The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind

The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year! Now is the time to apply! Call the Admissions Office for more information! Contact - Kim Dayhoff, Admissions Coordinator - 540-332-9004 or [email protected]

As the 2023-2024 school year comes to an end, VSDB would like to invite all friends and family to these upcoming events. Hope to see you there!!

Library "Shelfie" Day!

"HANG" in there a few more weeks! Summer break is almost here! Our last day of school and Graduation is May 17, but we have plenty of fun activities to enjoy as we wrap up the 2023-2024 school year. We hope you will join us at some of these fun events. Save the dates: Spring Concert - May 2 at 1:00 pm Sports banquet for student-athletes and their families - May 2 at 5:00 pm Family Network meeting - May 6 at 8:15 am "Rising Up" ceremonies - May 8 at 8:15 am (Blind Dept) and 1:45 pm (Deaf Dept) Work Study Appreciation - May 10 at 9:00 am Yearbook Dedication ceremony - May 15 at 1:30 pm Graduation - May 17 at 10:00 am

Our students had a solar eclipse viewing party during the solar eclipse. Using viewing glasses, homemade viewing devices, and the LightSound device*, our students and staff got together on the basketball court to enjoy the event. Although it was a cloudy day, the eclipse popped out just long enough for us to snap a few photos! See the next one in 20 years! *The LightSound device was designed and developed in 2017 as a tool for the Blind and Low Vision (BLV) community to experience a solar eclipse with sound. The device uses a technique called sonification which is the process of converting data (or light intensity in this case) to sound. As the Moon eclipses the Sun during a Solar Eclipse the sunlight begins to dim and the LightSound device will output a change in musical tone. To learn more, visit https://astrolab.fas.harvard.edu/LightSound.html. We would like to thank the LightSound team for providing VSDB with these devices!

Our library held a paper chain challenge - who can create the longest paper chain made from a single piece of construction paper? Macy won during A week; Ethan and Natalie won B week. Ethan and Natalie won the whole school competition with their 19' 1" chain!! #VSDBproud

VSDB is excited to announce that it is in the national media again! Several months ago, the Executive Producer, Roberta Oster, from VPM (PBS), who heard about VSDB and the unique programs and services it provides to students and families throughout Virginia, contacted VSDB with the request to come to VSDB to film and interview students and staff for a mini-documentary. The VPM crew came out for a day and were so impressed that they asked to return for another day in order to interview and film more, with the goal of expanding the mini-documentary. We are VSDB PROUD of the opportunity to be highlighted by PBS! Please see the listing of all of the links below that will give you access to view the 1) PBS online article, 2) the mini video documentary on VSDB preparing students for life, and 3) the in-depth video interview of one student's off-campuswork-study placement. The Executive Producer, Roberta Oster, would love to hear from you regarding these productions! As a community-focused entity, PBS welcomes community input. Roberta's email is: [email protected] 1) VPM article: https://www.vpm.org/news/2024-03-07/virginia-school-for-the-deaf-and-blind-staunton-preparing-students  Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind prepares students to live independently The Staunton school teaches everything from job skills to independent living. www.vpm.org 2) VPM mini-documentary: https://www.vpm.org/2024-03-07/building-life-skills-for-deaf-and-blind-students  Building life skills for deaf and blind students Virginia’s School for the Deaf and the Blind has been providing a community for students for nearly two centuries. Meet the teachers and teens who make this community unique. www.vpm.org 3) In-depth interview- off-campus work-study experience https://www.vpm.org/2024-03-07/independent-living-skills-for-deaf-and-blind-students  Independent living skills for deaf and blind students A school for deaf and blind students takes extra steps to prepare their pupils for life after graduation. www.vpm.org

Our residential students had a St. Patrick's Day party on Monday. They played the game "junk in the trunk" and had to try to shake things out of a tissue box wrapped around their waist. They had so much fun!!

We are HOPPING with EGGcitement about our beeping egg hunt on Saturday!! If you would like to attend, please register ASAP at https://forms.gle/xKqxbhZqifZhFkRAA. We have a few more spots available! We have such a fun day planned and don't want anyBUNNY to miss out on the EGGStremely good time!

