I hope everyone had a wonderful summer and all are as excited as we are to have students back for this year. If you are new to the Early Learning Center at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, thank you for giving us the opportunity to teach your children. FSDB is excited about all the wonderful opportunities and experiences your children will have this year. Especially for all the learning, making friends and having fun that will be experienced. We look forward to sharing updates and information as we work to learn about resilience and character throughout this school year. Each month will have a different focus as students learn through Character Education lessons.

Please be sure to read through the newsletter for upcoming parent events and important dates. Information can be found a different sites including Facebook, email messages and our FSDB website.

Parent Reminder: Please be sure to drop off your child between 7:30am -7:50am at Gore or Cary White so we can transition to PE by 8:00am! Thank you for your cooperation!

We are looking forward to a great year! Please reach out to me with any questions or information needs.

-Catherine

Catherine Bailey

Director of Early Learning

(904)827-2835

VP: (904)824-4540

baileyc1@fsdbk12.org

We are so excited to see both familiar and new faces back in the classroom for the new school year. The students have quickly been getting settled into the classroom, meeting their new classmates, and learning the rules and routines of the classroom. The theme for the month of August is “All About Me.” The students are learning about body parts, their personal appearances, their similarities and differences, and how to take care of oneself.

This student is completing the handwashing work. Handwashing is part of children’s everyday routine and vital in keeping them healthy. This work allows the students to practice the process step by step in a controlled environment so they become familiar and comfortable with it.

This student is practicing brushing teeth. Students are learning that taking care of their teeth is an important part of their health. Brushing teeth is a multi-step process that requires patience and attention to detail as well as develops fine motor skills. Teaching your children this process helps build their confidence and ability to independently care for themselves.

We have been having discussions as a class about our personal features, such as the color, length, and style of our hair and the color of our eyes. Students have been noticing similarities and differences about each other and taking pride in their uniqueness.

Brittany Helwig and Kallie Alverado are our new teachers! We are so happy to have them join us!

Our classrooms are buzzing with excitement as we prepare engaging activities and creative projects designed to spark curiosity and build new friendships. This year, we’ve started introducing a variety of interactive learning experiences that will nurture your child’s imagination, encourage exploration, and support their social and emotional development.

We’re excited to meet new families and reconnect with returning ones, and we’re committed to creating a warm, welcoming environment where every child feels valued and inspired. Please look out for upcoming events and activities that will help you get involved and stay informed. Here’s to a fantastic year ahead, filled with laughter, learning, and lots of fun! Let’s make this school year unforgettable together!

The students made an American Flag for Coach Young before he traveled to Paris! Coach Young is flying to Paris for the Paralympics that start on August 28th! Coach Young is the coach for the men's USA Goalball team competing in Paris. One of our former students will also be there to compete!

Scroll through the public gallery to see on campus events or use your students ID to see school/individual photos. Your Gallery ID number is the same as your student’s lunch number.

Parent Right To Know (PRTK)

Section 1119(i) of ESSA (formerly NCLB) states that districts receiving funds under Title I shall ensure that all teachers hired and teaching is a Title I school are “highly qualified”. This changed slightly with the reauthorization of NCLB into ESSA; teachers are no longer given a highly qualified status, but the school must let parents know if a teacher does not have the required state certification.

Parents of students in a school funded through Title I part A must be notified if a teacher who is not state-certified is teaching their child within 4 weeks of the beginning of school (and beginning of second semester if there is a class change). Teachers may not have the state certification because they are teaching an out-of-field class, or lacking an endorsement, or not yet certified in their subject area or grade span.

Paraprofessionals in a Title I school hired after January 8, 2002 must have a) obtained an Associate Arts Degree (or higher) or b) completed at least 60 college credits or c) passed a paraprofessional assessment with a score of 464 or higher. At FSDB, the Parapro is administered twice a year for those interested in taking it.

As a Title I parent, you have the right to request information regarding the professional qualifications of any teacher or paraprofessional teaching your child. You may request to know:

• Whether your child’s teacher is state-certified;
• Whether your child’s teacher is teaching under emergency or other temporary/provisional status;
• The Bachelor’s Degree (or higher) of your child’s teacher;
• The certification areas of your child’s teacher;
• Whether your child is receiving services from paraprofessionals;
• If so, the qualifications of the paraprofessionals.

To receive this information, please contact the Assistant Principal of your child’s Title I school.

Thank you!

- Paula Wagner

Executive Director of Parent Services

wagnerp@fsdbk12.org

904-827-2212

VP 904-201-4540

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