Please welcome Franny Schmierer to FSDB!
Franny previously worked as an Instructional Assistant in the Early Learning Center before transitioning to the Deaf High School, where she will continue her role as an Instructional Assistant.
She is excited to work in the Deaf High School, with the goal of empowering deaf students to learn and motivating them to achieve their full potential.
Here are some fun facts about Franny: she is originally from Chile, is trilingual in Spanish, English, and ASL, and is also a marathon runner.
Franny wants to share that running in all 50 states is a personal challenge for her. It combines her love for exploration with the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. This prestigious race has specific qualifying standards, making it a significant milestone for many runners; you can’t just register—you have to earn your spot.
She pursues both the 50 states challenge and a Boston qualifying time for her own motivation and enjoyment. Additionally, she advocates for Deaf marathoners by raising awareness and promoting inclusion within the running community. the running community at races across the country.
We are very happy to have you here with us at FSDB!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
Franny previously worked as an Instructional Assistant in the Early Learning Center before transitioning to the Deaf High School, where she will continue her role as an Instructional Assistant.
She is excited to work in the Deaf High School, with the goal of empowering deaf students to learn and motivating them to achieve their full potential.
Here are some fun facts about Franny: she is originally from Chile, is trilingual in Spanish, English, and ASL, and is also a marathon runner.
Franny wants to share that running in all 50 states is a personal challenge for her. It combines her love for exploration with the goal of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. This prestigious race has specific qualifying standards, making it a significant milestone for many runners; you can’t just register—you have to earn your spot.
She pursues both the 50 states challenge and a Boston qualifying time for her own motivation and enjoyment. Additionally, she advocates for Deaf marathoners by raising awareness and promoting inclusion within the running community. the running community at races across the country.
We are very happy to have you here with us at FSDB!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
Elenora Polaskey, Executive Adminstative Assistant for Blind Principal shares her favorite memory below:
"There are so many! But every year I am blessed to be at the Blind Department Senior Dinner. After dinner, the graduates get the mic and tell us how FSDB has impacted them and what being here has meant to their life. Not a dry eye in the room by the end. I am so honored to have been part of a community that makes such a difference."
Elenora will be retiring after 20 years soon, but she became part of the FSDB community when her daughter came to school her in the Deaf Department in 1986 and now works in Deaf Middle School!
#FSDBMemoryMondays
"There are so many! But every year I am blessed to be at the Blind Department Senior Dinner. After dinner, the graduates get the mic and tell us how FSDB has impacted them and what being here has meant to their life. Not a dry eye in the room by the end. I am so honored to have been part of a community that makes such a difference."
Elenora will be retiring after 20 years soon, but she became part of the FSDB community when her daughter came to school her in the Deaf Department in 1986 and now works in Deaf Middle School!
#FSDBMemoryMondays
Be On Look Out! (B.O.L.O.)
Mark your calendars for this exciting upcoming event on December 2nd!
We are thrilled to share that this year, FSDB is participating in Giving Tuesday.
#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world!
Get ready to show your love and support by sharing this important date to make a bigger impact together!
Please visit and make a donation at:
https://www.fsdbk12.org/donation-form
#FSDBGivingTuesday
#SupportFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
Mark your calendars for this exciting upcoming event on December 2nd!
We are thrilled to share that this year, FSDB is participating in Giving Tuesday.
#GivingTuesday is a global generosity movement, unleashing the power of people and organizations to transform their communities and the world!
Get ready to show your love and support by sharing this important date to make a bigger impact together!
Please visit and make a donation at:
https://www.fsdbk12.org/donation-form
#FSDBGivingTuesday
#SupportFSDB #ThisIsFSDB
We wish our FSDB families, students and staff a wonderful Thanksgiving!
#HappyThanksgiving #ThisIsFSDB
#HappyThanksgiving #ThisIsFSDB
The new Mentors and Models Program is designed to support children and youth who are blind or visually impaired by engaging with adults as role models. The Models for our group represent a variety of people with visual impairments who share strategies and suggestions from their own lives to support your successful progression into the world we all live in.
