing community, and if you keep an open mind, you will find friends here!"
We will miss seeing you around campus and dancing with the Dance Troupe!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Congratulations to Phoenix Lambirth!
Phoenix has been with us in the Deaf Department for three to four years.
"Each year has been filled with learning, challenges, and great memories!" stated Phoenix.
He deferred his diploma to take more time to focus on his goal of preparing for Southwest College for the Deaf (SWCD) at Howard College, with plans to transfer to either Gallaudet University or RIT/NITD.
Phoenix’s favorite subjects are English and Unique Skill, and he has received significant support in reading and English from his teachers, Zachary Bridgett and Lauren Fox.
One of his favorite memories at FSDB is winning the 69th Annual Mason-Dixon Boys Basketball Tournament Championship, a moment he will cherish forever.
Phoenix advises other kids who wish to attend FSDB that it is a fantastic place to be yourself and grow in unexpected ways. There are countless activities to participate in and opportunities to learn. The deaf community, along with the teachers and staff, is outstanding.
"It's not just a school; it's a community where everyone's uniqueness is celebrated!" Phoenix shared.
He is grateful for everything he has experienced at FSDB and plans to carry the lessons, friendships, and memories into the future.
We will miss you, Phoenix, and we can’t wait to see you accomplish great things!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Hello FSDB Families,
We wanted to send a reminder that this weekend will be a "Long Weekend." All students will go home tomorrow, Thursday, January 16, at 2:05 p.m. (Friday schedule). There is no school on Friday and Monday (Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday). SHOW Bus students will be picked up on Monday, January 20, at their normal pick-up time. Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 21.
We hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
Last year, FSDB Cheerleading, Boys and Girls Basketball teams went to Maryland School for the Deaf, Frederick, MD. for the XXII Clerc Classic Basketball tournament.
This weekend, January 16-18, 2025, FSDB teams will head to Texas School for the Deaf, Austin, Texas. There is a total of eight schools, twenty-four teams and three championships.
For more information about the XXIII Clerc Classic tournament, clercclassic.com/.
We wish FSDB team the best of luck in the tournament.
Source: XXII Clerc Classic Program book, property of FSDB Museum.
#FSDBHistory #FSDBWayBackWhensdays
During the last week of school in December, the Blinding Lights Show Choir, along with guest soloist, McKenzie, was requested for some private events in the community.
On Tuesday, December 17, the group performed at Sawgrass Country Club where they sang for a "standing-room-only" audience. Students enjoyed touring the Club area, which was beautifully decorated for Christmas and Hanukkah before their performance, which included songs such as Jazz Waltz of the Sugar Plum Fairy and Theme from Elf.
They followed up this performance with another at the NEFEC Winter Conference in Palatka. The students thoroughly enjoy singing at these performances and look forward to visiting every year.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
FSDB Robotics Team 74837B won the Judges Award this past weekend's Warrior Robotic Tournament in Lutz, FL!
Way to go!
#ThisIsFSDB
In the Early Learning Center, our students have classroom pets!
Having fish and frogs as classroom pets is a fun way for students to enhance their social skills! They bond with one another by interacting and working together to care for these little creatures. Plus, it gives them a chance to learn about responsibility through feeding, cleaning, and discovering the fascinating world of aquatic life. We have each student's name assigned to feed the pet every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. They recognize their name and know it's their turn to feed them. It's a great way to make learning hands-on and enjoyable!
#FSDBAcademicMondays
Our Robotics teams have recently qualified for the NRSC Deaf/HH tournament through their programming skills. They have been very busy preparing for the upcoming February tournament in Georgia.
So far, FSDB's High School teams have competed 3 times since October and have made it to the qualifying rounds.
The game components include alliance matches, skills assessments, an engineering notebook, and a team interview.
Each component has criteria the teams must learn to prepare for the tournament day. During the tournament day, they are expected to show their abilities toward each component to earn points.
We wish our teams the best of luck!
#FSDBRecapSunday
