#TogetherWeEmpower #VSDB #Sunrise
Pictured left to right: Ronnie, Lucy, and Mari working together to wrap butter so it’s ready for the baker to use. It may seem like a small task, but it’s an important part of keeping the kitchen running smoothly – and the students take pride in their work!
Through VSDB’s Work-Based Learning experiences, students are building more than job skills. Along with food prep, cleaning, inventory, and organization, Ronnie, Lucy and Mari are developing critical soft skills like communication, teamwork, time management, and professionalism – skills that prepare them for employment. And, Patti, their job coach is there to support them every step of the way.
John and his team are exceptional supervisors, showing patience, compassion, and a commitment to teaching. We are so grateful for their partnership over the years and the meaningful opportunities they provide for our students!
If you’re a local business interested in becoming a Work-Based Learning partner, we’d love to connect!
#WorkBasedLearning #CommunityPartnership #StauntonVA #StudentSuccess #Teamwork #JobSkills #TogetherWeEmpower
Friendship was on the menu at our recent residential Friendship & Supper Party! Students enjoyed a fun evening of sharing a meal, playing games, and spending time together. Moments like these help make our residential community feel like home.
Join us for an informative parent presentation focused on how to support the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) at home for students with visual impairments.
Wednesday, April 22, from 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm via Zoom. Register at: https://bit.ly/ecc_intro.
This session will provide a brief overview of the nine ECC areas and offer practical, easy-to-implement ideas to help your child build essential skills in everyday routines.
Learn simple strategies to strengthen independence, self-advocacy, organization, social skills, daily living skills, and more — all within your home environment.
This presentation serves as an introduction and preview to a more in-depth ECC workshop series that will be offered next school year. Whether you are new to the ECC or looking for fresh ideas, this session will provide helpful tools and a roadmap for supporting your child’s growth.
We hope you’ll join us!
For more information, please contact Julie Saum at julie.saum@vsdb.k12.va.us or 540-480-6156.
VSDB Main Hall Renovation Community Open House!
Please join VSDB Leadership and the Building Design team to learn more about the interior renovation of historic Main Hall.
You are invited to join us on Zoom on Friday, March 13th, from 12-1 pm.
This will be an opportunity for alumni, families, and community members to learn more about the project and share your insights! Please RSVP to this event at this link: https://bit.ly/vsdb_main_hall. You will receive the link to attend upon registering. PLEASE REGISTER AND SUBMIT ACCOMMODATION REQUESTS BY MARCH 10.
The renovation of Main Hall positions this 1830’s historic landmark as the physical gateway and welcome center to the school. The renovated building will house admissions, security, and administrative offices as well as state-of-the-art training and conference spaces to boost the exchange and partnership between the school and the broader community. Main Hall is recognized as the heart of VSDB’s cultural heritage while also envisioned as a visible beacon of the institution’s future. This renovation will honor the institution’s history while creating new spaces that support the future of the school.
Families can look forward to:
- A beeping egg hunt
- Rock wall climbing
- "Touch a Truck"
- Crafts
- Games
- Snacks
- (Hopefully!) a petting zoo
- And a whole lot of fun!
Eyeshades will also be available for family members and friends who would like to join the experience and try finding beeping eggs themselves!
When: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: VSDB Abernathy Gym & Field, 302 Lewellyn Ln, Staunton, VA 24401
To help us prepare enough supplies for every family, please complete this brief registration form by March 20: https://bit.ly/beeping_egg2026
(However, no family will be turned away for not registering!)
We can’t wait to celebrate spring with you!
For more information, please contact Julie Saum, VSDB Family Engagement Specialist, at julie.saum@vsdb.k12.va.us or 540-480-6156.
[image description: pink flyer made with a spring and egg theme. several eggs dangle from the top fo the page and two bunnies are holding giant eggs. floral graphics in bottom corners. text on page advertises VSDB Outreach and Family Engagement Beeping Egg Hunt. Sunday, March 28, 2026, from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm. Held at the VSDB Abernathy Gym and field, 302 Lewellyn Ln, Staunton, VA 24401. Please register at https://bit.ly/beeping_egg2026 by March 20.]
Our students had a blast snowboarding and skiing this season thanks to Wintergreen Resorts Adaptive Sports! They learned new skills, challenged themselves, and supported each other on the slopes. It was an incredibly fun day and a memorable experience for everyone involved.
#VSDB #Snowboard #Ski #TogetherWeEmpower
Our student, Brianna, is gaining real-world work experience through VSDB’s Work-Based Learning (WBL) program at AVIVA Baldwin Park, an assisted living facility in Staunton. During their recent Mardi Gras celebration, she dressed in festive attire, helped facilitate activities for residents, enjoyed King Cake and cookies with them, and listened to Mardi Gras music—bringing energy and joy to the day!
