We want to remind everyone to exercise extra caution when driving near the Genoply/Douglas intersection during heavy rain. Floodwaters can accumulate quickly in this area, making it difficult to navigate the streets. 

We understand that this may lead to delays for car riders, and we appreciate your patience and understanding. Your safety is our top priority, so we encourage you to take your time and avoid driving through flooded areas. 

Thank you for helping us keep our students and families safe. 

FSDB families are invited to our first Parent Chat & School Advisory Council Meeting of the 2025-26 school year!

FSDB recognizes that family involvement positively impacts student success and encourages parents/legal guardians to take an active and supportive role in enhancing the student learning environment. This is a fantastic opportunity for parents & staff members to share ideas and work together.

The meeting will take place September 19 at 8:30 am in Moore Hall CLD.

For more information and to RSVP or register for the virtual option, please visit Informed Parent Meeting

On Friday, August 29th, we welcomed 15 enthusiastic students to our first informational Ski Club meeting. The energy in the room was incredible as students learned about the opportunity to be among the top ten selected to join the trip and experience snow, skiing, ice skating, sledding, sleigh rides, snowshoeing, and much more.

Students are currently signing up for their Ski Club interviews, which must be scheduled by Friday, September 5th. During the interview, they’ll be asked to reflect on:

• Why are they interested in joining the club?

• What strengths or benefits would they bring to the travel group?

• A time they faced a challenge and showed a willingness to try something new?

• A specific situation where they felt stressed and how they managed it.

• Three personal goals for the trip.

This interview process is an important part of joining the Ski Club. It helps students understand the responsibility and commitment involved, while also giving them valuable experience in professional interviewing. It aligns with the Expanded Core Curriculum, supporting the development of real-world skills that will benefit them in adulthood.

Take a moment to explore our Ski Club website! It’s your go-to spot for key trip details, important deadlines, and links to all of our past adventures. You can also find the link to the Initial Application Packet in English and Spanish. Be sure to check out the video from last year’s trip—it’s a great way to get excited for what’s ahead!

Here’s the link to the website: FSDB Ski & Winter Sports Club Website Page

The BHS Book Club is underway. Parents of interested students were emailed Parent Permission Forms on 8/19 for students who are interested in participating this year. All student clubs now require parents to opt-in to activities.

We will have our first meeting on September 18th to discuss the book Blind by Rachel Dewoskin. For more information, please contact the Media Specialist Joy Carriger at carrigerj@fsdbk12.org

Senior President ~ Serenity Herrell

Senior Vice President - Lily James

Senior Secretary - Serraya Robinson

Senior Webmaster - Briella Lawson

Junior President ~ Whyatt Altemose

Students in Mrs. Smith’s financial literacy class practiced real-world banking skills through a fun role-playing activity. Using fake money and deposit slips they created themselves in braille or print, students took turns acting as the bank teller and the customer. Each student had the chance to fill out a deposit slip and complete a transaction before switching roles.

This hands-on experience helped students build confidence and learn practical financial skills they’ll use in everyday life.

Koger Hall started the school year out with a new sophomore joining the group. Barbara Alberro-Hernandez is fifteen, she says that she will be sixteen soon, she is from Miami and has a little sister and older brother. Barbara can speak 3 different languages - Spanish, English, and Portuguese. She learned Portuguese because she knew some people who spoke it and became interested in learning the language. Her hobbies include working out, reading, and learning about technology. Barbara came to FSDB to improve her Braille and technology skills, and she says that everything here is really good. Math is her favorite subject, and she already had some friends that attended school here.

· Wednesday, September 24 – the Junior class is hosting our PBIS Kick Off for Koger and MacWilliams with a “Chipotle Night”

Athletics Page

Raymond's Warehouse, also known as "the School Store", has opened for the 2025-26 school year! As part of the After School Work Program, Raymond’s Warehouse will be open each Tuesday and Thursday from 4:30 to 6pm.

 As in previous years, Raymond’s Warehouse is a CASH ONLY business. Please stop by for drinks, snacks and candy, and stay for a chat with our fantastic student workers. We look forward to serving you!

Please send in as soon as possible:

• Signed 2025-26 Consent Forms (Adult students must sign their own)

• Asthma/Allergy/Anaphylaxis Diabetes/Seizure/Panhypopit Sick Plans

• Medications and updated med orders

• Diet Orders

Did you know that FSDB has a school museum on campus? Located in Alumni Hall #12, the FSDB Museum is a treasure trove of artifacts, services, and accomplishments.

