We are ecstatic to announce that our Colonial High School Cheerleading Team has made us incredibly proud! Competing against 23 high schools, our athletes rose to the occasion and achieved the highest score among all OCPS schools. Our dedicated team took 1st place in the Non-Tumbling category and was crowned Grand Champions—a true testament to their dedication, teamwork, and belief in one another. We are also thrilled to recognize them as back-to-back OCPS Metro Champions! We are incredibly proud of their hard work, resilience, and growth. This monumental achievement is a moment they truly earned!
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Dear Colonial High School Families,
I want to express my deepest appreciation to our entire Colonial High School community—our dedicated students, staff, families, and partners. Your commitment to our school is what makes us truly GREAT, and I am so proud of what we have accomplished together this past semester. I hope you all had a wonderful, safe, and restful holiday season and a happy New Year!
Looking Ahead: Freshman Campus Curriculum Night
Please mark your calendars! We invite all parents to attend our Curriculum Night at the Freshman Campus on Tuesday, January 13th, from 5:30 PM to 7:00 PM. This is a great opportunity to connect with teachers and learn more about your students' academic paths.
Highlights from the Quarter
● Cadets Spread Holiday Cheer: Our Colonial High School AFJROTC Cadets, alongside community organizations, spread holiday cheer at the Alwyn C. Cashe State Veterans’ Nursing Home. They dedicated their time to decorating three wings and more than 40 resident rooms, once again demonstrating the selfless spirit of our students.
● Connectivity Day Follow-Up: Our recent Connectivity Day was a resounding success! Both students and teachers benefited tremendously from the experience, enhancing skills and knowledge across the board. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event come together. We look forward to continuing this momentum at our next event on January 29th.
● A Season of Spectacular Performances: The talent of our Performing Arts Department continues to shine. Our annual Holiday Band Concert was a beautiful evening of music, and our Prism Concert concluded the quarter with a dazzling performance that was a true testament to the professionalism and hard work of our students.
Digital Safety & Responsible Tech Use
In today's connected world, digital literacy and safety are as critical as traditional academic skills. We encourage all families to engage in ongoing conversations about responsible technology use to ensure a healthy balance between academic success, physical health, and social development. Please take a moment to read the short segment below for some helpful tips on setting screen-time limits and discussing online behavior with your child.
Thank you for your partnership and support.
It’s Great To Be A Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
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Colonial High School Cadets, alongside other community organizations, spread holiday cheer at the Alwyn C. Cashe (Medal of Honor recipient) State Veterans’ nursing home on Saturday, December 13. The Cadets dedicated their time to decorating, setting up Christmas trees, and adorning three wings and more than 40 resident rooms. The participating Cadets included Kedaja Stegall, Carlos Moreno, Sebastian Rios, Sebastian Morales, Olivia Tezino, Mason Fox, Juliany Ayala, Angelymar, Gabriel Colon, Naila Ayala, and Jacob Valdivia. |
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 recent Connectivity Day was a resounding success! Both students and teachers benefited tremendously from the experience, enhancing skills and knowledge across the board. We look forward to continuing this momentum at our next event on January 29, |
What a truly successful Winter Spirit Week we had! We want to express our sincere appreciation to every student, staff member, and volunteer who participated and helped make this a fun, vibrant, and festive event for our entire school community. The energy and enthusiasm displayed throughout the week, from themed dress-up days to the various activities, were absolutely fantastic. Your collective spirit and willingness to engage are what made this event such a wonderful success and a memorable way to kick off the holiday season. Thank you for your incredible participation! |
Our annual Holiday Band Concert was a spectacular evening of music and holiday cheer. The students put on a truly wonderful performance at the Main Campus Performing Arts Center. Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the season and support the incredible talent and hard work of our dedicated student performers. |
Our Performing Arts Department concluded the quarter on a high note, delivering a dazzling performance that left us all beaming with pride! The concert's success was a true testament to the professionalism and talent of our students, who were a shining example of the department's excellence. |
What Are Community Schools?
