On Thursday, April 17, we celebrated 12 students' induction into the National Honor Society, a prestigious organization that recognizes outstanding students and empowers and equips them to become transformative leaders in their school and community.
Congratulations to Addison Allen, Christian Chapu, Sara Griley, Gabe Kramer, Jasen McDaniel, Paige Hart-Myers, Melissa Oramas Santana, Alden Porter, Logan Strickland, Adrian Vreeland, Parker Watson, and Jayden Weaver!
To view the photos from the event, please click on the link shared below:
https://zenfolio.page.link/nHf4w
#FSDBRecapSundays
The boys and girls track team flew to Austin, Texas, to compete in the 15th Berg Seeger Classic on April 11th and 12th. The girl's team placed 3rd out of 19 teams, and the boy's team placed 6th out of 17. A few highlights were:
1. Kayla Debrow placed 1st in the long and triple jump
2. Mariska Dize placed 1st in the discus
3. Both the girls 4 x 100 relay and the 4 x 800 relay placed 2nd
4. The boys 4 x 200 relay team placed 1st and the 4 x 100 relay team placed 2nd (they lost by .01 seconds)
5. Edward Bell placed 2nd in the 100m dash
To view the rest of the results, please click the link below: https://fsdbathletics.org/news/2025/4/15/15th-berg-seeger-track-field-classic.aspx
Thank you, Faye, for taking these fantastic photos of our athletes! @fayesefcikphoto
#FSDBSportsSaturday #GoDragons #OneTeamOneHeartbeat
This is Marla Hilliard.
Marla started working at FSDB in the fall of 1994. She began as an elementary teacher in the Special Needs Department and then moved to Deaf Elementary, where she taught first grade, second grade, and learning lab to kindergarten through third grade.
Marla's husband graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Ph.D. in Industrial Organization Psychology, so they decided to move to a coastal area. They found St. Augustine to be a beautiful place and saw that FSDB was looking for a teacher of the Deaf, where she started her FSDB career as a teacher in the Special Needs Department.
Two of Marla's favorite memories are the students and their hugs, smiles, "I love you," and visits from former students. The second memory is sharing laughter with her colleagues.
Marla shares that this school is unique because FSDB offers a variety of opportunities for students and staff to develop their skills. The students receive a vast array of therapy services and accommodations that meet their academic and social needs, plus there are after-school recreational programs, tutoring, etc. The teaching staff is given training that improves or enhances teaching skills and strategies. FSDB has an abundance of talented and dedicated individuals willing to support and mentor one another.
"When I look back at my classroom photos, no matter what year I taught, my heart still skips with love and joy. I'm not sure how fun that is, but it is a fact," shared Marla
We love having Marla as part of our FSDB Family!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam
Hello FSDB Families,
We wanted to send a reminder that this weekend will be a "Long Weekend." All students will go home today, Thursday, April 17, at 2:05 p.m. (Friday schedule). There is no school on Friday and Monday (Easter Weekend). SHOW Bus students will be picked up on Monday, April 21, at their normal pick-up time. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 22.
We hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
Have you ever wondered who prepares and serves food for our students? Check out our stories today to see our amazing Food Services department take over our social media!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
FSDB male students were in the FSDB Military program under the PE Department. They wore uniforms and received parade training. Each year, the FSDB military program participates in the Ponce DeLeon Celebration in downtown St. Augustine. In 1923, FSDB won the award for the Best Drilled Company. The Military program ran from 1905 to the 1950s.
Top Left: FSDB Military Parade in 1922
Top Right: 1923 Best Drilled Company Cup awarded to FSDB
Bottom: FSDB Military team in 1950
Credit: FSDB Archives
#FSDBWayBackWhensdays #FSDBHistory #DeafHistoryMonth
Kramer students went on a field trip through the Community Outings program, funded by the Advancement Department. The trip gave the students to enjoy dinner, arcade games, and shopping.
They sure had a blast!
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesday
The deadline for Summer Quest applications is fast approaching, and spots are filling up! Please submit your completed application by April 25, 2025.
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
In Deaf Elementary, our 4th-grade students from Ms. Bell’s learned about a famous Deaf artist, Chuck Baird, through our celebration of Deaf History Month. So, students decided to make their own Chuck Baird-inspired art!
#FSDBAcademicMonday #DeafHistoryMonth
Congratulations to our FSDB Varsity Girls Basketball Team for being named the NDIAA Team of the Year! Their remarkable teamwork, perseverance, and excellence have earned them this recognition. We are so proud of their achievements this season and look forward to more accomplishments.
#GoDragons #oneteamoneheartbeat #nationaldeafinterscholasticathleticassociation
Congratulations to Dayton Newman on receiving the title of distinguished Wrestling Coach of the Year! This honor reflects his exceptional ability, dedication, and passion for inspiring, mentoring, and guiding his wrestling team to greatness. We look forward to seeing his continued success in the years to come.
