DHS DRAGON PRIDE
Sept. 18, 2020
Dates to Remember
Sept. 21-25 - PERT Test
Sept. 28-Oct. 8 - MAP Assessment
Oct. 12 - No School (Long weekend)
Oct. 13-16 - Pre-ACT (Sophomores)
Oct. 26-30 - ACT (Seniors)
Principal's Corner
This week, our hearts go out to the families, schools, and businesses in the Pensacola area who were affected by Hurricane Sally. It is a reminder that we are right in the middle of a very busy hurricane season and that we all need to be prepared for weather emergencies. FSDB has an incident management team who monitors weather situations closely and are ready with plans to keep our students safe and to ensure that families can be together should there be an imminent storm. This week take some time to make sure that your hurricane kit is ready. Have a safe weekend!
Angela Saunders
Deaf Department Principal
From Dina's Desk:
This week has went by fast. Teachers continue to find ways to involve ILE students in activities outside of the classroom, such as a trip to the museum, or a Dance Troupe activity, or pairing ILE students with Brick and Mortar students for Think-Share-Pair or team activities. Granted, technology had its bumps both at home and at school, but it is diminishing over time. We are happy to be here to support our students and families in these unprecedented times, including Covid-19 pandemic, stock market correction, and the hurricane that slammed the Florida Panhandle with deluge of rain, impacting some families there as well. In these tough times, it is easy to give up, drive a negative wedge in the stream we call life, however, we remain strong; We, as in families, students, staff. Know that our social workers, nurses, police officers, tech liaisons, and administrators, such as myself, are here for you. The changes that are happening can feel painful, because one cannot predict the future. I look at it as metamorphosis, i.e. a caterpillar being comfortable in its cocoon, eating all the leaves it wants, and growing big. The caterpillar does not want to come out of its comfort zone to become something totally different from it, a butterfly. Can it imagine that it could even fly? Check out flowers for nectar? Probably not until it happens. That applies to us as humans. It is a new world that we live in, and innovation is our power. Our ability to think, transform, and create a better world is our power. So the theme here is transformation. In the next few weeks, transformation will be discussed in this section. Feel free to send me your thoughts, for I love hearing from you.
Stay safe,
Dina Rae
ASL Version from Dina Padden
Brick and Mortar (BAM) Student Absences
Attention Seniors!
We will be sharing information in a special "senior section" of this publication for our soon-to-be grads and their families throughout the year. Seniors and their families also are encouraged to visit our senior information page on our website. First order of business: ordering graduation caps, gowns and announcements by Nov. 20, 2020. More information here.
See what's happening in DHS!
Mrs. Scala's class - FSDB Museum Visit
Deanna Scala's yearbook students, both ILE and BAM, can be seen taking a tour of the FSDB museum. Brendan Murphy, FSDB class of '83, our school historian, shared with the students the history of FSDB and showed them the archive of past yearbooks.
Academic Bowl Team
Our academic bowl team (Daniel Pletenets, Josiah Roberson, and Geoffrey Porter), led by Valerie Griffin, among other students will participate in the 2020 Trivia Cup held by Gallaudet University in the months of September-November focusing on areas such as entertainment, geography, mathematics, science & technology. Best of luck, FSDB players!
Teacher Spotlight
Randall Hancock - CTE Building & Construction Teacher
DHS Amended Locker Policy Agreement
PLEASE SIGN & RETURN TO DHS FRONT OFFICE
Please read this amended locker policy agreement and sign it so that your child may be assigned a locker to store their belongings. You may send a printed copy with your signature with your child(ren) or you may sign it electronically and email it to Jillian Rivera, DHS Administrative Assistant at Riveraj@fsdbk12.org.
Boarding Program
DEAF DEPARTMENT
Hello parents and guardians: I hope this newsletter finds everyone doing well. This is the third week of school and things are going well in the dorms. James Hall Staff and the HS girls have gotten creative with ideas of how to stay busy in the dorm. They are planning games like Balloon Tag, the objective of the game is to keep the balloon from touching the ground by using pool noodles. The last person to keep the balloon from hitting the ground wins the prize. They played Music Freeze when the music stops and/or the lights go out the student freezes. The last person standing wins the prize. They also played games like Charades, Word Search and Apple to Apples. The girls also, can watch Disney movies and sat outside under the Pavilion. James hall staff have taught the girls the importance of social distancing and the safety reasons for washing and/or sanitizing their hands. They have learned the importance of washing their masks daily. The girls show good responsibility of cleaning and sanitizing all the tables, chairs, counters, and door handles. The staff are planning to have the girls Tie - Dye T-shirts and allow anyone who wants to tie-dye their masks as well. When boys arrived at Rhyne Hall, the first thing they did was play basketball. Our staff gave them individual balls, so they can play games such as Horse and Around the World. During our free time, some of the boys wanted to play video games. Our staff gave them Nintendo Switch, so they can play with two controllers. Boys have enjoyed being back socializing with their peers in the dorm. They have been good with social distancing and learning how to care for their face masks. Students have gotten back into the groove of being on campus again. It is good to see our students back on campus and in the dorms again.
