Monday, August 9, 2021
Colonial High School
CHS Community Member,
On Tuesday, August 10th we will welcome back all of our Grenadiers to what I know is going to be a very exciting and successful school year! As you will see below, our teachers have already been back on campus for a full week preparing and getting their classrooms ready for when the students return tomorrow morning.

In this issue we have included material that will be helpful to both our new and returning families. This includes Superintendent Jenkins' Friday, August 6th announcement requiring students to wear face masks unless their parents opt out beginning with the first day of classes.

I need to keep my remarks brief here as this is an extended issue. On behalf of the entire Colonial High School leadership team, welcome back students, families, teachers, staff, and community partners to what is certain to be a fantastic school year!

Dr. Maestre
Principal

Pictured very top: Welcome to all Grenadiers to the 21-22 School Year! Our band ushered in parents and students as they marched back to school Friday night.
Florida flag
Useful Links
Connect with CHS
Main Campus:
6100 Oleander Drive
Orlando, FL 32807
(407) 482-6300

Freshman Campus:
7775 Valencia Collage Lane
Orlando, FL 32807
(407) 249-6369
Face Mask Policy Announcement
Are masks mandatory or optional in Orange County Public Schools?
School Board Policy EBBA makes face coverings optional for the 2021-22 school year, however, under the delegated authority granted to Superintendent Jenkins in that policy, face masks are now mandatory for all OCPS students and employees.

Out of an abundance of caution for the safety of students and employees, and after consultation with health experts and school board members, Dr. Jenkins implemented required face masks for all students unless the parent chooses to opt out of the requirement. Opting out means sending a simple note with your child on the first day of school such as “I am opting out of the face mask requirement for (child’s name)” with your signature. The student may give the note to the teacher. This mandate is effective for 30 days, beginning Tuesday, August 10th.

All visitors entering buildings, including volunteers, vendors, parents and guardians will also be required to wear a mask. This extra layer of mitigation will provide some protection to employees and students as we continue to monitor community trends in consultation with medical experts.

We will continue to monitor the situation with our local experts and make a determination about how to proceed before the 30 days have expired.

To read the new state face mask rule, click here.
Bell Schedules
Schedule Change Requests
Final schedules will be ready on Monday, August 9th.
OCPS Reminders . . .
2021-2022 Calendar:
Skyward Access Instructions:
Find Your Bus:
Community Connect:
The OCPS Student Services Department has collaborated with Aunt Bertha to create a customized search engine to help staff, families and the community better navigate needed social services and resources. The information on the site can be translated into more than 100 languages.

This site has been created to link families with needed existing local resources. You can search for free or reduced cost programs such as food, housing, mental health, education programs, and other social services provided directly by Community Based Organizations.

Colonial families can access this resource at the following address: www.communityconnect.ocps.net
Grenadier Athletics
Physicals
Athletic Physicals are required for participation in any of our sports. The clearance process takes place entirely online. Starting with the 2021-2022 school year, all athletes are required to have an ECG as a part of their physical. The form needed for the ECG can be found here: ECG Form 2021-22. The form needed for the physical is here: EL2

