Congratulations to Calvin Klinger, who was recently named one of the top 5 finalists for the School-Related Employee of the Year by the Florida Department of Education!
Calvin is the S.H.O.W. (Students Home on Weekends) Coordinator for the FSDB Transportation Department and has been a valued member of the FSDB community for over 17 years. He was awarded FSDB's 2025 School-Related Employee of the Year and is now among the top five finalists from across Florida.
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Dance Troupe presents their production of Disney's Frozen JR. on Tuesday, April 29 and Wednesday, April 30, at 7:00 p.m. Both shows are in Kirk Auditorium on the FSDB campus and are open to the campus community as well as the public. Admission is FREE. The spectacular 60-minute musical is based on the 2013 Disney film and the 2018 Broadway adaptation.
Click on the link shared below to learn important information needed to know if planning on attending :https://www.fsdbk12.org/article/2080846
Ready for an adventure in the oldest city with new friends! Summer Quest is an overnight camp offering Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) activities during the day and various recreational and social experiences in the evening.
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
Our Rhyne Hall Boys High School dorm will take over our social media this afternoon into the evening. We will share what the boys and staff are doing throughout the night. There will be plenty of fun activities, from games to creative projects and meals. Stay tuned to our stories to see all the action!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Frank Turk's early commitment to nurturing youth led him to become the National Director of Junior NAD from 1966 to 1980. In 1968, with the support of Gary Olsen, Frank founded the NAD Youth Leadership Camp (YLC), a four-week summer program that has helped shape over 3,000 Deaf youth into strong, confident leaders and advocates, considering Frank their greatest mentor.
FSDB Junior NAD was founded in 1967 and continues to operate today. Many FSDB students have attended the YLC camp over the years. Frank's encouragement in establishing Junior NAD and assisting FSDB students develop strong leadership skills is greatly appreciated.
In 1977, Frank Turk visited FSDB and gave the students a presentation on Junior NAD and leadership. The students gained valuable insights about leadership and organization. Frank shared wisdom and engaged in meaningful discussions with them.
Regrettably, Frank has recently passed away, which is truly heartbreaking for the Deaf community in America. May he rest in peace.
Source: FSDB Museum, Google, FSDB 1978 Yearbook
#FSDBWayBackWhensdays #FSDBHistory
The Blind High School Class of 2025 and the FSDB Recreation Program hosted a carnival on March 13 in the Blind Department Courtyard. The event featured delicious food, lively music, fun activities, and exciting prizes! BES students also had a great time meeting President Snow at the carnival.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
A group of 9 DMS students went to Utah for their National Deaf Theatre Festival this weekend. 🎭 They have immersed themselves in workshops and activities to learn theatre history, networking with peers, and performance skills. They have been buzzing with energy the whole trip! We’re so grateful to have this fantastic opportunity.
#FSDBAcadmeicMondays
In a collaboration between DMS' Brandon Call's Biology class and DHS' Hancock's woodshop, a Chameleon Cage Enclosure was created out of pressure-treated lumber- called to the work to assemble a cabinet from scratch. It was designed carefully to include lighting, water, and air where the screens were installed. Two chameleons are diving into the world of nature in the friendly confines of this enclosure.
The students involved were the entire class, Joey Locklear, Gabe Mitchell, Joey Seppala, Byrce do los Santos, and Frantz Valbrun were great contributors to the work.
Awesome work!
#FSDBReapSundays
In a nail-biting contest, the Lady Dragons triumphed over Veritas Academy on March 25th. The game kicked off with a defensive safety by Mayrani Aguilar, putting the Dragons ahead 2-0. Veritas Academy fought back fiercely, scoring a pick-six and another touchdown to take the lead.
But the Dragons, embodying true grit and determination, cameback to clinch the victory with a final score of 24-20. Anita Reyes, Chazzy Barria, and Mayrani Aguilar contributed crucial points.
The defense was the backbone of this victory, with stellar flag pulls and preventing any major yardage plays. This team exemplifies continuous improvement and resilience.
#FSDBSportsSaturday #GoDragons #OneTeamOneHeartbeat
This is Alison Colvin.
Alison began her career at FSDB in 1997 as a Residential Dorm Staff member. She later transitioned to her current role as an Instructional Assistant for Deaf Elementary.
Alison has been a three-year class sponsor and safety patrol leader for seven years. Additionally, she has been involved in the Reading Summer Camp for sixteen years.
In 1992, due to the hurricane, Alison relocated from Miami, Florida, to Saint Augustine, seeking the best education for her three children. They graduated from FSDB in 2005, 2006, and 2010. Her grandson is currently enrolled at FSDB.
"What makes FSDB unique is the incredible support from teachers and staff, along with the privilege of watching students learn, grow, and thrive!" Alison shared.
Some fun facts about Alison include her love for fishing and participation in fishing tournaments, her enjoyment of traveling, and her favorite hobby, crocheting.
We are thrilled to have you as part of our FSDB Family!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDBFridays #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBFam
Today, our Staff ASL Instructor, LaDonna Snyder, will take over our social media! Check our stories to see a typical day for her at FSDB. This week, our staff members have been learning about De'VIA, a genre of visual art that represents Deaf culture, so you can expect to see some stories featuring their presentations!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
Today is the last Wednesday of March, so let's celebrate Women's History Month one final time!
We highlight Inez B. Knowles, a teacher for black students from 1924-1959 for 35 years!
Inez graduated from Georgia School for the Deaf in 1920 and had two deaf sisters.