If you have any questions or you need to reach out to the boarding supervisors here are their contact number: James hall Supervisor, Mechelle Johnson 904-827-2635 or 904-201-4485 (VP) and Rhyne Hall Supervisor, Jashua Martinez 904-201-4565 (VP).
Mel Botterbusch-Goodall
Director of Student Life for the Deaf Department
Office: 904-201-4560
Text: 904-827-2208
APARTMENT PROGRAM
The Apartment Program students are getting to jump into learning independent living skills full force this week. Cooking lessons are incorporated with safety and hygiene lessons. Shopping trips have been altered to ensure students are in small groups and are able to social distance at the grocery store. None of this prevents the students from creating some amazing meals, including ham steak with baked beans and mashed potatoes, fish and chips, baked chicken with mac and cheese, and three layer taco casserole.
Marja Deford
Director of Student Life - Apartment program
904-827-2703
Athletics & Recreation
Fall sports conditioning available
Our fall sports coaches are holding conditioning and small group skill-development drills for student-athletes (grades 6-12) after school (brick and mortar/BAM). ILE students may condition at home doing exercises while having the opportunity to communicate with coaches.
Both BAM and ILE students must have sports physicals (EL2) and consent forms (EL3) completed, signed and on file with FSDB before student-athletes may participate in these development drills. Forms may be found below.
Questions may be directed to Athletic Director Donna Johnson at johnsond@fsdbk12.org.
Virtual Parent Sign Language Classes
FSDB Parent University is hosting two virtual sign language classes for FSDB families starting the week of Sept. 21, 2020 and continuing weekly through the end of October. Beginner and intermediate classes are available, both from 4-5 p.m. No advance registration is required and classes will be held via Zoom. Click here for dates and more details.
Parent Connections
HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH - Sept. 15 to Oct. 15
The theme for this year's Hispanic Heritage Month is "Celebrating Untold Stories of Hispanic Americans in Florida." The state released information regarding the student art and essay contests and Excellence in Education Awards. Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the U.S. from Sept. 15-Oct. 15. Students and educators are invited to participate in academic contests based on this year’s theme including:
- Student Essay Contest: The essay contest is open to all 4-12 students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Three winners will be selected including one high school student (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
- Excellence in Education Award: Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected from each and nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student.
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online with all entries received by 5 p.m. on Sept. 25, 2020. If mailing, send to Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Click here for more information.
MCKINNEY-VENTO ACT
The McKinney-Vento Education for Homeless Children and Youth Program is designed to address the problems that homeless children and youth have faced in enrolling, attending, and succeeding in school. Under this federal program, state educational agencies must ensure that each homeless child and youth has equal access to the same free, appropriate public education, including a public preschool education, as other children and youth.
If you are sharing the housing of other persons due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason, you may qualify for McKinney Vento services. FSDB has a program. Please do not hesitate to reach out for help. You have already helped your child greatly by keeping them in school. Let us help you by finding resources for your family.
Please contact the Liaison for Homeless Students, Christi Boortz, boortzc@fsdbk12.org, 904-827-2284.FDLRS OFFERING FREE MONTHLY PARENT WORSHIPS
The Florida Diagnostic & Learning Resources System (FDLRS) is offering free monthly parent webinars throughout the 2020-21 school year. First one is being held Sept. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on "Understanding ESE: An Overview." Registration is available here.
Positive Behavior Support
FSDB PB(i)S students are developing great character! Each month, FSDB focuses on a different positive character trait. This month we are emphasizing responsibility. Some of the phrases associated with responsibility that we are introducing to the students include: Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Persevere: keep on trying! • Always do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act — consider the consequences • Be accountable for your words, actions and attitudes • Set a good example for others. Teachers and boarding staff are asked to include lessons that may fit into the curriculum naturally. We are excited with this Character Education emphasis at FSDB. We are hoping that our students continue to be their very best now and in the future.
Helpful Information
Disasters Don't Wait. Make Your Plan Today!
National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year. As our nation continues to respond to COVID-19, there is no better time to be prepared for an emergency. The Department of Homeland Security has great checklists and other resources. Make your plan today!
Links
Videos
Contact Us
DHS Office
PH/VP: 904-201-4571
Health Care Center
PH: 904-827-2410
VP: 904-201-3910
Transportation
PH: 800-992-8747
James Hall (Girls Dorm)
PH: 904-827-2635
VP: 904-201-4485
Rhyne Hall (Boys Dorm)
PH: 904-827-2771
VP: 904-201-4485
Apartments – Boys (Seniors)
PH: 904-827-8247
VP: 904-201-4532
Apartments – Girls (Seniors)
PH: 904-827-2510
VP: 904-827-4550
Parent Services
PH: 904-827-2212
VP: 904-201-4527
Campus Police
PH: 904-827-2315
Email: paddend@fsdbk12.org
Website: www.fsdbk12.org/deaf-high-school
Location: 207 San Marco Avenue, St. Augustine, FL, USA
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/fsdbdeafhighschool