Dear Colonial High School Families,
As we approach the end of the first marking period on October 10, I want to take a moment to highlight some exciting events and important information from the Colonial Connect.
We were thrilled to have launched our new "Student Connectivity Days," a quarterly initiative designed to enhance student engagement and foster a vibrant school community. These events, kicked off on October 3, provided accessible opportunities for involvement and enrichment during the school day, with dedicated time for clubs, interest-based activities, and other engaging opportunities. Our goal was to help students explore new interests, connect with peers and staff, and boost participation in clubs and activities.
Next week, from October 14 to October 17, we are also celebrating College Week 2025! This event is dedicated to helping all students explore their post-secondary options and get excited about their future.
I also want to remind everyone about the 2025 Fall Stakeholder Survey, which began on September 30 and closes on Tuesday, October 14. Your participation is vital as the results will help us ensure our families’ experiences align with our core values. You can find the link to the survey in your email or text, or use the QR code provided in the newsletter. The survey is available in multiple languages for your convenience.
Finally, as we transition into the second marking period on October 14, I encourage parents and students to review end-of-quarter grades together. Focus on learning and effort, discuss habits, and look beyond the letter grade to understand areas for growth. Set realistic goals for the next quarter and utilize teacher feedback to make the most of this time.
We also have several athletic events coming up, including Golf vs. East River on October 14, Volleyball Districts @ Boone on October 14, Bowling vs. Cypress Creek / University on October 15, and Swim vs. Lake Buena Vista (Senior Night) on October 15. Our Hispanic Honor Society is also hosting a Grand Parade for Hispanic Heritage Month on October 16 (Main Campus) and October 17 (Freshman Campus).
Your involvement is crucial to our school community, and we encourage all Colonial High School families to join our School Advisory Council (SAC) and Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA).
Thank you for your continued support and dedication to Colonial High School.
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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Colonial High School was proud to announce the launch of its new "Student Connectivity Days," a quarterly initiative designed to significantly enhance student engagement and foster a more vibrant school community. Kicking off on October 3, 2025, these innovative events were specifically crafted to provide all students with accessible opportunities for involvement and enrichment during the school day. Each Student Connectivity Day will feature a modified bell schedule, strategically implemented to create dedicated blocks of time for a diverse array of clubs, interest-based activities, and other engaging opportunities. This intentional scheduling ensures that every student can participate, eliminating potential barriers such as after-school commitments or transportation challenges.
The core objective of this initiative is multifaceted:
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Explore New Interests: Students will have the chance to sample a wide range of activities, potentially discovering new passions and talents they might not have otherwise encountered. This exposure is crucial for holistic development and future academic and career exploration.
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Connect with Peers and Staff: These days are designed to build stronger social bonds among students and foster more meaningful interactions between students and staff members outside of traditional classroom settings. These connections are vital for creating a supportive and inclusive school environment.
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Join Clubs and Activities: By showcasing the various clubs and organizations available at Colonial High School, Student Connectivity Days aim to boost participation rates and ensure that every student feels they have a place to belong and contribute. Many students face hurdles in joining extracurriculars, and this initiative seeks to dismantle those barriers.
Ultimately, Colonial High School's Student Connectivity Days are a commitment to fostering a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where every student feels connected, valued, and empowered to explore their potential. These quarterly events are anticipated to become a cornerstone of the school's efforts to enhance student well-being and academic success.
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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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On October 8, our Girls Volleyball team celebrated their Senior Night, honoring seven incredible athletes who have dedicated their time and talent to Colonial High School: Dakota Campos-August, Myley Ford, Dwinelys Gomez, Roxailyriz Morales Cordova, Anelisse Rivera Rodriguez, Isabella Rodriguez, and Jazzmin Velazquez. We thank these seniors for their hard work, leadership, and memorable contributions to the Grenadier volleyball program. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors! |
Join us for an informational meeting regarding the new school softball team! Whether you're an experienced player or new to the game, all are welcome.
The interest session will be held next Thursday, October 16, at 3 PM in Coach Smith's room (27-116) on the main campus. This is your chance to be part of the first team to play on the school's brand-new softball field!
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The Hispanic Honor Society extends a sincere thank you to everyone who participated in our Hispanic Heritage Month Door Decoration Contest and Drawing Contest. Your creativity and enthusiasm helped make this celebration a meaningful reflection of the diverse cultures that enrich our school community.
We also appreciate all the students who took time to vote during lunch. It’s truly inspiring to see our campus come together to honor heritage, identity, and tradition.
Door Decoration Contest Winners
We are proud to announce the winners of this year’s Door Decoration Contest:
- NGC Campus Winner: “Coco” – Decorated by Mrs. Martinez’s 4th-period class, Total Votes: 48
- Main Campus Honorable Mention: “Identidad, cultura y liderazgo: el poder de la juventud hispana” – Decorated by Ms. Nieves’s 4th-period class
Thank you again for helping us celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and for fostering a school environment that values culture, leadership, and unity.
