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: Center for Learning and Development (CLD) and Room 215
Date and Time
• Friday, February 28, 2025
• 8:30 a.m. – Audit Committee Meeting (Room 215)
• 9:30 a.m.– Regular Board Meeting (CLD)
Note: Only the Regular Board Meeting will be livestreamed and available on the FSDB Board of Trustees Meeting webpage at https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/board-of-trustees-livestream
Welcome Jessica Voorhees to FSDB!
Jessica was previously an Architectural Review Coordinator and works at FSDB as a Construction Projects Consultant II.
Jessica is excited about doing what she loves as a professional and being able to do it for a great cause and with this, the amazing FSDB community.
Jessica is a Peruvian architect from a North Coast city called "The Friendship's Capital" named Chiclayo.
"The more I learn about FSDB, the prouder I am to be part of the FSDB Family," shared Jessica.
We are so happy to have you as part of the FSDB Family!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
It’s that time of year again!
In less than four months, our Class of 2025 seniors will graduate on the Kirk Auditorium stage. This week, our Deaf seniors have been visiting the Communication & Public Relations studio to take their photos. Be sure to check our stories for behind-the-scenes content!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays #Classof2025
The Outdoor Club went on their last outing to Surfside Beach on February 6.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
Our Early Learning Center students continued the tradition of stopping by Moore Hall to greet staff and give them special Valentine's Day treats!
#FSDBRecapSunday
Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a big round of applause to the FSDB Middle School Flag Football Team! 🏈
In their historic first-ever game on Tuesday, after just one practice, these incredible girls took to the field with determination and heart.
They worked tirelessly, learning the ins and outs of positioning, offense, defense, and the overall flow of the game. Kaliyah Jones and Cheyenne Phillips showcased their skills by sharing the quarterback duties.
Despite a tough 44-0 loss, the team displayed remarkable sportsmanship and an unwavering drive for improvement. This is just the beginning of their journey, and we can't wait to see how they grow and excel in the future.
#FSDBSportsSaturday
This is Wesley Homewood.
Wesley joined FSDB in 2007 at the end of fourth grade and graduated from the Blind Department as the valedictorian in 2015.
He attended the University of North Florida, where he studied Deaf Education. While in college, he began working in the FSDB Recreational Department, coaching football and wrestling.
After graduating from UNF, he took on the role of a fifth-grade teacher at the Deaf Elementary School (DES). Since then, he has served as a tutor for both DES and the Deaf Middle School (DMS), worked in the Recreational Department, and coordinated the K-2 Summer Camp for two years. He also partnered with the Recreational Department to coach the Youth League Basketball and Youth League Wrestling teams.
Wesley fondly remembers his time as a student at FSDB. Some of his most treasured memories include winning the 2013 National Deaf Football Championship, qualifying for the State Wrestling Tournament after years of hard work and support from his coaches, attending Close Up in Washington D.C., and participating in the Ski Club.
"FSDB provides many opportunities for its students," Wesley stated.
Working at FSDB has been a rewarding experience for him. He enjoys watching his students grow both academically and personally. He strives to be the best version of himself for his students and was honored to be recognized as the 2024-2025 DES Teacher of the Year.
Wesley strongly believes in FSDB's vision of preparing students for a lifetime of success. The school has allowed him to pursue this vision in various roles both in and out of the classroom. FSDB holds significant importance for him and his family.
A fun fact about Wesley is that he loves traveling to national parks and camping during FSDB's winter, spring, and summer breaks!
We loved seeing you grow throughout the years at FSDB!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
Welcome Martha Stirrat to FSDB!
Martha previously worked as a Teacher of the Visually Impaired and now serves as an Orientation and Mobility Specialist.
She looks forward to teaching students essential skills they can use for the rest of their lives.
A fun fact about Martha is that she moved to St. Augustine for her FSDB internship six years ago, and she is excited to be working here finally!
We are thrilled to have you at FSDB!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
FSDB wishes everyone a Happy Valentine's Day! We love our community, staff, students, and their families!
#HappyValentinesDay #ThisIsFSDB
We are excited to welcome Ashley Williams to FSDB!
Before joining FSDB, she worked as a Comptroller Assistant and is now a Professional Accountant Specialist.
Ashley is eager to explore this new opportunity and gain more knowledge in the accounting field.
A few fun facts about Ashley: she is from Mechanicsville, Maryland, and graduated high school at 17 and college at 20.
Welcome to the FSDB Family!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
Today, Scott Botelho, from our Technology Department, will be taking over our social media! You can often spot him bustling around campus, ready to lend a hand. Be sure to check out our stories and join Scott on his exciting adventures today!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Continuing with #FSDBBlackHistoryMonth:
- **Photo A**: A Black Department workshop in the 1930s, where students are engaged in carpentry and farming, taught by Cary White.
