
We are incredibly proud of the VSDB goalball teams! They showcased outstanding hard work, perseverance, and teamwork at the EAAB Goalball Tournament in New York. Both teams earned 2nd place! In addition, Amayah and Morris were named All Stars, while Michael received an honorable mention. Congratulations to all the players for their fantastic effort and dedication!






‼️Update: The boys will play another game at 6:30!‼️
The VSDB goalball teams have been playing hard all day at the tournament. The boys team will play next at 4:30pm in the bronze game. They still have a chance to make it to the gold medal game.
The girls team won a very exciting game against NYISE (6-5) and will now play at 5:00pm in the gold medal game!! Let's go defenders!



Edit Update: The girls team won their 11:00am game. They will play at 2:30pm against NYISE.
EAAB Goalball Tournament Update: The VSDB boys goalball team won against Maryland School for the Blind (13-3) and the VSDB girls goalball team defeated Governor Morehead's (10-6). The girls are set to play again at 11:00am (start times may be a little delayed). The boys team will play at 1:00pm. Cheer on the team and watch the game with the link below!
Join VSDB Girls Goalball on GameChanger
https://web.gc.com/teams/iByFUQDdSazS/live
Join VSDB Boys Goalball on GameChanger
https://web.gc.com/teams/rmmFtxtGj6tJ/live



Good morning!
Our Goalball teams are in New York for the EAAB Tournament and we e are cheering them on from afar. Last night, the Boys won 11-5 vs WV and the Girls lost 5-1 vs. WV. This morning, they are ready to hit the court again!
Boys vs. Maryland @8am
Girls vs. Governor Morehead @ 9:30am
Follow along on GameChanger for updates and to watch live.
Boys games: https://web.gc.com/teams/rmmFtxtGj6tJ/live
Girls games: https://web.gc.com/teams/iByFUQDdSazS/live


UPDATE: New York will now be streaming the games live on their YouTube channel https://m.youtube.com/@nyinstitute999/featured
Please follow along with our VSDB defenders there!

Our goalball teams are en route to NY for the EAAB Goalball Tournament!
The tournament will run all evening (Friday) and all day tomorrow (Saturday). Their schedule is dependent on how they do throughout pool play. The New York Institute for Special Education will be live streaming through their Instagram account. You can also follow along with our live stream through the GameChanger links attached below.
Boys and Girls each play one game tonight (Friday):
VA Boys vs. WV Boys @ 7:30 pm
VA Girls vs. WV Girls @ 8:30 pm
Links:
Boys Games: https://web.gc.com/teams/rmmFtxtGj6tJ/live
Girls Games: https://web.gc.com/teams/iByFUQDdSazS/live
Let’s Go Defenders! 💙🔥❤️
[Image description: The flyer has a dark, textured background with a mix of blue and black tones, resembling a rough surface. The top features bold, white text reading "EAAB Goalball Tournament" in a handwritten-style font. Below, white capital letters provide event details: "March 14-15, 2025, Hosted by New York Institute for Special Education."
In the center, two competing teams are highlighted. On the left, "VSDB" is displayed in black bold letters over a rough, white torn-paper effect with the school's mascot beside it. On the right, "WVSDB" is written in black bold letters on another torn-paper background, accompanied by WVSDB’s circular logo featuring a bear. The word "VS" is prominently placed in large red text between them.
Below the team names, the game schedule is written in white, handwritten-style text:
Girls 7:30 PM
Boys 8:30 PM
The bottom of the flyer features a large blue goalball, partially cropped at the bottom edge. Across the ball, red graffiti-style text says "DON'T MISS IT!"]


It is Goalball Gameday!!! VSDB’s Goalball teams will travel to the West Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind (WVSDB) for their final match of the regular season. The match begins at 3PM! The game will be live streamed via the Gamechanger link: https://web.gc.com/teams/rmmFtxtGj6tJ/2024-winter-vsdb-boys-goalball/schedule/7a4d2bf5-6dac-4eec-b676-b760fbb3a8be/info
Watch the team showcase the hard work they have put together in their final wrap up before their Eastern Athletic Association for the Blind (EAAB) tournament this coming weekend!
[Image description: A high-energy sports flyer announcing a goalball match between VSDB and WVSD&B. The background has a textured dark blue design with bold, stylized text reading "Game Day" in large white and red letters. The date and time are displayed at the top: Tuesday, March 11th, 3:00 PM. The VSDB logo (a stylized wolf) is on the left, while the WVSD&B logo (a circular emblem with a panther) is on the right. The words "Away @ WVSD&B" indicate that VSDB will be playing an away game. At the bottom, a large blue goalball is prominently displayed, with the phrase "Don't Miss It!" written in red, emphasizing excitement for the event.]


