Monday, November 13, 2023
Colonial High School
CHS Community Member
In last week's edition, I mentioned the importance of our monthly School Advisory Council or 'SAC' meetings. Thank you to those who attended the November meeting. This week another opportunity lies ahead for our families: OCPS Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Maria Vazquez, will be holding one of her Town Hall meetings for 1 hour here on our main campus. This is an excellent opportunity for members of our Colonial community to pose direct questions of Dr. Vazquez on school-related topics. If you can invest the 1 hour Wednesday, it would be time well spent plus I know she greatly enjoys meeting members of the school community face-to-face whenever possible. 

This is our last week before the Thanksgiving break (Nov. 20-24). I hope all of our Grenadiers will put forth their best effort each day as we are still in the middle of the second quarter. I know everyone has been working very hard, but each instructional day builds off the one before it, so please do not ease off until that last bell on Friday.

Finally, in case you were not aware, Veterans Day was this past Saturday, November 11. This Veterans Day, Colonial High School thanks every Soldier, Sailor, Marine, Airman and Coast Guardsman to remember those who are serving far away from family and friends this Thanksgiving. Without their service and sacrifice, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to cherish our many freedoms for the extraordinary gifts they are.

Thank you very much for reading. 

It's Great To Be A Grenadier!

Betzabeth Reussow
Principal
Colonial High School

Pictured very top: Cheer just took 1st place in competition for one of their routines. Please see their success story below.
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
Upcoming Events
Monday, Nov. 13:
  • Military Monday in recognition of Veterans Day on November 11th
Tuesday, Nov. 14:
  • Boys Soccer vs. Lake Nona (Double Header)

Wednesday, Nov. 15:
  • Girls Soccer vs. Apopka - HOME
  • Girls Weightlifting at Timber Creek
  • Superintendent's Town Hall Meeting at Colonial
Friday, Nov. 17:
  • FUN FRIDAY!
November 20 - November 24:
  • Thanksgiving Break
Special Veterans Day Message
A message to all U.S. Veterans from a Colonial High School Air Force JROTC cadet at Veterans Day '23:
Esteemed Veterans, 

Today I am taking maybe only 10 minutes of my time to write you this letter, which is nothing compared to all the time, dedication, effort and love that you have given to this country.

First, I want to present my admiration. I know that for most Veterans, having served for their country is an honor and that is something to admire.

At this moment, I want to speak to you not only as a citizen grateful for your service but also as a developing cadet. Life in the military can be difficult and hard but if you are reading this letter, it is because you made it.

Veterans are role models to cadets like me who also want to defend our country and have an impact; creating good change for this world.

I would also like to present my gratitude. It’s not much, but the time and dedication you gave serving in the military gave me and my family Freedom.

I may not know what you experienced in your years of service, or how you got to where you are at this moment but I do know that I am not the only one grateful to all of you, nor am I the only one who admires you for your work and neither am I the only one who sees you as an example to follow.

This is just a letter, but I leave you with a reminder;

It still continues to impact young people like Me.

Thank you for your Service.

​​​​​​​​​With Honor,

​​​​​​​​​Cadet Aviles Ramos
November 10th, 2023
Colonial High School
FL-861, AFJROTC
Grenadier Spotlight
Cheer earns 1st place for their routine!
Congratulations to our competition cheerleading team for winning 1st place two weekends ago for their Game Day routine! We are so proud of you all!

Also a big thank you to Coach Salmon and her assistant coaches, who not only coached their team to a victory, but also hosted the competition here at CHS!
Orchestra
Our Orchestra students had the opportunity to perform for WKMG’s annual Holiday Showcase! Check our students out on the television Christmas Day!
Future Teachers
Mrs. Reussow welcomed future UCF interns to Colonial High School last week. OCPS has a partnership with UCF to place interns in local schools. Many times students who intern with OCPS remain in-county when applying for jobs. This supports our teacher pipeline for the future.
OCPS News
Weekly Superintendent's Message (Magnet Programs)
It's magnet program application time! Superintendent Vazquez sits down with Bri MacNaught to talk about programs such as Agriscience, criminal justice, law and finance, digital gaming, international studies, medical careers and first responder training.
OCPS Communications Officer on Campus
Thank you to Scott Howat, Orange County Public Schools Chief Communications Officer for coming out to visit Colonial High School! We appreciate your support with morning supervision and your hands-on approach!
This Week's Motivational Moment!
WISDOM TO LIVE BY (Veterans Day was Saturday, Nov. 11)
Powell On Leading By Example
The most important thing I learned is that soldiers watch what their leaders do. You can give them classes and lecture them forever, but it is your personal example they will follow.
~ Colin Powell, U.S. Army general

Hyman Rickover On Errors
It is necessary to learn from others' mistakes. You will not live long enough to make them all yourself.
~ Hyman Rickover, U.S. Navy admiral  

Patton On Reliance
Don't measure a man's success by how high he climbs, but by how high he bounces when he hits bottom.
~ George Patton, U.S. Army general

Douglas MacArthur On Perseverance
Age wrinkles the body. Quitting wrinkles the soul.
~ Douglas MacArthur, U.S. Army general

Grace Hopper On Setting An Example
You manage things; you lead people.
~ Grace Hopper, U.S. Navy admiral
Florida flag
IT'S GREAT TO BE A GRENADIER!
Mrs. Reussow, Principal
Colonial High School
Sunday, November 12, 2023
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Leadership Team
Principal: Ms. Betzabeth Reussow betzabeth.reussow@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Dr. Tayler Boyer tayler.bray@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Mr. Daniel Caliari
Assistant Principal: Mr. Paul Maldonado paul.maldonado@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Mr. Donell Morrell donell.morrell@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Ms. Krystin Roviaro krystin.roviaro@ocps.net
Assistant Principal: Ms. Janeika Sweet janeika.sweet@ocps.net
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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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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.