SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for the 62nd Annual FSDB Athletics Awards on May 15, 2025, starting at 6 p.m.
If you are unable to attend in person, you can watch the event via our livestream, available at the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/4276596
#OneTeamOneHeartbeat #GoDragons #GoCobras #FSDB
This is Wendy Pinkston, a Blind Middle School Math Teacher.
Wendy started her FSDB career in 1995. She had different positions within FSDB: Senior Residential Instructor, girls' Middle School Basketball coach, Assistant girls' Goalball coach, and Head Track & Field coach.
Wendy grew up around the school because her mom was a residential instructor in the deaf department.
"Working at FSDB feels like being a part of a family," shares Wendy.
A favorite memory here at FSDB includes being recognized twice by her peers as a teacher of the year.
One fun fact about Wendy is that she enjoys visiting different sports venues like Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs), AT&T Stadium (Dallas Cowboys), and Cameron Indoor Stadium (Duke Blue Devils).
We love having you as part of our FSDB Family!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDBFridays #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam
Are you ready to become a vital part of the FSDB Family? We’re searching for our new Assistant Principal of Student Services for our Deaf High School! Click the link below to discover more about this exciting opportunity and submit your application. Do you know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this message! https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/careers
FSDB students with Alica Keys (notable musician) sang and signed a tribute song to Ray Charles at Super Bowl XXXIX in Jacksonville, Florida, in February 2005.
The Lead ASL signer was Priscilla Abenchuchan, along with Alica Keys. It was on a nationwide TV show before the football game.
The football game results were New England Patriots 24 and Philadelphia Eagles 21.
Credit: FSDB Museum
#FSDBWayBackWhensdays #FSDBHistory #FSDBDeafHistoryMonth
ASL Level 2 Classes for FSDB Parents and Guardians start on Thursday! There is still time to sign up. Click here to register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SPY8ZKM
Dates: April 24, May 1, May 8, and May 22, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Location: Moore Hall, CLD
Parents must check in at the front gate. Travel reimbursement is available.
Join us on May 9, 2025, at 9 a.m., for our final Parent Engagement Workshop of the 2024-25 school year, "Keep Kids Learning All Summer Long." All FSDB families are invited! Topics to be covered are:
• Fun with Literacy
• Mental Health and Community Connections
• Parent FAST Portal
• Online Safety and Digital Citizenship
Please RSVP by May 7, 2025, to ensure we have sufficient supplies, lunch and cookies. Travel reimbursement is available for this event. Click the link below to RSVP.
https://bit.ly/FSDB-PEW-MAY-9
On April 7, BES families celebrated the last Family Reading Night of the Year. It was a special time as we welcomed former members back, said goodbye to the longest-standing member as she prepares for Middle School, and welcomed a new family. We read the story Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems. Then, I made bunny crafts and rabbits in race cars. Next, we played bunny games and ended the night with a Beeper Easter Egg Hunt. played pin the tail on the bunny and tossed the bunny.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
Deaf High School's prom is tonight! Be sure to check our stories to join in on the fun!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Deaf High School offers Digital Media/Multimedia Design for students. They learn and apply their knowledge of Adobe Software and can earn certifications in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and more.
Recently, two students in Deaf High School, Nauvoo and Kyra, passed the Photoshop Certification test for the Industry Scholar designation on their diploma!
Congratulations!
#FSDBAcademicMonday
This is Marla Hilliard.
Marla started working at FSDB in the fall of 1994. She began as an elementary teacher in the Special Needs Department and then moved to Deaf Elementary, where she taught first grade, second grade, and learning lab to kindergarten through third grade.
Marla's husband graduated from the University of Tennessee with a Ph.D. in Industrial Organization Psychology, so they decided to move to a coastal area. They found St. Augustine to be a beautiful place and saw that FSDB was looking for a teacher of the Deaf, where she started her FSDB career as a teacher in the Special Needs Department.
Two of Marla's favorite memories are the students and their hugs, smiles, "I love you," and visits from former students. The second memory is sharing laughter with her colleagues.
Marla shares that this school is unique because FSDB offers a variety of opportunities for students and staff to develop their skills. The students receive a vast array of therapy services and accommodations that meet their academic and social needs, plus there are after-school recreational programs, tutoring, etc. The teaching staff is given training that improves or enhances teaching skills and strategies. FSDB has an abundance of talented and dedicated individuals willing to support and mentor one another.