Click the link below to register and participate in casual informational panel discussions from a variety of FSDB Mentors and Models who will share information, resources, and details about their lives as persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired.
Winter sports have officially started! Our girls' basketball team won their first home opener last Tuesday, defeating Crescent City 34-9. Way to go!
#FSDBSportsSundays #GoFSDBDragons #PassionPridePerserverance
#FSDBSportsSundays #GoFSDBDragons #PassionPridePerserverance
This week, our DB Design and SOAR students had the incredible opportunity to hear from Robert J. Dunn of Dunn Rite Optical. Mr. Dunn is not only a successful entrepreneur but also a gifted storyteller. He shared his journey and valuable insights from his experiences in the “hearing world.”
His tips, tricks, and real-world experiences left our students feeling motivated. It was an amazing way to inspire creativity and ambition in the next generation.
Thank you, Mr. Dunn, for sharing your time and wisdom with us!
#FSDBSOARSaturdays
His tips, tricks, and real-world experiences left our students feeling motivated. It was an amazing way to inspire creativity and ambition in the next generation.
Thank you, Mr. Dunn, for sharing your time and wisdom with us!
#FSDBSOARSaturdays
Happy Thanksgiving Break! What are everyone's plans for Thanksgiving? We will miss seeing our students next week, but we hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving with family and friends.
#FSDBQuestionOfTheWeek
#FSDBQuestionOfTheWeek
Congratulations on our School Related Employee of the Year (SREY)............
JOE CARBONE!!
Joe’s outstanding contributions have earned recognition from departments across our campus. His dedication, collaboration, and positive impact truly embody the spirit of FSDB. Congratulations, Joe, and thank you for all you do to make a difference every day!
#ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
JOE CARBONE!!
Joe’s outstanding contributions have earned recognition from departments across our campus. His dedication, collaboration, and positive impact truly embody the spirit of FSDB. Congratulations, Joe, and thank you for all you do to make a difference every day!
#ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
This Week’s Highlight: FSDB’s Promotional Design Classes – D & B Designs!
Can you believe D & B Designs has been part of FSDB for over a decade? Was it 10, 11, 12, 13 or more years? 🤔 Drop a comment if you remember when it all started in the Student Organizational Building! Were you a student in the class—or like me, someone who loves to snag their amazing merch? If you are wearing an FSDB, Dragon, or Cobra shirt, I bet it was made by one of our students.
D & B Designs is where creativity meets career readiness. Students from both the Deaf and Blind High Schools collaborate to master digital layout and design, produce embroidered and printed apparel, and craft custom items like mugs, lanyards, coasters, and more. Through hands-on experience in production planning, design, sales, and inventory management, they build practical skills that prepare them for real-world careers.
Today, I stopped by to pick up my new FSDB sweatshirt and discovered students presenting their mock business projects under a festive red, white, and blue balloon arch. Of course, I had to crash the party for a photo with these talented students—and stay to watch a couple of presentations. They were fantastic!
Huge shoutout to our students for their creativity and professionalism. Keep up the amazing work! Big thanks to our teachers and staff that are always encouraging and supporting our students to do more, me more, and achieve more.
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBThePrezSnowPost
Can you believe D & B Designs has been part of FSDB for over a decade? Was it 10, 11, 12, 13 or more years? 🤔 Drop a comment if you remember when it all started in the Student Organizational Building! Were you a student in the class—or like me, someone who loves to snag their amazing merch? If you are wearing an FSDB, Dragon, or Cobra shirt, I bet it was made by one of our students.
D & B Designs is where creativity meets career readiness. Students from both the Deaf and Blind High Schools collaborate to master digital layout and design, produce embroidered and printed apparel, and craft custom items like mugs, lanyards, coasters, and more. Through hands-on experience in production planning, design, sales, and inventory management, they build practical skills that prepare them for real-world careers.
Today, I stopped by to pick up my new FSDB sweatshirt and discovered students presenting their mock business projects under a festive red, white, and blue balloon arch. Of course, I had to crash the party for a photo with these talented students—and stay to watch a couple of presentations. They were fantastic!
