Undergraduate school photos will be taken on Tuesday, February 24. 

Senior photos will be taken on Tuesday, March 3.

The official school photography website (fsdb.zenfolio.com) allows families and students to view and download photos easily. Each student will have their own personal gallery, which can only be accessed using a specific Gallery ID number. This Gallery ID number is the same as the student’s lunch pin.

Once the photos have been taken, you can access them by following these steps

Go to fsdb.zenfolio.com

Click on “FIND YOUR PHOTOS”

In the “Enter your Gallery ID:” enter your student's 5-digit number (same as school lunch PIN number)

If your student does not know their 5-digit lunch pin, please contact your school's administrative assistant. Additionally, if your student participates in an athletic team, school performance, or special event, those photos will also be uploaded to their personal gallery.

The Braille Institute has created a family of hyperlegible® fonts designed to improve legibility and readability for individuals with low vision. These carefully crafted fonts feature clear, highly distinctive letters and numbers that make reading easier and more accessible. The award-winning font has made reading easier for millions upon millions of people and continues to change lives daily. Named after Braille Institute founder, J. Robert Atkinson, the Atkinson Hyperlegible® font focuses on letterform distinction.

Good news, it’s free for everyone—from personal use to all commercial applications. Start reading with ease today! Download it now at https://www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/

The Regional Braille Challenge is here! On Thursday, February 26, registered students will have a magical day celebrating them!

The Challenge begins at 9:50 am with student registration in the Music Building Auditorium. Students must check in at the registration desk.

Following the Opening Ceremony, students will parade from the Music Building to Cary White via the covered pathway. A cheering crowd is welcome ~ come on out @ 10:20 am!

Participating students will proceed to their group testing rooms in Cary White.

At this time, parents and family will have their workshops in Kramer Hall.

A pizza lunch will be served for all in Copeland Lobby at 12:00 pm. Please note that snacks will be available for students in their testing room.

Students in grades 5 and up should bring headphones and/or Victor Streams if they have them.

Final dismissal will take place from the Music Building Auditorium at 3:30 pm.

Best of luck to all of our competitors and have fun!

Students grades 9-12 are focusing on understanding and analyzing rhetoric this month in library lessons.

BHS Book Club is reading Sunrise Nights by Jeff Zenter and met Thursday, February 19th to discuss.

National Honor Society invites were emailed to all candidates eligible to apply. Parents were cc'd on these emails last Friday to the email addresses listed in Skyward.

The full application packet is due on March 13.

Invitations to nominees will be sent by April 3.

The Induction Ceremony is scheduled for April 10 at 1:00 in the Music Building Auditorium.

Open to ALL Florida BVI, DHH, and DSI students in Florida. Students will learn, practice and explore different areas of the expanded core curriculum, ECC, all while doing something fun and meeting new people!

Who: BVI, DHH, and DSI students ages 6-17 living in Florida. Parent supervision is expected, and siblings are encouraged to join.

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time)
Location: Zoom virtual classroom – Materials will be mailed to each student’s home before the event.

Contact: Jennifer Valderrama, 904-827-2454, valderramaj@fsdbk12.org

Registration: Please register with your Parent/Guardian and siblings, so they can be included in this activity.
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/n5wz79e

The Student Work Program is thrilled to recognize Serraya as Student Employee of the Month for November! Serraya works as a Boarding Program Assistant for Blind Elementary Dorm in the After School Work Program.

Here’s what she shared about her experience:

Why do you want to work as a Boarding Program Assistant?

“In the future, I would like to work with kids, so I want to gain experience from working as a boarding program assistant. In this job, I get to work with young students.”

How do you balance your career and education?

“I focus on school, and complete as much schoolwork as I can to avoid it becoming homework since I work after school. If I end up having homework, I make sure to work on it during free time at school so that way I can focus on my job after school.”

What advice do you have for students who want to work on campus?

“My advice for students who want to get a job is to have good work ethic, good skills such as communication, leadership, and problem-solving. Be ready to come to work with a positive attitude as well.”

