School Counselor Appreciation Week post 5: We asked our counselors to respond to two questions - How do you inspire students to "Dream Big"? and Why did you become a school counselor? Here are their responses:
over 1 year ago, VSDB
I wanted to be a school counselor so that I could be apart of educating the whole child. My part in that is offering supports where needed to teachers, students, and families. Ms. Becky, VSDB school counselor
I am able to meet children where they are whether that is through play or through listening to them express themselves. Children are resilient and I want to be able to share with them skills and tools to be the best versions of themselves
I help students to dream big by encouraging them to maximize all their abilities! Many times the world will only see a persons disabilities and I want to help students to focus on all of who they are and growing into who they were destined to become!
reminding them to not think negatively or speak negatively about themselves. The battle of our own thoughts is the first fight we have to fight and if I can help them learn ways to “change” their thinking than I am positive they can conquer the rest
Our VSDB boys basketball team left this morning for a weekend tournament in New Jersey. They play their first game tonight at 8:30 pm. We wish you all good luck and hope you enjoy this time with your teammates, coaches, and other schools’ players. We will update this post if a live stream of the game is announced. We will also post photo and video updates as we receive them from the coaches! #goVSDB
over 1 year ago, VSDB
boys basketball team showing off the backs of their team sweatshirts
boys basketball team gathered for a group photo
teacher giving thumbs up to the team
pep talk from athletic director with boys basketball team lined in front of him standing outside
Thank you Staunton News Leader for highlighting the impactful work of VSDB's Board of Visitors, led by Senator John Bell. As Senator Bell said, passing Senate Bill 1493 makes a major statement about Virginia’s commitment to the Deaf and blind children of Virginia. https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/education/2023/02/09/virginia-school-for-deaf-blind-set-to-transfer-to-governor/69885337007/
over 1 year ago, VSDB
Our VSDB girls basketball team left today to head to Buffalo, NY for a weekend tournament. We wish you all the best of luck in the games and we hope you have a wonderful trip!! Their first game is tomorrow at 6:00 pm. We will update this post if a live stream of the game is announced. We will also post photo and video updates as we receive them from the coaches! #goVSDB
over 1 year ago, VSDB
two women sit in the driver and passenger seats of a white van
girls basketball team in the van holding a sign “go cardinals"
athletic director gives girls a pep talk before they leave for the trip
It may still be winter but yesterday sure felt like spring! Our residential students enjoyed spending their afternoon outside in the beautiful weather.
over 1 year ago, VSDB
students and staff playing outside. one girl throws a football with staff. some student are playing on playground
female student on porch swing
group of students on a merry go round
female student on a porch swing
School Counselor Appreciation Week post 3: Spotlight on Alysha Scott! Alysha is originally from Ohio but has been in Virginia for several years now and we are SO GLAD she has found her way to VSDB! Her position is new to VSDB because she works in the afternoons and evenings to support students who reside on campus during the week. Although she has only been at VSDB for a few months, she has quickly developed strong relationships with the students and they appreciate her ability to joke and make them smile. She is a fun-loving person and brings that fun with her into counseling to make groups fun! Thank you, Ms. Alysha, for everything you have done so far to support our students and we're so glad to have you on board!!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
portrait of woman’s head and shoulders in front of a stone wall
School Counselor Appreciation Week post 2: Spotlight on Becky White! Becky is from Alabama but has made VSDB her home for the past 8 years. She primarily serves students in the Deaf department. Staff and students appreciate Ms. Becky for making space for our feelings and her compassion for everyone. Thank you Ms. Becky for everything you do for us at VSDB. We truly appreciate you!!!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
photo of a smiling woman with long brown hair
Our Pre-K students are learning about Community Helpers. This week, they are focusing on mail carriers. They have their own mailbox set up outside their classroom to receive mail. If YOU would like to mail something for our pre-K students to enjoy (even beyond just this week), please mail it to VSDB Attn. pre-K P.O. Box 2069 Staunton, VA 24402 Our pre-K program has Deaf and DeafBlind students, so if you can include some visual and some tactile elements, that would be great!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
pre-K student reaching into a large mailbox
pre-K student standing in a hallway and taking a card from an envelope
pre-K student sitting in the hallway and holding a card
Three of our students have been raising money for Special Olympics Virginia and participated in the Polar Plunge in Virginia Beach this past Saturday. Their team raised over $5,000!! Great job Jacob, Naomi, and Nikita!!! #vsdbproud
over 1 year ago, VSDB
three young adult students wearing inflatable inner tubes designed as a frog, a giraffe, and a bird. each student is also wearing a wide brimmed hat. two students are holding canes
three young adult students wearing inflatable inner tubes designed as a frog, a giraffe, and a bird. each student is also wearing a wide brimmed hat. two students are holding canes
Our school counselors are the BEST! This week is National School Counselors Appreciation Week, so we’d like to recognize them specifically this week, but we appreciate them every day! Thank you Ms. Alysha, Ms. Becky, and Ms. Beth for the work you do for our students and staff!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
mind map of “National school counseling week” in a white bubble and various attributes surround it. motivation, advice, success, direction, coaching, support, goal, training
School picture day is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8. Bring your favorite shirt and your best smiling face! A code to view and purchase pictures will be sent to families when we receive it.
