Deaf High School -

View in ASL: https://vimeo.com/1013311934 Based on the most recent weather advisory, FSDB plans to have classes on Friday, September 27. All Yellow Bus routes (morning and afternoon) will follow the regular Friday schedule. We will continue to monitor the weather and the impacts of the storm. If we need to cancel any bus routes on Friday morning, we will inform families via School Messenger, social media and our website. (Yellow Bus Routes: 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, and 29 ––– Según el aviso meteorológico más reciente, FSDB planea tener clases el viernes 27 de septiembre. Todas las rutas de los autobuses amarillos (mañana y tarde) seguirán el horario regular de los viernes. Continuaremos monitoreando el clima y los efectos de la tormenta. Si el viernes por la mañana necesitamos cancelar alguna ruta de autobús, les informaremos a las familias a través de School Messenger, redes sociales y nuestro sitio web. (las rutas de los autobuses amarillos: 20, 22, 23, 25, 26, 27, and 29)

View message in ASL: https://vimeo.com/1012808962 Due to the impending storm, FSDB will cancel classes on Thursday, September 26. The remaining SHOW bus students will go home today (Wednesday) following the regular Friday bus schedule (see routes below). All Yellow Bus and Parent Pick-Up students will go home at 3:30 p.m. today (Wednesday). All after-school activities are canceled for Wednesday and Thursday. Classes are expected to resume on Friday. The following SHOW routes WILL go home on WEDNESDAY, September 25, at 2:05 p.m. • SHOW Route 4 – Orlando • SHOW Route 5 – Homestead • SHOW Route 7 – Titusville • SHOW Route 10 – Sebring • SHOW Route 12 – West Palm Beach • SHOW Route 13 – Dunn Ave./Fernandina Important notes: • As of Wednesday at 2:05 p.m., the Boarding Program is closed to all students for the remainder of the week. • All after-school activities are canceled for Wednesday and Thursday. Please visit our FSDB Alerts page for further updates (www.fsdbk12.org/alerts)

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)

Ivabella Essex is a senior in the Deaf Department. She has been at FSDB for twelve years since the ELC! Her favorite subject is Physical Education. Ivabella's favorite part of her time here was playing sports with her best teammates and coaches. During her sophomore and junior years, her basketball team won the Mason-Dixon Championship two years in a row. "I am so grateful to have had such amazing teammates and coaches! I can't imagine what my sports seasons would have been like without them!" shared Ivabella. One fun fact about Ivabella is that she loves to travel. She has visited 46 states and one country and plans to visit two more soon. "Florida is one of the best states and will always be in my heart!" stated Ivabella. #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam #GrowingUpAtFSDBFridays

Viva Las Vegas! Today, the Deaf High School Homecoming is taking over our socials! Don't miss out on the excitement, follow our stories throughout the day! #FSDBTakeoverThursdays

Parent Univesity Presents: "Let's Talk About Fall Fun!" Wednesday, September 11, 2024 4:30 - 6:30 PM @ Moore Hall CLD For Deaf Department Students, Parents, Siblings & Friends During this class, you will learn to communicate about all things Fall! Deaf Department students, families, & friends are invited to learn signs and concepts while having fun! Learn signs for Fall: 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 by Sept. 9 to ensure we have sufficient materials and dinner for everyone. RSVP at: https://bit.ly/FSDB-FALL-FUN-2024 Parents must check in at the front gate. Travel reimbursement is available.

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.

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

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 Victoria Golden to FSDB! Victoria is working in Deaf High School as a Digital Information Technology teacher! " I am excited to work with a variety of middle and high school students!" shared Victoria. Victoria is a recent graduate of Flagler College. She is an avid reader and reads around three books a month! We are so happy to have you as part of the FSDB Family! #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

Welcome Calvin Doudt to FSDB! Previously, he was a Deaf and hard-of-hearing itinerant teacher for the Lee County school district. Now, he works at FSDB at the Deaf High School as a mathematics teacher! Calvin looks forward to teaching students math and exposing them to real-world experiences. He is also excited to meet new staff at FSDB! Calvin is currently ABD (all but dissertation), working on his doctorate in educational leadership at Lamar University. He is also a proud father to two children, Wyatt, age 7, and Audrey, age 5. We are so thrilled to have you here at FSDB! #FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB

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.

Say Hello to Story Phillips! Story just finished Graduate School at Jacksonville University and landed a job at FSDB as a Speech Language Pathologist! "I am very excited to learn sign language and be part of the team at FSDB!" shared Story. A fun fact about Story is that her hometown, Winter Garden, has a road named after her great-grandfather! We are super excited to have you as part of our FSDB Family! #FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB [Image Description: Story in a light brown colored shirt smiling for a picture under trees in Moore Hall. White graphic on bottom left says "Story Phillips, Speech Language Pathologist".]

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!

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

Check out the story about FSDB alumnus Keith Banks Jr.! #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBAlumni #YouBelongAtFSDB: https://www.clickorlando.com/news/local/2024/02/26/actor-introduces-audiences-to-the-deaf-world-through-performances-using-american-sign-language/?fbclid=IwAR0PDYR6NRnYxSuxhuFu_dFRK7_BdvzQtBoQsOMcEWU7GYDAKNBIfsPrLnk