Dear Colonial High School Families,
As we move through the fall semester, I want to express my sincere gratitude for your continued support and dedication to our school community. It's truly a privilege to lead such a vibrant and committed group of students, staff, and families.
I encourage all families to participate in the 2025 Fall Stakeholder Survey, which began on September 30th and closes on October 14th. Your feedback is invaluable as we strive to align our family experiences with our core values. You will receive the links below; the survey is available in multiple languages.
We had an incredible Homecoming season, filled with Grenadier spirit, laughter, and unforgettable memories. A special thank you to our Student Government Association (SGA) and their sponsors, Mr. Purcell, Ms. Torres, and Ms. Van Allen, for their tireless efforts in coordinating the Pep Rally and Homecoming Dance. Your hard work truly shone through!
Congratulations to our AFJROTC cadets—Nicholas Carvajal, Karla Solano, Carlos Moreno, Keysi Méndez, and Sebastian Morales—for completing their CPR and AED training and certification. Their commitment to safety enhances our weekly physical training sessions and physical fitness assessments.
We are absolutely thrilled to extend our warmest congratulations to Nathon Bush on being named a Semifinalist in the prestigious 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program! This outstanding achievement is a true testament to Nathon's exceptional academic dedication and intellectual prowess. We are incredibly proud of him and wish him the very best of luck as he moves forward in the competition.
This Tuesday, October 7, and Thursday, October 9, our students will be participating in the PSAT/NMSQT and SAT School Day testing.
The PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is the exam that students must take to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program, making it the first step toward the recognition. Both the PSAT/NMSQT and the SAT School Day are essential tools that offer students valuable practice for college entrance exams and provide data that can help guide their academic preparation and future planning. Please ensure your student is well-rested and prepared for these critical test days.
Our Colonial Football Team had an incredible victory last week against Cypress Creek, with a final score of 35-15! A huge shoutout to our athletic trainers, Colonial Band, Cheer Team, and Dance Team for their performances, energy, and spirit that helped lead us to victory.
Finally, I would like to take a moment to express my sincere gratitude to our exceptional staff members. Their unwavering dedication, hard work, and genuine care for our Grenadiers are truly inspiring. Thank you for fostering a positive learning atmosphere and for being the heart of our Colonial family.
It’s Great To Be A Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
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Beginning Tuesday, September 30, 2025, Orange County Public Schools invites all families to participate in the 2025 Fall Stakeholder Survey. Your participation is important because the results will be used as we work to ensure our families’ experiences align with our core values.
You will receive an email or text with the link to the survey. You can also use the QR code below. Please take a moment to answer the questions about your satisfaction with our school. The family survey is available in English, Spanish (Español), Portuguese (Português), Haitian Creole (Kreyòl), Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt), and Arabic (عربي).
The survey begins September 30, 2025, and closes on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
The survey is anonymous, which means no one will know how you answered the questions, so please provide honest, thoughtful feedback.
We thank you for your time.
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All student-athletes MUST have a completed physical on AthleticClearance.com prior to participating in any tryouts. The physical process includes an EL2 (physical), an EL3 (student and parent signature section), and an ECG. All of the necessary forms can be found on AthleticClearance.com. Please note that the EL2 physical form is different than the school physical, and a school physical will not satisfy the requirements for athletics.
All athletes must maintain a cumulative unweighted GPA of 2.0 or higher to be eligible for athletics. Freshmen are exempt from this requirement for the first semester only since they do not have a high school GPA. Cumulative GPAs are only updated at the conclusion of a semester, so an ineligible athlete cannot become eligible until the following semester begins. Below is the list of our Fall Sports contacts.
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Five of our dedicated AFJROTC cadets recently participated in a crucial CPR and AED training and certification session hosted by Winter Park High School NJROTC. This initiative adds an essential layer of safety to our weekly physical training sessions and physical fitness assessments, as these cadets serve as the physical training leaders for their respective class periods.
The training, held on Saturday at Winter Park High School, was expertly conducted by WPHS NJROTC senior cadets (both certified paramedics) and supervised by NJROTC First Sergeant Timothy Grier (EMT). Our cadets, Nicholas Carvajal, Karla Solano, Carlos Moreno, Keysi Méndez, and Sebastian Morales, participated in a comprehensive two-hour session that combined classroom instruction with hands-on training. We commend Winter Park High School for its impressive program and for providing our students with this invaluable life-saving skill. A huge shout-out to our AFJROTC cadets for their commitment to safety and leadership!
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At Colonial High School, we are incredibly fortunate to have a dedicated and passionate team of staff members who work tirelessly every day to create an enriching and supportive environment for our students. From our teachers and administrators to our support staff and custodians, each individual plays a crucial role in our success, and their commitment truly makes a difference. Featured here are Ms. Gonzalez, Mr. Ohl, Ms. Young, and Ms. Lavandier.
We want to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for all the exceptional work they do. Their unwavering dedication, hard work, and genuine care for our Grenadiers are truly inspiring. Thank you for going above and beyond, for fostering a positive learning atmosphere, and for being the heart of our Colonial family. We appreciate you all!
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On October 2nd, Colonial High School proudly celebrated Custodian Appreciation Day! We took this special opportunity to honor and thank our incredible custodial team for their tireless dedication and hard work in keeping our school clean, safe, and welcoming. Their commitment to maintaining a positive learning environment often goes unnoticed, but it is deeply valued by our entire Grenadier family. Thank you for everything you do! |
We are thrilled to announce that Colonial High School's very own Nathon Bush has been named a Semifinalist in the prestigious 2026 National Merit Scholarship Program! This outstanding achievement is a testament to Nathon's exceptional academic dedication, hard work, and intellectual prowess.
