Gregg Hall News

Character Education: Honesty

This month, we have been focusing on Honesty and introducing what we call the “3 As”: Admit, Accept, and Apologize. When mistakes happen, we encourage our girls to admit their actions, accept responsibility, and apologize when appropriate. We want them to understand that mistakes are a natural part of learning, and that honesty and accountability help them grow into confident, responsible young adults.

Independent Living Skills

One of our goals in the dorm is to help students build the skills and confidence they need for future success. This month, we welcomed two inspiring FSDB alumni who shared their journeys and encouraged our students to pursue their goals.

Ashley Fiolek, motocross champion and X Games gold medalist, spoke about overcoming challenges and achieving success through determination and hard work. Bethany Baker, UNF’s first deaf graduate of its RN nursing program and now an emergency room nurse, shared her educational and professional journey. She also led the girls in a fun relay race that highlighted teamwork and practical skills. Both women reminded our students that with perseverance and dedication, they can achieve anything they set their minds to.

Dorm Life

The cooler weather has given our students more opportunities to enjoy time outdoors. The basketball court remains a favorite gathering spot, and the girls enjoyed visits from campus police officers, Officer Parker and Officer Holman. They have also enjoyed trips into the community for snacks and playground visits. A highlight of the month was decorating the dorm for Halloween. Their excitement and creativity were on full display as they prepared for the holiday season.

Friendly Reminders

FSDB is currently collecting non-perishable items for our annual Thanksgiving food drive. Donations of stuffing, instant mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, pie fillings, pie crusts, evaporated milk, hot chocolate, and other holiday meal items are greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping us make the holiday season brighter for families in need.

McLane Hall News

Greetings, Families!

We hope you are doing well as we move through October. We are excited to share that our boys have officially returned to McLane Hall after spending several weeks in temporary housing during the completion of window renovations. We appreciate the patience and flexibility shown by our students and families throughout this transition. To celebrate their positive attitudes and cooperation, we will be treating the boys to a pizza and ice cream party.

Character Education

This month's character education focus is Honesty. We are encouraging students to understand the importance of telling the truth, taking responsibility for their actions, keeping commitments, and building trust with others. Our goal is to help them recognize that honesty is a key part of developing strong character and positive relationships.

Sports

As fall sports seasons come to a close, we would like to congratulate all of our student-athletes for their hard work and dedication. With basketball and wrestling right around the corner, we encourage students to explore new opportunities and stay active. Families should contact us if their student needs an updated sports physical before tryouts.

Independent Living Skills

Life skills remain an important part of dorm life at McLane Hall. Students continue to practice responsibility through daily routines such as keeping their rooms organized, maintaining personal hygiene, managing their time, cleaning up after themselves, and learning to communicate effectively with peers and staff. We are proud of the growth we see every day as our boys become more independent and confident.

Upcoming Events

On October 29, students will participate in a Police Services workshop titled "Making School a Positive Place." The program focuses on building healthy relationships, handling conflict appropriately, making positive choices, and learning to advocate for themselves in respectful ways.

We are also looking forward to some Halloween fun. On October 28, the Recreation Department will host a Halloween celebration in the gym where students can enjoy music, activities, refreshments, and time with friends. Costumes should be school-appropriate and not overly scary.

Friendly Reminders

As a reminder, please continue sending snacks and drinks with your student each week. Families should also check that students have essential hygiene items, including toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and deodorant. Grocery delivery services such as Walmart Spark, Instacart, and Shipt are not permitted; however, students may bring groceries from home, and local families are welcome to drop off items at McLane Hall.

Thank you for your continued partnership and support. We are proud of the progress our boys are making and look forward to an exciting remainder of the month.