Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Knights Find A Way!
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Ocoee Community Member
I hope this edition of the Knight News finds your December off to a fantastic start. Now that we have entered the holiday season, please be sure to mark down two very special events coming up shortly: 1) OHS Winter Spectacular (Dec. 12) - TICKETS; and 2) OHS Winter Chorus Concert (Dec. 15) - TICKETS. These will be tremendous performances given next week and we encourage all of our Ocoee families to come out for a little holiday spirit while enjoying the music and singing delivered by some extremely talented young adults.
Parents, if you have not visited Skyward this year to watch your student's progress all along (Skyward is our online student information system which is continuously updated), please note that second quarter progress reports were released last week. If you have questions on Skyward, you can always call the school or simply ask your student to open their laptop and show you their grades. The main thing is to review your child's grades with them now while there is still enough time left in the quarter and semester to make improvement if needed. |
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Assistant Principal O’Brien giving Azariah, one of our Honor Roll students for 2023-2024 Quarter 1, his recognition certificate this past week. For the nine-week quarter, 761 Ocoee students achieved either straight A's or all A's & B's. Please see this Knight success story below. |
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Boys basketball has back-to-back home games this coming Friday and Saturday. As I have written in this space since last August, both our athletics and performing arts programs offer tremendous values for quality family entertainment during this inflationary economic environment. If you can, try to make one of these basketball games later this week as both West Orange's Warriors and Oak Ridge's Pioneers will be formidable opponents. However, so are our Knights. You will see a lot of action on the court! - TICKETS
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Our awesome FFA students are leading the charge with a children's toy drive in time for Christmas and the holidays. If you have the means to help a child out with a toy this season, it would be appreciated very much. The toy drive runs through December 19th. |
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On Tuesday, December 12 we will host our final SAC (School Advisory Council) and PTSA meetings of 2023. The SAC meeting will begin at 5:30pm followed by the PTSA meeting at 6:30pm. If you have never attended either meeting during 2023, please try to make one or both next Tuesday. We count heavily upon parent and community feedback at these short monthly meetings. Your support is appreciated.
I think you will enjoy reading about a few our recent Knight successes in this issue. This is a very busy month which includes important assessments. On these testing days, please make sure your student is in attendance. Enjoy the rest of your week!
Dr. Karcinski
Principal
Pictured very top and listed just below: Ocoee celebrated 74 awesome students who had perfect attendance! They were rewarded with a certificate and cupcakes for their success.
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Markenson Anacius
Justena Armstead
Falisha Baksh
Elizabeth Baldeo
JoseAntonio Barragan
Betty Bellot
Horace Betton
Samuel Borneus
Marvin Brown IV
Arriana Bush
Ethan Cashwell
Alfredo Chavez
Caylin Chiesa
Geonas Datilma Jr
Denny Decopin
Xander Dewitt
Daoud Dimanche
Nicklus Dock
Sherly Dorson
Nickolas Fernandes
K-Mani Figaro
Brandon Gil
Abejah Goldson
Stevenson Guerrier
Jalen Haynes
Emily Healy
Simael-Herdy Hercule
Daniel Ho
Semaria Hodges
Rennando Holmes
Brandon Hoskins
Vincent Huynh
Jayden Israel
Sylaia Jackson
Casmen Jean
Serghiannie Jean Louis
Roosevelt Jean Paul
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Declan Jones
Tuong Lam
Jihanna Laroche
Bryan Ly
Torrence Mack Jr
Jase Marino
Carson McIntosh
Cassline Mesidor
Cheder Michel
Laval Mundle
Shakia Noel
Dawins Olizia
Ashley Orelien
Gabriel Pacheco
Angel Pagan-Carranza
Naira-Scania Pascal
Kindyle Patterson
Cleo Paul
Miah Pennant
Larissa Pham
Jean Israel Phineus
Michael Pierre
Andy Pierre-Louis
Liam Prunier
Fahad Rahman
Hazel Reed
Ermiollie Regis
Matthew Rubio
Jude Saint Eloi
Devani Samaroo
Angelo Simon
Dominic Simpson
Garrett Stone
Tyler Subramani
Biemnet Tesfamichael
Sofia Tuyet Tran
Eduardo Valdovinos
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Congratulations to our Ocoee Chorus members that made
All-County for 2023-2024!
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As we round out 2023 for Assessments, we have the following assessments for the month of December:
- Saturday ACT - December 9, 2023
- PMA 2 (US History and Biology) – December 13th through December 15th
- FAST ELA Reading PM 2 for 9th and 10th graders – December 12th
We will continue with testing after Winter Break starting in January with WIDA assessments.
