Early Learning Center

"The child who seeks for independence by the means of work; an independence of body and mind. "

As we welcome the month of December, the excitement among our students is palpable as they eagerly anticipate the upcoming holiday festivities. This month, our focus is on two essential values: Cooperation and Gratitude.

Throughout the month, students will engage in activities and lessons designed to enhance their ability to work collaboratively, fostering a spirit of teamwork and mutual support as they strive toward common goals. By learning to cooperate effectively, students will better understand the importance of contributing to a collective effort and celebrating the diverse strengths of those around them.

In addition to teamwork, we are placing a strong emphasis on gratitude. Students will reflect on the many blessings in their lives and develop a deeper appreciation for the efforts of others. They will practice expressing their thanks and recognizing the kindness and contributions of those in their school community. Through these activities, we aim to nurture a culture of appreciation, helping students to not only acknowledge what they have, but also to share their gratitude with others in meaningful ways.

We are excited to see the students grow in these areas and look forward to the many positive outcomes that will arise from their efforts to cooperate and express gratitude throughout the month.

As always, please call or email me with any questions, and thank you for sharing your children with us!

-Catherine

Catherine Bailey

Director of Early Learning

(904)827-2835

VP: (904)824-4540

baileyc1@fsdbk12.org

As the holiday festival approaches, we are excited to share our passion for reading books! Our amazing bilingual specialist, Janelle Berry, and literacy specialist, Cally Traetto, will lead a fun workshop on 15 principles of reading on December 19th at 12:30 PM in Gore Hall, room #115.

After the workshop, we will have a book swapping party. It is a wonderful opportunity for your child to share their favorite story with friends. Please bring a beautifully wrapped book at 1:00 PM in the ELC classroom. We will provide hot chocolate and cookies!

Last, we invite you to attend FSDB’s annual Winter Performance, performed by FSDB high school students, at 2:00 PM. It’s an option to watch the performance together with your child!

Please contact your child’s teacher for any further questions.

In the classroom, we will engage in discussions about Christmas and various holidays celebrated around the world. Additionally, we will focus on expanding students' vocabulary through winter-related items and animals, incorporating descriptive language. The lesson will also explore the concept of cause and effect, specifically examining the process of ice formation and the factors that contribute to its melting.

Books we have been reading include:

Sneezy The Snowman

Snowy Day

Gingerbread Man

This month will be SHORT, FAST, and COLD. The cold season is here, keep your child home if they appear to have a running cold or cough. Make sure your child comes to school with warm clothes because we still go outside for recess. Please have your child’s name labeled on their jackets, scarf, beanies, and gloves if needed!

Our students have been deeply engaged in an exciting and educational exploration of winter themes, with a particular focus on snow! This week, we conducted a hands-on science experiment where the students had the opportunity to create their very own snow, sparking their curiosity and understanding of the natural world. Additionally, we introduced a snow-themed sensory bin, providing the children with the chance to explore various textures, further enriching their sensory development.

In addition to these creative activities, the students have been honing their fine motor skills through activities that require the use of a sponge. Whether they are practicing washing dishes or dipping the sponge into paint, these exercises are not only fun but also help develop essential motor coordination.

As part of our holiday-themed learning, we have been focusing on the colors of Christmas, with vibrant reds and greens filling our classroom environment. This festive exploration has also been an opportunity for the students to practice counting, with the number of the week being 11. We are excited to see how their counting skills continue to grow through these engaging activities.

To make the season even more special, each student is preparing a wonderful winter craft, which will be a delightful surprise for their parents. As part of our literacy activities, the children have been enjoying the book "There Was an Old Woman Who Swallowed a Bell," which has sparked their imaginations and contributed to our seasonal learning.

Finally, we would like to remind all parents to ensure that their child's jacket, gloves, scarves, and other winter accessories are clearly labeled with their name. If you have not already done so, please take a moment to update your child's extra clothing in the classroom with appropriate winter wear to ensure they are well-prepared for the colder weather.

Dear Parents,

We warmly invite you to our Baby Dragons Club, where parents can connect and learn together! Join us every Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 in Gore Hall Room 126, where we'll dive into exciting topics like cooking with kids, the power of fingerspelling in reading, and fun strategies to make reading time special. Plus, we have so much more in store!

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Sonia Garcia-DeNight at garcias@fsdbk12.org.

We can’t wait to see you there!

Early Learning Center

PH or Text: 904-827-2835

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

904-827-2520

Cary White Office (if you cannot reach anyone in the ELC)

904-827-2739

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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

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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