#GoDragons #oneteamoneheartbeat #nationaldeafinterscholasticathleticassociation
Congratulations to Joy Fraychineaud on being named Basketball Coach of the Year! Her exceptional leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on her girls basketball team and other student-athletes. This recognition shows her extraordinary influence and success.
#GoDragons #oneteamoneheartbeat #nationaldeafinterscholasticathleticassociation
Congratulations to Kayla Debrow on earning the prestigious Player of the Year honor for girls basketball! Her talent, dedication, and hard work have set her apart as a true champion in girls basketball. We look forward to following her continued journey and accomplishments throughout college.
#GoDragons #oneteamoneheartbeat #nationaldeafinterscholasticathleticassociation
Summer 2025 ECC Interactive Learning Series: Forever Gardening
Join us for a two-day skills workshop. Students will use a variety of clay, paint, brushes, and tactile materials to create an everlasting garden of tactile flowers. They will also learn about gardening, flowers, and jobs related to gardening and art. We will also have a special guest from the D&B Garden Center. The workshop will be facilitated by certified teachers in the field. Students aged 6-17 who live in Florida and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Visually Impaired, or Deafblind/Dual Sensory Impaired are eligible to join us.
Learn more at https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/ecc-interactive-learning-series
On Wednesday, April 9, AT& T Pioneers came to provide BES grades K-3 a beeping egg hunt at Kid's Town. This community volunteer group has been coming to FSDB for over 20 years. The visually impaired students used blindfolds and goggles to ensure equal access while locating the eggs. Each student had a volunteer as a sighted guide to assist. Once all the eggs were collected, the students counted to see who had found the most eggs. The pioneer group then gave the kids a snack and a goody bag to bring home. It is such a special event that the kids and adults look forward to each year.
#FSDBRecapSunday #ThisIsFSDB
On Tuesday, April 8, the Girls' Flag Football team hosted a home game celebrating Senior Night. We honored our five seniors: Kavira Vihugho, Ivabella Essex, Annabelle Abenchuchan, Markeil Jordan, and Kayla Debrow.
Photo credits: Deaf High School Yearbook Staff
#FSDBSportsSaturdays #GoDragons #OneTeamOneHeartbeat
This is Kendall Younkman.
Kendall attended FSDB in 2011 as an 8th grader and graduated from the Deaf Department in 2016.
Kendall chose to attend FSDB because she wanted to connect with other Deaf students who were just like her. She was thrilled to discover that the teachers knew ASL. Before attending FSDB, she believed she was the only Deaf person, but her experience there changed that perception. With her energetic personality, she quickly made many friends and loved to uplift others with her positive attitude.
One of her fondest memories from her time at FSDB is from her junior year prom, where she danced all night with her friends after taking off her heels. She also enjoyed all the after-school field trips.
After graduating from FSDB, Kendall attended RIT/NTID to study communications for three years. She then moved back to Florida to pursue an associate degree at a local community college. Currently, she is living in St. Augustine and attending Flagler College, where she is set to graduate with her Bachelor's degree this May.
A fun fact about Kendall is that she loves adventures, including taking her family's boat out on the water.
We love to see our alumni thriving after graduating from FSDB!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam
Have you ever wondered why our campus looks so clean and beautiful? It's because we have a fantastic Grounds team! Check our social media today to see what our Grounds team accomplishes daily!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Deaf History Month continues.
Dr. Albert H. Walker was born in Cedar Springs, South Carolina. His grandfather founded the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind (SCSDB), his father served as the superintendent, and his siblings were also educators for the deaf. Together, their family operated SCSDB for 131 years, from 1849 to 1980. In recognition of their contribution, Walker Hall at SCSDB is named after them.
In 1896, Albert married Betty Rawlings in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and they had two daughters together. Before joining FSDB, he taught at the Tennessee and Texas Schools for the Deaf.
Beginning in 1902, Walker served as the head teacher and later became the president of FSDB, holding that position for twenty-one years—one of the longest presidencies in FSDB history.
In addition to his roles as an educator, Walker worked as an interpreter, chauffeur, editor, scorekeeper, and a promoter of FSDB. He also served as a director of Commercial Bank in St. Augustine, was a trustee at Flagler Hospital, and was a member of the Rotary Club.
In 1916, Walker received an honorary doctorate from the University of Florida.
In 1921, he invited United States President Warren G. Harding to visit FSDB and presented to the students and staff. President Harding returned for another visit in 1923.
In honor of his contributions, Walker Hall at FSDB is named after Dr. Albert H. Walker.
#FSDBWayBackWhensdays #FSDBHistory #DeafHistoryMonth
During recreation time, students have the option to practice yoga.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