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The OHS Marching Knights & Knights Visual Ensemble (KVE), had a super busy month of November but it was very productive. The Band received straight SUPERIOR Ratings at the Florida Bandmasters Association District Music Performance Assessment. And they followed that up with an Outstanding performance at the Florida Classic Battle of the Bands. |
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Our Knights at the Florida Bandmasters Association District Music Performance Assessment. (MPA). They earned a SUPERIOR rating which is comparable to the grade of “A”. The SUPERIOR rating reflects the finest conceivable performance for the event and class of participants being evaluated – worthy of the distinction of being recognized as among the very best. Source: floridaschoolmusic.org
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Just above and below: Florida Classic Battle of the Bands. |
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This Week in Knights Sports: |
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Sports Picture Day (Dec. 7)
Sports Picture Day is Thursday, December 7th after school in the gym. The following teams will be photographed: Boys & Girls Soccer, Boys & Girls Swimming, and Girls Volleyball.
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Varsity Football
Knights earn spot in the Orlando Sentinel's final 2023 Super 16 rankings:
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A/B Honor Roll Students were recognized during lunches this week for their academic accomplishments. This past quarter, we had 172 students who earned straight A’s and 589 students who earned A and Bs. Congratulations to all of our Knights who made Honor Roll for the first quarter. Thank you to Kool Guyy's Italian Ice & Treats for their support of our Ocoee High School students and thank you to our guidance counselors and administration team for handing out certificates and scooping and distributing Italian ices to over 700 students! |
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Students lined up to get their Honor Roll certificates |
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Emily Marsden and Colby Salvatore with their certificates |
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Assistant Principal Wagner passing out Icee’s to the students |
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Checking the pulse rate of daily attendance for the month of November: |
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This past week SGA representatives traveled to our state capitol in Tallahassee to attend a resolutions meeting hosted by the Florida Association of Student Councils. The student government students were able to tour Florida State University, the original capitol building, as well as the state senate and house chambers. |
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Ocoee SGA officers, Karla Soto and Gabriel Gonzalez, pose in the historic senate chamber within the Florida capitol building. |
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Media Center
Parent reminder on book and digital fines
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Parents, did you know you can pay book and digital (laptop & charger) fines online?
Choose the appropriate link below to pay your student’s fines. Once you have submitted your payment, please email your receipt to the Media Specialist, Ms. Gooseman, at cindy.gooseman@ocps.net, so the fine can be marked paid and removed from your student’s account. Thank you!
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Early Childhood Education (ECE) |
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The Mighty Knights Learning Center is excited to announce the opening of our playground! Our Mighty Knights (above) were excited to start playing on the playground this past week. |
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This Week in ECE
In Early Childhood Education 2, this past week students learned about Guiding Storytelling and Language Experiences. Students had to choose a preschool appropriate book and write an introduction about that story. Their introductions needed to be in kid-friendly language, introduce unknown words, and explain the purpose of the story. This week, ECE 2 students will have the opportunity to create their own story books to read to the Mighty Knights.
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(Left to right) Briana G. Jaliyah B. Zoe P. and Jakilra G. with their preschool
appropriate books.
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(Left to right) Emmanuel A. Haylen C. Zoey G. Raineal F. Linda N. showing
off their choice of children’s books.
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Aquaculture
Aquaculture 3 students work daily to ensure that our Tilapia fish are being fed and in good health. They check to make sure the tilapia are healthy and growing correctly. Students constantly monitor water quality to ensure that the fish are living in the proper environment, with the correct pH, ammonia, and nitrate levels and making sure they have plenty of dissolved oxygen.
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Aquaculture students Michael Roberts, Romeo Umana, and Jerry Thompson feeding and checking on the Tilapia fish. |
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Ms. Cannon’s AP Government students working collaboratively researching generational cohorts and how events in their lifetime shaped their political ideologies. |
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Teacher Feature
Latosha Bolden - Journalism & Debate Teacher
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Latosha began her teaching career with Orange County Public Schools in 2006 as a first-grade teacher at Ridgewood Park Elementary. She remained there for five years before moving on and has since taught every grade level from kindergarten through twelfth grade. From these experiences, she came to thoroughly enjoy working with high school students the most. She was born and raised in beautiful St. Petersburg, FL, where her family considers her to be their resident foodie!
Latosha earned her bachelor’s degree from University of Central Florida and master’s from National Louis University. She has been married to her handsome husband for four years. Her faith, family, and friends keep her grounded in love. Latosha’s dream job, outside of being an educator, is to become a hairstylist, a trade she began at an early age with her sisters as her clients.
