Parent Services
Hello from the Parent Services Department! We are so very happy to have our students back on campus. We are preparing for a wonderful year full of parent classes and workshops. We want to hear from you!
Please take a moment to complete this quick questionnaire to let us know what topics you'd like to know more about and which classes you'd like to see offered.
About
We are pleased you have chosen the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) for your child’s education. We recognize that family involvement has a powerful influence on a child’s achievement in school and encourage you to take an active and supportive role in your child’s education and help make learning a positive experience both at home and at school.
The FSDB Parent Services Department offers learning, engagement, and capacity-building opportunities for parents/legal guardians of enrolled students. Classes, workshops, meetings, and events throughout the year are designed to promote parental involvement in their child’s growth and learning.
The Parent Infant Program and the Early Learning Center (ELC) are under the purview of the FSDB Parent Services Department.
Campus tours are also provided for families of prospective students during school weekdays by appointment.
contact
General Information
PH: 904-827-2200
VP: 904-245-1022
Parent Services
PH: 904-827-2212
VP: 904-201-4527
Health Care Center
PH: 904-827-2410
VP: 904-201-3910
Campus Police
PH: 904-827-2315
Transportation
PH: 800-992-8747
Outreach Services
PH: 904-827-2212
Resources
Parent-Student Handbook
Title I Handbooks
The Parent Services Department offers a series of educational opportunities for parents and caregivers through Parent University. This program offers classes and workshops to parents and families throughout the year to learn, increase knowledge of techniques, and promote student achievement. Classes target needs specific to parents of students who are blind/visually impaired or deaf/hard of hearing. Parents/legal guardians are encouraged to participate as informed partners with schools to support programs in an effort to encourage lifelong learning and improve student academic achievement.
Parent Engagement Workshops (PEW) are learning opportunities open to ALL FSDB parents, guardians and caregivers. During PEW, we discuss current and relevant information about our school, parenting strategies, helpful resources and so much more. Please join us for these educational events.
Dates
PEW Dates for the 2021-22 Academic Year
Parent Engagement Workshops will be held virtually through the first semester of the 2021-22 school year.
Sept. 10, 2021 – Zoom Meeting Link (PW: eXRjD7)
Nov. 5, 2021
March 10, 2022
April 22, 2022
Contact
For more information on resources for FSDB Families and the Parent Services Department, contact:
Parent Services Liaison
PH: 904-827-2988
VP: 904-201-4527
Parent Braille Class
Parent University will host braille classes for FSDB families on Wednesdays from 4-5 p.m. Please contact your child's teacher if you are interested in attending. All skills are welcome!
Parent Sign Language Classes
FSDB Parent University is hosting three virtual sign language classes for FSDB families starting the week of April 8, 2021, and continuing weekly through May.
Beginner (ASL I), intermediate (ASL II) and advanced (ASL III) classes are available via Zoom. Please contact the teacher if you are interested in attending.
Click the link below for dates and more details.
Hey Families!
"Hey Families!" is a collection of resources for FSDB families to use throughout the school year. Whether navigating individual learning environment (ILE) or attending brick and mortar (BAM), we are here to support you every step of the way. We hope you never feel alone, as we are on this journey of learning and discovery together.
Tech Tutorials
The FSDB Parent and Student Tech Tutorials site provides support for troubleshooting your FSDB assigned device and tutorials on common applications.
FSDB Parents are Informed and Included
Parents are valued stakeholders. Stay informed on campus happenings and join the team to be included in decision-making opportunities.
School Advisory Council (SAC)
The FSDB School Improvement Process is a critical part of annual planning. Each year, school-level plans are developed to provide a strong foundation for a productive academic year for students and teachers. These plans are reviewed by a comprehensive school leadership team which include parents and community stakeholders. Final school improvement plans are filed with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE), as also mandated by federal educational requirements.
Be a Part of the District Team!
The School Advisory Council (SAC) meets four (4) times a year to discuss FSDB-wide issues and topics including reviewing district-wide assessment data, parent survey feedback and School Improvement Plans. The purpose of the council is to hear from stakeholders about issues that impact our community as a whole and make recommendations for change/improvement.
Members of the council include parents, several high school students, the Principal for the Blind and the Principal for the Deaf, and several staff members including a boarding department representative.