"When I look back at my classroom photos, no matter what year I taught, my heart still skips with love and joy. I'm not sure how fun that is, but it is a fact," shared Marla
We love having Marla as part of our FSDB Family!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam
On Thursday, April 17, we celebrated 12 students' induction into the National Honor Society, a prestigious organization that recognizes outstanding students and empowers and equips them to become transformative leaders in their school and community.
Congratulations to Addison Allen, Christian Chapu, Sara Griley, Gabe Kramer, Jasen McDaniel, Paige Hart-Myers, Melissa Oramas Santana, Alden Porter, Logan Strickland, Adrian Vreeland, Parker Watson, and Jayden Weaver!
To view the photos from the event, please click on the link shared below:
https://zenfolio.page.link/nHf4w
#FSDBRecapSundays
Hello FSDB Families,
We wanted to send a reminder that this weekend will be a "Long Weekend." All students will go home today, Thursday, April 17, at 2:05 p.m. (Friday schedule). There is no school on Friday and Monday (Easter Weekend). SHOW Bus students will be picked up on Monday, April 21, at their normal pick-up time. Classes will resume on Tuesday, April 22.
We hope you have a wonderful long weekend!
The boys and girls track team flew to Austin, Texas, to compete in the 15th Berg Seeger Classic on April 11th and 12th. The girl's team placed 3rd out of 19 teams, and the boy's team placed 6th out of 17. A few highlights were:
1. Kayla Debrow placed 1st in the long and triple jump
2. Mariska Dize placed 1st in the discus
3. Both the girls 4 x 100 relay and the 4 x 800 relay placed 2nd
4. The boys 4 x 200 relay team placed 1st and the 4 x 100 relay team placed 2nd (they lost by .01 seconds)
5. Edward Bell placed 2nd in the 100m dash
To view the rest of the results, please click the link below: https://fsdbathletics.org/news/2025/4/15/15th-berg-seeger-track-field-classic.aspx
Thank you, Faye, for taking these fantastic photos of our athletes! @fayesefcikphoto
#FSDBSportsSaturday #GoDragons #OneTeamOneHeartbeat
Have you ever wondered who prepares and serves food for our students? Check out our stories today to see our amazing Food Services department take over our social media!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
The deadline for Summer Quest applications is fast approaching, and spots are filling up! Please submit your completed application by April 25, 2025.
Dates
• June 16-20, 2025 (ages 8-12)
• June 21-27, 2025 (ages 13-17)
Who Can Attend?
• Blind/Visually Impaired
• Deaf/Hard of Hearing
• Deafblind (dual-sensory)
• 8-17 year olds
• Florida resident
Visit our Summer Quest webpage to learn more and apply!
https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/summer-quest
Congratulations to our FSDB Varsity Girls Basketball Team for being named the NDIAA Team of the Year! Their remarkable teamwork, perseverance, and excellence have earned them this recognition. We are so proud of their achievements this season and look forward to more accomplishments.
#GoDragons #oneteamoneheartbeat #nationaldeafinterscholasticathleticassociation
Congratulations to Dayton Newman on receiving the title of distinguished Wrestling Coach of the Year! This honor reflects his exceptional ability, dedication, and passion for inspiring, mentoring, and guiding his wrestling team to greatness. We look forward to seeing his continued success in the years to come.
#GoDragons #oneteamoneheartbeat #nationaldeafinterscholasticathleticassociation
Congratulations to Joy Fraychineaud on being named Basketball Coach of the Year! Her exceptional leadership, dedication, and unwavering commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on her girls basketball team and other student-athletes. This recognition shows her extraordinary influence and success.
#GoDragons #oneteamoneheartbeat #nationaldeafinterscholasticathleticassociation
Congratulations to Kayla Debrow on earning the prestigious Player of the Year honor for girls basketball! Her talent, dedication, and hard work have set her apart as a true champion in girls basketball. We look forward to following her continued journey and accomplishments throughout college.
#GoDragons #oneteamoneheartbeat #nationaldeafinterscholasticathleticassociation
Summer 2025 ECC Interactive Learning Series: Forever Gardening
Join us for a two-day skills workshop. Students will use a variety of clay, paint, brushes, and tactile materials to create an everlasting garden of tactile flowers. They will also learn about gardening, flowers, and jobs related to gardening and art. We will also have a special guest from the D&B Garden Center. The workshop will be facilitated by certified teachers in the field. Students aged 6-17 who live in Florida and are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, Blind/Visually Impaired, or Deafblind/Dual Sensory Impaired are eligible to join us.
Learn more at https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/ecc-interactive-learning-series
