A monumental achievement was reached by our very own Head Girls’ Basketball Coach, Cindy Richardson, who secured the 400th win of her career this past Thursday night! This incredible milestone is a testament to her 24-year dedication to the Colonial High School Girls' Basketball program—a program she once played for as a Grenadier herself.
Coach Richardson's tenure is marked by remarkable success, including an impressive seven consecutive District Titles (2012–2018), four Final Four appearances, and two trips to the FHSAA State Championship game. Congratulations to Coach Richardson and the entire Girls’ Basketball team on this historic achievement! We are immensely proud of your hard work and commitment! It's Great to be a Grenadier!
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Dear Colonial High School Families,
As we move through the second half of the semester, I am continually inspired by the spirit and dedication of our Grenadiers. I want to take a moment to shine a light on the incredible individuals and accomplishments that make Colonial High School a place of excellence.
We are so proud to celebrate Justin Risbrook, who has been named the MLK Humanitarian of the Year for his outstanding service and commitment. This is a tremendous honor! We also extend our warmest congratulations to our newest National Honor Society Inductees—a testament to their commitment to scholarship, leadership, and character. In the arts, Jazlynn Hammond, Grace Casiano, and Anijha Benn represented us brilliantly at the highly selective OCPS All-County Honors Orchestra.
Beyond individual achievements, our community shows its strength through service. We are grateful to the Colonial High School Leaders in Action (LIA) for taking the time to honor our hardworking Cafeteria Staff with a heartfelt display of appreciation for keeping our students fueled every day. Additionally, a huge thank you goes out to Faith Assembly Church for their incredible generosity in providing 40 Thanksgiving bags to our families.
Important Reminders for a Strong Finish
As the break approaches and the second semester looms, we ask parents to help students prepare for their return and upcoming CFEs. Encouraging a consistent study routine will ensure they start the new year successfully.
Additionally, please be sure to review the Main Campus and Freshman Campus Modified Schedules for December that are included in this newsletter.
Finally, we want to reinforce the importance of Healthy Routines for High School Success at home:
- Nutrition: Encourage balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, and prioritize water over high-sugar drinks for focused studying and sustained energy.
- Sleep: Teens (ages 13–18) require 8–10 hours of sleep nightly. Please help them maintain a consistent sleep and wake schedule, including on weekends, and enforce a screen curfew before bed.
- Screen Time: Encourage a healthy balance by prioritizing homework, reading, and physical activity over recreational screen use. Creating tech-free zones, such as the dinner table and bedrooms, can make a significant difference.
These healthy habits are crucial for improving attention, managing stress, and boosting academic performance.
We look forward to seeing all our families at Curriculum Night on Wednesday, December 10th, to begin planning for the 2026-2027 school year!
It’s Great To Be A Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
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In a heartwarming display of appreciation, the Colonial High School Leaders in Action (LIA) students took time to honor our incredible cafeteria staff. The LIA members expressed their sincere gratitude for the dedication and hard work our employees show every day in preparing and serving healthy meals for all of our Grenadiers. Their efforts often go unnoticed, but the positive impact they have on our students' daily lives and well-being is immeasurable. Thank you to our cafeteria team for fueling Colonial High School!
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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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Curriculum Night is Coming! Believe it or not, it's already time to plan for the 2026-2027 school year. Course selection begins in January—yikes!! To help you navigate the process, please join us for Curriculum Night on Thursday, December 10, from 5:30-7:30 PM. This event will take place in our Main Campus cafeteria, PAC, AND the Media Center!!! We look forward to seeing you there to help prepare for a successful school year!
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Tutoring sessions will commence after the Thanksgiving break. These sessions offer an excellent chance to receive additional support, particularly for students struggling in their core subjects. If you wish to participate, you must sign up using the interest form available on your Canvas page. We are currently working on finalizing transportation arrangements for participating students and will share an update as soon as possible.
- Need Your Gifts Wrapped? Let the Hispanic Honor Society Help!
Tired of all that holiday wrapping? The Hispanic Honor Society (HHS) is hosting a fundraiser to do it for you! For a small donation, our members will professionally wrap your gifts. This fundraiser runs through December 18.
Drop-Off Locations:
Main Campus: Room 4-150
Ninth Grade Center: Room 616
Once wrapped, we will happily deliver your gifts back to you. This service is available to all teachers and students!
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Congratulations to three of our talented student musicians who participated in the highly selective OCPS All-County Honors Orchestra this past weekend! Jazlynn Hammond (violin), Grace Casiano (cello), and Anijha Benn (cello) spent the week hard at work, rehearsing high-level music with the top players from every high school in Orange County. Their dedication culminated in a fantastic concert on Saturday. Our students represented the school exceptionally well, showcasing their skills and commitment. It is truly Great to be a Grenadier! |
Colonial Students and Parents, mark your calendars! We're already planning for the 2026-2027 school year course selection.
Join us for Curriculum Night on Colonial’s Main Campus on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 PM.
This is the perfect opportunity to explore the many programs Colonial High School has available for our students! Our school counseling team will be available, and we will have special breakout presentations from Valencia Dual Enrollment and Orange Technical College Dual Enrollment.
This event is crucial as it will help students choose classes that align with their graduation requirements and future career goals!
Enjoy pizza and refreshments while you explore!
To help us plan for the event, please complete this brief registration.
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We are thrilled to announce the successful National Honor Society (NHS) Induction Ceremony at Colonial High School! We extend our warmest congratulations to all the students who were inducted. This achievement is a testament to your dedication to scholarship, service, leadership, and character. We eagerly look forward to all the incredible things you will accomplish and the positive impact you will make on our school and community! |
We extend our deepest gratitude to Faith Assembly Church for their incredible generosity! They recently dropped off 40 Thanksgiving bags for our students. This wonderful and thoughtful donation will make a significant positive difference for our families during the holiday season. Thank you for your continued support of Colonial High School! |
We are incredibly proud to celebrate one of our own, Justin Risbrook, who has been named the MLK Humanitarian of the Year! This prestigious award recognizes students who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to their community. Justin's dedication to making a difference and embodying the values of selflessness and empathy is truly inspiring. We honor him for this well-deserved recognition! |
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! |
Building healthy routines at home helps high school students thrive in school and beyond. Here are some practical tips:
Nutrition
Balanced meals fuel focused studying and sustained energy. Aim for a colorful plate—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit high-sugar beverages and highly processed snacks. Water should be the go-to beverage throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Sleep
Adequate rest is essential for concentration, mood, and managing stress. Teenagers (ages 13–18) need 8–10 hours of sleep nightly. Create a relaxing wind-down routine: dim lights, put away all screens at least an hour before bed, and maintain a consistent sleep and wake schedule—even on weekends.
Screen Time
Technology is an essential tool, but setting boundaries is key to balance. Be mindful of non-academic screen time. Prioritize homework, studying, reading, physical activity, and in-person social activities over recreational screen use. Keep bedrooms and dinner tables tech-free zones.
Why It Matters
Healthy habits improve attention, stress management, and academic performance. Taking ownership of small, positive steps—like prepping a healthy lunch the night before or setting a screen curfew—can significantly impact well-being and success.
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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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