Dec. 19-Jan. 3 - Winter Break

Jan. 4 - Braille Challenge registration due

Jan. 15 - Bullying Prevention Training for students (TEAMS)

Jan. 15 - Parent Engagement Workshop

Jan. 18 - NO SCHOOL

Jan. 20 - Parent Braille Class

Jan. 22 - Teen Dating Workshop for students (TEAMS)

Jan. 28 - End of 1st semester

Jan. 29 - NO SCHOOL

TRANSCRIPT:

Hello FSDB students, staff, families, alumni and community members.

Every morning I wake up thankful for the blessing I have to serve as the President for the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind. This is an amazing school with incredible students, staff, families, alumni and stakeholders.

The holiday season is a time to be with family and friends and to be thankful for the gifts we have in our lives. I am thankful to be part of an extraordinary community that promotes a caring and giving environment. It is my hope, especially this year, that you will take the time to relax and reflect on your gifts.

The first half of the 2020-2021 school year has been unprecedented. I want to thank you for the dedication and hard work that has made our many successes possible. Every member of the FSDB team should be proud of what we have accomplished. I know we will face challenges in 2021, however, I also know that with everyone working together, we will also have triumphs.

I want to wish you all a happy, healthy, peaceful and rejuvenating holiday season. Please take care of yourselves, your family and friends.

From my family to yours, all my best for the New Year.

Sincerely,

Tracie C. Snow

President

Out of an abundance of caution, FSDB has canceled athletic games for the remainder of the winter season. Coaches offering student-athlete participation in conditioning activities will be in contact after the holiday break. We thank parents/legal guardians who quickly notify us and keep their children at home when they are ill or have suspected COVID-19 symptoms or exposure. We appreciate all who are working with us to maintain a healthy and safe environment both at school and at home – which includes wearing masks, physically distancing and frequent hand washing.

The holiday season is a time when families gather to celebrate. Many families may feel a disruption to traditions due to continued safety precautions and social distancing. More than ever it is important to have family chats. Talking with your children will help them better understand their emotions and will give you an opportunity to model a positive response.

Here are some ways to keep things festive and fun at home!

• Have a cookie decorating contest and gather votes through social media.
• Take turns with family or friends hosting mini virtual celebrations: caroling, storytelling, and holiday movie watch parties.
• Go crazy with decorations both inside and out.
• Act out favorite movie scenes.

Check out these recommendations on staying healthy this holiday.

Did you know that we have a new BHS Facebook group? In order to enhance digital security for our students and their families, we are transitioning our school Facebook page to a private group, which affords us better screening and monitoring measures. If you would like to join the group, please click this link: www.facebook.com/groups/FSDBBlindHighSchool.

Joy Carriger, Media Specialist

Library volunteer Savannah L. was so impressed by the new tactile graphic books and the accuracy of their labels for the graphics created by the Braille Temple Sisterhood that she wrote them an email in appreciation. This is the response from their Graphics Coordinator:

Thank you for your kind note and for sending us Savannah's note. It is so nice hearing from the people who receive our work. We try to learn from those who either don't like or cannot understand the graphic. It's wonderful when people like our graphics. We really like hearing from the students who use our graphics so we especially liked hearing from Savannah.

Laurie Wohl, Chorus Director

Watch the video below of our BHS Chorus members singing Christmas carols.

Jenny Palmer, Agriscience Instructor

The following students have worked VERY hard to complete their Career Safe online OSHA Agriculture Certification: Delayna Goodrich, Juan Garcia, Travis Tribble, Eli Mehrkens. They had to work through 13 different modules and pass a comprehensive final exam. Please congratulate them!!

Congratulations to the following students for being recognized over the past two weeks for their efforts in demonstrating PBS (Positive Behavior Support) expectations. The teacher/staff member who recognized the student is also listed beside the nominated student:

Jessenia C. for stepping up during the lockdown and acting as a leader in the class, immediately and calmly assisting other students with their actions. (Mr. Maltese)

Giunna S. for bringing a large print edition of "To Kill a Mockingbird" from Ms. Joy's book giveaway to donate to the English classroom. (Mr. Maltese)

James W. for always being helpful and encouraging in Eurhythmics class. (Ms. Wohl)

Alexis F. for being an awesome leader for warm-ups in Chorus (Ms. Wohl)

Delayna G. for always keeping our 1st period piano class entertained with her quick wit, beautiful voice, and "trumpet" playing. (Ms. Wohl)

Jazmin C. for consistently doing homework and taking notes in class, for being my "TA" by always getting supplies for students, helping prepare braille materials, and cleaning up, and for persevering and maintaining self-control when met with a challenge. (Ms. Jensen)

Tre B. for improving his participation, effort, and focus in math class without constant direction (Ms. Jensen)

Hector G. for carrying the backpack of an injured student to Gibbs. (Ms. Fonda)

Lilie M. for always having a positive attitude, rolling with the changes, and being willing to help everyone, including her teacher. (Ms. Hall)

Luke B. for showing cooperation and initiative when seeing students and their teacher struggling to carry a large box of books across campus. He offered to take the box and carry it upstairs to the student's locker. (Ms. Joy)

Jackson G. and Elijah G. for helping other students in Marketing Class. (Mr. Carpenter)

Juan G. for always showing up for ILE regularly, letting his teacher know ahead of time if he won't be in the class due to appointments, being the first to complete his OSHA training, and always putting forth 100% effort on his assignments. (Ms. Palmer)

Niklas H. for personally following up with the presenter when unable to access an expected presentation on TEAMS - he showed responsibility and crafted a very respectful email. (Ms. Wendy Williams)

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