Community schools are more than places for academics—they serve as hubs for learning and support. These schools connect students and families to essential services like health care, mental health support, after-school programs, and community resources. The goal is to remove barriers such as poverty, housing challenges, and lack of healthcare so every child can thrive.
How Do They Work?
Community schools operate on four key pillars:
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Student Supports – Counseling, health services, and wellness programs.
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Expanded Learning Opportunities – After-school activities and programs during breaks.
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Family & Community Engagement – Building strong partnerships between families, educators, and local organizations.
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Shared Leadership – Families, educators, and community members collaborate to make decisions.
A Community School Coordinator helps organize these services. Success is measured not just by test scores, but by attendance, engagement, health, and family stability.
A Growing Movement
What began as a grassroots effort has grown nationwide. Today, community schools are embraced by urban, suburban, and rural districts. This movement promotes equity and democracy and makes schools the heart of strong communities.
How Families Can Get Involved
● Join school committees or advisory groups.
● Volunteer for events or after-school activities.
● Share feedback with teachers and the Community School Coordinator.
● Connect with other families to build a support network.
● Advocate for resources that benefit all students.
Community schools thrive when families are active partners. Together, we can create a school that supports every child and strengthens our community.
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We extend our sincere thanks to Commissioner Uribe for visiting Colonial High School and making a generous donation of clothing to our Outlet! We deeply appreciate her continuous support and commitment to our students and school community. Partnerships like these help ensure our students have the resources they need to succeed. Thank you, Commissioner Uribe, for all you do for Colonial High School! |
We want to give a huge shout-out and thank you to Summit Church for their incredible act of kindness! They generously provided coffee and donuts for our staff, helping us start the day with a wonderful boost. Your support and thoughtfulness are deeply appreciated and contribute greatly to the positive spirit of Colonial High School. Thank you for partnering with us! |
We want to recognize the incredible efforts of the Colonial High School Spanish Honor Society! Demonstrating their commitment to community service, the students organized a successful donation drive and were able to contribute 15 bags of groceries to Colonial High School families. This generous act of kindness helps ensure that our families have essential resources, especially during the holiday season. We are so proud of our students for embodying the Grenadier spirit of service and compassion! |
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! |
In today's connected world, digital literacy and safety are as critical as traditional academic skills. We encourage all families to engage in ongoing conversations about responsible technology use.
Setting Healthy Screen-Time Limits
Establishing clear, consistent boundaries around technology use is key to balancing academic success, physical health, and social development.
● Create a Family Media Plan: Decide together on limits for non-academic screen time, especially during school nights.
● Tech-Free Zones: Designate areas and times, such as the dinner table and bedrooms after a certain hour, as tech-free zones to prioritize face-to-face interaction and sleep.
● Prioritize Sleep: Ensure all devices are put away at least one hour before bedtime to support the recommended 8-10 hours of sleep for teens.
How to Talk with Your Child About Online Behavior
Approaching online safety as an open dialogue, rather than a lecture, fosters trust and cooperation.
● Be Curious, Not Critical: Ask open-ended questions about what they enjoy online and what they are learning.
● Discuss Digital Citizenship: Talk about the permanence of their digital footprint and the importance of being kind, respectful, and safe online. Remind them to think before they post.
● Focus on Problem-Solving: If they encounter something uncomfortable or risky, ensure they know they can come to you without fear of immediate punishment.
Recommended Parental Controls and Monitoring Tools
Many tools are available to help parents manage device use and monitor online activity.
● Built-in Device Controls: Utilize the parental control features available on iOS (Screen Time) and Android (Digital Wellbeing) to set limits on app usage and content.
● Router-Level Filters: Consider using smart Wi-Fi routers or third-party apps to manage internet access across all devices in the home.
● Discussion Over Surveillance: While monitoring tools can be helpful, we encourage parents to prioritize open communication with their teens about online safety as the primary strategy.
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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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