- **Photo B**: Cary White’s classroom at Old Knowles Hall, circa the 1950s.
- **Photo C**: Girls in the Black Vocational Department participating in a cosmetology class in the 1960s.
- **Photo D**: Ida Hampton’s classroom at Old Knowles Hall with students, also from the 1960s.
Source: FSDB Museum
#FSDBWayBackWhensdays
Blind High School Close-Up students are in Washington, D.C.! We look forward to seeing their pictures and hearing about their learning. Have a great trip!
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
Hello FSDB Deaf Department Families!
Parent University Presents: Let's Talk About Springtime Fun! Students, Parents, Siblings and Friends are Welcome! This class will be on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 at 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at Bloxham Hall, Room 213.
During this class you will learn to communicate about all things spring! Learn signs for Spring: weather, clothing, activities, food, holidays and much more. Communicating doesn't just mean ASL. We will discuss strategies to use when others around you don't know sign language. All skill levels are welcome and needed. This is a perfect opportunity to learn and play together.
RSVP is required to ensure we have sufficient materials and dinner for everyone.
Please RSVP at the link below:
https://bit.ly/FSDB-SPRING-2025
This is a new location for us. It is the first building on the right after entering the gates at Palm Row.
Parents must check-in at the Front Gate. Travel Reimbursement is available.
For more information please visit the FSDB Parent Classes page at:
https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/parent-classes
Sakura Vinson did an outstanding job on Friday, February 7, in the Restaurant Service SkillsUSA competition.
The judge remarked on her resume skills, encouraged her to apply for service jobs through Disney and cruise ships, and commended her skills.
Sakura demonstrated table setting, napkin folding, order taking, serving, and table-side Caesar salad. Her interpersonal skills and serviceable attitude shined.
Well done Sakura!!!
#FSDBAcademicMondays
Welcome Taria Pellicer to FSDB!
Taria will be a Residential Instructor for Gregg Hall.
She is excited about her position because she enjoys working with kids. Taria loves the FSDB community, which inspired her to join us. She also looks forward to being involved in sports with the students.
Originally from Saint Augustine, Taria is passionate about sports!
We are thrilled to have you as part of our FSDB family!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
Welcome Megan Mizell to FSDB!
Megan is a Residential Instructor for Apartments, looking forward to her new job, which will allow her to interact with others.
Megan is from Fresno, California, and she enjoys camping and fishing.
We are so happy to have you here with us at FSDB!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
- Deaf Middle School attended the Jacksonville Iceman hockey game on Tuesday, February 4.
- From January 21 to January 26, the Blind Ski Club traveled to Whitefish, Montana, for their Annual trip. Thank you to DREAM Adaptive Recreation volunteers and staff for joining and teaching us to ski!
- Girls Basketball are 1A District 3 Runner-Up. The Lady Dragons fell just short of the District Championship, losing 42-44 to St. Johns Country Day. With an 18-4 record, the Lady Dragons will hopefully get an at-large bid into the regional tournament.
#FSDBRecapSundays
On Wednesday, February 5, we recongized our senior wrestlers at their last regular match meet.
- Adrian Vreeland
- Antawn Wanliss
- Joshua Newman
- Tyler Boskett
- Jackson Swartzlander (Manager)
We will miss every one of you!
#FSDBSportsSaturday #OneTeamOneHeartbeat
This is Raymond Giustiniani Jr.
Raymond enrolled at FSDB in 1994 and graduated in 1997.
From 2004 to 2016, Raymond worked as a Residential Instructor in McLane Hall for middle school boys. He then served in Rhyne Hall for high school boys from 2016 to 2018, and subsequently in Vaill Hall from 2018 to 2022. Since January 2023, he has been a Senior Residential Instructor for the Ray Charles Apartment Program.
In addition to his role as a Residential Instructor, Raymond has also been a bus attendant, an emergency driver, the head coach for elementary boys' basketball, and a coach for middle school boys' basketball.
Raymond returned to FSDB to teach students that they can achieve their goals. He aims to be a role model for deaf individuals and to support students in succeeding after graduation.
As a student, Raymond had two favorite memories. The first was a Close-Up trip to Washington, D.C., which was his first airplane trip. He enjoyed meeting many new friends and reconnecting with them at Gallaudet University. His other memorable experience was his senior trip, where he had a great time with his friends before graduation.
As an employee, he has many cherished memories, but one that stands out is when he coached the Elementary Boys Basketball team that won the championship in 2019.
A fun fact about Raymond is that he grew up in Woodstock, New York, before moving to Florida.
We love having you here at FSDB!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDBFridays #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam
