Blind High School is pleased to share that Leslie Costello has been named the Teacher of the Year for 27/28. Leslie has helped build a thriving and highly regarded performing arts program.
Additionally, the is the "Triple Crown" for Leslie, as she has won TOY for BES, BMS, (the schools were separately recognized in the past) and now BHS. That's quite an accomplishment!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
Additionally, the is the "Triple Crown" for Leslie, as she has won TOY for BES, BMS, (the schools were separately recognized in the past) and now BHS. That's quite an accomplishment!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #TeacherOfTheYear2027
STAAA Tactile Art Show Opens Tonight!
FSDB is partnering with the St. Augustine Art Association and the Florida DeafBlind Association again this year to host the Tactile Art Show at the STAAA gallery in downtown St. Augustine.
We are proud to have art students from Blind High School showcase their work alongside the work of local artists and appreciate the hard work of our Braille students who created signage for the show.
The Tactile Show opens this evening, October 2, 2026, during First Friday Art Walk from 5:00pm-8:00pm.
The exhibit will be on display both in-gallery (Tuesdays through Sundays, 12:00 – 4:00pm) and online at any time, October 2 – November 1, 2026. Admission is free!
The STAAA gallery is located at 22 Marine Street in downtown St. Augustine.
https://staaa.org/event/tactile-show/
#TactileArt #FSDBArts #AccessibleArts
FSDB Ski & Winter Sports Club Update
The competition is heating up for the top ten spots on our annual ski trip to Whitefish, Montana! Students completed their first mandatory workout on September 23, and everyone brought their best effort.
During the workout, students completed a 60-second wall sit and 60-second high plank, followed by 60-second challenges of squats, Russian twists, push-ups, and dips. The competition is fierce, and it is exciting to see how hard each student is working toward earning a spot on this amazing trip!
Physical fitness is an important part of preparing for the trip because students will have opportunities to participate in downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ice skating, axe throwing, line dancing, snowshoeing, hiking, and even a relaxing sleigh ride through the country.
We are hoping the track will be ready for our next workout so students can add the one-mile run to their fitness challenge. We are incredibly proud of their determination and can't wait to see their continued progress!
Important Upcoming Dates
September 25: Thank-you letters due
October 19: Second Mandatory Workout
October 23: Initial Ski Club Application due
October 23: Two recommendation letters due
October 23: Lunch meeting to turn in paperwork
Keep working hard, Ski & Winter Sports Club! Whitefish is waiting!
FSDB Alumni Weekend Football Game 🏈
Join us for an exciting evening of football, school spirit, and alumni celebrations as the FSDB Dragons take on the Indiana School for the Deaf Orioles!
📅 Saturday, October 3
🕕 Kickoff at 6:00 PM
📍 Usina Field
Game Day Information:
🕞 Gates Open: 3:30 PM
🎟️ Admission:
- $10.00 per ticket, plus processing fees
- All tickets must be purchased through GoFan – https://gofan.co/event/6869662?schoolId=FL17928
- Cash will not be accepted at the gate
🍿 Concessions:
- Open at 4:30 PM during the event
- Cash and credit cards accepted
🎉 Enjoy:
- Alumni Weekend activities
- FSDAA Hall of Fame and Annual Meeting celebrations
- FSDB Museum Open (1 PM – 4 PM)
- Alumni Recognition at halftime
- Cheerleader performances
- Fan engagement activities and giveaways
- Dragon Pride and Alumni spirit!
Parking:
Please use the designated parking areas:
🚗 Kramer Loop – Handicap Parking and Referees
🚗 Music Building Parking Lot
🚗 Gibbs Hall Parking Lot
🚗 Hogle Hall Parking Lot
🚗 Gore Hall Parking Lot
🚗 James Hall Parking Lot
Please follow the directions of Campus Police, Athletics staff, and volunteers.
Come reconnect with alumni, support our student-athletes, and enjoy a great night under the lights!
FIRE UP, DRAGONS! 🐉
#BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons #AlumniNight
Join us for an exciting evening of football, school spirit, and alumni celebrations as the FSDB Dragons take on the Indiana School for the Deaf Orioles!
📅 Saturday, October 3
🕕 Kickoff at 6:00 PM
📍 Usina Field
Game Day Information:
🕞 Gates Open: 3:30 PM
🎟️ Admission:
- $10.00 per ticket, plus processing fees
- All tickets must be purchased through GoFan – https://gofan.co/event/6869662?schoolId=FL17928
- Cash will not be accepted at the gate
🍿 Concessions:
- Open at 4:30 PM during the event
- Cash and credit cards accepted
🎉 Enjoy:
- Alumni Weekend activities
- FSDAA Hall of Fame and Annual Meeting celebrations
- FSDB Museum Open (1 PM – 4 PM)
- Alumni Recognition at halftime
- Cheerleader performances
- Fan engagement activities and giveaways
- Dragon Pride and Alumni spirit!