🐰🔊 Hop into Spring with Our Beeping Egg Hunt! 🔊🐰
Get ready for an egg-stra special event! 🌸🥚 VSDB’s Beeping Egg Hunt is back for all students with blindness or visual impairments—no matter their level of vision. Join us for a morning of fun, beeping eggs, and sweet surprises!
📅 Date: Saturday, April 19, 2025
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
📍 Location: VSDB, 97 New Hope Rd., Staunton, VA
🎟 Register by April 11: https://bit.ly/2025beeping_egg
This event is fully accessible for students with blindness or visual impairments and wheelchair accessible. Don’t miss out—let’s make this spring unforgettable! 🌷
#BeepingEggHunt #AccessibleFun #SpringCelebration #VSDBproud
[Image Description: A colorful flyer with a spring theme announces the VSDB Beeping Egg Hunt. At the top, playful text reads, "Hop into spring with our annual Beeping Egg Hunt!" Below, an invitation to join for a fun-filled, accessible event is displayed. The event details, including date (April 19, 2025), time (10 AM - 12 PM), and location (VSDB, Staunton, VA), are prominently listed. A registration link and accessibility information are also included. The background features spring-themed decorations like flowers and Easter eggs, giving a cheerful and festive feel.]


VSDB would like to share the following information on behalf of our friends at VDDHH.
The VDDHH Transportation Town Hall originally scheduled for Saturday, February 22, 2025, has been rescheduled to March 29, 2025, due to inclement weather and extreme cold temperatures.
The updated flyer is attached. Please share this with your networks in the Town of Ashland, City of Richmond, Charles City County, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent, and Powhatan, particularly individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafblind, or have speech difficulties and may face challenges accessing transportation. This includes issues such as voice announcements without captions, signage colors for low vision, small text, lighting, crosswalks, and more.
RSVP is required for the Town Hall. Registration details can be found via the QR code and link on the flyer. bit.ly/TransportationTownHallRVA
If you have any questions, please contact Karen Rhoads, Community Services Specialist, VDDHH.
[Image Description:
A flyer for a Transportation Town Hall event targeted at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community. The design features a blue and purple color scheme with white text. At the top, the title "TRANSPORTATION TOWN HALL" is prominently displayed in bold, uppercase letters. Below it, in smaller text, is "for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community."
In the center, the "Pathways to the Future: Transportation" logo appears, with "Pathways to the Future" in bold blue text and an arrow graphic in red, blue, and orange. Below the logo, there are various transportation-related icons, including a walking figure, a wheelchair user, a bicycle, a motorcycle, buses, trucks, and a boat.
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, March 29, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Location: Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
8004 Franklin Farms Dr, Richmond, VA 23229
Rooms: 101-103
At the bottom, a blue section highlights additional event features with white icons and text:
ASL Interpretation Provided (represented by an ASL signing hands icon)
PlanRVA Interactive Map & Feedback Activity (PlanRVA logo included)
Morning Refreshments Served (represented by a coffee cup and plate icon)
In the lower left corner, the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH) logo is displayed.
At the very bottom, the flyer states:
"Hosted by VDDHH | RSVP Required"
bit.ly/TransportationTownHallRVA]


VSDB Families and Fans,
Today is the 2nd day of the back-to-back game days for the Goalball team this week! VSDB’s Goalball teams will travel to the Maryland School for the Blind for their match at 1 PM! The game will be live streamed via Gamechanger at this link: https://web.gc.com/teams/rmmFtxtGj6tJ/2024-winter-vsdb-boys-goalball/schedule/9909ede6-b229-4cc0-8a60-b4803bec8e8f/info
Watch your Defenders roll some goals and cheer from afar!


VSDB Families and Fans,
The Winter 2025 Goalball Season begins today at Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind’s Llewellyn Gym! The Goalball teams kick off their season playing the South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind (SCSDB) and the Governor Morehead School for the Blind at 2 PM. Come and make your way to the Defender's house to watch them block, roll, score, and repeat!
If you are unable to make it in person, there will be a livestream via Gamechanger:
VSDB vs SCSDB - https://web.gc.com/teams/rmmFtxtGj6tJ/2024-winter-vsdb-boys-goalball/schedule/3897db6e-a948-41cb-bfeb-d53499f2384f/info
VSDB vs Governor Morehead - https://web.gc.com/teams/rmmFtxtGj6tJ/2024-winter-vsdb-boys-goalball/schedule/544b3b36-81c6-434d-aaca-c45176cacab1/info
Please take a look at the season schedule for all of the games for this season to find a time and root your Defenders!
Feb 26th - VSDB vs Governor Morehead and SCSDB - 2:00 p.m. - @VSDB
Feb 27th - VSDB at MSB - 1:00 p.m. - @MSB
Mar 4th - VSDB vs WVSDB - 3:00 p.m. - @VSDB
Mar 6th - VSDB vs MSB - 1:00 p.m. - @VSDB
Mar 11th - VSDB at WVSDB - 3:00 p.m. - @WVSDB