Through our WBL program, Brianna has had the opportunity to explore several different work sites, and AVIVA has proven to be the best fit yet; a setting where her strengths and personality truly shine.
We are grateful for community partners like AVIVA who support transition programming and provide meaningful work experiences for students at the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. If you have a business near our campus and are interested in offering a work experience for our students, we would love to connect with you. Please contact us to learn more.
🌟
#WorkBasedLearning #VSDB #TransitionMatters #TogetherWeEmpower
🏛️ Help Shape the Future of Main Hall
Main Hall has been at the heart of the Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind for nearly 200 years—and now we’re preparing to reimagine it for the future.
As part of an upcoming renovation, we’re inviting families, alumni, community partners, and friends of VSDB to share their ideas and perspectives. Your feedback will help ensure this historic building continues to honor our past while supporting the next generation of students and families.
🔗 Please choose the survey that fits you best:
👨👩👧 Families of current VSDB students - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L8QRBLY
🤝 Community members, partners, alumni, & friends of VSDB - https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L8W7N5H
We’re grateful for your voice—and for helping us shape what comes next.
We are proud and grateful to share that our school has received a recommendation for accreditation from the Conference of Educational Administrators of Schools and programs for the Deaf (CEASD)! 🎉 This achievement reflects the dedication, collaboration, and commitment of our entire community.
A heartfelt thank you to our incredible staff, students, Board of Visitors, families, alumni, and community members for your continued support, hard work, and belief in our mission. This milestone would not have been possible without each of you.
We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to the accreditation team -Rosemary Gallegos, Terry Wilding, and Greg Mendenhall -for volunteering their time and expertise to serve CEASD and for their thorough review of our school.
This additional accreditation is an accomplishment we can all celebrate together and builds upon our strong foundation of being accredited by Cognia for over 25 years. Thank you for helping make our school community strong, successful, and student-centered. We are so proud of what we’ve achieved - and excited for what’s ahead! 💙✨
#VSDB #CEASD #TogetherWeEmpower
We were so proud to welcome home our incredible basketball teams! 🏀✨ We had some amazing staff waiting bright and early to welcome them home and celebrate! 🎉👏
The boys battled their way to the Championship finale and earned 2nd place, while our girls took home the Consolation Championship (5th place)! 💪💙
#VSDB #Athletics #TogetherWeEmpower #Basketball
Lindsay brings nearly two decades of experience at VSDB, including nine years in leadership roles as Assistant Principal, Director of Instruction, and Principal. She is widely respected for her steady leadership, deep knowledge of the school, and strong commitment to students and staff.
In her new role, Lindsay will focus on strengthening internal operations, instructional leadership, and cross-department collaboration. Her leadership supports stability and continued growth across campus, while helping expand opportunities that prepare our students for life.
Please join us in congratulating Lindsay as we look ahead to this next chapter of leadership and progress at VSDB.
#VSDB #Leadership #PreparingStudentsForLife
We travel to Faith Christian Academy for a big rematch!
Let’s go Defenders — show them what VSDB basketball looks like on the road!
Fight hard. Play smart. Represent with class.
#RoadWarriors #VSDBStrong
Girls Game can be seen at: https://web.gc.com/teams/V6iIMa5X8VOp?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link
Boys Game can be seen at: https://web.gc.com/teams/OmIPZEq6n8GQ?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link
DEAF SCHOOL SHOWDOWN!
WVSDB Girls comes next door for a showdown with VSDB Girls
ENCSD Boys comes to town to play the VSDB Boys for another electric matchup!
Let’s fill the bleachers and give our players the home court advantage they deserve!
🎉 Bring the spirit — bring the noise — bring the PRIDE!
#VSDBvsENCSD #DefenderNation #GoVSDB
Girls Game can be seen at: https://web.gc.com/teams/V6iIMa5X8VOp?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link
Boys Game can be seen at: https://web.gc.com/teams/OmIPZEq6n8GQ?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link
Our Defenders travel to Ohio SD for a weekend of intense tournament play.
Let’s send them with ALL the support and hype!
Play hard. Stay focused. Represent VSDB everywhere you go!
#SpartanClassic #VSDBOnTheRoad #DefenderPride
Girls Game can be seen at: https://web.gc.com/teams/V6iIMa5X8VOp?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link
Boys Game can be seen at: https://web.gc.com/teams/OmIPZEq6n8GQ?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link
Delaware SD rolls in for a classic showdown!
These matchups always deliver — and we need YOU there to raise the roof!
Let’s rep VSDB with deaf pride, strength, and unity!
#DeafSchoolsStrong #VSDBvsDSD #DefendThisHouse
Girls Game can be seen at: https://web.gc.com/teams/V6iIMa5X8VOp?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link
Boys Game can be seen at: https://web.gc.com/teams/OmIPZEq6n8GQ?utm_source=Web&utm_campaign=team_share_link