Parking:
Please use the designated parking areas:
🚗 Kramer Loop – Handicap Parking and Referees
🚗 Music Building Parking Lot
🚗 Gibbs Hall Parking Lot
🚗 Hogle Hall Parking Lot
🚗 Gore Hall Parking Lot
🚗 James Hall Parking Lot
Please follow the directions of Campus Police, Athletics staff, and volunteers.
Come reconnect with alumni, support our student-athletes, and enjoy a great night under the lights!
FIRE UP, DRAGONS! 🐉
#BuiltFSDBBuiltDifferent #GoFSDBDragons #AlumniNight
It’s National Arts in Education Week, and BHS sculpture students have been busy transforming their ideas and inspiration into meaningful works of art. This quarter they are exploring with paper mache, with a current focus on “manipulating materials, techniques, and processes through practice and perseverance to create a desired result.” Our student artists are the heart of our visual and tactile arts program, and we are so proud of the creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative spirit they demonstrate each day. We hope you enjoy these works in progress from the studio! #tactileart #artsineducationweek
Image Descriptions:
Paige smiles as she holds up two layers of the paper mache cake she is constructing.
Erik uses a paintbrush to apply water to swell paper to create a textured design.
Rylee and Breanna smile while applying strips of paper to a paper mache mask.
Aref squeezes thick yellow paint onto a canvas to create a textured background for his artwork.
Takiah is building a tower with colorful cubes.
Vivienne examines a paper full of colorful lines and shapes she created with scented markers.
Grace is smiling and holding her paper mache mask.
Keyra is applying a layer of glue paste over a paper mache mask, smoothing the surface with her hand.
Victor and Jermeka are adding the final layers of newspaper and paste to their masks.
Twenty-five years later, we still remember.
This morning, on Patriot Day, students and staff from each department held a moment of silence to honor the lives lost and the acts of heroism displayed on September 11, 2001.
Mr. Ward is a Blind High School teacher of Government, History, and Economics. During the events of 9/11, he served as a Police Officer in Nassau County, New York, where he was assigned to the Marine Bureau. He assisted in evacuating people from Manhattan by boat.
The photos displayed show thank-you cards from students in Germany and Long Island, New York. The medals and commendations come from the Department of Transportation.
This morning, on Patriot Day, students and staff from each department held a moment of silence to honor the lives lost and the acts of heroism displayed on September 11, 2001.
Mr. Ward is a Blind High School teacher of Government, History, and Economics. During the events of 9/11, he served as a Police Officer in Nassau County, New York, where he was assigned to the Marine Bureau. He assisted in evacuating people from Manhattan by boat.
The photos displayed show thank-you cards from students in Germany and Long Island, New York. The medals and commendations come from the Department of Transportation.
Congratulations to Jervell Baker on his new position!
Previously a Senior Residential Instructor, Jervell is now taking on the role of Associate Teacher at Blind High School. He is excited about this new opportunity and eager to grow in his role. Jervell looks forward to working with the students and making a positive impact in the classroom.
Jervell is from St. Augustine, where he enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes. He also values spending quality time with his family and friends.
Additionally, Jervell expressed his gratitude for this opportunity and his enthusiasm for the next chapter in his career. He looks forward to building positive relationships with both his students and colleagues.
We are happy for you!!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Previously a Senior Residential Instructor, Jervell is now taking on the role of Associate Teacher at Blind High School. He is excited about this new opportunity and eager to grow in his role. Jervell looks forward to working with the students and making a positive impact in the classroom.
Jervell is from St. Augustine, where he enjoys cooking and experimenting with new recipes. He also values spending quality time with his family and friends.
Additionally, Jervell expressed his gratitude for this opportunity and his enthusiasm for the next chapter in his career. He looks forward to building positive relationships with both his students and colleagues.
We are happy for you!!
#FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) announces a public meeting on Thursday, May 21, 2026, open to all members of the public. Members of the public may address the board for up to three minutes per person. All public comments are limited to 45 minutes in total. The Board meeting will be livestreamed at https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/board-of-trustees-livestream
📍 Location
Moore Hall, CLD Meeting Room
📅 Date
Thursday, May 21, 2026
⏰ Time
8:30 a.m. – Regular Board Meeting (CLD Meeting Room)
📍 Location
Moore Hall, CLD Meeting Room
📅 Date
Thursday, May 21, 2026
⏰ Time
8:30 a.m. – Regular Board Meeting (CLD Meeting Room)
FSDB Families and Students...we wanted to send a friendly reminder that this weekend is a Long Weekend due to Mother's Day on Sunday.
