Dear Colonial High School Families,
I hope this message finds all of our Colonial High School families refreshed after the Thanksgiving break! As we gear up for the final weeks of the semester and the holiday season, I wanted to highlight a few critical topics and upcoming events to ensure a strong finish for every student.
Daily Attendance is Crucial
Consistent attendance remains the single most important step toward student success. Please remember that missing just 10 days in a school year can significantly hinder academic progress. We need your partnership to prioritize getting your student to school on time every day, and we ask that you schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.
Also, please note the new requirement: a 90% attendance rate is mandatory for all students who wish to participate in extracurricular activities this year. Let’s work together to make every minute count!
Plan Your Future at Curriculum Night
We are already planning for the 2026-2027 school year! Join us for Curriculum Night on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:30–7:30 PM on Colonial’s Main Campus. This event is crucial to help students select classes that align with their graduation requirements and future career goals.
Our school counseling team will be available, and we will have special breakout presentations from Valencia Dual Enrollment and Orange Technical College Dual Enrollment. Enjoy pizza and refreshments while you explore! Please complete the brief registration to help us plan: https://tinyurl.com/ColonialCurrNight.
Attention Seniors: Last Call for Pictures
Seniors, please don't miss out on your chance to be featured in the yearbook! The last chance for on-campus senior pictures is quickly approaching on Monday, December 8, 2025, starting at 7:30 AM in Room 1-130.
This is your final opportunity to ensure inclusion in the yearbook, as the absolute deadline for being photographed is December 13, 2025. Make your appointment through your Senior English teacher, or visit Mrs. Jones in Room 2-214 if you do not have a Senior English class.
End of Semester Testing and Modified Schedules
As the semester comes to a close, modified schedules for the Main and Freshman Campuses are now included in this newsletter. Reviewing and preparing now will help ensure a successful end to the semester.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. We wish you a peaceful and productive two weeks as we wrap up the semester and celebrate the coming holidays!
It’s Great To Be A Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
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Get ready for an evening of spectacular holiday music! Join us for the annual Winter Wonderland Prizm Concert on Wednesday, December 16, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM.
This special performance will feature the incredible talents of our Colonial High School performing arts students. Come enjoy the sounds of the season in the beautiful Main Campus Performing Arts Center.
Admission is FREE for all students, families, and community members. This is a wonderful way to celebrate the holiday season and support our amazing Grenadier performers! We hope to see you there!
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Consistent attendance is the single most important step toward student success. Research indicates that missing just 10 days in a school year can significantly hinder academic progress, negating the effects of extra help or tutoring. We need your partnership! Please prioritize getting your student to school on time every day and schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible. If you need support getting your child to school, please reach out to us—we are here to help. Thank you for making every minute count! |
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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● Curriculum Night is Coming! Believe it or not, it's already time to plan for the 2026-2027 school year. Course selection begins in January—yikes!! To help you navigate the process, please join us for Curriculum Night on Thursday, December 10, from 5:30-7:30 PM. This event will take place in our Main Campus cafeteria, PAC, AND the Media Center!!! We look forward to seeing you there to help prepare for a successful school year!
● Need Your Gifts Wrapped? Let the Hispanic Honor Society Help!
Tired of all that holiday wrapping? The Hispanic Honor Society (HHS) is hosting a fundraiser to do it for you! For a small donation, our members will professionally wrap your gifts. This fundraiser runs through December 18.
Drop-Off Locations:
Main Campus: Room 4-150
Ninth Grade Center: Room 616
Once wrapped, we will happily deliver your gifts back to you. This service is available to all teachers and students!
● ATTENTION SENIORS: LAST CHANCE PICTURE DAY
The final opportunity for senior pictures will be next Monday, December 8th, in room 1-130. Appointments are mandatory and must be scheduled through your Senior English class. Seniors who are not currently enrolled in a Senior English course must see Mrs. Jones in room 2-214 to book an appointment.
Photo Requirements:
➔ Young men will be provided with a tuxedo for the photo shoot.
➔ Young ladies should be prepared to change into a black drape to be worn "off the shoulder."
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Get ready to unlock your potential! Ms. Paradiso is transforming her certification test review into an exciting, high-stakes escape room challenge. This interactive session is the perfect way for students to apply their knowledge, practice critical thinking, and collaborate with peers—all while preparing for their upcoming certification exam. It's an engaging and unforgettable way to get extra support before the big test. |
Colonial Students and Parents, mark your calendars! We're already planning for the 2026-2027 school year course selection.
Join us for Curriculum Night on Colonial’s Main Campus on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:30-7:30 PM.
This is the perfect opportunity to explore the many programs Colonial High School has available for our students! Our school counseling team will be available, and we will have special breakout presentations from Valencia Dual Enrollment and Orange Technical College Dual Enrollment.
This event is crucial as it will help students choose classes that align with their graduation requirements and future career goals!
Enjoy pizza and refreshments while you explore!
To help us plan for the event, please complete this brief registration.
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Colonial High School was filled with beautiful music this past Thursday as Mr. Rodrigues and the Chorus took the stage for their concert. The performance was a showcase of the incredible talent and hard work of our student vocalists. Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our amazing Grenadier singers for a truly memorable evening! |
We are incredibly proud to celebrate two of our outstanding seniors, Nathon Bush and Mauvy Ramirez Ledesma, on being successfully matched through the highly competitive QuestBridge National College Match program! Nathon Bush has been matched with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Mauvy Ramirez Ledesma has been matched with Boston College. The QuestBridge Match Scholarship is a full, four-year scholarship for high-achieving high school seniors. This monumental achievement is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and the unwavering support of their families and our staff. Congratulations to Nathon and Mauvy on this life-changing accomplishment! They truly exemplify what it means to be a Grenadier Scholar. |
We are incredibly proud to celebrate one of our own, Justin Risbrook, who has been named the MLK Humanitarian of the Year! This prestigious award recognizes students who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through outstanding service, leadership, and commitment to their community. Justin's dedication to making a difference and embodying the values of selflessness and empathy is truly inspiring. We honor him for this well-deserved recognition! |
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! |
Building healthy routines at home helps high school students thrive in school and beyond. Here are some practical tips:
Nutrition
Balanced meals fuel focused studying and sustained energy. Aim for a colorful plate—fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit high-sugar beverages and highly processed snacks. Water should be the go-to beverage throughout the day to stay hydrated.
Sleep
Adequate rest is essential for concentration, mood, and managing stress. Teenagers (ages 13–18) need 8–10 hours of sleep nightly. Create a relaxing wind-down routine: dim lights, put away all screens at least an hour before bed, and maintain a consistent sleep and wake schedule—even on weekends.
Screen Time
Technology is an essential tool, but setting boundaries is key to balance. Be mindful of non-academic screen time. Prioritize homework, studying, reading, physical activity, and in-person social activities over recreational screen use. Keep bedrooms and dinner tables tech-free zones.
Why It Matters
Healthy habits improve attention, stress management, and academic performance. Taking ownership of small, positive steps—like prepping a healthy lunch the night before or setting a screen curfew—can significantly impact well-being and success.
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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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