Huge shoutout to our students for their creativity and professionalism. Keep up the amazing work! Big thanks to our teachers and staff that are always encouraging and supporting our students to do more, me more, and achieve more.
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBThePrezSnowPost
Every year the Apartment students have a huge Thanksgiving feats - that they cook themselves! For many, it is their first time learning how to prepare traditional Thanksgiving dishes. This year the students outdid themselves, making green beans, potatoes, mac & cheese and all the other favorites. The desserts were so good, the line seemed never ending as students went back for more.
Some of our girls got the chance to cook their first turkey. The adventure began with removing the neck and giblets. There was a lot of back-and-forth—“No, I’m not putting my hand in there!”—until one brave student (JaNiyah) finally reached in. When she pulled out the neck, she exclaimed, “Wow!”
Next came injecting the turkey with flavoring. The girls joked, “No, no, that’s like surgery!” I reassured them the turkey wouldn’t feel a thing, which led to a playful smack on the turkey and a round of laughter. At first, no one wanted to use the injector, but after a staff member demonstrated twice, the girls rolled up their sleeves and jumped in. When I stepped away for a moment and returned, all the flavoring had been injected, teamwork at its best!
While making brownies, Joss and Mariska had their own comedy moment. One package exploded as they pulled too hard, sending brownie mix everywhere. They laughed so hard.
Some of our girls got the chance to cook their first turkey. The adventure began with removing the neck and giblets. There was a lot of back-and-forth—“No, I’m not putting my hand in there!”—until one brave student (JaNiyah) finally reached in. When she pulled out the neck, she exclaimed, “Wow!”
Next came injecting the turkey with flavoring. The girls joked, “No, no, that’s like surgery!” I reassured them the turkey wouldn’t feel a thing, which led to a playful smack on the turkey and a round of laughter. At first, no one wanted to use the injector, but after a staff member demonstrated twice, the girls rolled up their sleeves and jumped in. When I stepped away for a moment and returned, all the flavoring had been injected, teamwork at its best!
While making brownies, Joss and Mariska had their own comedy moment. One package exploded as they pulled too hard, sending brownie mix everywhere. They laughed so hard.
Blind Middle School Girls in Cary White had Taco Night. Each one worked on cutting up tomatoes and onions, cooking the meat and shells, setting out the toppings, setting the table, and preparing their own plate. They did a great job and enjoyed it all, especially the cookies afterwards!!
#FSDBAfterSchoolHoursWednesdays
#FSDBAfterSchoolHoursWednesdays
Our Construction students have been hard at work bringing creativity to life! They built this awesome iceberg prop for the Dance Troupe’s class, who will be using them in their upcoming Elf musical performance. CTE loves collaborating with other departments!
#FSDBCTETuesdays
#FSDBCTETuesdays
Brianna Hadden, Learning Opportunity Center teacher in Deaf High School, shares her favorite memory below:
"I have two that I can think of off the top of my head! One of the privileges of my position is that I often have the same students in my class for the entire 4 years of their high school journey. Seeing their social and academic growth, along with their pride and independence, is one of my all-time favorite things! It always is bittersweet when they graduate and leave, though! Another one is seeing joy through the students' eyes after the endless hours of planning Prom and other school events when they come to fruition! Seeing their excitement and getting to live that is great! "
#FSDBMemoryMondays #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
"I have two that I can think of off the top of my head! One of the privileges of my position is that I often have the same students in my class for the entire 4 years of their high school journey. Seeing their social and academic growth, along with their pride and independence, is one of my all-time favorite things! It always is bittersweet when they graduate and leave, though! Another one is seeing joy through the students' eyes after the endless hours of planning Prom and other school events when they come to fruition! Seeing their excitement and getting to live that is great! "
#FSDBMemoryMondays #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
TWO MONTHS FROM CLERC CLASSIC!
To view all the important information, be sure to check out our website for Clerc at www.clerclassic.com
#FSDBSportsSundays
In Margie Galligan-Prater's cooking class, SOAR students had the chance to learn how to make and cook breakfast burritos.
#FSDBSOARSaturdays
#FSDBSOARSaturdays
What is the first word that comes to mind when you think of FSDB? Please comment below!