Here are the important details to keep in mind:
• All students will be dismissed today, Friday, May 8, at 2:05 p.m.
• There will be no classes on Monday, May 11.
• SHOW Bus students will be picked up on Monday, May 11, at their regular pick-up time.
• Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 12.
Wishing everyone a safe, restful and Happy Mother's Day weekend!
Here are the important details to keep in mind:
• All students will be dismissed today, Friday, May 8, at 2:05 p.m.
• There will be no classes on Monday, May 11.
• SHOW Bus students will be picked up on Monday, May 11, at their regular pick-up time.
• Classes will resume on Tuesday, May 12.
Wishing everyone a safe, restful and Happy Mother's Day weekend!
This week, FSDB students and staff enjoyed exploring the Spring Art Show, on display in Gibbs Hall. The show opened on April 16th, welcoming family and friends to enjoy the artwork before and after the Spring Music Concert. Art students in Blind High School shared over 80 pieces of tactile art featuring papier mache, plaster cloth, clay, and a variety of mixed media materials. It was a tremendous display of talent and creativity. Congratulations to our high school artists! #tactileart #accessibleart
Images:
Elementary students explore a Maleficent mask with large black horns. An orange, nine-tailed fox is in the foreground. A Demogorgon with a red, flower-shaped head full of teeth is in the background.
Middle school students are exploring two sculptures with their hands. One is a teal dragon with green wings and the other is an orange, nine-tailed fox.
An elementary student inspects a large, green paper mask with large eyes and large pink tongue. A blue and yellow “fish cat” mask in the background has cat ears and fins on the forehead and cheeks.
Kaitlyn is smiling while holding up her papier mache shark sculpture, JAWS. It is painted gray, and black yarn forms a stripe and gills. A glass marble bead represents the eye.
Byran inspects a dark blue, dome-shaped sculpture made of plaster cloth. His is leaning in to feel the sequins and glitter on the surface of piece.
An elementary student with blond hair and glasses smiles with delight at the small sculpture of gray rat wearing a white hat. Another student is feeling the textured tiles that line the edge of pink mask.
Please join us in welcoming Karen Perlongo to FSDB!
Karen works at the Blind High School as an Instructional Assistant. She had taught French and TV Production for eighteen years or so before coming to FSDB.
" I have heard a lot about FSDB and how great everyone is, and found out its true!" shared Karen.
Karen is orginally from Michigan but has been in Florida for the past twenty years. A fun fact about her is she loves to swim and scuba dive.
We are so happy to have you here with us!
#ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
Karen works at the Blind High School as an Instructional Assistant. She had taught French and TV Production for eighteen years or so before coming to FSDB.
" I have heard a lot about FSDB and how great everyone is, and found out its true!" shared Karen.
Karen is orginally from Michigan but has been in Florida for the past twenty years. A fun fact about her is she loves to swim and scuba dive.
We are so happy to have you here with us!
#ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
🌟 Applications Are OPEN for Summer Quest 2026! 🌟
Adventure awaits in Florida’s oldest city! 🏕️ Summer Quest is an overnight camp where kids who are Blind/ Visually Impaired, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, or Deafblind come together for fun, friendship, and growth.
☀️ Days are packed with Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) activities.
🌙 Evenings are filled with recreational and social experiences.
⚠️ Application Deadline: April 24, 2026 — Don’t miss your spot!
📅 Camp Dates
• June 7–12, 2026 — Ages 8–12
• June 14–19, 2026 — Ages 13–17
✅ Who Can Attend?
• Non-enrolled FSDB Students
• Blind/Visually Impaired
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Deafblind (dual-sensory)
• 8-17 year olds
• Florida resident
👉 Apply NOW before the April 24 deadline — spots are limited!
Learn more and download your application at the link below:
https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/summer-quest
Adventure awaits in Florida’s oldest city! 🏕️ Summer Quest is an overnight camp where kids who are Blind/ Visually Impaired, Deaf/Hard of Hearing, or Deafblind come together for fun, friendship, and growth.
☀️ Days are packed with Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) activities.
🌙 Evenings are filled with recreational and social experiences.
⚠️ Application Deadline: April 24, 2026 — Don’t miss your spot!
📅 Camp Dates
• June 7–12, 2026 — Ages 8–12
• June 14–19, 2026 — Ages 13–17
✅ Who Can Attend?
• Non-enrolled FSDB Students
• Blind/Visually Impaired
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Deafblind (dual-sensory)
• 8-17 year olds
• Florida resident
👉 Apply NOW before the April 24 deadline — spots are limited!
Learn more and download your application at the link below:
https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/summer-quest
The FSDB Arts Department presents “Who Tells Your Story” – Blind High School Spring Concert and Art Show on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The art show opens at 5:30 pm, and the concert begins at 6:30 pm.
