Dear Colonial High School Students, Families, and Staff,
As we approach the final weeks of the school year, I want to take a moment to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of our Grenadiers. This time of year is a powerful reminder of the commitment and excellence demonstrated throughout our campus. We are immensely proud of our FFA program, which was recently selected as one of Florida's Finest FFA Chapters, an impressive recognition among more than 400 chapters across the state.
Similarly, the Multilingual Department's Spirit of Excellence ceremony honored students such as Jhoselyn De La Caridad Nobrega Mena for her dedication to mastering English and Jesus Miguel Martinez Valecillos for his four years of academic consistency in the Spanish program.
Our partnerships continue to provide incredible experiences for growth. ELEVATE Orlando offered weekly SAT prep tutoring, and thanks to our sophomores' and juniors' commitment, the majority saw improvement in their scores, which we celebrated with a well-deserved Chick-fil-A party.
The AFJROTC cadets showcased exceptional leadership by planning nearly the entire 79th annual military ball, an event attended by over 250 people that honored military traditions and celebrated friendships. These accomplishments reflect the focus, discipline, and dedication of our students, families, and staff.
We are now in the home stretch of the academic year. Please remember to stay focused on the tasks ahead. Keep an eye on your calendar, as upcoming exam dates are critical, including the Spring Senior CFEs and various AICE/AP exams this week and next.
Finally, we urge all families to complete the Parent Survey to help us continue making Colonial High School the best it can be. Finish strong, Grenadiers, don't forget to always do your best.
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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Title: PTSA nominations for officers for the 2026-2027 School year!
Greetings! PTSA is about to hold elections for next year's President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary and Corresponding Secretary. We are providing you with the link to the form for nomination. If you are interested or know someone who is interested, please fill out the form. Please note: to be nominated, you/your nominee MUST have paid their dues for this school year ($5).
What is expected from each office has been placed on the form.
Nomination Dates: 4/9 - 4/19
Voting: May 13, after SAC meeting @ 6pm (voting will probably happen after 6:30pm) Must be a paid member by 4/14
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Following a competitive application process, our program has recently been selected as one of Florida's Finest FFA Chapters. With more than 400 across the state, this is an impressive achievement for our kiddos! We will be recognized at the FL FFA State Convention in June. |
Diosmani Juarez, Key Club president, was selected as the student of the year at the Kiwanis Outstanding Student Recognition Dinner at Winter Park's 9th Center yesterday. |
The Multilingual Department recently hosted the Spirit of Excellence ceremony to honor outstanding student achievements. On Wednesday, April 15, Jhoselyn De La Caridad Nobrega Mena was recognized at Lake Nona High School for her remarkable perseverance and dedication to mastering the English language. Additionally, the World Language award for Colonial High School was presented to Jesus Miguel Martinez Valecillos. Jesus was honored for his academic consistency, maintaining high grades throughout his four-year commitment to the Spanish program. |
ELEVATE Orlando provided weekly SAT prep tutoring led by professionals to support our sophomore and junior students in increasing their scores. Because of their commitment and hard work, we are proud to share that the majority of our students saw improvement! To celebrate, we hosted a well-deserved Chick-fil-A party where students enjoyed great food, played cards dominos, and spent time building community together. We are incredibly proud of our students for putting in the effort, staying consistent, and taking full advantage of this opportunity. Way to go, guys. |
We had an amazing time at Wekiwa Springs State Park, celebrating our students who met their goal requirements! This was our final grade reward of the year—a special moment where students set academic goals for themselves and stayed committed to achieving them. It’s bigger than just grades; it’s about discipline, growth, and believing in what you can accomplish. We spent the day swimming, playing volleyball, dancing, and enjoying great music together. More than anything, it was a time of joy, laughter, and well-deserved celebration after a year of hard work. Super proud of every student who pushed themselves and followed through. You set the standard and showed what’s possible when you stay focused. Congrats on achieving the goals you set out to reach. |
The AFJROTC just celebrated the end of a successful school year at the 79th annual AFJROTC military ball. Over 250 people (mostly students) attended the event and witnessed formal traditions that honor the service of our military members and a great keynote speech by Ms. Carbellia, our SAFE coordinator on the 9th-grade campus. The event was almost entirely planned by the cadets over the past 2 months, and they did a phenomenal job. It was a great time to celebrate our friendships and families, and an absolute highlight of the year for many. |
Colonial High School was honored to host Dr. Pamela Snook, the CEO and Chief Medical Officer of Contemporary Women’s Care in Orlando, Florida. Dr. Snook spoke to our students about the vital importance of persistence, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of one's goals. Hailing from a small town in Texas and coming from a very humble background, she instilled hope and inspired everyone with her stories of "failing forward" and never giving up.
The entire student audience was moved by her journey. One student shared, "It was great to hear a story about coming from very little to achieving your dreams despite all the hardships. It made me realize that she was just like me, and I need to believe in myself more, because if she can do it, maybe I can too…"
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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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Dates: April 13 through May 1
Grenadiers, we are excited to announce the launch of our TreeRaise fundraiser! Every contribution will help support our Colonial High PTSA while also restoring forests around the world. Every contribution equals more trees being planted. Join us in growing something meaningful. https://treeraise.com/chsptsa
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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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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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