Deaf Middle School

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Deaf Middle School Deaf Middle School

Preparing each student for high school and beyond, whether it is post secondary education or the world of work, is the goal of the Deaf Middle School. The Deaf Middle School serves eligible 6 – 8 grade students of Florida. Students here range from hard of hearing to profoundly deaf. Three speech pathologists provide speech and communication therapy and one works exclusively with students who have cochlear implants.

FSDB’s Middle School curriculum is based on the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. The educational program provides instruction in reading, language, science, math and social studies. Complying with state mandates, the instructional program also gives students 90 minutes of intensive reading instruction each day along with reading activities offered in all academic subjects.

Students attend physical education and prevocational and career education classes each day. All students in the Middle School participate in the FCAT program.

The strength of the Middle School Program is the teaching and support staff, talented, experienced, and competent educators who continually work to improve their professional skills. Teachers give many hours beyond the school day to provide tutoring and academic assistance to meet the individual needs of their students.

SmartBoards (interactive whiteboards) and computers enhance the general curriculum and develop student skills. The enthusiasm for technology demonstrated by the teachers is evident in students who are comfortable and confident in using technology for learning.

A strong support staff works closely with the teachers:

  • IEP coordinator
  • Social worker
  • School psychologist
  • Speech and language pathologists
  • Reading specialist
  • Behavior specialists
  • Math Specialist
  • Educational Diagnostician

Critical thinking, reasoning, and problem solving skills are developed and promoted through numerous daily activities in the classroom and through special activities:

  • Debates
  • Research projects
  • Annual Writing Expo
  • Math Counts Team (annual national competition)
  • Crime Scene Investigation: FSDB-Deaf Middle School
  • Aerodynamics Week (Model Rocketry, Kite Building and Flying, and carbon dioxide powered Dragsters)

Assistant Principal

Martin Price – (904) 827-2530 and 904-201-4570 (VP)

Teachers

Jiwan Crawford – Civics – 7th
Jessica Dalton – Intensive Reading – 6th
Missy Kaler Missy Kaler – Language Arts – 7th
Jennifer Kilpatrick- Intensive Reading – 8th/ World History – 6th
Susan Lucas – Science/Civics – 7th/ U.S. History – 8th
Kristin Ocasio – Intensive Reading – 6th
Donna O’Neill – Math/World History – 6th
Jenny Palmer – Science – 6th and 7th
Debbi Penrose – Science – 7th and 8th
Karen Polakiewicz – Intensive Reading/Language Arts -7th
Terri Samson -Language Arts /U.S. History – 8th
Deanna Scala – Math/Civics – 7th
Cally Traetto – Intensive Reading/Language Arts – 7th
Scott Trejbal – Math/U.S. History – 8th
Maria Williams – Intensive Reading – 6th