Join us for a Virtual Job Fair for Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on Wednesday, February 26th from 12:00pm-7:00pm. We hope to see you there!
#ThisIsVSDB #GrowDoBecome #VSDBJobFair
Visual Description: A red and blue flyer with a white columned building and The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is listed in the top right corner. Pictures of Lindsay Burris, Principal, and Julie Conner, Assistant Principal are displayed on the red background. The title reads: Virtual Job Fair for Teachers of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing on Wednesday, February 26, 2025 from 12:00pm-7:00pm. Reserve your 20 minute session today!
Are you a Teacher of the Deaf? Meet with VSDB's Principal and Assistant Principal to learn more about VSDB and available teaching opportunities. Participate in our Virtual Job Fair and see if VSDB is the right fit for you!
A blue box on the side reads: The VSDB Difference.
- Great comprehensive benefit package
- Small caseloads and ample resources
- Supportive and positive team setting
- Small teacher: student ratio
- School - Residential partnership supports 24/7 learning environment.
Contact (540)332-9000 or laura.otrhalik@vsdb.k12.va.us to reserve your session today.
Learn more at: https://www.vsdb.k12.va.us/


VSDB Family and Fans,
Game Day at Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind.
*UPDATE: The Girls' game has been canceled.
At 7:00 PM Our Boys' Varsity Basketball team will be playing against Shenandoah Valley Homeschool!!
Come by to cheer on our Defenders and show your support! Go, Defenders!!! There will be live streams:
Boys game: https://web.gc.com/teams/Eyyt0cM9L6Xc/schedule/ee35ed7d-7763-4ba2-8f5d-87a257c6b28b/info



VSDB Family and Fans,
Today, Delaware School for the Deaf Boys and Girls Basketball teams will travel to the Defenders' house. Get ready for an action-packed evening with not one, but TWO thrilling games!! They'll be shooting for the stars and aiming for the hoops, so come down and cheer them on!!
3:00PM (Girls) / 4:30PM (Boys)
Also, there will be a live stream:
Girls game: https://web.gc.com/teams/YuQbSJyJHdvb/schedule/3ee3395f-87f2-425f-a826-7ff039d4818e/info
Boys game: https://web.gc.com/teams/Eyyt0cM9L6Xc/schedule/92bb71f2-818c-4fd4-b7c1-00b08560b0d2/info



VSDB Family and Fans, Get ready for some basketball TODAY at 5:30 PM.
Game Day at West Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind. The Girls Defenders Basketball team will travel today at their last AWAY game to take on the WVSDB Bears!! We hope you can join us in cheering on the team!! If you can’t make it, you can watch the live stream here: https://web.gc.com/teams/YuQbSJyJHdvb/schedule/dd81afc3-821d-4ed0-b5df-3c6a2664f41f/info


Our VSDB app keeps getting better and better! Parents/
guardians who have already created an account can now
access new app features like Messages and Class Streams
via web and in the app.
Download for Android https://aptg.co/MyxB9F
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/xq5Xzj


VSDB Family and Fans, IT’S Basketball Game Day!!!! Both Boys and Girls Varsity Basketball teams will be in action today at Delaware School for the Deaf. The Defenders will play with all their hearts, leave it all on the court, and bring in the win. Join us in cheering on our team!!! Thursday, Jan 23rd, 3:00PM (Girls) / 4:30PM (Boys)
Girls game: https://web.gc.com/teams/YuQbSJyJHdvb/schedule/f3a90186-cb19-4654-b0c1-c1042eef1a75/info
Boys game: https://web.gc.com/teams/Eyyt0cM9L6Xc/schedule/2bfd8f9e-f9ab-4451-917d-3145174c0ae5/info



Say “hello” to even more messaging and announcements in
the VSDB app! Parents/guardians check your email or text with
instructions to sign up and access new features.
Download for Android https://aptg.co/MyxB9F
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/xq5Xzj


Say hello to parent-teacher chat and classroom announcements in the VSDB app. Now it’s easier than ever to stay up-to-date with VSDB and with your students’ teachers and classes.
Parents and guardians will soon receive instructions via email to create their login to access Rooms within the VSDB app.
https://youtu.be/zW9d0VzqDFI?si=TldO8Jf2yuuWrd8H
Download for Android https://aptg.co/MyxB9F
Download for iPhone https://aptg.co/xq5Xzj


🌱🥕 Fresh from the Fields: Updates on VSDB's Farm Program! 🥕🌱
At VSDB, our students are learning valuable skills while cultivating crops and fostering a love for sustainable agriculture. 🌾
In the latest edition of our Farm Program Newsletter, discover how our students are growing more than just plants—they’re growing knowledge, teamwork, and community connections.
📖 Check it out here: https://5il.co/34imz
#VSDBFarm #GrowingTogether #HandsOnLearning