over 1 year ago, VSDB
text at the top of the page “Wednesday February 8” with an image of a camera underneath. the view screen of the camera has text “school picture day"
Our school staff used yesterday’s early homegoing to participate in professional development. The Deaf department had a workshop on Language Development Milestones yesterday. Today, the Blind Department left early this morning to tour VRCBVI and VIB.
over 1 year ago, VSDB
staff getting into two white vans. the sun is rising in the background
staff getting into two white vans. the sun is rising in the background
group picture of staff standing in the lobby of a VSDB school building
The dusting of snow may have melted quickly, but that didn’t stop Ms. Lynn’s Independent Living Skills class from having a snowball fight before they started cooking! Students and staff joined in the fun
over 1 year ago, VSDB
students and staff throw cotton balls resembling snowballs in the classroom
one male student throws a cotton ball snowball while two female students stand out of the way
one female student throws a cotton ball snowball
one female staff sits on a chair using her arms to protect herself from the incoming cotton ball snowballs
Will we have 6 more weeks of winter or an early spring? Either way, winter weather at VSDB is beautiful - and fun! Yesterday morning we had a thin layer of snow on the ground and ice on the tree branches. Our students went out to explore and enjoy.
over 1 year ago, VSDB
snow covered mountains create a backdrop for two flag poles, one with the American flag and one with the Virginia state flag
a girl holds a small clump of snow in one hand and holds it up to her face. her cheeks are puffed out, ready to blow the snow
a male and three female students stand in front of the outdoor basketball court with their arms outstretched
an early morning shot of the snow covered grass at VSDB
We love our community! VSDB goes beyond our campus, current students, and current staff. Today at halftime of the boy’s basketball game against ENCSD, current students and visitors from the community joined in the spirit cheer!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
students and visitors lined up on the basketball court cheering
VSDB high school student, Brianna, participated in the 2022 InSights Art Competition sponsored by the American Printing House for the Blind and just received her certificate for her submission “Two Halves Equal A Whole”. Brianna worked hard on this piece and we are proud of her!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
female student with short curly blue colored hair smiles standing next to her art piece. red colored foam pieces separated by a paper mache hand signify the two halves of the brain
female student with short curly blue colored hair smiles while holding her art piece. red colored foam pieces separated by a paper mache hand signify the two halves of the brain
We celebrated Ms. Hannah, our Orientation and Mobility Intern, today as she completed her final day at VSDB. We will miss her but we are also so excited for her future as she heads to Massachusetts to begin a job at the Carroll Center for the Blind as their O&M Specialist!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
young woman walks through a hallway lined with students and staff as they applaud and cheer
large group of students and staff smiling
Staff Spotlight - Kim Dayhoff Kim is the fabulous VSDB Admissions Coordinator! She loves meeting prospective students and their families and she gives the BEST tours of our campus. Kim is always happy to answer questions about VSDB and share information about our TEMP program, eligibility to attend, and the admissions process. (Did you know VSDB accepts applications at any time throughout the year?!) Contact Kim at 540-332-9004 or [email protected] with any questions or to schedule a tour!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
dark-haired woman wearing a black short sleeve shirt stands, smiling, in front of a white stone wall
PreK students learned about igloos in the winter time. They learned how to build one out of jugs with the help of Art Teacher Tammy and worked on it for almost a month. Now that it is finished, they love climbing in and seeing the lights!
over 1 year ago, VSDB
igloo made out of empty plastic milk and water jugs, lights strung around and lit
photo from the inside of the igloo made of empty milk/water jugs with multicolored caps looking up to the top of the igloo.
two pre-k students throw fake snowballs from inside the igloo
That’s a wrap!! Spirit week was a blast! Thank you everyone for all the fun, laughter, memories, and new experiences!! (Blind department is planning big things for their Homecoming week from February 13-17. Stay tuned for more information!)
over 1 year ago, VSDB
elementary students wearing black T-shirts with a cardinal logo posing for a picture with the cardinal mascot
elementary students and elementary teacher making funny faces at the camera
several students stand near a table to pick up their cardinal designs
Pre-k students, teacher, and intervener pose for a picture with the cardinal mascot