Congratulations to the members of the Orlando Colonial FFA for placing 1st in the State in the Florida FFA Forestry Career Development Event! The team demonstrated outstanding knowledge of the tree production industry through a comprehensive general knowledge exam, tree, forest disorders, and forestry tools identification, measurement of trees grown for timber production, and through reading topographic maps. This marks the first time Colonial High School has won the State Contest!
Team members include 1st high State individual Caleb Redditt, 3rd high State individual Grafton Harris, 4th High State individual Adrian Rivera Morales, and 9th high State individual Deanna Treuren. Coaches include teachers Caela Sause and James Prescott. The team will now move on to represent Florida at the National Competition! Good luck, Grenadiers!
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As we move further into November, there is tremendous activity across our campus! This week's newsletter is full of important information and exciting updates that showcase the dedication of our students and the vibrancy of our school community.
Inside, you will find details on several key events, including Financial Aid Night on November 13 for all grade levels, as well as our important campus-wide initiatives, such as the HOSA Blanket & Towel Drive and the Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive. We also celebrate outstanding student achievements, such as our Speech and Debate Team's historic success at the Blue Key Classic and the launch of the Little ELEVATE Initiative, in which our students mentor younger children.
This week, I especially want to focus on the section titled "Supporting Your Child's Social-Emotional Growth." In a demanding world, it is vital that we equip our students with the skills to manage stress, bounce back from setbacks, and cultivate a healthy self-image. Our efforts at school are most effective when they are reinforced at home in partnership with you. I encourage you to read through these social-emotional strategies and incorporate them into your family's daily routine. Together, we can foster a resilient, capable, and adaptable generation of Grenadiers.
Thank you for your continued support, and I wish you a wonderful week!
It’s Great To Be A Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
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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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HOSA Blanket & Towel Drive!
Colonial High School's HOSA Chapter is hosting a drive for gently used blankets and towels from November 3rd to November 17th! Your generous donations will benefit local children's hospitals and the county's animal shelter.
Drop-Off Locations:
● Dr. Visetsouk's (Room 4-137)
● Mrs. Jennings's (Room 4-135)
● Mr. Pavelick's (Room 2-208)
The more you donate, the higher your chance of winning a $25 CHICK-FIL-A gift card!
Remember, one blanket truly makes a difference.
Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive
The Student Government Association (SGA) is hosting its annual Thanksgiving Food Drive and is collecting non-perishable food items.
How to Donate: You can drop off donations with your 5th-period teacher, club sponsor, or team coach.
Deadline: Please ensure all food is turned in by November 18th.
The class or group that collects the most food will have the chance to win a prize!
Financial Aid Night
Plan ahead for your educational future at Financial Aid Night!
Students of all grade levels are invited to join us on Thursday, November 13, at 5:00 PM in the PAC for a presentation on the different types of financial aid available, including FAFSA, Bright Futures, scholarships, and more!
Following the general session, Seniors and their families are invited to the Media Center at 6:00 PM for dedicated FAFSA completion help. Get your FAFSA done and enjoy some pizza! (Money, Money, Money... Money!)
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We are excited to announce our campus-wide Toys for Tots drive, in collaboration with the Very Gary Foundation's "Christmas of Many Colors" initiative! We are collecting new, unwrapped toys for children in need, with a special focus this year on books and board games.
You can drop off your donations at the main campus mailroom until December 5.
Donation Ideas:
● Books
● Puzzles
● Electronics
● Board Games or Family Games
Important Guidelines: All donations must be new, unwrapped, unopened, store-bought, and sealed. Please do not donate toys featuring weapons, items containing chemicals (such as science kits, makeup, or hygiene items), or items containing water beads/aquadots/orbeez.
Thank you for your generosity!
FFA
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Our Speech and Debate team recently competed in the Blue Key Classic, an incredibly challenging tournament at the University of Florida. This national circuit tournament is one of the toughest of the year, with competitors attending from all over the world. We are thrilled to announce that Cadarian Russell was a semi-finalist in Impromptu Speaking, ranking EIGHTH overall in this prestigious competition! This marks the furthest our team has ever advanced in a national circuit competition.
Congratulations to Cadarian and all of our students who attended and performed exceptionally well in the preliminary rounds:
● Cadarian Russell: Semi-Finalist, Impromptu Speaking
● Ethan Mills: Congressional Debate
● Valeria Garcia: Impromptu Speaking
● Camila Garcia Morales: Congressional Debate
A huge shoutout also goes to Ms. Moran, our assistant coach, for her hard work and dedication throughout the entire weekend! It's great to be a Grenadier!
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We are excited to announce the official launch of Little ELEVATE! This fantastic initiative provides our students with a unique opportunity to teach and model important character qualities to younger students at both Forsyth Woods Elementary and Azalea Park Elementary.
A special thank-you goes out to Mrs. Kelly Maldonado and Mr. Brad Rosa for warmly welcoming our students and supporting this important mentoring partnership. Our first visit was a huge success, and we are thrilled to continue building this connection throughout the year. Our students have already begun building meaningful relationships and rapport with the elementary students, setting the stage for a positive, impactful experience for everyone involved.
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Our Hospitality students recently had an exciting opportunity to go on a site visit to Loews Hotels. The trip included tours of four different Loews properties and a ride on the water ferry to various locations. Students were able to witness two banquet setups in progress, providing a valuable sneak peek behind the scenes at what it takes to prepare for events at a major hotel. This experience offered practical insight into the operations of the hospitality industry, from event planning to guest services. |
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! |
A Focus on Well-being: Mindful Moments at Home
In today's fast-paced world, it's normal for students to experience stress and anxiety. You can help your child manage these feelings by introducing Mindful Moments into your daily routine. Encourage them to take a few deep breaths when they feel overwhelmed, or try a short, guided meditation before bed. Simply naming the emotion they are feeling ("I feel frustrated because...") can also be a powerful tool for self-regulation. Creating these small pockets of calm helps them build a stronger awareness of their emotions and how to respond to them.
Building Resilience: Strategies for Grit and Perseverance
We want our students to thrive, and that means teaching them to bounce back from setbacks. This is all about resilience. Help your child develop grit and perseverance by celebrating effort over immediate results. When they face a challenge, encourage them to break it down into smaller steps. Use phrases like, "You haven't figured it out yet, but you can keep trying," or "What's one new strategy you could try?" This teaches them that mistakes are part of learning and that their ability to stick with a tough task is what matters most.
Positive Talk Toolkit: Affirmations and Growth Mindset
The language we use at home profoundly shapes a child's self-perception. Adopt the Positive Talk Toolkit by using affirmations and growth-mindset language.
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Affirmations: Encourage your child to say positive things about themselves daily, such as "I am capable," or "I can learn anything."
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Growth Mindset: Shift from praising innate ability ("You are so smart") to praising effort and strategy ("I'm so proud of how hard you studied" or "That was a clever way to solve that problem").
This practice replaces self-limiting thoughts with empowering beliefs, fostering a confident and adaptable learner.
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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
Adrian Thomas – Senior Manager, UPI Community School - Adrian.Thomas@ocps.net
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