Dear Colonial High School Students, Families, and Staff,
I am incredibly proud to highlight the many successes our students and programs have achieved recently. Our Grenadiers continue to demonstrate excellence, leadership, and dedication across all areas, starting with our Super Scholars who earned acceptance into prestigious institutions such as MIT, Howard University, the University of Florida, and the University of Michigan. Our students are also making a significant Civic Influence; notably, Hispanic Honor Society members Camila Jimenez, Fabiana Jimenez, Xavier Deleon, and Nelson Laguna were the only student group invited to the Climate Correction Conference. There, they presented their project, Cada Gota Cuenta (Every Drop Counts), focusing on water conservation and flood management for an audience of nearly 300 environmental experts.
In terms of Career Readiness, five students from the Flight Academy—Thomas Summers, Sebastian Serrano, Chelsea Belcher, Gregory Richardson, and Roney Nguyen—successfully earned their USI Safety Certification Level 1, marking their first major step toward becoming certified drone pilots. Additionally, our ELEVATE Program students had an unforgettable Spring Break, balancing service and ambition by volunteering with Ronald McDonald House Charities and attending a college tour at Florida State University.
Our Fine Arts and Agriculture programs have also seen remarkable achievements this season. The Orchestra Chamber Ensemble earned straight Superior ratings at the 2026 Florida Orchestra Association Music Performance Assessment, while our Band, Orchestra, and Chorus students celebrated a successful year with a well-deserved trip to Universal Islands of Adventure. Meanwhile, our Agriculture students shone brightly at the 2026 Central Florida Fair. Competing with pigs, goats, and poultry, they brought home numerous honors, including Erick Bui being named Grand Champion Commercial Laying Hen Showman and Emily Jose Alamo earning Reserve Champion Cavy Showman.
As we move through the final quarter, please keep several Important Reminders in mind regarding our schedule. Upcoming testing dates are approaching, and we encourage all students to prepare diligently, arriving on time and well-rested.
Please also review the adjusted bell schedule in effect on the main campus this coming Tuesday to ensure a smooth start to the day. Thank you for your continued partnership—let’s finish this school year strong!
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 were thrilled to celebrate the dedication and participation demonstrated during our recent challenge. Congratulations were extended to the students and staff who achieved recognition for their outstanding efforts:
Most Improved Participation
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Senior with Most Improved Participation: Lorde-Mya Metelus was recognized for both Week 4 and Week 7.
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Staff Member with Most Improved Participation: Ms. Stapleton was recognized for Week 4.
Top 20 Readers Recognition
Our school was recognized as one of the top 20 schools with above 5% participation in the challenge. We called down and sent for our top 20 readers to present them with Raising Cane's coupons.
A huge congratulations went to our Top 20 readers:
- Karlenisse Rivera Melendez
- Lourde-Mya Metelus
- Dylan Berger
- Gabriela Cuartas Munevar
- Abby Breiding
- Nathalie Zepeda Bustillo
- Justin Allen
- Alejandra Hernandez Torres
- Ana Mejias Caballero
- Angelly Gomez Benavides
- Marjory Peralta Ulloa
- Destiny Joseph
- Yumna Kashif
- Olivia Tezino
- Khai Rieara
- Madilyn Duncan
- Alex Juarez
- Bryce Wilson
- Jaslene Shaw
- Abdiel Cruz Baez
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During Spring Break, ELEVATE had the incredible opportunity to take our students to Tallahassee for an unforgettable experience! The trip was filled with both purpose and fun. Students served and earned community service hours with Ronald McDonald House Charities, giving back and making a real impact in the community. We also made sure to have plenty of adventure along the way with activities like kayaking and ziplining, plus themed nights, including Cowboys vs. Aliens, karaoke night, and Hawaiian night. Our students truly enjoyed themselves and had an amazing time. Moments like these created memories that will last a lifetime! |
Another amazing ELEVATE Spring Break! We had the opportunity to take our students and seniors on a college tour to Florida State University in Tallahassee. They explored the dorms, experienced the cafeteria, and walked the campus, getting a real feel for college life. It was inspiring to see our students encouraged, motivated, and excited about their next chapter. We're proud to provide opportunities like this that help shape their future. Truly an unforgettable experience! #GoNoles |
From February 24 to March 6, several of our members proudly showed their animals at the 2026 Central Florida Fair. These students had been raising animals—including pigs, goats, sheep, poultry, and small animals—since the start of the school year as part of their Supervised Agriculture Experience (SAE) projects. Through their projects, they mastered essential skills in animal husbandry, record keeping, and animal health, and they demonstrated all the knowledge they had gained amazingly at the fair.
Please join us in celebrating their achievements:
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Alissa Rigdon: Blue Ribbon Silkie, Best of Variety Porcelain d'Uccles, Best of Breed Booted Bantam, and Reserve Breed d'Uccle.
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Lexie Diemel: Red Ribbon Netherland Dwarf.
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Mervin Gonzalez Urdaneta: Blue Ribbon Tan and 3rd overall Senior Rabbit Skillathon, 4th Overall Commercial Laying Hens, and Best of Variety Blue Modern Game.