Dates
SAC Dates for the 2021-22 Academic Year
The School Advisory Council dates for the 2021-22 school year are being scheduled and will be released soon.
Sept. 3 (12:30 p.m.) – Join Teams Meeting
Sub School Advisory Council (sub-SAC)
FSDB Assistant Principals host quarterly Sub-SAC meetings. These smaller meetings allow the group to focus more intently on school specific topics. During these meetings stakeholders discuss that individual School Improvement Plan. If you are interested in participating, please contact your Assistant Principal.
BEMS Dates
Oct. 8, 2021 (10 a.m.)
Jan. 7, 2022 (10 a.m.)
March 4, 2022 (10 a.m.)
May 6, 2022 (10 a.m.)
BHs Dates
TBA
DES Dates
Sept. 16, 2021 (10 a.m.)
DMS Dates
Oct. 20, 2021 (Time TBA)
DHS Dates
Dates TBA
Title I Parent Advisory Team
Title I is a federal grant that: provides supplemental funds to approved schools to meet educational goals, supports professional development of staff, and supports parent engagement programs. The purpose of Title I is to ensure that all children have a fair, equal, and significant opportunity to obtain a high-quality education and reach, at minimum, proficiency on challenging state academic achievement standards and assessments.
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) receives Title I Part A funds for Deaf Elementary, Deaf Middle, and Blind Elementary/Middle Schools. These schools are classified as school-wide Title I Schools meaning that all students and families of these schools receive the benefit of Title I funded programs.
Parent involvement is a powerful influence on a child’s achievement in school. When schools work together with parents to support learning, children are more likely to succeed not only in school, but throughout life. Parents, families, and legal guardians are encouraged to participate as informed partners with school personnel in implementing the Title I school programs in an effort to improve student academic achievement and school performance.
Title I Mission: Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind strives to provide families and staff with capacity building opportunities to increase our combined abilities to support our students’ academic and personal growth. All parents of students in Title I schools are welcome to attend Title I meetings.
BEMS Dates
Oct. 8, 2021 (10 a.m.)
Jan. 7, 2022 (10 a.m.)
March 4, 2022 (10 a.m.)
May 6, 2022 (10 a.m.)
DES Dates
Dates TBA
DMS Dates
Dates TBA
Executive Director
Cindy Day
Cindy Day first began at FSDB as a classroom teacher in the Deaf Middle School and held progressively specialized positions working with deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired students and their families. She has worked as an Educational Diagnostician, Supervising Teacher, and as a Staffing Specialist. Ms. Day currently serves as Executive Director of the Parent Services Department, which oversees the Parent Infant Program (early intervention for deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired children ages 0-5 and their families), the Toddler Program (deaf/hard of hearing children ages 18-36 months), and the Early Learning Center (Pre-K deaf/hard of hearing and blind/visually impaired children ages 3-5). Ms. Day also supervises a Parent Liaison who provides classes, workshops, and networking opportunities for parents/legal guardians of enrolled students.
Master of Education, Special Education, University of North Florida
Bachelor of Science, Deaf Education, University of Tennessee
I believe parents are the most influential teachers. Our role is to empower parents to educate and advocate for their children.
Programs
Early Intervention
FSDB offers early intervention and outreach services, separate from the programs run on the school campus, because of a strong commitment to the needs of families and children with hearing and vision concerns across the state.
Toddler Program
For families who are local to St. Augustine, FSDB offers a center-based Toddler Program on the school campus for parents of children 18 months to 3 years. Through the Toddler Program, little ones and their parents are provided opportunities to socialize, interact, and begin to experience the world of a school environment with full language accessibility (spoken and signed) from degree educators who serve as Deaf role models. Parents of children in the Toddler Program often choose to continue with FSDB on campus programing by applying for admission to the Early Learning Center.
Early Learning Center
The Early Learning Center (ELC) is a Montessori preschool for children ages 3-5 who are deaf/hard of hearing or blind/visually impaired. The ELC is a place where your child can learn and grow in a cheerful, nurturing and stimulating environment that emphasizes learning through discovery.
from the President
Contact Parent Services
Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
207 San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084
PH: 800-344-3732
PH: 904-827-2212
VP: 904-201-4527