Monday, February 15, 2021 |
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Today there is no school in recognition of President's Day. Classes will resume as usual Tuesday morning.
Given the holiday and the fact that student progress reports have just been released for the 3rd nine weeks, now is the perfect time for students to reflect upon their academic performance to date. It will not be long now before the annual state assessments will be upon us (see the Spring Testing calendar in this issue) and we want our Grenadiers to do their very best when the time comes. Therefore, if the current progress report suggests that your student is not quite where they could be, please take a look at the virtual tutoring opportunities we offer as mentioned in this edition. The tutoring is completely free and all of our educators are more than happy to assist in any way they can all along, but it is up to the students to participate with parental support. And now that we are already half-way through February, sooner vs. later is so important.
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Grenadiers stays warm during the cold snap last week Monday - and having fun too!
If you are reading this issue on President's Day, I hope it finds you enjoying a relaxing break. I look forward to seeing everyone back at school Tuesday morning whether they be learning from home via LaunchEd or face-to-face in the classrooms!
Dr. Maestre
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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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Colonial's Culinary Program |
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The Colonial High School Culinary Program includes experience in a full, restaurant-style professional kitchen and hospitality and tourism courses. Students can gain experience and career certifications in various culinary aspects through the program. But they give to the school much more than even that!
The Culinary students also run a free food pantry for all Grenadiers, which includes non-perishable foods, gourmet specialty items, and bountiful fresh produce, some which is produced right here at Colonial through our Agriculture program.
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Our Grenadiers learn culinary skills in a fully equipped professional kitchen akin to what you might see in a leading resort or restaurant. |
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Three of our culinary students pictured by News 13 during a major hospitality and culinary competition (this image taken prior to the pandemic). On the day this picture was taken, these three Grenadiers had just prepared an Asian inspired meal complete with egg rolls and a soy sauce reduction! |
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After School Virtual Tutoring |
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Grenadiers, we still have three Tuesday/Thursday tutoring opportunities available this month including this coming Thursday!
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MASKS ARE REQUIRED: ALL students, faculty, staff, and visitors on campus are required to wear a mask on the school campus. A copy of the full district policy can be found on the OCPS website.
NO FOOD delivery service is allowed on campus.
AFTER SCHOOL HOURS: In accordance with OCPS policy, all students must be off campus within 30 minutes of the school day ending. Students will be ushered off campus at 3:00 p.m.
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Congratulations to the following seniors on their college acceptances! We’re so excited for you! |
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Hanifa Bakar: Seminole State College |
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Jessalynn Balliet: Iowa State University, Colorado State University |
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Joshua Claudio: University of South Florida |
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Diamond Elliott: Valencia College
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Jamie LaPage: Clemson University, Michigan State University, Colorado State University, University of Missouri |
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Abigail Mercado: University of Central Florida |
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Claira Bailey: Valencia College |
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Lillian Fahey: Michigan State University |
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Jessica Nidhan: Nova Southeastern University |
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Giovanna Palladino: University of Central Florida |
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More college bound Grenadiers! (Pictures unavailable at time of production)
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- Myzell Amaro: University of North Florida, Louisiana State University
- Emily Llacza: University of Central Florida
- Victoria Aguiar: Rollins College, Savannah College of Art & Design, Ringling College of Art & Design
- Daijonna Davis: Columbus State University, Louisiana State University
- Karlyana Melendez Ramos: University of South Florida
- Erick Paulino-Risk: University of South Florida
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Social and Emotional Learning Corner |
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We know that it is so much better to use assertive language instead of accusing language. It can be hard for adults to hold back, especially in an argument or when upset. It is even more so for our teenagers, who are trying to find their way. If your teen uses one of the accusing phrases above often, it can be good to, when they are in a receptive mood, mention how it would help you understand them better if they used the corresponding assertive phrase instead. |
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A Valentine's Day Message from Athletic Director, Coach Hamre |
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With Valentine's Day yesterday, I want to show a little love to a few teams that are deserving of some recognition lately . . .
- Our Girls Basketball team defeated West Orange High School last week in the Regional Quarter Finals!
- Our Baseball team is out to a 2-0 start this year having defeated both East River and University this past week.
- Our Boys Water Polo team slammed Apopka in their win this past Tuesday.
- Our Girls Weight Lifters had four girls advance to the State Finals just days ago.
- Our Boys Weight Lifters defeated Oak Ridge two days ago for their opening season match.
Right now we are on a bit of a roll! Please join me in giving up some love up to our Grenadier Athletes!
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MAJOR GRENADIER SUCCESS STORY! |
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Colonial's AgriScience Magnet and FFA Chapter earns a top national award and is featured on News 6. |
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Receiving this honor is a first for OCPS FFA and the Colonial FFA was highlighted on the Channel 6 news. Please take moment to click on the link below to view the airing and sharing of this great accomplishment:
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Colonial High School’s AgriScience program just received a huge honor from the National Future Farmers of America after being awarded the Model of Excellence Award. That places the program in the top 0.1% of programs nationwide. This award represents the top 10 FFA chapters in the country and is, obviously, a fantastic honor (there are over 8,700 FFA chapters in the nation).
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Athena Soto, Class of 2021, is our FFA chapter's reporter. She has also been raising three animals alone of which two goats are pregnant. The goal is to ultimately compete in the 2021 Florida State Fair.