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AP / AICE Testing Schedule
Spring 2024
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College and Career Center |
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Several juniors and seniors had the opportunity to visit Valencia College West Campus last week. Pictured nearby, our Knights had the opportunity to locate parts of a fan coil unit, design and 3D print bookmarks, plus test computer and electrical systems! |
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Valencia College: the Valencia College application is open! If you want to apply to the Bridges to Success (2 years free tuition/mentorship program), apply for Summer term. Apply using this Valencia Application Walkthrough Video. If you qualify for free/reduced lunch, see Ms. Wolfgramm or Ms. Hendricks for a waiver to apply.
Common App: The Common Application is an online platform designed for you to apply to multiple colleges with one system. This makes applying faster and easier! There are over 1,000 colleges/universities using Common App! Seniors can reference their student email (subject line: Common App How-To) for a Common App guide or you can use this Common App Walkthrough Video.
Common Black College Application: The Common Black College Application is an online platform designed for you to apply to over 60 Historically Black Colleges and Universities with one system and one $20 application fee! Students can apply here: https://commonblackcollegeapp.com.
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This is the easiest scholarship you will complete! Take the time to complete the BigFuture tasks to enter drawings for $40,000 and $500 scholarships! No essay, application, or minimum GPA requirement!
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FAFSA:
Seniors - we are still playing it by ear with the 2024-2025 FAFSA application. By law, the application must be made available by December 31st. As soon as we know, we will let you know that it is officially open. In the meantime … There have been changes to the form this year. You can familiarize yourself with these links + be ready to submit as soon as the application opens:
A scholarship, mentoring, and college readiness program designed to provide students with professional, academic, and personal support for 9th graders.
This program culminates in students receiving a two-year Florida Prepaid scholarship that can be used at any public university, college, or vocational/technical school in Florida upon high school graduation and successful program completion.
● The official application deadline is January 2, 2024. However, students who apply early will be given priority!
● Student Eligibility Requirements:
○ Have a 2.3 unweighted GPA
○ Meet the household financial need requirements as outlined in the attached documents and our website
○ Demonstrate a desire to continue their education after high school
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America's top universities based upon 2024 U.S. News & World Report rankings: (Larger View)
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Weekly Superintendent's Message (Dec. 4): |
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The first "Ask Maria" episode was so popular we're doing it again! This week on "Mondays with Maria," Dr. Vazquez is answering questions sent in by OCPS students, teachers, and staff.
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Weekly Superintendent's Message (Nov. 27): |
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Students being connected at school can make a big impact on how successful they are academically, socially, and mentally. On this week's "Mondays with Maria," Dr. Vazquez is joined by two Boone High School seniors to talk about the barriers some students face when it comes to participating in school events and how they are working to help more students get involved.
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Special Event: Seeking Certified Teachers |
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Happening around Ocoee . . . |
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Ocoee High School remembers the events of
December 7, 1941
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Eighty-two years ago this coming December 7th is the anniversary of the air raids upon multiple military bases on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Ocoee High School remembers those that were lost on that Sunday morning - an event which brought about the United States entry into World War II. |
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Pearl Harbor attack radiogram message sent out by the US Navy on the morning of Dec. 7, 1941. The message reads:
*** AIR RAID ON PEARL HARBOR. THIS IS NO DRILL. ***
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WISDOM TO LIVE BY
As we near the end of the second nine-week quarter, the 2023-2024 first semester, and the 2023 calendar year, we leave our Knights with a few reminders about success. Knights, finish this semester strong. Do not quit on your goals and make each instructional day count.
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Arnold Schwarzenegger On Goals
It's no harder to think big than it is to think small. The only hard part is giving yourself permission to think that way.
~ Arnold Schwarzenegger, actor
Michael Jordan On Confidence
You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.
~ Michael Jordan, basketball star
Richard Branson On Boldness
If you want to stand out from the crowd, give people a reason not to forget you.
~ Richard Branson, businessman (400 companies)
Albert Einstein On Vision
Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.
~ Albert Einstein, physicist
Ruth Bader Ginsburg On Determination
If you want to do something badly enough, you find a way. Somehow you manage.
~ Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Supreme Court Justice
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Knights Find A Way!
Dr. Karcinski, Principal
Ocoee High School
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
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Ocoee High School Senior Leadership Team |
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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. |
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 - Ocoee High School is forbidden without written consent. Thank you for your support of the Orange County Public Schools and especially Ocoee High School. Please contact lisa.karcinski@ocps.net (principal) with any questions or for further information.
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Ocoee High School
1925 Ocoee Crown Point Parkway,
Ocoee, FL 34761
Phone 407-905-3000
Fax 407-905-3099
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