Our residential students gathered for their annual Thanksgiving dinner to celebrate Thanksgiving next week. It was an excellent time to share with friends and enjoy delicious food!
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesday
Congratulations to our FSDB "District" Teacher of the Year
On Friday, November 15, 2024, we were able to surprise and celebrate our 2025/2026 FSDB "District" Teacher of the Year, Jessica Kaspar, at Kids Town with Deaf Elementary School staff and students!
Congratulations to you, Jessica!!!
Ms. Carr's Contemporary Literature class students have been reading Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird. Recently, they made it to a crucial moment in the novel: the trial and conviction of Tom Robinson. Rightfully, the students were deeply affected by the outcome. As a class, they have been working on identifying and analyzing key plot elements in literary texts, working to understand how each adds to a piece's meaning.
Before moving on to the next section of the novel, the class worked as a group to analyze the verdict of this trial, as it applies to the old saying, "just the tip of the iceberg." Using a sizeable tactile iceberg, students decided which elements were visible above the water's surface (aspects of the trial for all to see and know) and which elements were much more significant and buried deeper below. Throughout the project, students discussed how each of the plot components (character, juxtaposition, setting, etc.) contribute to this piece of literature's theme, tone, and mood.
#FSDBAcademicMonday
BHS had an awesome Homecoming week! The dance last night was a blast, and this morning’s skit and parade brought even more fun.
Congratulations to our Homecoming King and Queen, Michael Diaz and Paige Hart Myers!
To view the photos from the festivities, click on the link shared below:
https://zenfolio.page.link/k2gG1
#FSDBRecapSunday
Our FSDB Football team will play at Hernando Christian Academy for the SSAA Football Championship tonight at 7:00 PM. If you want to come to support our boys, the address is 7200 Emerson Rd., Brooksville, FL 34601.
We wish our boys the best of luck!!!
#GoDragons #OneTeamOneHeartbeat #FSDBSportsSaturday
This is Jenny Locy.
Jenny started at FSDB as a 4th grader and graduated in 1997. She went to St. Petersburg College and received an Associate, then transferred to the University of South Florida and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree.
She has been the Director of Marketing and training for Absolute Quality Services, an interpreting agency, for 8 years. Before she became a Director of Marketing, she worked for ZVRS as a Regional Outreach Manager.
“There is no place like FSDB where you can access ASL, and everyone signs. We became a family at FSDB,” shared Jenny.
Jenny has many memories, but one of her favorite memories was traveling with my teammates to Mason Dixon Tournaments for Volleyball, Basketball, and Track and field. She attended some of Florida's springs with the members of the FSDB Canoe Club. On the weekends, she hung out with friends at St Augustine's Old Town. Jenny was fortunate to travel with some of her track teammates to Moscow, Russia, in the summer of 1995. These were the grand old days!
After graduating from FSDB, Jenny was Miss Deaf Florida in the pageant in 2005. She became one of two Deaf persons to get FEMA CERT Instructor in the State of Florida and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Women Empowered Pink Belt in 2019.
Jenny is currently living in Tampa and trains in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. During her free time, she enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family and friends.
“Thank you, FSDB, for everything you do for Deaf students and investing in our lives so that we can continue living well,” stated Jenny.
#FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDB #ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
It is with great honor to introduce the FSDB School Related Employee of the Year for 2024-2025 Mr. Calvin Klinger!
Calvin is the S.H.O.W. (Students Home on Weekends) Coordinator for the FSDB Transportation Department and has been a member of the FSDB Family for over 17 years. It was great to see the outpouring of support from his peers as they expressed all the amazing qualities and characteristics that Calvin displays daily in his work.
He has a big heart when it comes to the students and does anything and everything to ensure that they all receive the highest quality experience when they are being transported to and from home. Calvin is extremely reliable and does not rest until every student is home and accounted for.
For many students Calvin is indeed a world changer by helping make FSDB accessible to them of whom many may never had had a chance to experience what they now have the opportunity to.
Thank you, Calvin for everything you have done and everything you will do.
Welcome to FSDB, Beverly Orellana!
Beverly will be working as an Instructional Assistant at ELC.
"I'm ready to learn new things, meet new students, and be able to work with them," shared Beverly
One fun fact about her is that she is very nice and is motivated to help others!
We are very excited to have you here at FSDB, Beverly!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
Today, Blind High School will take control of our social media pages to share their exciting homecoming celebration! We’ll post highlights, activities, and behind-the-scenes moments from the festivities throughout the day.
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
On the 1974 Blind Homecoming Weekend, the Homecoming Queen was Mary Tyson, and the escort was Robin Tate. Blind Department Principal Walter Davis crowned the queen.