Nathon is among a select group of high school seniors nationwide who have demonstrated incredible potential through their performance on the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). This recognition places him in contention for approximately 6,930 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $26 million, to be offered in the spring of 2026.
We are incredibly proud of Nathon and celebrate this significant milestone with him. His success not only reflects his personal commitment to excellence but also inspires his fellow Grenadiers to strive for academic greatness. Please join us in congratulating Nathon Bush on this remarkable accomplishment! We wish him the best of luck as he moves forward in the competition.
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What an incredible Homecoming season it has been! Our Pep Rally and Homecoming Dance were truly nights to remember, filled with Grenadier spirit, laughter, and unforgettable memories. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making these events such a tremendous success.
A special shout-out and immense gratitude go to the members of our Student Government Association (SGA) who poured their creativity, time, and effort into coordinating both the Pep Rally and the spectacular Homecoming Dance. Their dedication ensured a great time was had by all! Excellent job, SGA—your hard work truly shone through!
We also owe a huge thank you to our amazing SGA sponsors: Mr. Purcell, Ms. Torres, and Ms. Van Allen. Your guidance, support, and tireless efforts were instrumental in bringing these events to life.
Finally, we appreciate all the chaperones, staff, and community members who volunteered their time to ensure a safe and fun environment. Your commitment helped create a truly special night for our students. Go Grenadiers!
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A huge congratulations goes out to your Colonial Football Team for their incredible victory last week against Cypress Creek! The final score was 35-15! Way to go, Grenadiers!
A big shoutout goes to our wonderful athletic trainers, Colonial Band, Cheer Team, and Dance Team! Your performances, energy, and spirit helped lead us to victory, making the night truly special. Thank you for your hard work and dedication!
A huge thank you goes out to Ms. Stapleton for coordinating the End Zone Tailgate! Thank you to all the students and staff who showed up to support.
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Lieutenant Lubben and Sergeant Vazquez delivered a compelling presentation focusing on the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program. They provided a detailed explanation of its academic and military components, highlighting the significant benefits for aspiring officers and the commitment required for successful participation.
Students gained a comprehensive understanding of Air Force leadership roles, the rigorous training involved, and the diverse career fields available to them. Lieutenant Lubben's personal anecdotes and Sergeant Vazquez's insights on practical application brought these experiences to life, demonstrating how these skills translate into real-world scenarios.
This session provided students with a unique perspective on military service as a potential career path, highlighting opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and national service. The interaction with Lieutenant Lubben and Sergeant Vazquez was instrumental in broadening their horizons and encouraging them to consider all future options.
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Meet our talented band leaders who are gearing up for an amazing year. On the left steps, clockwise from top left, we have Luis Amalbert, Alexa Diaz Franco, Nyles Encisco, Jaelyn De Leon, and Jazlynn Hammond. On the right steps, from top left clockwise, are Delane Rivera, Jadelyn Orellana, Giana Kayes, Sara Magana Arias, and Sean Moss. On the floor, from left to right, are Michael Fondeur and Angelymar Nieves Rosario. And on stage, from left to right, see our wonderful team: Camila Baez, Deysha Pizarro Laviena, Nathaniel Ramos, Vanessa Perez Casas, and Alexis Royster.
We’re proud of our band leaders for their dedication and enthusiasm. Stay tuned for an exciting year of music, teamwork, and community spirit!
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Exciting news! Director of Bands Andrew Jenkins shared the day's schedule with our talented band students, as band captain Nathaniel Ramos (far right, in red shirt) attentively listened. We're proud of our students' dedication and teamwork! |
Exciting behind-the-scenes moment! During a spirited brass sectional, students passionately work on their music for the upcoming marching show, "Angels and Demons." Pictured from left to right: Arianys Diaz Franco, Delane Rivera, Dominic Torres, Luis Davila Rios, Nathaniel Ramos, Kayla Holt, Angelymar Nieves Rosario, Vanessa Perez Casas, Arianna Rodriguez, and Michael Fondeur. We can't wait for you to see their incredible performance! |
Join us in celebrating the dedication of our talented band director, Andrew Jenkins, and our marching band members as they rehearse diligently on the auditorium stage. Despite the scorching heat with the heat index soaring to 115°F, they continue to refine their marching fundamentals, showcasing their commitment and passion for excellence. Come support our students and witness their hard work firsthand! |
Drum Major Vanessa Perez Casas pauses confidently, showcasing leadership as Brass Captain Delane Rivera and Band Captain Nathaniel Ramos guide the talented brass section. Students in the brass section, including Ray Torres, Amaya Bhatt, Kayla Holt, Arianna Rodriguez, Arianys Diaz Franco, and Angelymar Nieves Rosario, are actively learning marching techniques. Their dedication and teamwork shine on the field! |
Parents, your voice is crucial to our school community! We encourage all Colonial High School families to get involved by joining our School Advisory Council (SAC) and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). These groups play a vital role in shaping our school's future, providing valuable input on everything from academic programs to school events. Your participation ensures that the needs and perspectives of our students and families are heard and addressed. Come be a part of the conversation and help us make Colonial High School the best it can be for every Grenadier! |
Betzabeth Reussow, Principal - Betzabeth.Reussow@ocps.net
Tayler Boyer, Assistant Principal - Tayler.Boyer@ops.net
Daniel Caliari, Assistant Principal - Daniel.Caliari@ocps.net
William King, Assistant Principal - William.King2@ocps.net
Paul Maldonado, Assistant Principal - Paul.Maldonado@ocps.net
Krystin Roviaro, Assistant Principal - Krystin.Roviaro@ocps.net
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