Every year schools across all of OCPS select a Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year who demonstrate the highest caliber of excellence at their school. We are pleased to announce our winners for this school year:

Students in Mr. Hoeth’s Digital Media/Multimedia Design had the opportunity to engage with Full Sail University's Mobile Experience Truck where they learned about different emerging technologies in the graphic arts, e-sports, music, and visual production industries through hands-on activities. Students interacted with sound and camera equipment to simulate a behind-the-scenes concert environment, manipulated 3-dimensional objects using iPads, explored virtual reality worlds, and competed in a few video games.

For more than 30 years, Andrew Hamre has dedicated his life to supporting students in reaching their full potential on and off the field. He is a successful teacher and coach and currently serves as Colonial’s Athletic Director. He can often be heard providing words of encouragement to an athlete who may be struggling, a coach who needs guidance, or a parent looking for ways to better support their student athlete.

Since being at Colonial, Coach Hamre has overseen upgrades to all of our athletic facilities, promoting our athletic programs, and beginning this year coordinating the senior banner initiative to recognize our senior athletes. We are lucky to have you at Colonial, Coach Hamre.

4) Need information regarding: college applications, scholarships, financial aid, and post secondary paths or want to book an appointment with our College and Career Specialist, Mr. Witham?

Visit: www.tinyurl.com/colonialccc

5) Interested in Dual Enrollment at Valencia? Application opens on Wednesday, September 15th.

Visit https://valenciacollege.edu/admissions/dual-enrollment/ for more information.

September 9th: School Counselor Senior Class Presentations

September 13th: Individual Senior Meetings with School Counselors

September 28th: Questbridge Application Deadline

October 1st: FAFSA & Bright Future Application Opens

7) Counselors will be in the College and Career Center on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays for application help sessions starting on on September 7th.

Seniors, make sure to periodically check the scholarship google document for updates on available scholarships.

* Tech Request: studenttechrequest.ocps.net

* Follow US on IG: @ColonialGuidance

* Tutoring Link: www.tiny.cc/CHSTutor

* Florida Virtual School: www.flvs.net; 407-513-3587 or 1(800) 374-1430

* Community Service Information: https://colonialhs.ocps.net/academics/guidance/community_service_requirements

* College Transition Counselor (help with Valencia DE and college applications): Mrs. Gurley: Nicole.Gurley@gmail.com

* National Suicide Prevention Hotline(available 24/7): 1-800-273-8255

* Crisis Text Line (available 24/7): Text “HOME” to 741741

The QuestBridge scholarship application is open for eligible students. The deadline for the scholarship is September 28, 2021. This scholarship is for students that are in the top 5% of their class and demonstrate financial need. Students must be Pell grant eligible. (Family’s income must be below $65,000 annually.)

Here is the link for information about the scholarship. https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match

The deadline for the Gates Scholarship is approaching. Applications are due on September 15, 2021. This scholarship is for high achieving students that are Pell grant eligible. (Family’s income must be below $65,000 annually.)

Here is the link for information about the scholarship. https://www.thegatesscholarship.org/scholarship

Source: College Board - Read full report

Note for our Grenadiers: In 2020-21, the average public four-year in-state tuition and fee price is 2.78 times as high as it was 30 years ago. By comparison, at private nonprofit four-year and public two-year institutions, average tuition and fees have doubled in the last 30 years. (These figures as seen in the chart are after adjusting for inflation.) It is important that our Grenadiers take advantage of all the resources the Colonial High School College and Career Center offers when it comes to college financial planning. Please see a counselor with any questions that you may have - they are more than happy to help!

On September 3rd, Colonial students and staff celebrated National College Colors Day! Across the United States students, parents, family, faculty, fans, and alumni celebrate College Colors Day every year on the Friday before Labor Day. By rocking your college colors and apparel, you show spirit and school pride.

On September 1st, our main campus school counselors hosted Senior Night for our class of 2022 seniors and parents. Students and families were able to hear from various colleges, programs and military personnel about post secondary opportunities. Community organizations were present to share resources that are available to students and families. Our school counselors presented on graduation requirements, post secondary options, finding the right fit and financial aid.

Beginning next this Tuesday we will be serving hot supper meals on Main Campus to any students participating in an after-school program. Supper will begin at 2:20pm Monday, Tuesday. Thursday, and Friday. Supper on Wednesday will begin at 1:10pm. Please encourage your students to stop by and pick up a meal. We will be serving the meals through the cafeteria line.

The following face covering types are approved for compliance with the temporary face mask requirement: commercially produced and disposable masks (face masks with exhalation valves are not permitted); cloth face masks and face masks with clear panels which cover both the nose and mouth and fit snugly against the sides of the face with little to no gaps (the material must be solid; no lace, mesh, or other largely porous material).

Neck gaiters and neck buffs are not permitted. Face shields may be worn in conjunction with a face mask, but cannot be used in lieu of a face covering described above.

All OCPS students have a free gold level account on ChessKids. Students can access their ChessKid account via Launch. The app is in the OCPS Apps Folder. Through the ChessKid app, students can learn to play chess, solve puzzles, play against a BOT, and so much more! Please encourage your students to log into their account soon. Students with active accounts will be able to participate in virtual tournaments and events on ChessKids.

Parents: We also encourage you to join the OCPS 6-12 Chess Facebook group.

Parents can also email OCPSChess@ocps.net with questions.

Upcoming games:

Girls’ Volleyball: avaniece.kingmattis@ocps.net

Boys’ Golf: stephen.ohl@ocps.net

Girls’ Golf: megan.king@ocps.net

Boys’ and Girls’ Bowling: joseph.teti@ocps.net

Football: donnyhodges12@gmail.com

Boys’ and Girls’ Cross Country: steven.marrero@ocps.net

Cheer: erika.espinet@ocps.net

So what is your plan? When college is in your future, or your child’s future, planning is important.

Families and students can work together on this sheet for this week’s financial literacy tips and tricks. Access the full worksheet here: https://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/assets/pdfs/lessons/lev9-12/SA_Lesson4.pdf 

Students - speak up using the link on your Grenadier Gate Canvas page.

Check-out this Digital Planner to help guide your College Decision-Making Process.

The ACT and SAT tests are college readiness assessments required for admission to four-year universities. Two-year colleges also accept scores from these tests. The tests are offered on Saturdays several times throughout the school year. Information on test dates, fees, and registration can be found at the links provided below. Students should plan to take this test at least once toward the end of their junior year, and again at the very beginning of the senior year. Students should not wait until senior year to start thinking about taking these tests.

To register, follow the links above and create a account on each site. From there you will be able to select a test date, submit payment*, and print your admission ticket.

* Students on free/reduced lunch are eligible to receive two fee waivers for each test at no charge. Please see your guidance counselor to obtain a waiver.

Dual Enrollment Requirements (Links to an external site.)

Minimum Test Score Requirements (Links to an external site.)

Questions? Email Mr. Witham at: edward.witham@ocps.net

ADDitions is the perfect avenue for individuals to become involved with education in Orange County Public Schools and here at Colonial! Through ADDitions, school volunteers serve at the schools of their choice and participate in activities that match their interests, such as assisting teachers in the classroom, designing bulletin boards, working with students, serving as computer tutors, working with art classes, or helping out in the office or media center.

** A cleared volunteer status is needed for field trips, tutoring, hours on campus in clubs, etc. This can take two-three weeks so please make sure you get signed up soon. Once you are cleared to volunteer, you are cleared for the rest of the school year! If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact richard.stowell@ocps.net.