VSDB is celebrating Kindness Week this week. We're having fun with themed spirit days to reinforce our focal points for this week. Yesterday was our introduction to Kindness Week, "Hats Off to Kindness!" and we started the day by cheering the students into the building and flooding them with kindness. Today is "Round Up Kindness" and we will be explaining our community give-back challenge for this year, which is the Verona Food Pantry. Wednesday's theme is "Kindness is My Superpower" and we are going to take our kindness superpowers and spread it to all departments around our campus. On Thursday, we are focusing on self-care and wellness with our theme of "Peace, Love, and Kindness." Friday, we will close out the week knowing we are "Crazy About Kindness"!

Don't forget, it's time to "spring forward" overnight tonight! Set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed tonight. (And don't forget your coffee maker's clock if you have that auto-set for the mornings!)

📚🥞 Established in 1989, National School Breakfast Week is more than just a celebration—it's a commitment to the success of our students. From March 4-8, let's come together to recognize the profound impact of a healthy breakfast on academic achievement. By fueling our children's bodies and minds, we empower them to reach their full potential. Join us in promoting the importance of starting the day right. #NSBW24 #SurfsUpWithSchoolBreakfast #BreakfastWeek #VSDBproud #GrowDoBecome

VSDB is excited to announce that it is in the national media again! Several months ago, the Executive Producer, Roberta Oster, from VPM (PBS), who heard about VSDB and the unique programs and services it provides to students and families throughout Virginia, contacted VSDB with the request to come to VSDB to film and interview students and staff for a mini-documentary. The VPM crew came out for a day and were so impressed that they asked to return for another day in order to interview and film more, with the goal of expanding the mini-documentary. Part 1 of the documentary airs tonight, Thursday, at 8:00pm. Part 2 is a print story with video interviews on the VPM website. Please use the link below to see the story that will air tonight, Thursday, at 8:00pm on VPM (PBS) Focal Point. https://www.vpm.org/vpm-tv-schedule Link to print story: https://www.vpm.org/news/2024-03-07/virginia-school-for-the-deaf-and-blind-staunton-preparing-students Link to Part 2 with video interview. https://www.vpm.org/watch/focal-point

🥞🏄‍♂️ Dive in and make a splash during National School Breakfast Week from March 4-8! Let's come together to ensure that every child has access to a healthy breakfast at school. By prioritizing nutrition, we can set our students up for success in the classroom and beyond. Let's build a community where every child can thrive. #NSBW24 #SurfsUpWithSchoolBreakfast #BreakfastWeek #VSDBproud #GrowDoBecome

📣Attention VSDB families! 📣 You are invited to join the VSDB Family Network! Whether you are near or far, we hope you will join us on April 4 at 8:15 am to meet other families and get to know one another! You are welcome to join us in person or on Zoom. If you plan to join us on Zoom, please register at bit.ly/VSDB_Family_Network . Please reach out to Julie Saum, Family Engagement Specialist, at 540-324-8316 if you have any questions.

#WorkStudyWednesday - Lydia participated in a work experience at Tru Hotel in Staunton where she worked in housekeeping and learned a variety of tasks related to a housekeeping job. Here, she is pictured cleaning exercise equipment, folding towels,

🌞🥐 Rise and shine! National School Breakfast Week is a time to shine a spotlight on the critical role of breakfast in supporting student learning and development. From March 4-8, let's spread awareness about the benefits of a balanced breakfast at school. Every child deserves a nutritious start to their day. Join us in advocating for healthy breakfast options for all. #NSBW24 #SurfsUpWithSchoolBreakfast #BreakfastWeek #VSDBproud #GrowDoBecome

🌊🍳 Embrace the spirit of success as we ride the wave of National School Breakfast Week from March 4-8! Let’s set up children for academic triumph by ensuring they start their day with a nutritious breakfast together! Join us in celebrating the importance of a healthy morning meal. #NSBW24 #SurfsUpWithSchoolBreakfast #BreakfastWeek #VSDBproud #GrowDoBecome

As our Goalball team continues their successful season so far, let's take a moment to reflect on the remarkable journey of the VSDB Boys' and Girls' Basketball season. Both teams have demonstrated incredible growth and determination throughout, and we're proud to celebrate their efforts and achievements. A heartfelt thank you goes out to the entire VSDB community for their unwavering support. Thank you for investing your time and for coming to support the games! Your dedication truly makes a difference! #GOVSDB #VSDBProud 💙❤️🏀

#WorkStudyWednesday - Jacob participated in an unpaid work experience at NuBeginnings Farm Store where he learned a variety of job duties. Here, Jacob is pictured making sandwiches, slicing vegetables, and making cookies.