#FSDBQuestionOfTheWeekFridays
#FSDBQuestionOfTheWeekFridays
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Dance Troupe presents their production of Elf The Musical JR. on Wednesday, December 10, at 6:00 p.m. and Friday, December 12, at 8:30 a.m. Both shows are in Kirk Auditorium on the FSDB campus. The Wednesday night show is open to the campus community and the public. The Friday morning show is a private, invitation-only event. Admission is FREE. Elf The Musical JR. is an uplifting musical about one boy’s quest to find his true identity.
Visitors interested in attending the Wednesday night performance should enter the campus through the Genoply Street entrance, which intersects with San Marco Avenue, and proceed to the guardhouse to check in with Campus Police for parking instructions.
To view more information, click the link shared : https://www.fsdbk12.org/article/2546808
Visitors interested in attending the Wednesday night performance should enter the campus through the Genoply Street entrance, which intersects with San Marco Avenue, and proceed to the guardhouse to check in with Campus Police for parking instructions.
To view more information, click the link shared : https://www.fsdbk12.org/article/2546808
It’s time for St. Augustine’s Nights of Lights!
Visitors travel from all over the world to see this incredible display in downtown St. Augustine. This year marks the 32nd annual event, with more than three million lights shining on every corner of the historic district for two months (starting Saturday, November 15th through Sunday, January 11th.) It truly is an incredible sight to behold!
And guess what? The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind joins in the festive fun! Since we’re right on San Marco Avenue, our fences are adorned with lights thanks to our amazing Facilities Department. They work hard during the day, and it’s always a welcome sight each year when I come home to see the pretty lights surrounding the President’s Residence. That’s right—I have the blessing of serving and living on this incredible campus. I love that we can give our students and staff a holiday feel while celebrating alongside the city of St. Augustine.
Wishing everyone a blessed start to the holiday season!
#NightsOfLights #StAugustine #FSDB #HolidayMagic #ThisISFSDB #ThePrezSnowPost
Please join us in welcoming Shekynah Entinger to FSDB!
Shekynah was previously a freelance and VRI interpreter up north and in Orlando, primarily when travel opportunities arose. Now, she is excited to be a staff interpreter here at FSDB!
Shekynah looks forward to building relationships with students, faculty, families, and others within the FSDB community. She is also eager to partner with and support everyone who cares for the students here.
"St. Augustine seems to be a tight-knit community, and I have received a warm welcome!" stated Shekynah.
She considers herself a coffee connoisseur and enjoys discovering local coffee shops. In her free time, she loves spending quality time with friends, being a supportive aunt from afar, going for nature runs, and relaxing at the beach or springs on the weekends. She is slowly embracing her identity as a "Floridian" and is growing to love the state. Originally from Minnesota, she moved to Florida to be closer to the ocean and to join a larger Deaf and interpreting community.
She would like to share that she grew up with a hearing mother and a Deaf father, which has allowed her to appreciate the two rich and distinct cultures that often intertwine. She looks forward to meeting everyone!
Welcome to the FSDB Family, Shekynah!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
Shekynah was previously a freelance and VRI interpreter up north and in Orlando, primarily when travel opportunities arose. Now, she is excited to be a staff interpreter here at FSDB!
Shekynah looks forward to building relationships with students, faculty, families, and others within the FSDB community. She is also eager to partner with and support everyone who cares for the students here.
"St. Augustine seems to be a tight-knit community, and I have received a warm welcome!" stated Shekynah.
She considers herself a coffee connoisseur and enjoys discovering local coffee shops. In her free time, she loves spending quality time with friends, being a supportive aunt from afar, going for nature runs, and relaxing at the beach or springs on the weekends. She is slowly embracing her identity as a "Floridian" and is growing to love the state. Originally from Minnesota, she moved to Florida to be closer to the ocean and to join a larger Deaf and interpreting community.
She would like to share that she grew up with a hearing mother and a Deaf father, which has allowed her to appreciate the two rich and distinct cultures that often intertwine. She looks forward to meeting everyone!
Welcome to the FSDB Family, Shekynah!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