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Emily Jose Alamo: Blue Ribbon Netherland Dwarfs, Blue Ribbon American Guinea pig, 2nd place Skillathon, Reserve Champion Cavy Showman, Blue Ribbon Silver Phoenix, Blue Ribbon BBR Phoenix, Best of Variety White Bantam Phoenix, and Blue Ribbon d'Uccles.
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Erick Bui: GRAND Champion Commercial Laying Hen Showman, 3rd overall Commercial Laying Hen Exhibitor, 1st Place Skillathon, and Blue Ribbon Laying Hens.
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Camila Jimenez Amesty: Blue Ribbon Laying Hens and Commercial Laying Hen Herdsman.
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Millinez Moret Rivera: Blue Ribbon Rhode Island Reds.
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Elijah Chonillo: Best of Breed Welsh Harlequin and Blue Ribbon Welsh Harlequin.
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Kassandra Cintron-Rivera: Blue Ribbon d'Uccles and 3rd Place Rooster Crowing.
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Caleb Redditt: Blue Ribbon Light Brown Leghorns and 1st Place Rooster Crowing.
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Adrian Rivera Morales: First place market video, Reserve Senior Skillathon, Goat Herdsman, and 5th overall Market Goat.
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Jaylimar Serrano Rivera: Goat Herdsman and 3rd overall Market Goat.
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Our orchestra students participated in and hosted the 2026 Florida Orchestra Association Music Performance Assessment. A huge congratulations to our Chamber Ensemble, which received all Superior ratings! Students were complimented on their professionalism and positive attitude. Thank you to all of our orchestra students for your hard work this year. |
Band, orchestra, and chorus students celebrated their successful 2025-2026 school year with a well-deserved trip to Universal Islands of Adventure. Thanks to the entire performing arts department for your dedication and perseverance this school year!
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The following students successfully passed their Industry Certification Exam and earned their USI Safety Certification Level 1, marking their first step toward becoming certified drone pilots:
● Thomas Summers
● Sebastian Serrano
● Chelsea Belcher
● Gregory Richardson
● Roney Nguyen
Give them a shout out if you see them on campus.
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On March 12, 2026, four dedicated members of the Colonial High School Hispanic Honor Society took center stage at the Climate Correction Conference, sponsored by the VoLo Foundation. In a room filled with nearly 300 environmental experts, policymakers, and community leaders, these students stood out as the only student group invited to present—proving that you are never too young to influence public policy.
The Project: "Cada Gota Cuenta"
In a powerful collaboration with Mi Familia en Acción, students Camila Jimenez, Fabiana Jimenez, Xavier Deleon, and Nelson Laguna presented their groundbreaking project, Cada Gota Cuenta (Every Drop Counts).
The team delivered an impressive 10-minute presentation followed by a rigorous Q&A session, detailing their vision for a more sustainable Florida. Their project focuses on two critical issues facing our state:
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Economic Relief: Lowering water bills for everyday residents.
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Climate Resilience: Reducing urban flooding through advanced rainwater harvesting systems.
From Research to Legislation
The journey to the conference wasn't just about public speaking; it was rooted in deep academic investigation. The students spent months researching diverse implementation methods for rainwater collection.
However, they didn't stop at the science. The group is actively seeking a pilot project and advocating state legislation to secure funding. Their goal is to transform their research into a law that incentivizes rainwater harvesting across Florida, providing a dual solution for water conservation and flood management.
A Voice for the Future
Standing before a crowd of 300 professionals, Camila, Fabiana, Xavier, and Nelson didn't just represent Colonial High School; they represented a generation ready to tackle climate change head-on. Their work with the VoLo Foundation and Mi Familia en Acción highlights the power of student-led advocacy in the fight for a greener, more affordable future.
Thank you to Soraya Marquez, Maria Salamanca, Jose Martinez, Ms. Hopper and Ms. Reussow for supporting us with the opportunity, transportation and guidance.
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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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Event Details:
📅 Date: Friday, April 10
⏰ Time: 9:00 AM (while supplies last)
📍 Location: Renaissance Senior Center, 3800 S Econlockhatchee Trail, Orlando, FL 32829
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𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗱𝘆𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲!
𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟴 𝗶𝘀 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗱𝗮𝘆 — 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧 𝗘𝗩𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹, and we’re celebrating BIG! Seniors will return in their caps and gowns to walk the halls and courtyard where it all began, surrounded by cheers, pride, and the younger students you’re inspiring along the way.
𝟭:𝟯𝟬 PM — 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮 𝗟𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘆
Arrive in cap and gown and take your celebratory stroll through the halls as students and staff cheer you on.
𝟯:𝟯𝟬 PM — 𝗢𝗱𝘆𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗱𝗹𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹
Continue the celebration with a courtyard stroll, followed by a reception in the Odyssey cafeteria.
A brand‑new tradition. A community full of love. A moment you’ll never forget. Let’s celebrate the Class of 2026 in true All-Stars and Dragon style!
Principal Key & Principal Ninah
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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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