Dear Colonial High School Families,
As we continue through this vibrant school year, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all the families who participated in our recent surveys. Your feedback is invaluable and plays a crucial role in shaping our school's future, ensuring that the needs and perspectives of our students and families are heard and addressed. Thank you for being an essential part of our community!
We have many exciting events and initiatives coming up, and I encourage everyone to get involved:
● Colonial High School Spirit Week: Boot Game Edition! Get ready for a week of fun and school spirit as we prepare to take on the University Cougars! Our Boot Game Spirit Week is packed with exciting activities to show our pride and support our teams.
○ October 20 - Monday: Splash the Cougar! Splash the SGA officers during A and B lunch. Water balloons are $1, or get a whole bucket of water for $5.
○ October 21 - Tuesday: Cage the Cougar! Send your friend, teacher, or admin into the cage for just $2.
○ October 22 - Wednesday: Bathe the Cougar / Splash the Cougar! Grab a Super Soaker for $2 and participate in a 6v6 water fight with your friends! Plus, you can still splash the SGA officers during A and B lunch (water balloons $1, bucket $5).
○ October 23 - Thursday: Tape the Cougar! For only $1, you can tape an SGA member to the cafeteria wall.
○ October 24 - Friday: Pie the Cougar! Donate throughout the week for the chance to pie a teacher, admin, or dean!
Come out to our senior night and boot game, wearing pink to support breast cancer awareness! Show up and show out, Grenadiers!
● Join Us for Pink October! Colonial High School is painting the town pink this October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Our Grenadiers are not only showing their spirit for the upcoming Boot Game but also uniting for a vital cause.
● Support Runway to Hope: Chain Link Sale! Colonial High is raising money for Runway to Hope! From October 20th to 23rd, we're selling chain links for 50 cents each during 5th period classes. All proceeds go to help Central Florida families affected by pediatric cancer and fund research for a cure. Students can write a message or their name on a link, and these links will be used to decorate the stands at the upcoming Boot Game against University High.
● Seniors & Juniors! Boost Your SAT/ACT Scores! 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.
We look forward to seeing you at these events and appreciate your continued support in making Colonial High School the best it can be for every Grenadier!
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It’s Great To Be A Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
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During College Week, we highlighted Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs). These are colleges and universities where at least 25% of the student body identifies as Hispanic or Latino. HSIs play a crucial role in providing educational opportunities and support to this vibrant community. Florida is home to many excellent HSIs, including Valencia College, the University of Central Florida (UCF), Seminole State College, Florida International University (FIU), and Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
Our College Week celebration included a focus on America’s historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Since the first HBCU opened in 1837, these institutions have provided opportunities for communities all across our Nation. Some well-known HBCUs are Howard, Spelman, and Florida’s own FAMU, which is the number one public HBCU in the country. Students received Bingo cards from their English teachers as part of the celebration.
We also celebrated with a "dressed for success or future career" day. Did you know that college graduates earn, on average, about $20,000 more a year than people who don’t go to school after high school? That means going to college could earn you almost one million more dollars in your lifetime!
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Thank you to everyone who participated in the Hispanic Heritage Drawing Contest. Congratulations to the winners!
Main Campus
● 1st place - Ciaralia Caez Rodriguez
● 2nd place - Luis Vallencillo
● 3rd place - Anney Reyes
9th Grade Center
● 1st Place: Donovan Albizu
● 2nd Place: Violeta Tamayo
● 3rd place: Jennifer Luong
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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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Our boys and girls bowling teams recently celebrated their senior afternoon, honoring their graduating members.
The girls' team had an outstanding performance, defeating Cypress Creek, Lake Nona, and UNIVERSITY! Aryelle Knight-Vega was the highest bowler for the team.
Not to be outdone, the boys' team also secured victories against Cypress Creek and Lake Nona! Nathaniel Roman led the boys as their highest bowler.
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Get ready, Grenadiers, for a week of fun and school spirit as we prepare to take on the University Cougars! Our Boot Game Spirit Week is packed with exciting activities to show our pride and support our teams.
