Our competitive cheer team continues to leave us speechless, simply dominating the mat this season! They are this year’s Overall Metro Champions and Regional Champions, having swept every single competition they entered leading up to states. They absolutely crushed their routine to secure a 2nd place finish in the state for the second consecutive year, earning high praise for their performance from opposing coaches and athletic directors alike. A huge congratulations goes out to Coach Salmon, Coach Hermina, Coach Vega, and the entire squad on another phenomenal season—please be sure to congratulate our cheerleaders when you see them on campus! |
Dear Colonial High School Community,
I am writing to share my immense pride in the achievements of our students and teams this season. The dedication and hard work being displayed across academics, athletics, and the arts are truly exceptional.
Our Competitive Cheer Team has once again left us speechless, dominating the season to become Overall Metro Champions and Regional Champions. They secured a remarkable 2nd place finish in the state for the second consecutive year, and we wish them the best of luck as they prepare to compete at Nationals in February!
In the arts, we proudly celebrate senior Jazlynn Hammond for her selection to the prestigious Florida All-State Honors Orchestra. This is an incredibly exclusive accomplishment, and Jazlynn represented Colonial High School with distinction.
Our FFA students are also shining, with Monica Celada securing 1st place in the district for Creed Speaking, advancing to state finals in June. Our Parliamentary Procedure team also won 1st place in the district and will compete at the state finals in June. Additionally, the Environmental Science team placed 4th in the State competition.
Finally, we recognize the exceptional scholarship of students who achieved Perfect Scores on last year's state assessments, including the Biology EOC, U.S. History EOC, and FAST ELA Reading exams. Congratulations to Griffen Harris, Samuel Barreiro, Isaac Brisuela, Caleb Waddell, and Kevin Diaz for this rare and prestigious accomplishment.
It is a privilege to lead a community where students consistently demonstrate excellence and commitment. Please be sure to congratulate all of our students when you see them on campus!
It’s Great To Be A Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
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Congratulations to Colonial High School senior, Jazlynn Hammond, for her exceptional achievement in being selected for the prestigious Florida All-State Honors Orchestra! This is an incredibly exclusive accomplishment, as only 10% of the talented student musicians who apply are chosen to participate. Jazlynn represented Colonial High School with distinction, spending two days practicing for countless hours and learning from master teachers. The resulting concert was a truly fantastic display of musical excellence. A dedicated leader in the music program, Jazlynn serves as the Orchestra President and is the front-line section leader in the Colonial Marching Band. After graduation, Jazlynn plans to pursue her passion by studying music education in college. Join us in celebrating Jazlynn's remarkable talent and hard work! |
We are thrilled to celebrate the success of our students at the recent District 7 contests! Their hard work and dedication resulted in outstanding achievements:
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Creed Speaking: Monica Celada secured 1st place in the district and will advance to the state finals in June.
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Parliamentary Procedure: Our Parliamentary Procedure team won 1st place in the district! They have earned a spot in the state finals at the Florida FFA State Convention in June.
- Team members include: Chairman Mervin Gonzalez Urdaneta, Raviel Martinez, Miguel Nell-Batista, Mariela Fuentes Medina, Stephanie Coletti, and Julius Gomez.
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Discussion Meet: Julissa Tiberio competed and advanced to the final four in the county!
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Get ready, Colonial Juniors and Seniors! Prom 2026 is just around the corner, and we can't wait to celebrate "A Night In The Garden of the Gods" with you.
Eligibility Requirements:
To ensure a great night for everyone, please check the requirements to attend:
● Be a Junior or Senior at Colonial High School.
● Maintain a 2.0 GPA or higher.
● Have no level 3 or 4 referrals from this school year. For discipline appeals, contact Mr. King (William.King2@ocps.net).
● Maintain a 90% attendance rate. For attendance questions, please direct them to Mr. Maldonado (Paul.Maldonado@ocps.net). Note: If you exceeded your days and are ineligible, you would have received a Parent Square Notification or Email with more information.
Ticket Sales:
Mark your calendars! Prices will increase, so buy early!
● February 2nd - 18th: $85
● February 19th - 28th: $100
● March 1st - 3rd: $120
Bringing a Guest?
If you wish to bring ONE guest who is not a CHS Junior or Senior, a guest application form is required.
● Available: Starting January 21, pick up a form in room 4-121 or the Front Office (it will also be available on the school website and Canvas).
● Due: February 25 to Ms. Stapleton's office, 4-121.
● Guest Tickets: Start at $100.
Prom Court Applications (Seniors Only):
Seniors who meet the qualifications can apply for Prom Court starting January 21 (a link will be sent via Canvas). Teachers, please encourage deserving students to apply!
● Applications Close: February 9.
● Prom Court Voting (Top 5): February 11.
● King & Queen Voting: Will occur the week of Prom.
● Reminder: Only Seniors can be nominated, and only Seniors vote.
Questions? Email Ms. Stapleton at regan.stapleton@ocps.net.
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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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❖ The Orlando Colonial FFA Environmental Science team placed 4th in the State competition. The event included analyzing water quality, waste analysis, GPS tracking, species identification (native and invasive), identifying environmental tools, and presenting a scholarly report on promoting species conservation among teenagers. Team members were Deanna Treuren (3rd high State individual), Mervin Gonzalez Urdaneta, Erick Bui, and Alex Hegstad. Congratulations!
❖ Congratulations to our incredible Competitive Cheer Team for their outstanding performance, placing 2nd in the State Cheer Competition! We are so proud of their hard work and dedication. Let's continue to cheer them on as they prepare to compete at Nationals in February!
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We are incredibly proud to recognize our brilliant students who achieved perfection on last year's state assessments! Pictured here are several outstanding scholars who earned a perfect score on their Biology EOC, U.S. History EOC, and FAST ELA Reading exams. These students received official Certificates of Achievement from the Florida Department of Education to mark this rare and prestigious accomplishment. Their hard work and dedication to academic excellence set a high standard for us all—congratulations to these amazing Grenadiers!
Perfect Score Recipients:
● Griffen Harris – Grade 10 FAST ELA Reading, Biology
● Samuel Barreiro – U.S. History
● Isaac Brisuela – U.S. History
● Caleb Waddell – Biology
● Kevin Diaz – Biology
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The campus grounds were brightened by a wave of positivity, thanks to a thoughtful initiative organized by the Key Club. The student-led group hosted a "Chalk Walk," utilizing simple sidewalk chalk to transform the courtyard and main walkways into an inspiring tapestry of uplifting phrases and encouraging messages.
Dedicated club leaders coordinated the effort, turning a typical school day into an unexpected artistic and emotional boost for everyone on campus. Students, faculty, and staff were greeted with sentiments designed to promote kindness, resilience, and a positive outlook.
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Senior Aerospace Science Instructor Col. Ladd recently delivered a truly excellent lesson that brought science to life through the hands-on construction of student-made barometers. His ability to organize the class into effective teams and provide clear guidance fostered a highly productive environment where students interacted responsibly while honing their cognitive skills. It was impressive to witness the purposeful movement in the classroom as groups not only built their instruments but also had the unique opportunity to test them using real weather stations. This dynamic approach perfectly balanced instruction with active application, ensuring students were deeply engaged in the learning process. |
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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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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