What do you like most about your job?

“I really enjoy coming to work and seeing the students. I love to help students. Each student has a different personality, and they make work fun.”

If you can choose one food to eat for the rest of your life, what would it be?

“That is a hard one, I would say Pickles! Specifically, fermented pickles. Shoutout to my biology teacher for introducing me to it!”

Supervisor Comment:

“We are thrilled to recognize Serraya Robinson for her exceptional contributions as a Boarding Program Assistant. Her positive attitude, unwavering dedication, and strong work ethic have made her an invaluable member of our team. Not only does she approach every task with enthusiasm, but she also serves as a positive role model for our students, inspiring them to strive for excellence. We are grateful to have Serraya as part of our team. Great job, Serraya – you truly deserve this recognition!” – Alicia Dejesus

Cheers to Serraya! Your consistent effort and great attitude shine every day.

Students with permission are now allowed to come every Wednesday during lunch to work on team projects in the Lego Lunch club.

In Foundations class students have been discussing post high school plans, college admission requirements, and the benefits of being studious. This led to a discussion of eye conditions and advocacy. 

Ms. Jensen then brought in a homemade eye model to show the students and allow them to explore the various components that may impact their vision.

Students enjoyed the different textures and interactive parts of the model.

In Foundation of Mathematics, students have been practicing their graph reading skills. From bar graphs, to pie charts, to double line graphs. And along the way they have been learning a lot about the wildlife in Australia, including marsupials, giant clams, and cane toads. They are planning to create their own data displays at the end of the unit.

Several Blind High School students visited the Palm Valley Golf Club in Ponte Vedra Beach recently to participate in a golf clinic held by members of the Blind Golf Association. Students had a chance to learn how to putt, chip, and drive with several coaches on hand. They also participated in various challenges, and a fun time was had by all. Another special treat was students got to meet Jake Olsen, the top blind golfer in the U.S. He is also famous for playing college football as a blind athlete at the University of Southern California (USC). Jake has been featured many times in various sports media for all his accomplishments. Jake shared the story of his journey and what it took to reach the heights he has achieved, and the perseverance needed to reach your goals. We hope to have follow-up opportunities in the future for our students to have more of these great experiences.

This year in the ACC Algebra 2 class, students have been learning more complex math than ever before. What may have been scary for some students, who lack confidence in math and maintain that mindset, was not for one particular student. Jessie Moraitis has really taken to math this year. She has been keeping detailed notes, listening attentively, practicing her skills at home, and showing up ready to learn every day. She even at times touts that math is her favorite class. Who would have thought that would be said?

But Jesse is just proving that if you take good notes, use your resources wisely, and show up with a growth mindset, you can improve your academic achievement. Jesse has consistently received A's and B's on her classroom tests and has shown growth on district testing. She says her scores are due to her newfound love for math and her ability to take and keep detailed notes. She just hopes her notebook can inspire others to do the same. 

Over the past several weeks, the BHS Theatre Class has been immersed in one of the most iconic works of English literature: Romeo and Juliet. Students explored Shakespeare’s world by reading Act 1 through the famous Balcony Scene (Act 2, Scene 2) from an abridged script. To support comprehension, each scene was paired with a modern‑English version. After just a few days, students began understanding more of the original text on their own and even enjoying the challenge!

To deepen their engagement, students responded to thought‑provoking questions after each scene. Prompts like “Based on Tybalt’s personality, what do you think he will do next?” sparked lively discussion and helped students connect emotionally with the characters.

Adding a fun and competitive twist, students also took a Shakespeare‑themed “personality test” that placed them into either the Montague or Capulet families. All quarter, these two “families” have been battling in a friendly feud, earning points for positive actions such as:

~Turning in homework on time

~Helping classmates (extra points for helping a rival family member!)

~Completing acts of service around the school

Points could also be lost for things like missing class, incomplete work, or stirring up conflict. Week after week, the race has stayed close, with both families constantly climbing the scoreboard.

