DHS DRAGON PRIDE
April 30, 2021
Dates to Remember
5/10: NO SCHOOL
5/14-15: FSA ELA 9th grade
5/17-18: FSA ELA 10th grade
5/19-20: Geometry EOC (group 1)
5/24-25: Algebra EOC
5/26-27: Geometry EOC (group 2)
5/28: US History & Biology EOC
5/25-6/10: MAP Testing
5/31: MEMORIAL DAY - NO SCHOOL
6/4: DHS Graduation
6/10: SUMMER BEGINS FOR ALL!
FSDB 107th Commencement Ceremonies
Hello FSDB Classes of 2021 and their families,
I am pleased to announce that our 107th Commencement Ceremonies will be held in Kirk Auditorium at FSDB. I want to share important dates for you to remember:
- Thursday, June 3rd at 11:00 am is the Blind High School Class of 2021 graduation.
- Friday, June 4th at 11:00 am is the Deaf High School Class of 2021 graduation.
- Wednesday, June 2nd will be graduation rehearsals for seniors wearing their caps and gowns as well as having photos taken.
Both ceremonies will be viewable via live stream at www.fsdbk12.org/graduation and since they will also be recorded, you will be able to watch these later.
With ongoing health and safety challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the FSDB administration has decided to exercise caution in honoring this year’s graduates and celebrating their achievements. Our decision to hold in-person ceremonies with assigned seating will be monitored on a daily basis. Should a change of plans become necessary, we will promptly notify graduates and their families.
Now I want to share with you updated information. Each graduate will now be able to bring up to four guests to their commencement ceremony! Families will register online using Eventbrite to reserve their tickets. The registration link will be sent to each graduate’s family via email.
- Registration opens: Saturday, May 1st at 8:00 a.m.
- Registration closes: Friday, May 28th at 4:00 p.m.
I would like to mention one more thing. This year’s graduates will be able to decorate their caps if they wish to do so. I look forward to seeing creative and inspirational designs. More information and details about cap decoration will be shared with graduates by the senior class sponsors.
Congratulations to the FSDB Classes of 2021! We look forward to celebrating you along with your families and friends!
Sincerely,
Tracie C. Snow
President
Principal's Corner
Happy Friday Deaf Department Families,
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The first Friday in May is National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day. We have been providing our required instruction in the schools, that includes bringing an awareness to Mental Health and resources for support. Taking time to talk about Mental Health issues with struggles with depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses is the first step to breaking the stigma and forming support networks for those times that are overwhelming. We are teaching our students to recognize distress in themselves and others and who are the people and resources they can go to for help.
Mark your calendars for a few upcoming events. This coming week is teacher appreciation week. We are so thankful for our educational staff who dedicate their time and love to our students. Monday, May 3rd is the very last day for our students to bring in their forms for the free sports physicals that will take place after school on May 11th and 12th. Sunday, May 9th is Mother’s Day. We want our students to be with family over the weekend. There is no school on the 10th.
Have a restful weekend and week!
Angela Saunders
Assistant Principal's Corner
Hello families,
For these that love watching the sunset/rise or moonrise, the sense of reverie watching the sky colors change, and the quietness of the self makes one feel like starting anew. That was what I felt watching the pink full moon rise over the ocean's horizon on Monday, transformed.
Transformation is the name of the game for the 2020-2021 year. These years are the years of change. With the school year coming to an end, students and staff are feeling the weight of the transformation, whether good or bad. It is time to reflect and give thanks to all that we, school and families, did to ensure that our students came to school, whether via ILE or BaM. I am grateful for you, our FSDHS families, for putting trust in us, working patiently with us, and ensuring that your son/daughter are on top of their game in academics.
On a repeating note, students are gearing up for end of year examinations, state examinations, assessments, and more. All the more important for them to attend school as much as possible. If you scroll down, you will see my attendance video and script explaining our policy. If you are taking your son or daughter to an appointment, be sure to send a signed note from that office/agency immediately to Christopher Lennon, our attendance liaison to ensure that your son/daughter's attendance is updated accordingly. His email is lennonc@fsdbk12.org
For these that are working online, If the connection is poor and affects their learning, it is best to upgrade or have your son/daughter attend here where we can provide high speed internet, ample learning opportunities, and multiple supports. We love our students and always will support them.
Speaking of support, ensuring that your son/daughter are constantly reading and providing them feedback regarding their comprehension, vocabulary identification, and idioms is of uttermost importance since the English language is not easily accessible to them via their ears, whether Deaf or Hard of Hearing. It is accessible 100% via their eyes. Did you know that we have SORA, an online access to a wide variety of books for them to read during weekends and down time? the link is listed below. Together with your son/daughter, check it out and enjoy the time together!
Have a good weekend!
Dina Rae
Staff Meeting 4/23/21
Lia Ferrante
Tracy Acuff, Vira Tinyszin, and Gabrielle Gross
Tracy Acuff
Dina Rae Padden
FSDB DHS Attendance Policy
I wanted to share with you the attendance policy that you are all familiar with via the parent handbook. Students may not receive credit toward graduation for any High School block 1.0 credit class in which the student has more than 8 unexcused absences, or for any 0.5 credit class in which the student has more than four unexcused absences. ASL version is below.
From Mel Goodall - Director of Student Life (Deaf Dept)
April Newsletter
For the Month of April, James Hall girls focused on teaching our students to not use their hearing loss as a disability. We put together a picture board of Deaf women who have “superpowers”. On the board of “SuperPowers” there are women who are Actresses, Percussionist, Ms. America, Body Builder, and a Librarian who teaches kids sign language. We emphasized there is nothing you can’t do as a woman with superpowers.
Rhyne hall boys had their bike safety class this week. Several boys learned how to be safe on the road with their bikes. We are starting to see our students going outside working out, getting ready for Spring training. The boys are heading outside enjoying this beautiful weather before it becomes too hot. With the coming of warm weather the staff are going to start taking students in small groups off campus. The groups will walk around town and students will have the chance to practice their skills with ordering food in person. We will still be practicing social distancing and safety guidelines. If you would like your child to participate, please send some money for the week.
Learning how to Sign with us!
If you are interested in signing up for ASL (American Sign Language) classes, click on this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ParentASLSurvey
PBiS Incorporates Character Education
FSDB PBiS 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.
Tech Corner - Google Classroom
How does a student accept a Google Classroom invite?
A class code—Your teacher sends or tells you the class code. An email invite—Your teacher sends you the invite.
.
Accept the invite in Classroom
Go to classroom.google.com and click Sign In.
Make sure to sign in with the correct account.
On the class card, click Join.
Can parents/guardians have access to Google classroom?
Parents/guardians may access their child’s teachers’ Google Classroom in one of the following ways:
- From the school issued Chromebook, ask your child to login and launch the Google Classroom App. Please note that any activity in Google Classroom is documented under the student’s login and it would be inappropriate for a parent to communicate with the teacher or other students in Google Classroom. Parents should use their personal email to digitally communicate with the teacher.
- From any computer with internet access, click here and have your child login with his/her FSD1 Google Apps for education username and password. Please note that any activity in Google Classroom is documented under the student’s login and it would be inappropriate for a parent to communicate with the teacher or other students in Google Classroom. Parents should use their personal email to digitally communicate with the teacher.
- As a parent/guardian, you can receive email summaries showing your child's progress in the classroom.
Opt-in for Skyward Text Alerts
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