Dear Colonial High School Students, Families, and Staff,
I hope everyone enjoyed a wonderful and restful Spring Break. As we return, I want to take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our students and staff members:
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Academic Excellence: We are incredibly proud of our Super Scholars who have been accepted into prestigious universities, including MIT, Boston College, Howard University, and the University of Florida, demonstrating a dedication to excellence.
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Speech and Debate: The Colonial Speech and Debate team made history at the Florida Forensic League Varsity State Championship. Novice competitor AJ Thomas reached the Semi-Finals, placing him among the Top 12 speakers in the state. Additionally, Ms. Fieler was recognized for her dedication by being awarded the Region 2 Coach of the Year.
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Artistic Talent: Our ninth-grade artists shone brightly at the Central Florida Fair, with students like Dietzel Cruz Navarez earning 2nd Place, and Amaya Cruz, Abigail Melendez, and Martina Almeida Rubira all earning 3rd Place awards.
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School Recognition: Leaders in Action student Elianny Galvez was recognized for designing the new logo for OCPS Access and Opportunity, winning the competition among all participating OCPS high schools.
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Staff Recognition: We also celebrated our dedicated educators, naming Mrs. Adams (Cambridge European History) as the Main Campus Teacher of the Month for November and Ms. Bernozzi (9th-grade ELA) as the Freshman Campus Teacher of the Month for November.
We are immensely proud of these accomplishments, which are a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Colonial community.
As we look toward the end of the academic year, this last stretch is crucial and is filled with important activities, including End-of-Course exams, Cambridge testing, and AP testing, to name a few. Let's carry this positive momentum forward. I encourage all students to buckle down, stay focused, and finish the year strong, and make the remainder of the school year our best yet!
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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We are thrilled to recognize the outstanding educators selected as our Teachers of the Month for November! These dedicated faculty members exemplify excellence, commitment, and passion for teaching, making a profound impact on our students every day. Please join us in celebrating their achievements:
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Main Campus Teacher of the Month: Mrs. Adams, Cambridge European History teacher.
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Freshman Campus Teacher of the Month: Ms. Bernozzi, 9th-grade ELA teacher.
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Some wonderful news from the 9th-grade center! Several students received awards for their artworks that were on display at the Central Florida Fair this year!
Winners are:
● Dietzel Cruz Navarez, 2nd Place
● Amaya Cruz, 3rd Place
● Abigail Melendez, 3rd Place
● Martina Almeida Rubira, 3rd Place
● Galilea Guzman, Honorable Mention
Congratulations to these talented art students!
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Colonial Speech and Debate recently completed a challenging weekend at the Florida Forensic League Varsity State Championship. This is the largest State Championship, where our team goes head-to-head with the traditionally dominant South Florida teams. Ms. Moran and the coach took the following students to compete and show off the talent of our Central Florida kids:
- Cadarian Russell: Impromptu Speaking
- Mauvy Ramirez: Original Oratory
- AJ Thomas: Impromptu (AJ is a novice who sought out the varsity challenge)
We are incredibly proud to announce that the team has achieved a major milestone: advancing to the elimination rounds for the first time ever at this tournament.
Around 11:00 AM, we learned that AJ Thomas had broken into the quarter-finals, placing him among the top 24 speakers in the state. Later that afternoon, AJ advanced even further, reaching the SEMI-FINALS, ranking him among the Top 12 speakers in the state.
AJ's accomplishment is particularly impressive because he was the only novice in his event and beat out more than 50 other students, many of whom were experienced South Florida competitors. He was awarded his Semi-Finalist plaque at the awards ceremony. It was a moment of immense pride to see our Grenadier on stage with the best of the best.
Additionally, Ms. Fieler was awarded the Region 2 Coach of the Year for her work in bringing Speech and Debate programs to underprivileged schools across the state of Florida. The entire Colonial community is filled with pride and gratitude for the dedication and success of our Speech and Debate team.
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Elianny Galvez, a Leader in Action student from Colonial High School, has been recognized by OCPS Access and Opportunity for designing their new logo. Elianny was the winner among all participating students from OCPS high schools. |
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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