Colonial High School Families,
This week, I want to bring special attention to a vital tool for our entire school community: OCPS Community Connect. We know that student success in the classroom starts with strong support at home and in our neighborhood. Community Connect is a centralized online hub designed to link Orange County families directly with verified, local community-based organizations and essential social services.
By searching your ZIP code on communityconnect.ocps.net, you can quickly find and connect with free or reduced-cost programs, including:
- Food & Housing Support: Local food pantries, nutrition assistance, and housing programs.
- Health & Wellness: Counseling services, mental health resources, and healthcare support.
- Youth & Family Services: Educational programs, tutoring, and community assistance.
Whether you are looking for specific assistance or simply exploring available local resources, we encourage all of our families to bookmark and utilize this valuable tool.
As you read through this edition, you’ll also find detailed recaps showcasing the incredible things happening on our campus! Be sure to check out the features below covering our student leaders at the Jostens Renaissance Rally working to elevate our school culture, the highlights from our Hispanic Heritage soda tasting and dominoes tournament, a look back at an outstanding First Quarter from our FFA chapter, and wonderful homecoming events.
Thank you for your continued partnership and dedication to our school family. Have a wonderful week!
It's Great to Be a Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
|
Dream Bigger. Work Harder. Believe in Yourself.
The Josten’s rally may be over, but the message is just beginning. Your dreams are meant to challenge you, your hard work will move you closer to them, and believing in yourself will give you the courage to keep going when things get tough.
Don’t let anyone, including yourself, put limits on what you can accomplish. Dream beyond what feels possible. Work for what you want. Believe that you are capable of becoming more than you imagined.
Your future is waiting. Go make it extraordinary!
|
What better way to explore Latin America than through your taste buds? Our students recently enjoyed a flavorful adventure during our Soda Tasting Event, sampling unique drinks from Mexico, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and beyond!
Students compared favorites like Jarritos, Inca Kola, Colombiana, Frescolita, Zuko, and Fresquita while learning about flavors enjoyed across different cultures.
It was a fun, refreshing, and delicious way to celebrate cultural diversity and encourage students to experience something new. Thank you to everyone who joined the fun and made this cultural celebration so memorable!
|
The Hispanic Honor Society is proud to announce the winners of our Dominoes Tournament!
Thank you to everyone who participated and showed off their skills. Please join us in celebrating our champions: Main Campus 🥇 1st Place: Sebastian Natal 🥈 2nd Place: Jorge Molina 🥉 3rd Place: Jean Diaz 🏅 4th Place: Andrea Cabrera Ninth Grade Center 🥇 1st Place: Valery Vianna 🥈 2nd Place: Dariel Torres Rivera 🥉 3rd Place: Jaeden Rivera
|
ELEVATE Orlando was proud to partner with the Orlando Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., UNCF, and Bank OZK for the 2026 Fall Scholarship & College Readiness Event, From Dreams to Destinations: College, Career & Beyond! Our students connected with college representatives, explored financial aid and scholarship opportunities, got answers to admissions questions, and gained valuable insight into the college application process. Several students also walked away as gift card winners! An amazing experience filled with opportunity, connection, and inspiration. We’re grateful to be part of creating experiences that help our students turn their dreams into destinations! |
Good Food + Great Conversations + Lasting Memories!
Our freshmen enjoyed a special outing filled with first-time experiences, Chick-fil-A favorites, lots of laughter, great conversations, and a sweet ending at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice!
More than just a fun day out, it was an opportunity to connect, build relationships, and remind our students that they are an important part of our school community. Here’s to creating experiences and memories our students will carry with them throughout their high school journey!
|
Orlando Colonial FFA Quarter 1 Recap
What a month for Orlando Colonial FFA! From our Officer Retreat and first chapter meeting to Rise Up FFA, COLT, the Chapter Presidents Conference, and our Federation Kickoff, September was packed with leadership, teamwork, and new opportunities! We celebrated our new building , helped make an impact through Light Up Orlando’s 1 Million Meals initiative, connected with our community at Tractor Supply and raised funds for National Convention, explored the dairy industry on our milk field trip, and participated in exciting events like Goat Vote and the Tradeshow! We’ve been learning, serving, growing, and making memories every step of the way!
|
What a Homecoming Week! 🎉💚
From start to finish, Homecoming Week was packed with school spirit, laughter, friendly competition, and unforgettable memories! Our Pep Rally brought the ENERGY with exciting performances, cheers, and even a special surprise when our SRO joined the cheer squad and showed off some Grenadier spirit! 📣👏
The fun continued with an intense Tug of War, amazing student performances, and plenty of opportunities for our Grenadiers to celebrate together. 🏆🎶
Friday night brought everyone together for the Homecoming Game, made even sweeter thanks to our special community partners, EL Car Wash and Kona Ice! 🚗🍧🏈
And what better way to wrap up an incredible week than with a fun-filled Homecoming Dance where students danced, laughed, took pictures, and made memories with friends! 💃🕺✨
Homecoming Week was truly a celebration of what makes Colonial special: our students, our staff, our community, and our Grenadier pride! 💚⚔️
|
The Orange County School Counseling Association is seeking applicants for the Student Services Scholarship for Students interested in Mental Health, Education, Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, and related fields. |
Think your video skills can make an impact? Create a short, attention-grabbing video about radon awareness and compete with students from across Florida and the nation. This is your chance to showcase your talent, build your portfolio, and potentially win $1,000 while helping save lives through education. Deadline: November 1! |
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
Chelsea Johnson, Assistant Principal – Chelsea.Johnson@ocps.net
Krystin Roviaro, Assistant Principal - Krystin.Roviaro@ocps.net
Adrian Thomas – Senior Manager, UPI Community School - Adrian.Thomas@ocps.net
|
|
|
