Blind Elementary/Middle School -

FSDB participated in several weather briefings over the last few hours about potential Tropical Cyclone Nine. This system is expected to become a hurricane and could potentially reach the coast as a major hurricane. The leadership team has decided that five SHOW bus students will go home early this week following the regular Friday pick-up bus schedules (see routes below). We understand you may not have bad weather in your area, however, there is concern that the roads might not be safe later in the week because of the storm. We also have to make sure our bus chaperones have enough time to make it back safely to FSDB after dropping off your child. Our thoughts are with every family during this weather event and hope you all stay safe. Further communication regarding classes for the rest of the week will be shared as we learn more about the path and impact of this storm.   The following SHOW routes WILL go home on Tuesday, September 24 at 2:05 p.m. All students on these routes MUST go home. • SHOW Route 1 – Naples • SHOW Route 2 – Pinellas Park • SHOW Route 3 – Pensacola • SHOW Route 8 – Ocala  • SHOW Route 9 – Land O’ Lakes Please visit our FSDB Alerts page for further updates. (www.fsdbk12.org/alerts)

Hello, FSDB Families!!! The first Parent Engagement Workshop for the 2024-25 school year themed "Don't Bottle It Up!" will be held on Friday, September 13, at 9 am at Moore Hall CLD. Details and RSVP information are below. About Childhood has changed over the last several years. This change began long before the pandemic and has had a significant impact on how our children and youth engage with the world. In the book, The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt describes the transition from play-based childhood to phone-based childhood and how ‘safetyism’ blocks the experiences that build resilience in young people. Let the fear and anxiety go away! Find the joy in academics and assessments as we venture through the core memories of the FSDB academic program. This session will provide some highlights from the book and a discussion on how we can support our young people at home and school. President Tracie Snow will POP-IN! and lead an interactive game. RSVP Remember to RSVP by September 10 to ensure we have sufficient supplies, lunch, and cookies! Please RSVP at the following link: https://bit.ly/PEW-SEPT-2024 For more information, contact Misty Porter, FSDB Parent Liasion, at 904-827-2988 or porterm@fsdbk12.org Travel reimbursement is available for this event. All guests must check in at campus police prior to joining us for the workshop.

We are excited to announce the creation of customized locker name tags for our new students who joined the Blind Middle School this year! These unique tags are designed carefully and creatively to ensure each student feels special and recognized. Steps to Create the Tags: - Coloring: Each name tag is filled with the student’s favorite colors, making them vibrant and personalized. - Hand Stamping: Each tag is hand-stamped with images that the students love, adding a personal touch to each tag. - Lamination: The tags are laminated for durability, ensuring they last throughout the school year. - Braille Labels: Clear Braille labels are added so students can independently read their names. Magnetic Attachment: The tags come with a magnet, allowing them to move easily. Our students have expressed immense joy and appreciation for these customized gifts. They feel valued and excited to receive something made for them, which they can use and cherish daily. This initiative enhances their school experience and fosters a sense of belonging and independence. #FSDBAcademicMondays

Two weeks until Homecoming! We are so excited to see former students, families, FSDB staff, students and new faces gather to socialize and cheer on our teams on September 7! Show your support by wearing red or dragon gear! Below is the schedule for September 7: 8:30 a.m. - Volleyball 3 team ( Florida, Louisana & Tennessee) tournament @ Settles Gym 2:00 p.m. - Academic Bowl (Students vs. Alumni) @ Kirk Auditorium 5:00 p.m - J.V. Football vs. TBA @ Usina Field 7:00 p.m. - V Football vs. Tennessee @ Usina Field Let's go Dragons!!!! #FSDBSportSaturdays #Homecoming2024

Welcome Theresa "Tracy" Lawing to FSDB! Theresa is working in the BEMS as an English Language Arts teacher! She loves teaching, reading, and writing. She believes that students need an audience or a place to publish their studies to understand their words' value fully. " I want to thank the Blind Middle School staff for their warm welcome. I had a wonderful first day of school meeting our students!" shared Theresa. Theresa is from Long Beach, California, but most recently lived in Farmington, New Mexico, where Theresa and her husband raised their family. Another fun fact is Theresa has been to Disneyland over 100 times. She was a "cast member" when she was in high school! We are so glad to have you here with us!! #ThisisFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB

