Mark your calendars! March 11th- March 15th is SPRING BREAK!

Thanks to all who participated in our Donuts With Dad/ Breakfast with Buddies event. The children loved having you here and sharing their activities with you!

Spirit Week for March comes early. Below are the themed days for next week, courtesy of the Early Learning Center.

Monday, 3/4 – Neon Day

Tuesday, 3/5 – Tourist Day

Wednesday, 3/6 – Tropical Shirt Day

Thursday, 3/7 – Animal Day

Friday, 3/8 – Wear your Luck (green/rainbow/pot of gold)

Thank you for sharing your children with us,

- Catherine

Catherine Bailey

Director of Early Learning

baileyc1@fsdbk12.org

Phone: (904)827-2835

Submitted by:

Trish McFadden, Chair

The Annual Safety Education Fair was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at the Kramer Bus Loop.

This campus-wide event is designed to promote personal safety awareness for youth and adolescents. Students from all grade levels attended with their teachers and other school staff. The scope of this year’ event was expanded and included a “wellness” feature for students including both physical and mental health information: dental hygiene, nutrition, stress reduction activities, and First Aid/CPR.

Students traveled from station-to-station and met with various agency partners learn about safety prevention tips, avoiding unsafe acts, and the education and experience needed for various safety careers. Further, the students were provided with “hands-on” experience exploring equipment such as police vehicles and forest fire equipment, a helicopter, protective clothing, using a fire extinguisher to put out a simulated fire, water safety equipment, impaired driving, experiencing a ride in an autonomous vehicle, meeting animals such as police dogs and an alligator.

The agencies that participated in this year’s event are as follows:

• City of St. Augustine Police and Fire Departments

• City of St. Augustine Environmental Compliance

• Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)

• Florida Department of Agriculture – Forestry Division

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission

• Florida Highway Patrol

• FSDB Campus Police

• FSDB Mental Health Department

• FSDB PE/Health Department

• Honeywell

• Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA)

• National Weather Service

• Poison Control

• St. Attorney’s Office

• St. Augustine Lifesaving Association

• St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office

• St. Johns County Fire Rescue

• State Fire Marshall

• University of Florida Dental Services

• University of Florida Health/Trauma One

This annual event is organized through representatives from the following departments: Training and Quality Assurance (TQA), Police Services, Safety and Facilities Operations, PBiS/Character Education Program, and Transportation.

Check out the event photos:

https://zenfolio.page.link/GGcdX

The month of February is always a nice reminder to be kind to those around us; however our ELC students show kindness to each other daily within the classroom. One of the greatest benefits of having a mixed-age group classroom is seeing the older students take roles of leadership and responsibility. We frequently see older students master a lesson and/or work in the classroom and then teach a younger student how to do the work correctly. Students need no encouragement from a teacher to do this, but rather have a natural desire to help those around them. Our students develop strong bonds with one another and always look out for each other, whether it is by comforting each other when they are sad, working with one another, chatting with each other during lunch, playing together during recess, or holding hands during a long walk across campus. We love seeing these students really grow together and support one another.

Students were able to meet workers from various departments, including the fire department, police department, fish & wildlife commission and more! Students saw the different kinds of equipment and vehicles used by these departments. Among some of the favorites were the helicopter, ambulance, fire truck, ATV, and jet ski. Students were able to deepen their knowledge of the work policeman, fireman, EMTs and others do.

The week leading up to Valentine’s Day, students worked hard to write and decorate Valentine’s cards. On Valentine’s Day students walked around campus to hand out their Valentine’s to all the amazing staff who support them, including the PE department, occupational therapists, physical therapists, counselors, and so many others.

Students then returned to class to pass out Valentines amongst themselves, receiving a lot of candy and many hugs from their sweet classmates.

The students are always so excited to see their family members here at school and show them their classroom and some of the work they do throughout the day. Students and family members enjoyed learning some ASL vocabulary related to various sports from PE teacher and football coach Eric Lefors. The students were excited to show off not only their vocabulary but their athletic skills as well.

We are always so thankful for the support we receive from our ELC families. Our students would not be able to grow as much as they do throughout the year without their families' constant support.

We are continuing to talk about Kindness throughout the month of February. Our friends have been very kind to each other at school so we have earned lots of hearts to put for everyone to see. We have been listening to some Jazz music and reading some cool African American stories that Calvin brought in to share with everyone.