The unit concluded with each student performing one of two iconic monologues: Romeo’s heartfelt “But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?” or Juliet’s reflective “What’s in a name?” Students brought impressive expression and creativity to their performances.

We invite you to enjoy Rihanna’s beautiful presentation of Juliet’s monologue below. Her work is a wonderful example of the confidence and skill our students are developing through theatre.

At our Student of The Quarter presentation and PBIS ticket drawing on February 18, Danna Santiago-Galvez was named Koger Hall’s Student of second quarter. Danna was chosen for her dedication to her schoolwork and responsibilities in the dorm and her willingness to try new things! Along with the Student of the Quarter presentation, we also randomly pulled PBIS tickets and those winners got to choose a gift card to Dunkin or Publix. PBIS ticket winners were Meadow Schoen, Teagan Young and Briella Lawson.

Greetings from MacWilliams Hall.

· Let’s take a moment to recognize our Students of the Month for January

o Freshman: Juniell B-C.

o Sophomore: Jeremy B.

o Junior: Derrick M.

· As promised in the last newsletter, our music room has been setup in its new location, new equipment added and everything set up for the students to practice / play instruments. In the accompanying pictures, Jeremy & Jeremiah B., Carlos P-C. Facundo C. and Leonel B-C. are playing an energetic rhythm with a Latin beat. 

· Our Juniors are branching out in their shopping skills, pictured is Aref S. at our local grocery store advocating for himself and shopping with the assistance of store personnel. 

No Report

Our Apartment Young Men are continuing their preparation for life after FSDB as we move into the second month of 2026. This month, the team placed strong emphasis on smart shopping skills. Students practiced bargain shopping, learned about the impact of rising prices, and discussed how to make cost‑effective decisions when shopping for a household. Additional lessons included proper food storage, avoiding waste, and respecting both personal and shared apartment items.

Students continue to participate in opportunities to go off campus with staff when available and enjoyed taking part in Valentine’s Day activities this month.

Building Independence Through Technology

The Young Men’s Team introduced students to a new accessible method for ordering food through DoorDash by speaking directly with a representative over the phone. Students have enjoyed using this feature, and staff are researching additional accessible technologies to introduce in the future.

Staying Active and Strengthening Social Skills

Several student‑athletes remain engaged in sports and other extracurricular activities during boarding hours. These activities support team building, independence, and the development of essential social skills. Staff continue to emphasize that in high school, college, and adulthood, students will work and live alongside many different individuals, making patience, communication, and collaboration important life skills.

Preparing for College and Beyond

As February begins, staff are reviewing important expectations and timelines with students. Topics include college applications, FAFSA requirements, and the documents needed for financial aid. Students are also refreshing safety and emergency procedures, with additional focus on kitchen safety and what to expect when living in a college dorm or their own apartment.

The Apartment Program continues to teach and reinforce independent living skills each day, helping prepare our young men for long‑term success both during and beyond their time at FSDB.

February is heart healthy month for women. Heart health is so important for everyone especially for women. Did you know 4 in 10 women in the U.S. have some form of cardiovascular disease, and heart disease and stroke kill more women than all forms of cancer combined. This highlights the urgent need for awareness and preventive measures. Lets talk about one of the best ways to prevent it, which is through your diet by eating heart healthy foods. 

Heart healthy foods focus on whole foods including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Processed foods are higher in saturated fats/sodium/sugar that can contribute to obesity, hypertension, high LDL cholesterol and blood pressure. Foods with trans fats should be completed avoided. The following foods can help control cholesterol and blood pressure and support overall vascular health. 

Fruits- Berries (esp. cherries, blueberries and strawberries), mangoes, apples, bananas, and oranges. 

