Dear Colonial High School Students, Families, and Staff,
What an incredible few weeks it has been for our Grenadiers! The dedication and excellence demonstrated across our campus are truly inspiring. I want to take a moment to celebrate some of our monumental achievements.
Our Hospitality & Tourism Team came back stronger than ever this year, winning 1st Place in the State at the 22nd Annual HTM State Competition, earning top honors in categories like Hotel Calculations and Guest Service Case Study. Congratulations to Lourde-Mya Metelus, Mia-Antonella Farias Rio, Makai Randall, and Anjali M. Gonzalez for reflecting true talent and commitment to excellence.
We are also beaming with pride over our Super Scholars, celebrating the outstanding academic achievements and acceptance into prestigious colleges and universities for 18 of our students, including MIT, Howard University, and the University of Florida. Their success is a powerful testament to perseverance.
Furthermore, the ELEVATE Orlando Vision Breakfast was a powerful event, reminding us that “Everyone Has a Story: The Next Chapter”. Our Colonial S.O.U.L. Steppers brought incredible energy to open the morning, while Isabella Rodriguez shared her ELEVATE story with grace, and Yaimillie Alejandro Ortiz designed the beautiful parting gift bookmarks.
As we approach the final stretch of the quarter, let these successes in academics, career programs, and community motivate you. Students, this is the critical moment to focus, attend every class (and remember the 90% attendance requirement for extracurricular activities), and maximize your performance to finish strong before Spring Break. Parents, please continue partnering with us and supporting your students in this important final push for the quarter.
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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Spring Break March 16 through March 20 |
We had the privilege of hosting our annual ELEVATE Orlando Vision Breakfast fundraiser, and it was truly a powerful event. This year’s theme, “Everyone Has a Story: The Next Chapter,” beautifully captured the heart behind the morning, reminding us all that every journey matters and that growth is always unfolding.
One of the highlights of the event was our very own Isabella Rodriguez, who had the honor of taking the stage to share her ELEVATE story. She did an outstanding job representing herself and Colonial with grace and authenticity. Isabella spoke with confidence, clarity, and evident growth. It was incredible to witness how far she has come. Adding to the impact of the theme, our very own Yaimillie Alejandro Ortiz designed the bookmarks that were given as parting gifts to each guest.
We also had the opportunity to bring several of our Colonial students to the event. They actively engaged in meaningful conversations with guests and were able to network with professionals from various industries. We are incredibly proud of our students and the growth they continue to demonstrate.
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We were extremely grateful to have our Colonial S.O.U.L. Steppers open up the ELEVATE Orlando Vision Breakfast. They brought incredible energy and set the tone for the entire event. The high energy and rhythm rang through the air in Winter Park as we officially kicked off this powerful ELEVATE Orlando gathering.
We are so proud of this team and thankful for the hard work and preparation that went into their performance. A special thank you to the Steppers and to Ms. Roebuck for leading and preparing them so well.
“It’s Great to be a Grenadier!” ❤️🖤
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February wasn’t just about Course Selection—but it was a huge part! The Student Services Team also helped students complete their Valencia College Dual Enrollment applications, assisted students in accessing money for college through FAFSA and FFAA completions at our Media Center Blitz, and continued to communicate with our students, parents, teachers, and community stakeholders. Students who didn’t meet with their counselor for course selection will have a counselor-created schedule, and are encouraged to drop by their counselor’s office during their lunch to finalize elective choices. |
We are thrilled to share some exciting news! Our Hospitality & Tourism team competed in the 22nd Annual HTM State Competition — and we brought home 1st Place in the State, taking home the overall 1st place trophy!
Our team dominated the competition, earning top honors in:
- BEO Hospitality Project
- Hotel Calculations (including Night Audits)
- Guest Service Case Study
- Food & Beverage Case Study
Leading us to victory were four outstanding students:
- Lourde-Mya Metelus, Senior
- Mia-Antonella Farias Rio, Junior
- Makai Randall, Sophomore
- Anjali M. Gonzalez, Freshman
After earning 2nd place overall in the state last year, this year our team came back stronger than ever — placing in all three district categories and ultimately claiming the state championship title!
I could not be prouder of our hardworking, dedicated students. Our Hospitality & Tourism program is doing incredible things, and this win is a true reflection of their talent, preparation, and commitment to excellence.
Congratulations to our amazing team!
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We are incredibly proud to celebrate our Super Scholars for their outstanding academic achievements and their acceptance into several prestigious colleges and universities. Through hard work, perseverance, and dedication to excellence, these students have demonstrated what it truly means to strive for success.
Their accomplishments reflect not only their individual commitment but also the strong support of their families, teachers, counselors, and school community. As they prepare to take the next exciting step in their educational journeys, we know they will continue to represent our school with pride, integrity, and determination.
Please join us in congratulating our Super Scholars on this remarkable milestone. We look forward to seeing all that they will achieve in the future!
Well done, and congratulations!
- Mauvy Ramirez Ledesma-Boston College
- Nathon Bush, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), and the University of Florida
- Dakota Campos August-FAMU (Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University)
- Cadarian Russell-Morehouse College
- Thomas Summers, MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), University of Florida, and University of Michigan
- Brya Hall-Howard University
- Lourde-Mya Metelus-Howard University AND FAMU (Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University)
- Te'Nique Samuel-Howard University
- Thomas Sanchez Rodriguez-Wake Forest University
- Sean Elliott-University of Florida
- Pedro Hernandez, University of Florida
- Mia Abreu-University of Michigan
- Camile Valdez Angustia-University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Aniyah Simmons-FAMU (Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University)
- Izaiah Lopez-University of Maryland
- Karla Solano-FAMU (Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University)
- Dylan Berger-FAMU (Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University)
- Justin Risbrook-FAMU (Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University)
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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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SWEet College Day is an engineering outreach event geared towards high school girls. It is taking place on Saturday, March 28th at the University of Central Florida. It will run from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and admission is FREE of cost.
UCF will be hosting three workshops. There will be a tour of the campus for the students and a panel with industry professionals who will discuss what it’s like to be an engineer. Lunch will also be provided at this event.
Please contact swe.ucf.outreach@gmail.com if you have any questions about the SWE Outreach program or the event.
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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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