The kids got to go inside many different vehicles, including a Fire Truck, an armored truck, a jet ski, and ATV, and so many more! There were Police Officers, Firefighters, Florida Fish & Wildlife, Poison Control and many other individuals that came out to teach the kids about what it means to be safe in the community. The Florida Fish & Wildlife even brought a baby alligator for the kids to hold and touch! Each booth was set up with interactive educational tools that the students got to experience and learn about what the different departments do for work, how they keep us safe, and what to do or who to call if we need help.

Our students had so much fun with this event. Dads, Grandpas, and even members of the St Johns County Fire Department were invited to come and celebrate with us! We had stories to read like "My Dad is my Hero", pinatas for the children to crack open to get goodies, and the children got to practice their serving skills by serving their Dads. We also made handprint art and painted clay handprints to give as gifts of appreciation.

Jake Olson is a Retinoblastoma warrior and is the only completely blind college football player. He has also overcome cancer not 1, not 2, but 8 times! He is such an inspiration to all, and it means a lot to us that he came and shared his story with us. Our students are miracles just like he is, and they can do anything that they set their hearts to!

Gathering information to think through and determine the best choice.

Coming to a solution by working together.

Being open-minded.

Listening to others.

Treating each other fairly.

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition for critical thinking is as follows: the process of thinking carefully about a subject or ideas without allowing feelings or opinions to affect you.

It is important to teach young people the skills to be able to think critically about a variety of areas that will impact their day-to-day life. We understand that children often carry many of the beliefs of their parents and this is the foundation of their thought process. The skills of critical thinking allow young people to take ideas and looking at the factual components and not allow opinion and feeling to affect them. It requires analysis, communication, inference, observation, and problem-solving.

One way students demonstrate critical thinking related to school activities is in just determining what to attempt to participate in, weighing their ability to perform at the levels required, and their desires to participate at a level expected.

We encourage students to become involved in school and boarding activities by thinking about the activities offered, communicating with students, staff and parents about what the activity is, taking time to watch the activity and then by making a commitment to participate in the activity.

February is American Heart Month, a time when all families are encouraged to be educated and focus on their cardiovascular health.

Facts about Heart Disease in the United States

• Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men, women, and people of most racial and ethnic groups in the United States.

• High blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, and smoking are key risk factors for heart disease.

• Diabetes, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, and overweight and obesity can also put people at a higher risk for heart disease.

Can Kids Get Heart Disease?

Kids usually don't have any symptoms of heart and blood vessel problems. But by starting heart-healthy habits right now, kids can reduce the chance they will ever need to worry about cardiovascular disease.

What Should You Do?

Have a chat with your child. Discuss how their heart work and why it is important to keep their heart healthy. Encourage them to eat healthy, exercise, and maintain a healthy weight.

These events are the perfect opportunity to meet other FSDB families. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. Don't forget to check out the Parent Services page to see all upcoming events. We hope you are able to join in on the fun!

Parent Services | Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind (fsdbk12.org)

It is the responsibility of our entire community to protect the health and safety of our students, staff and families. ELC families must support the following guidelines in order to promote the health and well-being of our entire community. Please contact Catherine with any questions.

All children and staff who meet any of the criteria below should stay home or will be sent home. We understand this may be inconvenient, but it is necessary to minimize exposure to the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses. Staying home when sick or keeping your child home is a responsibility we take very seriously. Please DO NOT send your children to school if they are showing any signs of illness. This is more important now than ever before.

● Fever or chills

● Cough

● Sore throat

● Congestion or runny nose

● Nausea or vomiting

● Diarrhea

● Red or inflamed eyes or discharge from eyes or ears

● Any contagious disease, such as chicken pox

● Any contagious bacterial infections such as strep throat

Parent Responsibilities and when your child can return to school:

All parents are encouraged to be on the alert for signs of illness in their children and are required to keep them at home when they are sick.

Any child with a temperature of 100.4 or above will not be permitted to attend school and will be sent home. Your child can return to school once he/she has been fever-free without the use of any fever reducing medication for 24 hours.

Any child who has been vomiting or had diarrhea should stay home for 24 hours after the stomach distress has stopped.

Early Learning Center

PH or Text: 904-827-2835

Gore Hall Office (if you cannot reach anyone in the ELC)

904-827-2520

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Health Care Center

PH: 904-827-2410

VP: 904-201-3910

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Transportation

PH: 800-992-8747

Parent Services

PH: 904-827-2212

VP: 904-201-4540

Campus Police

PH: 904-827-2315

207 San Marco Avenue,

St. Augustine, FL, USA

ELC Webpage

ELC Facebook Group

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 Discrimination/Harassment

FSDB Boarding Program Administrator

PH: 904-827-2603

Requests in writing can be sent to:

Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind

207 San Marco Avenue

St. Augustine, FL 32084