Vegetables- Green leafy vegetables (ex. kale, spinach, collard greens and bok choy) 

Lean protein- legumes, beans (ex. black beans, chickpeas, lentils), fatty fish (ex. salmon, tuna, mackerel and sardines) 

Whole grains- quinoa, oats, barely, and brown rice 

Healthy fats- nuts/seeds (esp. walnuts, almonds, chia seeds, flaxseeds) fatty fish as listed above, and healthy oils (such as olive and canola oil) 

Resiliency Florida is a statewide initiative that helps school staff and families support children’s emotional growth. Each month, we focus on a new skill to build resilience. 

Let’s work together! Each month, we’ll share resources from Resiliency Florida that you can use at home to support your child(ren). 

https://www.buildresiliency.org 

What is grit?

Grit means working consistently toward long-term goals.

As your child gets older, he or she will probably face situations where grit is needed to keep working toward reaching goals, despite setbacks.

What Can I Do?

Start the Conversation: talk about a time when you had to use grit.

Ask Your Child: ask your child about a situation when they wanted to give up. What prevented them from giving up? What strategies would help in the future?

Plan It Out: Encourage your child to think about his or her plan after high school and what is needed to achieve these goals.

Skills to consider practicing with your child:

Formulate a plan to attain a personal goal that addresses strength, needs, and risks.

Evaluate strategies that assist with managing challenges and setbacks.

Important to Remember

Children this age want more control over more aspects of their lives. They are feeling excited but anxious about the future.

Helping your child build grit now will help him or her understand that you can accomplish anything when you work hard!

Congratulations to these students from the Blind High School who made the Track & Field team!

Summer Quest Camp

Hey Families, The Parent Services Department offers travel reimbursement. Including mileage, meals, and even hotel expenses.  A couple of things you need to know first: All Parent University and Parent Engagement Workshops qualify for reimbursement.  Title I Parent meetings and School Advisory Council meetings qualify too.  We can’t reimburse travel to attend teacher conferences, IEP meetings, athletic events, school plays, etc.  We can’t reimburse travel to attend teacher conferences, IEP meetings, athletic events, school plays, etc.  We are working together to schedule more meetings in connection with campus events so you can attend multiple things during each visit.  

Nice to Know Tips:

*if you travel more than 50 miles we can reimburse hotel accommodations up to $225.

*many of our large events are scheduled on Friday so your child can ride home with you.  

Let’s Discuss. There are a couple of other things we will need to discuss before you start traveling.  Give me a call or send an email if you’d like to know more.

Misty Porter, Parent Liaison.  Porterm@fsdbk12.org  904-827-2988 

FSDB has private and grant funds, in addition to donor services, that benefit homeless students.

Homeless students are those students and their families who lack fixed, regular, adequate nighttime housing.

Examples include:

• Couch surfing—staying with family or friends temporarily

• Living in a homeless shelter

• Living in a vehicle

• Living in run down buildings that are not adequate

• Living in any public or private dwelling not designed for humans

Blind Elementary/Middle School "MV Team" representative is Ms. Laura Pamer. She meets with BEMS homeless students regularly and directly. You may reach her at pamerl@fsdbk12.org  or 904-827-2238

Blind High School
PH: 904-827-2715

Health Care Center
PH: 904-827-2410
VP: 904-201-3910

Transportation
PH: 800-992-8747

Parent Services
PH: 904-827-2212
VP: 904-201-4527

Campus Police
PH: 904-827-2315

Academic Calendar

Assessment Calendar

Parent Services Webpage

Parent-Student Handbook

School Photos

Skyward Family Access

Title I Handbook

FortifyFL

Dining Services

The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (FSDB) does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, religion, national origin, political opinion, affiliation, marital status, genetic information, disability, veteran status or any other basis as mandated by federal and state law in its educational programs, services or activities, or in its hiring or employment practices. FSDB also provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups as required by law.

Contacts for questions, complaints, or requests for additional information are as follows:

Student 504 Discrimination/Harassment, Title IX Coordinator (Student Issues)

Pauline Wagner
Executive Director of Parent Services
PH: 904-827-2221
VP: 904-201-4540

Requests in writing can be sent to:

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind
207 San Marco Avenue
St. Augustine, FL 32084