Spirit Week Schedule:
● October 20 - Monday: Splash the Cougar!
Splash the SGA officers during A and B lunch. Water balloons are $1, or get a whole bucket of water for $5.
● October 21 - Tuesday: Cage the Cougar!
Send your friend, teacher, or admin into the cage for just $2.
● October 22 - Wednesday: Bathe the Cougar / Splash the Cougar!
Grab a Super Soaker for $2 and participate in a 6v6 water fight with your friends! Plus, you can still splash the SGA officers during A and B lunch (water balloons $1, bucket $5).
● October 23 - Thursday: Tape the Cougar!
For only $1, you can tape an SGA member to the cafeteria wall.
● October 24 - Friday: Pie the Cougar!
Donate throughout the week for the chance to pie a teacher, admin, or dean!
Come out to our senior night and boot game, wearing pink to support breast cancer awareness! Show up and show out, Grenadiers!
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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! |
Colonial High School is painting the town pink this October in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month! Our Grenadiers are not only showing their spirit for the upcoming Boot Game but also uniting for a vital cause. Get ready to see a sea of pink throughout our campus as we host a series of engaging dress-up activities to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research and support. |
Colonial High is raising money for Runway to Hope! From October 20th to 23rd, we're selling chain links for 50 cents each during 5th period classes. All proceeds go to help Central Florida families affected by pediatric cancer and fund research for a cure.
Students can write a message or their name on a link, and these links will be used to decorate the stands at the upcoming Boot Game against University High. Thank you for your participation, and we encourage everyone to come out and support our Grenadiers at the home Boot Game!
Colonial SGA
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We are thrilled to announce and welcome Adrian Thomas, Ed.D. (Candidate), as the new Senior Manager for Unlimited Potential Community Schools. Adrian brings nearly two decades of invaluable experience in education and leadership, and he is a passionate advocate for creating environments where every student can thrive through the power of collaboration between schools and communities.
In his vital role, Adrian will lead our efforts to forge strong, meaningful partnerships among our schools, families, and community organizations. His vision is to ensure that every child in our community has equitable access to the resources and opportunities essential for their success and well-being.
Adrian's journey in education began in 2005 in The Bahamas, following his migration from Guyana, where he taught in both private and public schools. In 2016, he joined Edgewater High School in Orlando, Florida, as a Business Education teacher, specializing in subjects like Gaming and Simulation, Digital Design, and AP Computer Science Principles. He further contributed to student development and school culture as a Discipline Dean at Colonial High School, starting in 2022.
Academically, Adrian holds an associate degree in marketing from the University of Guyana, a bachelor's degree in business administration from Columbia College, and a master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Central Florida (UCF). He is currently a doctoral candidate in UCF’s Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) program in Educational Leadership, where his research focuses on the critical role of school leaders in implementing the Four Pillars of Community Schools.
Adrian’s leadership philosophy is rooted in collaboration, equity, and empowerment. He is dedicated to fostering community-centered education that creates pathways for all students and families to reach their fullest potential.
We invite you to join us in extending a warm welcome to Adrian Thomas. We are incredibly excited about the future of our Unlimited Potential Community Schools under his leadership and look forward to the positive impact he will undoubtedly have on our students, families, and the wider community.
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As Hispanic Heritage Month draws to a close, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this year's celebration an outstanding success. Your enthusiasm and dedication truly brought our events to life.
A special thank you goes to our dedicated student clubs:
● Hispanic Honor Society
● Latinos in Action
● CHS Prestige Dance team
● Soul Club
Your vibrant participation and hard work were essential.
We would also like to acknowledge the tremendous support from our faculty. Our sincere thanks go to Ms. Reussow, Ms. Hopper, Ms. Nieves, Ms. Havrilesko, Ms. Roebuck, Ms. Acosta, Ms. Oliver and Ms. Sterpone. Your time, guidance, and commitment were invaluable in coordinating and executing a successful series of events.
Thank you all for honoring and celebrating the rich culture and history of our Hispanic community!
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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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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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