Monday, February 26, 2024 |
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This is the final week of Black History Month and I want to thank all of our Colonial students, faculty, staff, and families who got involved this year, especially with our recent Black History Month Spirit Week. Part of a truly quality high school experience is learning about the human journey and throughout the year, we feature various community's histories, traditions, and customs as this works to expose students to the many cultures that comprise our great nation. Please be sure to read about our final Black History Month activities mentioned by our S.O.U.L. Mentoring program in this edition. |
Ashley Simmons (11th grade) proudly holding up her award given by the Florida State Fair last week which placed her in the top 2% of all competing students from across Florida! (Please see her and Valerie Rodriguez's success stories below.) |
This week is Public Schools Week across the U.S. At Colonial High School, we are able to provide many opportunities for our Grenadiers that students in other school systems around the country and around the world do not have access to. In this February 26th issue alone we are reminded of our successful athletic department, our excellent college and career center, our diverse clubs & organizations open to every Colonial student, our quality curriculum and magnet programs, and if you are reading this online, the many technological tools we have ranging from student laptops & internet access to advanced student information systems like Skyward and TalkingPoints. Of course, we also have another powerful asset at Colonial: community members who take an active interest in their children's education and the overall success of our high school.
I hope you enjoy this week's edition and with only 14 instructional days left in the 3rd quarter, I ask that all of our Grenadiers remain focused on the goals they set out for 2024 and to take advantage of every school day. Thank you for reading.
It's Great To Be A Grenadier!
Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
Colonial High School
Pictured very top: Grenadiers celebrating as part of Black History Month Spirit Week (please see story below).
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Main Campus:
6100 Oleander Drive
Orlando, FL 32807
(407) 482-6300
Freshman Campus:
7775 Valencia Collage Lane
Orlando, FL 32807
(407) 249-6369
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Girls Basketball Playoff Update |
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Grenadiers reach the Class 7A Final Four! |
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Grenadier Spotlight
Highlights from Black History Month Spirit Week!
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The S.O.U.L. Mentoring program would like to thank all staff, students, and clubs for your part in celebrating Black History Month Spirit Week! We would like to send an extra special THANK YOU to SGA for always lending a helping hand!
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month, here are a few reminders:
1. There is one more Wednesday in February to show off our beautiful African Attire! We will schedule a photo opportunity for those that participate.
2. We are also hosting a door decorating contest. The winning teacher will be announced on Friday, March 1st.
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Grenadier successes at this year's Florida State Fair: |
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Ashley Simmons (left) and Valerie Rodriguez with their
2024 Florida State Fair awards.
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Our students have just wrapped up at the Florida State Fair! We had students compete with a variety of animals including rabbits, chickens, goats, pigs and cattle. We did have 2 young ladies stand a step above. Valerie Rodriguez, 12th grade, and Ashley Simmons, 11th grade, each won 1st place senior division Champion of Champions for their respective species of poultry and swine.
They competed on February 19th back at the Tampa fairgrounds for the overall Champion of Champions competition. They competed in a round-robin of 8 species including hands-on reproductive components specialized for the different species plus show an animal they never had before. Ashley Simmons placed 3rd overall!! That means from the 1,500 students who all competed at State Fair down to the top 27 exhibitors who competed in the round robin for the overall, Ashley finished in the top 2% of all students at the Florida State Fair!
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Community Support
'Orlando Shakes' visits Mr. Kernek's classroom
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Orlando Shakes* came out to Colonial High School this past week to give a lesson on language, rhetoric, and iambic pentameter. Below are pictures of Orlando Shakes members with Mr. Kernek’s students interacting during a theater game.
We can't be prouder of our students for impressing Orlando Shakes enough that Shakes wants to come to CHS and continue inviting us back to the theater!
Way to go!
* Founded by UCF professor Stuart Omans in 1989, Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF (Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Inc.) produces classic, contemporary, and children’s plays.
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Prestige Dance Team
Colonial's Prestige Dancers earning multiple awards
this season!
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Our Prestige Dance Team has been on a roll in their competition season! Colonial performed at DTU in January and last week at the Eastside Dance Battle. Below are our stats:
DTU
● 2nd place for Open
- 2nd place for Spirit Showdown
- 6th for Hip Hop
- Bold Award for Open -- only 4 judges' awards were given, and Colonial brought this home for the first time!
Eastside
● 2nd place
- 1st place for student halftime dance off - Rianna Vatel
- 2nd place for student halftime dance off - Sabrina Gilot
For the FIRST TIME in the history of Eastside, a second place trophy was awarded...this was done on the spot per the judges' request! This is an amazing win for Colonial and we are so proud of our dancers for all their hard work paying off in such a big way! Also a big shoutout to Coach Salmon for representing Colonial on the judge's panel.
** If you see a dancer this week, please be sure to congratulate them! **
Our next competition, the Marching Auxiliaries Florida State competition, will be held at Seminole High School on March 9th from 9-6. We would love to see our Colonial family there!
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Ninth grade Culinary students working to chop a mirepoix (celery, onion, and carrots) in preparation for making a stock this week. Students were trying to not shed tears during the process! |
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Algebra 1 students in Mrs. Will's class were practicing to solve absolute values. |
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Hospitality and Culinary Student Scholarships: |
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The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation is now accepting applications for the 2024 Hospitality and Culinary Student Scholarships. CFHLA has expanded eligibility this year for currently enrolled College Students and High School graduates. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please click here: https://www.cfhla.org/hospitality-student-scholarships/
Get your application started today, as the deadline is April 26, 2024.
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HBCU Virtual College Fair (March 5): |
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UCF College of Medicine Open House (April 18): |
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This agency serves people who experience a crisis and are seeking financial assistance to remain in their homes, provide important resources to people in need who are facing the threat of eviction or other crisis and provide services that are convenient for people in need to access for housing.
Call to make an appointment: 407-839-4357
Address: 1771 N. Semoran Blvd Orlando, FL 32807
Food Pantry:407-658- 1818
Hours: M-F (not Tues) 9am-11am and 1pm-3pm
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IT'S GREAT TO BE A GRENADIER!
Mrs. Reussow, Principal
Colonial High School
Sunday, February 25, 2024
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Assistant Principal: Mr. Daniel Caliari
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This communication may contain information that is legally privileged, confidential or exempt from disclosure, and intended only for the use of the addressee(s) named above. If you are not the intended recipient, please note that any dissemination, distribution, or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Anyone who receives this message in error should notify the sender immediately by telephone or by return e-mail, and delete the message from their computer and any printout thereof. Please note that OCPS utilizes spam and junk e-mail filtration applications in its e-mail systems. That filtering process may prevent or delay delivery of certain e-mail communications. If you do not receive a timely response to an e-mail communication, please contact the intended recipient by phone.
OCPS EEO Non-Discrimination Statement
The School Board of Orange County, Florida, does not discriminate in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities, on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason prohibited by law. The following individuals at the Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center, 445 West Amelia Street, Orlando, Florida 32801, attend to compliance matters: Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer & Title IX Coordinator: Keshara Cowans; ADA Coordinator; ADA Coordinator: Jay Cardinali; Section 504 Coordinator: Tajuana Lee-Wenze. (407.317.3200)
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Copyright Notice
Reproduction of this material, either written or electronically, including the general layout, graphics, analyses, and content topics without the express approval of Target Performance Systems, Inc., a Florida corporation, and OCPS-Colonial High School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and OCPS-Colonial High School. Please contact Dr. Tayler Boyer (assistant principal) at tayler.bray@ocps.net with any questions.
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