Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Knights Find A Way!
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Ocoee Community Member
I hope you had an amazing break! We are looking forward to having all of our Knights back on campus this Tuesday, January 9th.
As we embark on this first 2024 week of learning and growth, I want to take a moment to extend my warmest wishes to you for a Happy New Year! May this year be filled with renewed hope, boundless opportunities, and remarkable achievements for all of us.
Together, we'll continue to nurture an environment of Knight excellence and support as we strive towards our shared educational goals. Thank you very much for your dedication and commitment during the first semester. Let's now continue the momentum into the new year to make 2023-2024 a school year to remember!
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Next week will also be a four-day school week given the Dr. MLK, Jr. holiday on Monday, January 15th. |
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Thank you for reading this first edition of 2024 and welcome back!
Dr. Karcinski
Principal
Ocoee High School
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Meet Sophie! Our foreign exchange student from Germany! Sophie has only been at Ocoee since the beginning of the school year and has made such a great impact on our school! She is friendly to everyone, and works hard on any assignment given to her. Sophie is active in our Student Government, and attends any event Ocoee hosts to show her support! |
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● Where are you from?
I am from Hannover, a town in the Northern part of Germany with about 500,000 people.
● What made you decide to become a foreign exchange student?
My mom inspired me to do an exchange year because she moved abroad too when she was my age and always told me how amazing it was and how much she learned from it.
● Why did you pick Florida?
In my program I was able to pick my top three states to be placed in. Florida was one choice because I love the warm weather, the beach, as well as a lot of attractions which I have not seen before.
● What is something you did not expect moving to Florida?
I did not expect everybody to be so open minded and interesting. People always say how nice and friendly Americans are, but I didn't expect people to show that much interest in getting to know a lot about Germany and Europe.
● Something interesting you have learned living here so far?
The American school system. How teachers teach the young generation here and how fun school can be.
● Favorite part about being in Ocoee?
My favorite part about Ocoee are the friendships I have made and one of my biggest highlights has definitely been the football games!
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Sophie with her host sisters and friends at a soccer game! |
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Approaching the holiday break, Ms. Viray’s Environmental Science class utilized academic games to identify critical content within their unit focused on energy by playing snakes and ladders. |
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Media Center
Weekly update by Ms. Gooseman, Media Specialist
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I am very pleased to announce that we are in 1st place for the high schools participating in the District 7 Read Around the City District 7 Challenge! Help us hold on to 1st place by encouraging your students to log their reading minutes in Beanstack. Beanstack can be found on launch.ocps.net, then selecting the Library Research Tools folder. |
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After opening the folder, choose Beanstack |
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This reading challenge isn’t just for students. It’s open to community members also. We’ve had 5,831 minutes logged by our community so far. Thank you!
The contest runs through January 31, 2024. Please join our competition by following the information below:
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Rally to Tally
Tuesday, January 30th
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SGA
Powderpuff Football Game
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Knight sports for week #1 of 2024: |
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Orlando Sentinel All-Area Football Recognition
Michael McClenton, Defensive Player of the Year!
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Linebacker Michael McClenton, 6-1, 227, Sophomore
Buzz: Edge rusher routinely disrupted the backfield of opposing teams for a defense that yielded 18 or fewer points five times. McClenton was credited with 202 tackles (137 solo), 31 sacks and 45 tackles for loss, each of which set new program records. He also blocked a field-goal attempt and forced 3 fumbles. McClenton tallied at least 5 sacks in a game three times and had at least 1 sack in each of Ocoee’s 10 games.
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Girls Basketball
Our Lady Knights have a record of 11-3 and begin play again this Tuesday at Celebration, but will be home on Wednesday vs. Olympia. Please come on out and cheer on your Knights!
Team record as of Jan. 8, 2024:
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Before the winter break, Chef Crocker and his students prepared a meal that started with hors d'oeuvres and ended with desserts for the staff at Ocoee. The student chefs came up with the entire menu on their own. They cooked and served it right before the winter break started. Thank you Chef Crocker and Chef Kahlon as the meal was excellent and showcased your talent. |
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Chef Kahlon Smith talking to Mrs. Davis about the menu. |
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Clefton Cadet and Hailee Duncan |
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Khassey Nocent, Mikayla Caramy, Grace Giles, Phoebe Ortega |
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Amy Romero, Clefton Cadet, Morgan Le, Sydney Storr |
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Jaivon Jackson, Hailee Duncan, Kaitlyn Godek |
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Thank you to everyone who donated to our Toys for Tots Drive! Overall we received 106 toys! Special shout out to Ms. Bolden’s class for contributing the most donations. Pictured above are Addison Wise, Ava Yarborough, Kaelynn Peavy, and Payton Grant. |
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Yearbooks are still on sale for $75.00: |
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College and Career Center |
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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:
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College Acceptances:
We have over 400 college acceptances recorded for the Class of 2024! You guys are doing amazing things! Please make sure to report your acceptances using the link in the flier OR by emailing Mrs. Wolfgramm. |
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Scholarships:
SENIORS! Now that we are beginning the final semester of your senior year - it is important to start applying for scholarships! Apply for every scholarship you qualify for. We will continue to update our Scholarship Spreadsheet as scholarships come in.