🎶 Don't miss a moment — click the link for the full lineup, livestream, and program book! https://www.fsdbk12.org/article/2822826
#ThisIsFSDB
🎶 Don't miss a moment — click the link for the full lineup, livestream, and program book! https://www.fsdbk12.org/article/2822826
#ThisIsFSDB
📌 NOW HIRING: Director of Accounting
Lead with Purpose. Serve with Impact.
We’re looking for an experienced accounting leader to join our mission-driven team — on-campus in historic St. Augustine.
✅ Leadership role reporting to the Comptroller
✅ Governmental accounting environment
✅ Work that supports students & public trust
Apply today! 👇
https://jobs.myflorida.com/job/ST-AUGUSTINE-DIRECTOR-OF-ACCOUNTING-48008438-1-1-FL-32084/1378713300/
#YouBelongHere #NowHiring #AccountingJobs #FloridaJobs #EducationCareers #FSDB
On Friday, April 10, we celebrated the induction of five students into the National Honor Society. We also honored five current members who are graduating this year by presenting them with their stoles. The National Honor Society is a prestigious organization that recognizes outstanding students and empowers them to become transformative leaders in their schools and communities.
Congratulations to Addison Allen, Christian Chapu, Gabe Kramer, Jasen McDaniel, Logan Strickland, Kayla Bodiford, Damian Palacios, Gordon Pettit, Danika Stanchi, and Tyler Wittman.
To view the photos from the event, click the link shared: https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/p209502519
Congratulations to Addison Allen, Christian Chapu, Gabe Kramer, Jasen McDaniel, Logan Strickland, Kayla Bodiford, Damian Palacios, Gordon Pettit, Danika Stanchi, and Tyler Wittman.
To view the photos from the event, click the link shared: https://fsdb.zenfolio.com/p209502519
FSDB Families and Students...we wanted to send a friendly reminder that this weekend is a Long Weekend due to the Easter Holiday.
Here are the important details to keep in mind:
• All students will be dismissed tomorrow, Friday, April 3, at 2:05 p.m.
• There will be no classes on Monday, April 6.
• SHOW Bus students will be picked up on Monday, April 6, at their regular pick-up time.
• Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 7.
Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and restful long weekend!
FSDB Families and Students...we wanted to send a friendly reminder that this weekend is a Long Weekend due to the Easter Holiday.
Here are the important details to keep in mind:
All students will be dismissed tomorrow, Friday, April 3, at 2:05 p.m.
There will be no classes on Monday, April 6.
SHOW Bus students will be picked up on Monday, April 6, at their regular pick-up time.
Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 7.
Wishing everyone a safe, happy, and restful long weekend!
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) announces public meetings open to all members of the public. Members of the public may address the board for up to three minutes per person. All public comments are limited to 45 minutes in total. Only the Regular Board meeting will be livestreamed at https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/board-of-trustees-livestream
📍 Location
Moore Hall, CLD Meeting Room and Room 215
📅 Date
Friday, April 10, 2026
⏰ Time
8:30 a.m. – Enrollment Committee Meeting (Room 215)
9:15 a.m. – Endowment Committee Meeting (Room 215)
10:15 a.m. – Regular Board Meeting (CLD Meeting Room)
📍 Location
Moore Hall, CLD Meeting Room and Room 215
📅 Date
Friday, April 10, 2026
⏰ Time
8:30 a.m. – Enrollment Committee Meeting (Room 215)
9:15 a.m. – Endowment Committee Meeting (Room 215)
10:15 a.m. – Regular Board Meeting (CLD Meeting Room)
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) invites you to its upcoming career fair, where talented individuals can explore exciting opportunities across all departments. Join us on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Moore Hall on the FSDB campus in the heart of historic St. Augustine. The event is open to the public — all are welcome!
As a state of Florida agency and one of St. Johns County’s most respected employers, FSDB offers a wide range of meaningful, challenging, and rewarding career paths where you can make a real difference in the lives of students.
We hope to see you there! To explore current job openings and learn about our outstanding benefits, visit www.fsdbk12.org/careers.
📣 FSDB Families — don’t miss our FINAL Parent Engagement Workshop of the 2025-26 school year! 🎉
📅 May 1, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM
📍 Moore Hall, CLD
📚 What’s on the agenda:
💻 Tech Talk – " Parental Controls Made Simple: Keeping Kids Safe Online"
🛡️ Safe Connections – "Preventing Bullying and Building Respect"
➕ Math Matters – "Making Numbers Work for Your Child's Success"
⭐ Featuring a President Pop-In! – FSDB President Tracie Snow will pop in and lead a live interactive activity — you won’t want to miss it!
📌 RSVP by April 29 — spots are limited! Lunch is provided & travel reimbursement is available.
👇 Register now:
https://bit.ly/PEW-May-01-2026
