FSDB is fortunate to receive various channels of federal grant funding. Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) supports the Deaf Elementary, Deaf Middle, and Blind Elementary/Middle Schools, including the Early Learning Center.
Title I funds provide resources for students, travel reimbursements for parents/legal guardians (interested parents are encouraged to contact Misty Porter), and professional development opportunities for teachers, including workshops, conferences, and educational consultant training.
The first Title I Parent Meeting of the 2019-2020 school year was held on Friday, November 1. Fortunately, all schools had one parent in attendance, so vital and required parent consultation was able to happen. The Assistant Principals for each school worked with a teacher and a parent to develop the Parent and Family Engagement Plan and the Family-School Compacts. These final documents will go to parents/legal guardians as the Title I Parent Handbook before winter break. The Title I Coordinator briefly explained the "Parent Right to Know" and provided updates on the Title I grant spending. Now that Title I grant funding for the current school year is approved, the ball has begun rolling at FSDB. We are deeply grateful to Jennifer Pascarella (and her dog Winter, a frequent canine member), Alina Vargas, and Shari Kalis for attending!
We need more parents to attend!
Please, if you are a parent/legal guardian in one of the FSDB Title I schools, consider attending upcoming Title I meetings in the Moore Hall Center for Learning and Development:
Friday, January 17, 2020, at 8:30 am
Friday, February 7, 2020, at 8:30 am
Friday, April 17, 2020, at 8:30 am
FSDB Title I meetings are held on the same day as (and just before) the Parent Engagement Workshops (PEWs). There will be fresh hot coffee, your choice of creamers and sweeteners, and your Assistant Principal will co-chair the meetings.
Title I federal funding is intended to "close academic achievement gaps," and many matters up for discussion pertain to how spending is impacting your student's progress in school. Besides the school's sub-SAC meetings, this is an excellent opportunity for you to check-in with your school's leadership.
If you have any questions about FSDB Title I meetings, please contact your Assistant Principal. Thank you for your interest!
By Christi Boortz, Instructional Services
About FSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is a tuition-free state public school and outreach center available to eligible Pre-K and K-12 students who are deaf/hard of hearing, blind/visually impaired, or deafblind. At FSDB, students learn how to do more, be more, and achieve more, fulfilling our vision of preparing them for a lifetime of success. FSDB gratefully accepts private donations to support vital programs that directly benefit students and are not paid by state general revenue funds. For a campus tour or to inquire about eligibility for enrollment, contact FSDB Parent Services at 904-827-2212 voice or 904-201-4527 videophone. For more information, visit www.fsdbk12.org