What’s in the Museum

The Museum showcases cultural displays highlighting the school's rich heritage, legacy, and values. It houses collections of historic photographs, vintage memorabilia, artifacts, and engaging stories relevant to the FSDB community and visitors. The information in the Museum is organized into three main sections: History, Archives, and Alumni.

 History Section

• A Walk through 1885-2015 history panels

• Chronology of FSDB Presidents

• History of Campus Buildings

• School Artifacts

• Time Capsule (to be opened at 2025 homecoming)

• Class Photos of Graduates

• Academic & Vocational Memorabilia

• Sports Memorabilia

Archives (catalog to be posted later)

• School yearbooks

• Homecoming program books

• Commencement & Senior Awards program books

• Florida School Herald publications

• Sports program books

• Old pictures and documents

• Student Registers and Enrollment Books

Alumni

• Alumni Database

• Programs for Class Reunions & Alumni Weekends

• Alumni Obituaries

Visiting the Museum

Visiting the museum is a unique experience that is only available by appointment or during designated open hours. We strongly encourage you to plan ahead to ensure you have ample time to explore and fully enjoy your visit!

Appointment Tour (consider private tour)

These tours are highly beneficial for educational purposes, serving students and staff. If you wish to request a guided tour of the Museum, please use the link below. We kindly ask that you submit your request no less than two weeks in advance to allow adequate time for scheduling a staff member and to arrange necessary accommodations, such as an interpreter, if required.

Museum Tour Request Form

Donating Artifacts/Collections to the FSDB Museum

Many alumni, friends, and staff have generously donated various items to the FSDB Museum for archiving, display, and research purposes. If you want to donate any artifacts or collections related to FSDB, please contact us first. A donation form must be completed, as it is a standard requirement for our museum. (Please see the link below to print and complete the form; it must accompany your collection.)

Artifact/Archive Donation Agreement Form

Museum Services

 -Community Service for Students

FSDB students can earn community service hours to be applied toward rewards and college scholarships. Upon completing at least 25 hours of community service, students will receive a complimentary museum T-shirt and a certificate of appreciation. Their contributions may include scanning documents and books, organizing files in the archive room, and working on various other projects.

 -FSDB Archive and Collection Catalog

We are currently organizing files and compiling a collection for the catalog in the archive room. This project is expected to be completed in about two months. The Collections Catalog will include items in the archive, making it suitable for research, projects, document scanning, and more. It will also be ideal for students working on projects or preparing for class presentations.

Contact Information

Email: museum@fsdbk12.org

Videophone: 904-201-3272

Phone/Text: 904-827-2545

Museum Staff

BP Murphy (FSDB '83), Coordinator

Jamie McElfresh (FSDB '78), Assistant

Tina Jones (FSDB '76), Assistant

Jennifer Valderrama, Blind Accessibility Assistant

 *The FSDB Museum is managed by the Communications & Public Relations department.

General Information and Interesting Facts

About the Building

• The Museum is 2,500 square feet and has seven rooms (Museum, office, archives, and meeting/project rooms).

• The building has a set climate control of 70 degrees; humidity must be 30 to 50 percent to preserve the collections and artifacts. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes when visiting.

Museum Accomplishments 2024-2025

• 1,185 people visited the Museum.

• 181 tours were given.

• $1,665 in donations were received.

• 45 service inquiries to scan pictures, documents, research, sell yearbooks, tour, etc.

• 20 artifacts/collections were received.

• 80 hours of student community service.

• 80 items were digitized from old VHS, 8 mm, 16mm films, and slides of pictures.

Come on and stop by to learn about fabulous FSDB History.

The ECC Clinic is meant to be a triage for students who have an area of need. Teachers/staff may refer a student, the student may refer themselves, or parents may submit a request. Depending on the student, they may be seen once to learn a particular skill or may be seen regularly in order to master a priority need. When referring a student, please be detailed in order for us to best serve them.

This clinic will take place only on Thursdays and students will be selected based on the urgency of their need. 

Please use this form to refer students to our Expanded Core Curriculum Clinic.

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

If you would like to contribute something to the Prism newsletter, please send your article and photos to Mrs. Costello at costellol@fsdbk12.org All students may submit stories, poems, information, jokes, photos, etc. for consideration.