To start the clearance process, go to AthleticClearance.com and click on register. The system will walk you through all of the steps necessary to complete the process. There is also a video and step by step guide below. All physical forms can be downloaded from the Athletic Clearance website and will be uploaded into an account created for each student. If you have multiple students, you will be able to register them under the same account.
SGA Corner
2021-2022 Student Council
Congratulations to the following Grenadiers. We are looking forward to their leadership this school year!
Grenadiers Marching Back Highlights
Ms. Dorries, Assistant Principal at our 9th Grade Center with our Mascot.
Our fantastic cheerleaders created excitement and fun for parents and students as they arrived.
SGA Members worked throughout the school to guide and inform our guests.
Mrs. Alford, our 9th Grade Center Instructional Coach, guiding students on accessing their schedules. All schedules can be found on Skyward.
Students at our Grenadier photo spot commemorating their new year.
Staff was on hand to guide parents through Skyward Family Access.
Ms. Havrilesko energetically worked to help solve technology issues.
Mr. Stowell, one of our deans, helping parents find information for the new school year.
Mr. Witham, our College and Career Specialist, greeting our students and helping them with their future plans.
Ms. Algarin, our SAFE coordinator, ensured that parents and students knew how important their social and emotional aspects as high schoolers is to all of us at Colonial High School.
Students were able to get their IDs throughout the night.
Club and Activity Tables:
Local Business Support:
Addition Financial Credit Union was also on hand for our families.
Thank you to all of our Partners in Education!
Thank you to each of our Partners in Education who have supported us during this last school year and to our new Partners! We are so excited to work together in support of our students and the larger Colonial community. Your help is greatly appreciated!
Magnet Program Spotlight
Colonial's Magnet Program Options
Colonial High School offers three magnets - Veterinary Animal Sciences, Information Technology, and the Cambridge magnet. Students must apply to one program and follow it’s curriculum but students are able to take the courses of the other magnets if it fits in their schedule. Over the next three weeks we will spotlight one magnet program for our community.
Veterinary Animal Sciences Magnet Program
The Veterinary Sciences Magnet encourages our students to be active members of the various clubs and organizations offered at Colonial High School and work with students in accommodating their schedules. At the completion of the program, each student will have extensive knowledge of a wide breadth of animal sciences curriculum (please refer to the Magnet Parent/Student Curriculum Guide for details.)

Beyond the classroom, students are eligible to compete in county, district, state, and even national agriculture related competitions building competence, personal skills, and enhancing their resumes for competitive admission to post-secondary schooling. Not only will you participate in one of a kind competitions, but it is also a lot of fun.

In Colonial Vet Sciences, students explore the vast breadth of career opportunities working in animal sciences and receive assistance in setting educational and occupational aspirations. Students also have the opportunity to earn adult level industry certifications.
Welcome Back Teachers!
Pre-Planning Week '21
Teachers, excited to be back with all of our students, worked together to prepare for the school year throughout our annual pre-planning week. They had amazing discussions!
Meet a Few of Our Newest Grenadiers!
Robin Dakers - Instructional Coach
Ms. Dakers comes with a wealth of knowledge and experiences!
  • Prior job title - Resource Teacher-Orange Technical College; 9 years experience as Resource Teacher/Instructional Coach
  • Colleges attended - National Louis University (EdD, EdS), Nova Southeastern University (MS), Tuskegee University (BS), Orange Technical College (Clinical Medical Assistant), Orlando College (Pharmacy Technician)
  • Favorite aspect of my work - supporting teachers and building relationships.
  • Personal interests and hobbies - doctoral candidate for NLU, member of community service organization-Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc; American Sign Language Interpreter, and loves music.  
Johanna Diaz Millet (Ms. Diaz) - Biology Intervention Teacher
  • I am an Intervention Teacher (Biology) at Colonial High School, although I will begin the school year teaching Environmental Science until the position is filled.
  • I taught Biology at University High School during the 2019-2020 school year.
  • I attended Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (University of the Sacred Heart) in San Juan, Puerto Rico. My major was General Science.
  • I am a certified teacher in Florida (Subject Area Biology 6-12).
  • My favorite aspect of teaching is building relationships with my students, as well as seeing them enjoy an activity in the classroom.
  • During my free time, I enjoy spending time with my husband and 2 kids. We take them to playgrounds and Disney parks.
Ileanexis Rodríguez-Rivera - Attendance and Record Clerk
  • I’m an Attendance/Record Clerk at Colonial HS
  • I was Clerk at Lockhart MS & TA ESOL at PWCS, VA
  • I had a BBA Management/ minor degree HR
  • FL Notary Public
  • Health and Life Insurance Agent
  • Immigration Agent
  • My favorite hobbies are art craft, baker, cooker, biking.
  • I love to help people.
Mark Lemon - Administrative/Discipline Dean
  • Prior job before coming to Colonial/experience - Behavior Specialist at Lakemont Elementary/experience in elementary and middle school (Gen Ed & ESE)
  • College attended/professional certifications - University of Central Florida/Elementary Education, Exceptional Student Education, ESOL, and Educational Leadership
  • My favorite aspect of my work is helping students achieve their goals
  • I love golf, music, chess, and public speaking
Aaron Antoine - Chemistry Teacher
  • I graduated from UCF and enjoy Chess and various other board games and video games.
Virginia Gonzalez - World History
  • I have worked at College Park Middle School, ACE Middles School and Carver Middle school as a Social Studies teacher.
  • I earned my Bachelors in Psychology at UCF.
  • I absolutely love teaching History and fostering enriching learning environment for all students.
  • I love reading, going to the beach with my family, Zumba and playing with my two Dachshund (wiener) dogs.
  • I am so excited about this school year and the opportunity to become a Grenadier!
Frances Velez Collazo - 9th Grade AVID Teacher
  • I was a Middle School Spanish teacher and CTE Resource Teacher.
  • I attended University of Puerto Rico and University of Central Florida for Graduate School.
  • I love having the opportunity to help guide our students to make great choices for their future college and career endeavors.
  • I love traveling, spending time with my family, and working out.
Course Spotlight!
Did you know Colonial teaches Financial Literacy?
Financial education is more than dollars and cents. It’s about establishing better spending habits, instilling confidence, and equipping the next generation with the skills to pursue big financial goals with minimal risk.