#FSDBWayBackWhensday
On Wednesdays, students in the Elementary Dance Program attend Tap class after school, where they engage in exciting dance lessons and develop their skills with confidence.
#FSDBCampusLifeTuesdays
Welcome to FSDB, Caitlyn D'Angelo!
Caitlyn will be working as a Deaf Elementary Teacher at DES.
She is incredibly excited about working at FSDB because it feels like coming full circle. She is returning to her childhood school, which shaped her into who she is today, and now she has the chance to give back to the community that helped her grow.
"I'm passionate about teaching ASL, and I am excited to teach ASL to young students, which will support and benefit them for a lifetime!" shared Caitlyn
One fun fact about her is that she loves traveling and taking photos!
We are so happy to have you back at FSDB!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
Welcome to FSDB, Homero Gadea!
Homero will be working as a Behavioral Program Associate at Transportation.
His previous position was OPS Language Facilitator.
"I am excited to work with children of different ages and learn sign language," said Homero.
One fun fact about Homero is that he had always wanted to be an FBI agent when he was a little boy.
We are so thrilled to have you here with us at FSDB!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB
- Janelle Berry, Brandon Call, and Delia Lozano went to the ASLTA conference in Rochester, New York. They learned ASL assessments, structures, and research. What stood out the most was Brandon's closing keynote presentation. We are proud of Brandon for delivering an impactful message related to ASL and Science.
- 2nd Grade students in Deaf Elementary learned about voting this week. They had a STEM lesson about which house was stronger.
- Deaf High School Forensic science class just wrapped up the final lab for their crime report on DNA electrophoresis.
#FSDBRecapSunday
We want to recognize our seniors on the football and cheerleading teams in honor of the fall sports team wrapping up soon. Congratulations to every one of you; we will deeply miss you!
#FSDBSportsSaturday
This is Missy Kaler.
Missy started at FSDB as an 8th grader in 1980, and graduated in 1985. She graduated from Gallaudet University in 1992. She went to Alaska to learned that she did not like the job so she returned home to Florida. Her mother encouraged Missy to go back to FSDB and give back to the community as she had great memories there.
Missy started her career at FSDB in 1993 as a bus chaperone. Then, she became a teacher's assistant in Deaf Elementary Department. While a teacher's aide, she had the opportunity to go back to college to get her teachers certification, and Master's in Special Education. Missy then became a teacher in the Deaf Middle School Department. While teaching DMS, she got her 2nd masters in school counseling. In full circle, she is now in Deaf High School as a School Counselor.
"FSDB has been my home for the last thirty years. I have a few more years until I offically retired" shared Missy.
Missy wanted to become a park ranger, work in recreation or a travel guide. However, she decided to give a try and work at FSDB. It turned out she really liked working in the education system. She loves teaching, helping, and working with the students.
Missy had so many great memories as a student with classmates in class and outside of class. As a freshman living in Koger Hall was a fun year for her. Her favorite club was Canoe Club. They were able to go on canoe trips to the beautiful waterways in Ocala with Mr. OJA. Another fun memory was being part of JR. NAD.
Missy and her partner love to travel the world. They have been to Bora Bora to swim with sharks, explored Costa Rica and spotted a sloth, explored the Galapagos and greeted by many friendly sea lions. They also hiked the Inca Trail and saw the beauty of Machu Picchu in Peru, and explored Bali where they saw many many bats flying in the sky. Their next trip will be in Europe. They have a goal to see the world and then travel in an RV to see all of United States.
We are so happy you choose to come back here to FSDB!
#ThisIsFSDB #FSDBFam #YouBelongAtFSDB #FSDBGrowingUpAtFSDBFridays
Welcome to FSDB, Lavetta Davis!
Lavetta will be working as a Food Service Support worker.
"I am so excited for this opportunity and meeting new people," said Lavetta.
Before FSDB, her previous position was housekeeping.
One fun fact about Lavetta is that she loves giving back blessings to others.
We are so excited to have you here, Lavetta!
#FSDBFam #ThisIsFSDB #YouBelongAtFSDB
Our Deaf Middle School Assistant Principal, Karen Newton, will take over our socials today! Check out our stories for some fun content from Karen and Deaf Middle School!
#FSDBTakeoverThursdays
In 1986, FSDB Deaf and Blind Dance Troupe students went to the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
FSDB students performed on stage to recognize Ray Charles for receiving the awards. FSDB students met the legendary singer Stevie Wonder and Quincy Jones, a legendary music producer, with the students. Quincy Jones recently passed away.
Source: FSDB Museum.
#FSDBWayBackWhenesday
Cary White has been working on persevering and improving their success skills this month. Our students learned how to set goals for themselves, and we conveyed what determination looks like when the going gets tough. Each of them did their best and felt great about their achievements this school year so far.
#FSDBCampusLifeWednesday