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Bridges to Success Scholarship Program: The Bridges to Success Scholarship Program is designed to support students in their first two years of school. Students who could benefit from a mentor checking in with you to help you keep on track with your classes/grades will want to consider applying. You do need to be PELL eligible to apply for Bridges. You can find out if you are PELL eligible by completing the FAFSA application. In addition, you will need to participate in community service while in the program and attend sessions geared towards helping you with things like time management, leadership development, and more. Additionally, the Bridges program provides financial support by covering the cost of your two years at Valencia College, provided you meet all necessary requirements while in the program. Bridges starts in the summer after high school graduation – something you must be able to commit to. The Bridges to Success application is due January 25th! See Ms. Hendricks if you are interested in applying.
Bank of America Student Leaders Program - PAID INTERNSHIP open to Juniors + Seniors. Students selected will participate in an eight-week, hands-on, experiential summer internship as well as a week-long, all expenses paid Student Leadership Summit in Washington DC. Learn more HERE.
BigFuture Scholarships: open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors! 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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Juniors’ Scholarships:
Coolidge Scholarship: for JUNIORS ONLY. Deadline to apply is January 18, 2024. Full-ride, four-year scholarship. Learn more here: https://coolidgescholars.org
Horatio Alger Scholarship: for JUNIORS ONLY. Deadline to apply is March 15th, 2024. Open to students who demonstrate integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society. Begin the application HERE.
Hamilton Scholars: for JUNIORS ONLY. Deadline to apply is January 25th, 2024. Provides mentorship, practical guidance, and a comprehensive network of support for success in college. Begin the application HERE.
College Prep Programs:
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Valencia College Dual Enrollment: |
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Rapid growth in the percentage of Orange County persons 25 years and older who have an Associate's Degree or higher (2022 latest count = 48.4%):
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Superintendent's Initial Message of 2024 (Monday, Jan. 8): |
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As the second semester begins, Superintendent Vazquez discusses what’s on tap, including graduation dates, spring break, magnet applications and more. |
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REMINDER: Top Talent applications open Jan. 22, 2024: |
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Top Talent LIVE 2024 is May 4, 2024!
Our casting call will run January 22 – February 23. What does that mean? It is time to start preparing for auditions.
Proceeds from our Top Talent event will help support the Foundation and provide arts enrichment for students experiencing poverty and homelessness.
Top Talent LIVE finalists will be announced on March 29.
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Mardi Gras Block Party (Feb. 9): |
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1) The average New Year's resolution lasts less than 4 months: |
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According to the latest Forbes magazine survey, the average New Year's resolution lasts just 3.74 months. The majority of respondents tend to maintain their goals for 2-3 months. Only 1% of individuals manage to persevere until the final month.
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2) There is no school on Monday, January 15th given the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. MLK, Jr. was Time magazine's Person of the Year for 1963 and one of the youngest recipients in the history of the recognition. |
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3) Worsening eyesight projected for the coming years: |
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Knights, when able, remember the "20-20-20 rule" with screen time to protect your vision from eye strain... |
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4) WISDOM TO LIVE BY
Read inspirational quotes about definitions of a leader, believing in your own value and overcoming doubters.
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Heather Mitts On Determination
Tell me I can't, then watch me work twice as hard to prove you wrong.
~ Heather Mitts, soccer player
Alan Mulally On Accomplishment
For the great achiever it's all about me; for the great leader it's all about them.
~ Alan Mulally, former Boeing and Ford CEO
Bob Gibson On Self-Confidence
I guess I was never much in awe of anybody. I think you have to have that attitude if you're going to go far in this game.
~ Bob Gibson, MLB pitcher
Chris Bradford On Persistence
There is no failure except in no longer trying.
~ Chris Bradford, author
Robin Sharma On Attitude
Give out what you most want to come back.
~ Robin Sharma, author
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Knights Find A Way!
Dr. Karcinski, Principal
Ocoee High School
Monday, January 8, 2024
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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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