In 1924, she started working at FSDB as a houseparent, home economics teacher, supervisor and academic classroom teacher. That picture of Old Knowles Hall shows where she taught students during segregation for many years. Many students and staff loved her.
She worked under four presidents: Dr. Walker, Dr. Brown, Dr Settles and Mr. Wallace.
Her hearing husband, Otis Knowles, was the principal of the Black Department and athletic director of black deaf sports teams.
In 1965, there was a building, Knowles Hall, named after her in her honor.
Source: FSDB Florida School Herald, FSDB Museum.
#FSDBWayBackWhensday
Today is the last Wednesday of March, so let's celebrate Women's History Month one final time!
We highlight Inez B. Knowles, a teacher for black students from 1924-1959 for 35 years!
Inez graduated from Georgia School for the Deaf in 1920 and had two deaf sisters.
In 1924, she started working at FSDB as a houseparent, home economics teacher, supervisor and academic classroom teacher. That picture of Old Knowles Hall shows where she taught students during segregation for many years. Many students and staff loved her.
She worked under four presidents: Dr. Walker, Dr. Brown, Dr Settles and Mr. Wallace.
Her hearing husband, Otis Knowles, was principal of the Black Department and athletic director of black deaf sports teams.
In 1965, there was a building, Knowles Hall, named after her in her honor.
Source: FSDB Florida School Herald, FSDB Museum.
#FSDBWayBackWhensday
Congratulations to our Troupe 11048 Thespians on bringing home top honors from the Florida State Thespian Festival! All four students earned a Superior and have qualified for the International Competition!
Be sure to congratulate these talented Thespians when you see them! They did a fantastic job at States!
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays #FSDBArts
FSDB announces a public meeting to which all persons of the public are invited.
Location
• FSDB Campus: 207 San Marco Ave., St. Augustine, FL 32084
• Building: Moore Hall (corner of San Marco Ave. and Macaris St.)
• Rooms: Center for Learning and Development (CLD) and Room 215
Date and Time
• Friday, February 28, 2025
• 8:30 a.m. – Audit Committee Meeting (Room 215)
• 9:30 a.m.– Regular Board Meeting (CLD)
Note: Only the Regular Board Meeting will be livestreamed and available on the FSDB Board of Trustees Meeting webpage at https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/board-of-trustees-livestream
On Friday, February 28, BMS civics students participated in "Women's Suffrage Day" as the culmination of a mini-unit on the women's suffrage movement. After studying the road to the Nineteenth Amendment and the "visual rhetoric" of period suffrage-inspired postcards, students were tasked with creating educational presentations and designing suffrage postcards to present on "Suffrage Day."
Students researched and worked in groups of 2-3, preparing drafts and final versions of presentations and postcards. Students delivered the following presentations, after which a short intermission took place. Following the brief intermission, students returned to the stage and presented their postcards. Ms. Hillary and Mr. Ferguson then presented students with actual certificates of completion.
"Women's Suffrage Day" was a valuable experience for students. In addition to learning social studies content, students practiced the ECC skills of Compensatory Access, Assistive Technology, Self-Determination, Orientation and Mobility, and Social Interaction while working in groups.
#FSDBAcademicMondays
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 to participate on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. EDT for 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.
https://www.fsdbk12.org/page/mentors-and-models
We had a wonderful week at our schools before Spring Break!
The Academic Bowl team proudly secured 3rd place at the Regional competition, and during lunchtime, they were recognized and celebrated by the entire Deaf High School community.
The cheerleading team also achieved 3rd place at the National Deaf Cheer Competition in Rochester, NY, and they received a warm celebration as well.
On Friday, March 14th, which is Pi Day, Mr. Keller's math class enjoyed some delicious pie to celebrate the occasion!
Additionally, on the same day, BHS hosted its Poetry Slam in the Music Building.
#FSDBRecapSunday
Last weekend, our cheerleaders traveled to Rochester, New York, where the National Deaf Cheer Competition was hosted at RIT. We are thrilled to announce that they won the Sportsmanship award and secured third place! We are incredibly proud of our cheerleaders.
Please join us in congratulating them!
#FSDBSportsSaturday #GoDragons #OneTeamOneHeartbeat
This is Thomas Rice.
Thomas started at FSDB in 2016 as an 8th grader and graduated from the Blind Department in 2021. One of his favorite memories from his time as a student at FSDB was participating in Goalball, where he won two national championships with his teammates. This experience helped him discover his love for the sport, which he still plays today.
Thomas returned to work at FSDB because he wanted to give back to the community that helped him succeed. "I struggled in public school, and when my family and I discovered FSDB, it changed my life for the better and made me who I am today. I want to pass on all the knowledge I gained at FSDB to the students to help them become successful and independent," Thomas shared.
He started as a dorm staff member before becoming an instructional assistant for BEMS. Additionally, he assists with the Boys Goalball team and works as an OPS Technology and Athletics Assistant, as well as a dorm staff member.
Thomas has many memories as an employee of FSDB, making it difficult to choose just one. However, a standout moment for him is witnessing his students light up when they finally grasp a difficult concept. "Seeing them make that connection and demonstrate mastery of a new skill reminds me why I do what I do every day," Thomas reflected.
One fun fact about Thomas is that after graduating from FSDB, he continued to play Goalball as an adult and travels to compete in tournaments. He just got back from a tournament in Canada last weekend!
We love having you as part of the FSDB Family!
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
