High school

Educational support is provided to  high school students  two times per week during the school year in order to assist students in mastering the skills covered in class and help them achieve academic success.  Tutoring can also be arranged by appointment for more individualized assistance.

  Franklin Smith is a Youth and Family Support Specialist working with high school students. Franklin does case management, plans fun activities and socialization opportunities for the teens.  He also focuses on life skills and on transition planning. He has BA and MA degrees from RIT. You may contact Franklin directly via e-mail: franklin@fcdpinellas.org 

  (Middle and  High School ) A club  that emphasizes socialization, community service  and the development of independent living, decision making, problem  solving and leadership skills.  Activities for this student-led group  occur both during the school year and over the summer.  

 Each year, FCD sponsors an D/HH Academic Bowl team.  The Gallaudet University Academic Bowl was established with the goal of fostering the pursuit of academic excellence, promoting a spirit of academic competition and sportsmanship, and providing social opportunities for the development of collegiality and lifelong friendships. Every year, Gallaudet University hosts four Regional competitions for up to 80 teams of Deaf and Hard of Hearing high school students. 20 teams will then advance to the National competition held at Gallaudet every year. For the 2020-2021 school year, we will be doing virtual competitions for the entire Academic Bowl competition.  

 Our Career Camp is focused on experiences exploring specific workplace industries, self advocacy, and career planning. For example, one session focuses on Transportation Careers during a 3-day summer program.  We may tour airports, train stations, ride the bus independently to a central location, and investigate the use of alternative transportation available in our community.

Other careers students explore and experience include Hospitality, Medical & Public Safety, Animal Services, and Technical industries. We arrange tours of a variety of workplaces, organize working opportunities, and options for certifications in relevant areas -  “Food Handling Certification” and “CPR/First Aid/AED” – all taught by certified instructors during the relevant workshop week.

 Our Teen Leadership Adventure Camp (TLAC) is packed with action, opportunities to make new friends and experience a new adventure each day. Teens travel to TN, GA, or NC for an overnight camping trip lead by professional Deaf/HOH staff. This trip allows the teens to acquire skills as they plan team work activities, meals, inspect and pack their gear and participate in outdoor activities on the trip. We go rock climbing, rappelling, hiking, and swim in a swimming hole or lake.  White water rafting is an all-day event.  On the way to camp, we stop at many different locations. It's sure to be one of the best summer experiences ever for our Deaf/HOH youth!