Colonial's AgriScience program is something that can benefit all students - not just those interested in animal science - as one of the driving forces is to educate our Grenadiers about US agriculture and where our food comes from while wrapped around a powerful curriculum that the students enjoy.
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Fox 35 also turned out to spotlight our Grenadiers!! |
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Ms. Paioff explains that Colonial provides real, hands-on animal experiences. CHS is in the top 0.1% of all programs around the United States now and Ms. Paioff credits the students for the program's incredible success. Colonial's program offers scholarships, leadership training, and student development among other benefits. |
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Jaime LaPage (Class of 2021) has a goat she enters in competitions. After graduation she will pursue studies in animal education. Note - Jamie was also featured just above as one of our college acceptance spotlight students. Michigan State University, one of the schools that accepted her, has a top agriculture program.
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Jessalyn Baillet checks on her steer, Duncan, twice a day including weekends. When she got Duncan early last August he weighed 600 pounds, now he is up to 1,010 pounds. She plans to study agriculture education and become a teacher like Ms. Paioff. |
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Agriculture Education and FFA ... students may one day outgrow the FFA jacket, but they will never outgrow the experience!
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OCPS Top Talent - Application Deadline is Friday |
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Top Talent is a showcase of student talent in the performing and visual arts! Applications need to be in by Feb. 19th.
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Grenadier Students and Parents:
We know this has been a most unusual year for all of us. Colonial High School would greatly appreciate your feedback. How are we doing?
Please take 5 minutes to complete the CHS Parent Survey: Spring 2021. The results of this annual survey are used by school leadership, School Advisory Council, and PTSA to make positive changes to our school systems and our school culture. We value your input! Tell us what is working for your student and family, and tell us improvements we could make to enhance your educational experience. Data is collected anonymously.
Please click on this link for the survey:
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Algebra 1 EOC (DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS FEB. 17) - Click here
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Valencia College Dual Enrollment |
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Valencia College Dual Enrollment (VCDE) is an opportunity for students to earn FREE COLLEGE CREDIT. The window for VCDE is open from February 1 to March 1, 2021.
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In order to qualify student must:
* Have a 3.0 GPA or higher.
* Be responsible and self-motivated.
* Apply early! Deadline is March 1.
* Have college ready test scores at Valencia the Valencia Assessment office by April 5 at noon.
- Student can take the PERT at Valencia
- SAT and ACT test scores must be sent to Valencia by the testing organization.
APPLY EARLY! Click on the icon below for more information.
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Given their head start, nearly 2 in 3 U.S. high school students enrolled in dual enrollment programs tend to earn a college degree or other advanced certification within five years following high school graduation: |
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Source: The Wall Street Journal- "The Benefits of Starting College Early—in High School" (Dual-enrollment programs are expanding to a younger and more diverse group of students); read full article
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Scholarships with fast approaching deadlines . . . |
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30 hrs community service & at least 2.75 GPA
Deadline 2/16/21
3.0 weighted GPA
Applications Accepted to 2/19/21
Undocumented Youth - DREAMers who have DACA, TMS or arrived in US before 11-1-15
Deadline 2/25/21
Winners receive 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation
Deadline 2/26/21, 5pm
$1,500
250 word essay on "simple things in life that
make a difference"
Deadline 2/28/21
$10,000
Must be member of Addition Financial Credit Union
3.0 GPA
Deadline 2/28/21
Student must be sponsored by member of range & plan on majoring in range science
Deadline 3/1/21
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REMINDER! Hispanic Scholarship Fund |
Invitation to register You’re invited to join Colonial High School at the upcoming virtual College 101, hosted by the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. This is a FREE, bilingual, webinar held on weekday evenings in various time zones for students in 6th – 12th grade and their parents, where you will receive valuable information about how to prepare, plan, and pay for a college education!
You can choose to receive information in either English or Spanish, and people of all ethnicities and backgrounds are encouraged to attend. This event is FREE and open to the public; however, space is limited. Registration will close once capacity has been reached. Secure your ticket by registering today!
Upcoming Events
- Wednesday, February 24, 2021 – HSF College 101 – Central/Mountain Time Zone
- Wednesday, March 10, 2021 – HSF College 101 – Eastern/Atlantic Time Zone
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Important Links (updated regularly) |
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Virtual College Fairs
Scholarship Opportunities
Financial Aid
College Application Platforms
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Students - speak up using the link on your Grenadier Gate Canvas page. |
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Herff Jones graduation links and information:
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Monday's Motivational Moment! |
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President's Day is unique among American holidays in providing the opportunity to remember and appreciate why George Washington and Abraham Lincoln — whose birthdays fall in February — were the two greatest U.S. presidents.
While Washington was the founding father of the United States, Lincoln would later save the nation from division and collapse — bringing an end to the Civil War and the scourge of slavery. In short, Lincoln saved the republic that Washington made possible.
Inspirational quotes at President's Day 2021 by both presidents for our Grenadiers:
Washington On Companionship
It is better to be alone than in bad company.
~ George Washington, 1st U.S. president
Washington On Persistence
Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.
~ George Washington, 1st U.S. president
Abraham Lincoln On Lies
No man has a good enough memory to be a successful liar.
~ Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president
Lincoln On Taking Action
The best way to predict the future is to create it.
~ Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. president
Happy President's Day Grenadiers!
Dr. Maestre, Principal
Colonial High Schcool
Monday, February 15, 2021
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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. |
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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 Ms. Mary Vetter (assistant principal) at mary.vetter@ocps.net with any questions.
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