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Why Daily Attendance Matters
Attending school every day is crucial. Excessive absences can lead to a suspended driver's license. Punctuality is also key, as five tardies will result in one day of absence.
New Extracurricular Activity Requirement
This year, a 90% attendance rate is mandatory for all students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities.
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The Freshman Campus Grenadier Closet is now open every Tuesday during A and B lunches for all your school supply and wardrobe needs! |
Get ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the CHS Hispanic Honor Society! They are proudly presenting a Grand Parade filled with music, dance, and vibrant energy.
Mark your calendars for two exciting events, both happening during lunchtimes:
● Main Campus: Thursday, October 16
● Freshman Campus: Friday, October 17
Come and join the festivities as the school celebrates Hispanic culture and heritage!
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In our ongoing commitment to safety and preparedness, Mr. William King, Assistant Principal, recently led our leadership team through a comprehensive tabletop drill. This vital exercise ensured that all members are well-versed in emergency protocols and ready to act swiftly and effectively should an unforeseen situation arise. Our goal is to always be prepared to protect our students and staff. |
Get ready, Grenadiers! Colonial High School is thrilled to announce College Week 2025, taking place from October 14th to October 17th! This week-long event is dedicated to helping all students explore their post-secondary options and get excited about their future. Each day will feature unique activities designed to inspire and inform. Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to plan your future! |
The S.O.U.L. Club recently embarked on an inspiring field trip to the Rollins Art Museum and Rollins College, providing mentees with a unique opportunity to connect their classroom learning to the world of art and higher education.
At the museum, students engaged deeply with the artwork, finding personal and meaningful connections. Many were particularly drawn to pieces reflecting Hispanic and African-American cultures, resonating with the colors, stories, and emotions depicted. Through themes of identity, resilience, and heritage, students saw themselves and their communities powerfully represented in the art, leading to thoughtful and profound reflections that enriched their understanding of both the artwork and themselves.
The visit also included a private tour of Rollins College, led by current students, and an informative session with the admissions team. Mentees learned about various majors and career options, financial aid opportunities, and vibrant student life. This experience offered a valuable glimpse into a small private liberal arts college, which students will be able to compare with a large public university during their upcoming "Knight for a Day" field trip to the University of Central Florida.
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The end of the first marking period is October 10th, followed by a Student Holiday/Teacher Workday on October 13th. This is the perfect time for parents and students to sit down and review grades together as you prepare to start the second marking period on October 14th.
A grade review should be a productive conversation, not an interrogation. Here are a few helpful tips for making the most of this time:
Focus on Learning and Effort
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Start Positive: Begin by celebrating what went well. Did they improve a grade in a challenging subject? Did they complete a large project successfully? Acknowledge their effort first.
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Discuss Habits, Not Character: When addressing lower grades, focus the conversation on why the grade is low. Ask open-ended questions like, "What was the biggest challenge in this class?" or "What study strategies didn't work this quarter?" Avoid accusatory language that focuses on laziness or intelligence.
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Look Beyond the Letter Grade: Review the specific assignments, missing work, or test scores. Often, a low grade is the result of just a few missed assignments or a low quiz score, not a general lack of understanding.
Plan for the Next Quarter
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Set One or Two Realistic Goals: Instead of trying to fix everything at once, choose one or two classes that need the most attention. The goal could be specific, such as "Turn in all homework for Math on time," or "Improve the Science quiz average by 10 points."
- Utilize Teacher Feedback: Teachers often include comments on report cards or in the online grade portal. Read this feedback carefully, as it provides professional insight into where your student can make the biggest strides.
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Schedule a Strategy Check-in: Agree on a date two or three weeks into the new marking period to check in on the new goal. This shows your student that you are invested in their success without becoming an immediate micromanager.
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We are thrilled to share some outstanding news from our Speech and Debate team!
Ethan Mills has been named an Academic All-American by the National Speech and Debate Association, a top honor recognizing high academic achievement (3.7+ GPA), character, leadership, and a Superior Distinction degree. Ethan also scored an impressive 35 on his ACT!
Our entire team received the "100 Club" Distinction, an award given to less than 1% of schools for earning over 149 strength points in a year, demonstrating an outstanding commitment to teaching essential life skills.
Thank you for your continued support! We're kicking off our season next week with two tournaments. Please encourage our Speech and Debate students!
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Want to improve your SAT/ACT score for college admissions and/or the Bright Futures Scholarship?
Every Wednesday in October and November, visit the College & Career Center from 1:30 PM-2:30 PM for SAT/ACT test prep! The College & Career Center (CCC) is located upstairs in Student Services in the Administration Building.
SAT/ACT test prep is provided by Elevation Scholars in partnership with UCF and will be held on Wednesdays in October & November!
Sign up to attend! Space is limited!
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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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