Because of the importance of this education, Colonial High will be giving tips and facts to help our students and families.
Social and Emotional Corner
Social and emotional learning (SEL) is an integral part of education and human development. SEL is the process through which all young people and adults acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions and achieve personal and collective goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible and caring decisions.

SEL advances educational equity and excellence through authentic school-family-community partnerships to establish learning environments and experiences that feature trusting and collaborative relationships, rigorous and meaningful curriculum and instruction, and ongoing evaluation. SEL can help address various forms of inequity and empower young people and adults to co-create thriving schools and contribute to safe, healthy, and just communities.

Stay tuned for weekly supports!
Grenadiers Speak Up!
Students - speak up using the link on your Grenadier Gate Canvas page.
College and Career Updates
OCPS YouTube College & Career Videos
Digital College Planners for 2021-2022
Check-out this Digital Planner to help guide your College Decision-Making Process.

Open it and save it to your Google Drive so you can edit it and organize/save all of your information.
Testing Information
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.

ACT/SAT practice and more:
Orange Technical College
Community Services
1) Back to school sales tax break ends on Monday, Aug. 9th:
* During this period, shoppers can avoid paying sales taxes on clothes costing $60 or less, school supplies costing $15 or less and the first $1,000 of the price of personal computers. Source: Florida Dept. of Revenue
2) Consumer Financial Protection Bureau launches new rent assistance search tool:
Source: Spectrum News - Read full story
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Wednesday, July 28 introduced its new Rental Assistance Finder, a search tool* anyone can use to quickly access more than 700 emergency rental assistance programs local, state and tribal governments have launched nationwide.

*The search tool allows users to filter assistance programs by location to find help near them.

Monday's Motivational Moment!
Wisdom To Live By for Monday, August 9th
Theodore Roosevelt On Confidence
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
~ Theodore Roosevelt, 26th U.S. president

Kobi Yamada On Challenges
Every now and then, bite off more than you can chew.
~ Kobi Yamada, author

Mahatma Gandhi On Character
To believe in something and not live it is dishonest.
~ Mahatma Gandhi, statesman

Andrew Carnegie On Effort
There are two types of people who never achieve much in their lifetime. The person who won't do what he is told, and the person who does no more than he is told.
~ Andrew Carnegie, industrialist

IT'S GREAT TO BE A GRENADIER!
Dr. Maestre, Principal
Colonial High School
Monday, August 9, 2021
Social Media
Stay Connected with Us
Leadership Team
Principal: Dr. Hector Maestre Hector.Maestre@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Mr. Michael Cecere michael.cercere@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Ms. Rochelle Conyers rochelle.conyers@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Ms. Joann Dorries joanne.dorries@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Dr. Timothy Flynn timothy.flynn@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Dr. Mary Vetter mary.vetter@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Mr. Jonathan Zenzel jonathan.zenzel@ocps.net
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)
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. Mary Vetter (assistant principal) at mary.vetter@ocps.net with any questions.