"Children are human beings to whom respect is due, superior to us by reason of their innocence and of the greater possibilities of their future… Let us treat them with all the kindness which we would wish to help to develop in them.”

-Maria Montessori

Dec. 13th : Winter Wonderland Party & Makeup Picture Day

Dec. 22nd - 1/7/24 : NO SCHOOL - Winter Break

Join in the fun by participating in this month's Winter Spirit Week.

• Monday, December 18: Let it Snow (Snowflake themed or wear white)

• Tuesday, December 19: Festive Feet & Holiday Headgear (Hats & Headbands)

• Wednesday, December 20: Crazy Holiday Sweaters or Holiday Quote Shirts

• Thursday, December 21: Festive Lights, Glitter, & all things that Sparkle

Keep a Gratitude Jar, also known as a Thankful Jar, somewhere accessible. Let the kids decorate it with their favorite colors or stickers. Each day, ask everyone (including yourself!) to write down one thing they’re thankful for and put it in the jar. These gratitude activities can help children reflect during particularly difficult days.

As we enter the holiday season, we are focused on the topic of gratitude. This time of year is perfect to begin discussing this topic because young children will be having some of their first experiences with giving and receiving gifts, as well as how it feels to give a gift to someone else. Some of the practical life skills we have been practicing in the classroom include wrapping gifts and making gifts.

Our children are so sweet, saying "thank you" for every little thing and really showing gratitude to their classmates. We are also discussing holidays around the world, like Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza, as well as learning about money! The children have been learning about coin amounts and how to use an abacus.

In our Deaf classroom, we have been reading:

• "A Snowy Day"
• "Bear Stays up for Christmas"
• "Bad Kitty: Searching for Santa"

In our Blind classroom, we have been reading:

• "Llama Llama Holiday Drama"
• "Celebrate Kawanza"
• "There was an Old Lady who swallowed a bell"
• "Rudolph the Red Nose reindeer"
• "The Gingerbread man"

Please call or email with questions and thank you for sharing your delightful children with us!

- Paula

Paula Wagner

Executive Director of Parent Services

wagnerp@fsdbk12.org

Phone: (904)827-2221

VP: (904)201-4540

Staff, students, and families are welcome to submit a recipe(s) to our Kaleidoscope Recipe Book. Once we have our collection together, we will produce the book in print, braille, and in digital format to share out. You can take a photo or upload a document of the recipe if you have a digital copy, or you can type out the ingredients and directions. Please share your favorite recipe with us at the link below!

https://forms.gle/mvvx6A9vTWy9R79t5

The winter months are coming! For some, it's too cold outside! We understand, but we believe it is essential for kids to become regular physical activity participants outside. This time is perfect time to help our students understand the possibilities and benefits of outside physical activity.

Below is the five benefits of engaging in outside physical activity in colder temperatures.

Fresh Air

Problem-Solving

Social Development

Discovering Enjoyment

To help our students learning and engaging in outside physical activity, it is important for your child to be dressed appropriately for the weather during Physical Education class.

The ELC posts cute pictures of cute kids doing cute things. FSDB posts notices to keep you aware of all of our FSDB Parent Classes and other activities.

If you would like to follow the page, click the link below. Also, if you have not done so already, please like and follow the main FSDB Facebook page.

ELC Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/FSDBEarlyLearningCenter

FSDB Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/fsdbk12

Make sure you are signed up for Transparent Classroom. The teachers are posting photos of your children working, descriptions of the lessons taught, messages from teachers.....and so much more.....Please go to the ELC website https://sites.google.com/fsdbk12.org/early-learning-center/home. for more information or click the transparent classroom link here: www.transparentclassroom.com. Watch for the lessons below to show up in your child's activities! Once you are in Transparent Classroom, you are able to click on the links you are sent of your children working to learn more about the lessons they are completing.

Parent Engagement Workshops (PEW) are learning opportunities open to ALL FSDB parents, guardians and caregivers. During PEW, we discuss current and relevant information about our school, parenting strategies, helpful resources, and much more.

The second of our quarterly Blind Elementary Middle School Advisory Council/Committee (SubSAC) Title 1 meetings will be held on campus on Thursday, 12/14 from 12:30-1:30. Our holiday concert, featuring our high school students and a few middle school students, will be held at 2:00, right after the meeting. All are welcome to attend both the meeting and the concert.

Deaf Elementary SubSac meeting will take place on February 8th at 8:30am. More information to come.

Travel reimbursement is available to parents/guardians of enrolled BEMS students who attend the School Advisory Council (SubSAC Title I) meeting. Please contact our Parent Liaison, Misty Porter, if you are planning to attend the meeting and want to request travel reimbursement. porterm@fsdbk12.org or 904-827-2988

Hope to see you there!

Did you know that the Parent Services Department offers travel reimbursement? This means you can come to campus for educational events and be reimbursed for mileage, meals, and even hotel expenses. There are a couple of things you need to know first. All Parent University and Parent Engagement Workshops qualify for reimbursement. Title I Parent meetings and School Advisory Council meetings qualify too. We can’t reimburse travel to attend teacher conferences or IEP meetings, but you can schedule those the day prior to an approved event. Here on campus, we are working together to schedule events so you can attend multiple things during each visit. There are a couple of other things we will need to discuss before you start traveling.

Give me a call or send an email if you’d like to know more.

Misty Porter, Parent Liaison

904-827-2988

porterm@fsdbk12.org

ELC Office

PH or Text: 904-827-2835

VP: 904-201-4529

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: 904-201-4527

Campus Police

PH: 904-827-2315

207 San Marco Avenue,

St. Augustine, FL, USA

wagnerp@fsdbk12.org

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