FSDB is excited to continue our Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) Interactive Learning Series for children who are blind/visually impaired (B/VI) or deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH).   Join us for the 2024-25 Fall Virtual ECC Interactive Learning Series, "Life Essentials - Being Prepared - Tools for Success". Each student will receive a box of materials and join this collaborative virtual classroom that promotes creativity, conversation, and an opportunity to build skills connected to the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC). Materials will be mailed to your home the week before the event. • When: Saturday, September 21, 2024, from 10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. EST (Eastern Standard Time) • What: An interactive morning for students ages 6-15 who are deaf/hard of hearing (D/HH), blind/visually impaired (B/VI), or dual sensory impaired (DSI) and who live in Florida. • Where: Virtual classroom via ZOOM. You must register, and space is limited! Register at the link below: https://bit.ly/Fall-Virtual-ECC-2024 For questions, please contact Jennifer Valderrama at valderramaj@fsdbk12.org or 904-827-2454.

Welcome Michele Dosio to FSDB! Michele will be an Instructional Assistant for our Blind Elementary and Middle school students. She is looking forward to meeting her students and their families! Michele has four children, all boys, and loves plants & flowers. She is from Pennsylvania and was a wedding florist and an elementary teacher for seven years! We are so thrilled you are here with us at FSDB! #ThisisFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB

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 • 9 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. Members of the public are invited to address the board for up to three minutes per person. All public comments are limited to 45 minutes in total. Public comment registration cards must be turned in no later than the start of the event.

Family Open House will be held this Sunday, August 11, 2024, from 1–4 p.m. Families can meet teachers, visit the dorms and assist their child in moving in, bring medications to the Health Care Center and speak with representatives from the Transportation, Athletics, and other departments. Click the link below for more information. https://www.fsdbk12.org/family-open-house

The FSDB Campus Police and St. Johns County Sheriff's Office will be holding a Hostage Negotiations Training on Monday, July 15, 2024, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The training will occur at Rhyne Hall, located within the compounds of the main campus. There will be clearly marked training signage posted around the area. You may hear loud discussions from scenario players which is part of the training. Please do not be alarmed by the public safety resources you will see on campus, as these exercises are not actual incidents.

FSDB Gym Shows were the most popular performance on campus, starting in the 1930s. The whole campus worked together to make it happen. Young and older students performed on the stage on the FSDB athletic field, where the current Settles gym and Vaill Hall now stand. Gym Shows took place on campus each year. In the 1970s, gym shows were no longer held. The FSDB Dance Troupe was founded by Cheryl Johnson (retired FSDB teacher and Dance Troupe sponsor). Currently, the FSDB Dance Troupe is still running. #TimeMachineTuesday #DeafHistoryMonth

May’s Spirit week is brought to you by Deaf Elementary School! Be part of the teacher and staff appreciation celebration with a nod to Taylor Swift and her Eras Tour. Remember to stay aligned to our dress code and expectations. Spirit Week begins on Monday!

Our Regional Braille Challenge, a significant event hosted by FSDB this past March, has produced some outstanding winners! Let's all give these students a resounding round of applause for their exceptional hard work and dedication! Rookie (Grades 6-12): 1. Shawn Long 2. Takiah Coleman 3. Aiden Tucker Congratulations Shawn, Takiah, and Aiden! #DomoreBemoreAchievemore #BrailleChallenge2024 #BrailleInstitute

On April 25th, the Elementary Dance Program performed The Little Mermaid. To view the photos from the performance, please click on the link shared below: https://zenfolio.page.link/HFxDz Enjoy!

On Friday, April 12, the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year and School Related Employee of the Year were presented to the Board of Trustees. Congratulations to: - Madison Baggett, Blind Elementary School - Wes Homewood, Deaf Elementary School - Susan Fine, Blind Middle School - Maddy Brady, Deaf Middle School - Ken Morse, Blind High School - Maria Williams, Deaf High School - Tracey Dennis, School Related Employee of the Year

The Florida School and the Deaf and the Blind will hold a commencement ceremony for the Blind Department graduating class of 2024 on Thursday, May 23, at 12 p.m. The event will be live streamed on our Vimeo channel at the URL https://vimeo.com/934972691