Monday, May 16, 2022
Colonial High School
CHS Community Member,
This edition provides information for seniors regarding graduation, as well as recognition of students and programs throughout our two campuses.

Common Final Exams take place Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. These common final exams are 20% of the grade for each applicable class; please make sure your student is well-rested, laptops are charged and ready to go on Monday!

Make up exams will continue this week for Algebra 1, Geometry, Biology, US History and ELA 9 and ELA 10. Please check your email or contact your teacher for more information.

As another reminder, I ask that all of our Grenadiers make sure that their computers, chargers, and hotspots, along with any library or text books are turned in on schedule. The students are aware of these dates, but we don't want anyone to slip between the cracks as this will help them get off to a clean start next August.

Digital Device Return Schedule (through English classes):

● May 19th and 20: 11th grade
● May 23rd: 11th and 10th grade
● May 24th and 25th: 10th grade

There will be no after school tutoring as of May 12, 2022. Please note there is no longer transportation for after school activities.

Thank you for reading.

Dr. Maestre

Pictured just above: Dr. Maestre waves goodbye to our class of 2022 one last time!
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
Graduation Information
*** GRADUATION INSTRUCTIONS for Seniors ***
o Graduation is on May 18th at 7:30 pm at the Amway Center. Students need to arrive between 6:00 pm thru 6:15 pm.
o Parking is free. You will park in the Geico Garage.
o You will be checking in at loading dock 1 across from the Geico Parking garage.
o You are not allowed to be dropped off in the loading dock. There will be security stationed there in order to prevent this from happening.
o YOU WILL BE SEARCHED BY AMWAY SECURITY AND SCANNED BY METAL DETECTORS!! Absolutely NO PHONES. You will not be allowed to enter with them. No air horns, flowers, balloons, outside food or beverages or any other electronics …YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY.
o When each student arrives he/she will be check in at the table with their Guidance counselors. Each student will be receiving a line-up card.
o On your card you will see your name and a line-up number. This is how you will line up for the processional.
o After you receive your card you need to look for your alpha. You will either line up in the Magic Hallway or Dressing Room Hallway. There will be signs indicating where to go.
o Posters will be placed throughout the hallway with the student’s alpha distribution. There will be a line-leader in charge of lining up alpha groups.
o After you’re in line, please stay in the correct order and stay against the wall. DO NOT BLOCK THE AISLE
o Your line leader will tell you when it is time to begin the processional.
o There will also be someone checking cards at the door as the students are exiting to the processional. Have these out.
o When you come up to the stage you must have your card. You must have this to walk across the stage.
o Graduates with an uncommon names are asked to tell the reader the correct pronunciation when approaching the stage.
o Please be prepared to answer the question “what is your plan after graduation?” The stage guests will be asking you this when they shake your hand as you walk across the stage.
o Do not put anything on your hats or bibs, if you do so these will be confiscated. You cannot write on them.
o You will exit the arena through the Magic Hall. Parents/guests will meet the graduates on Division Ave and Church St.
o All other guests attending graduation must pay for parking. The parking fee is $10.
o All doors will open for parents and guests one hour prior to graduation.
o Guests do not need tickets to attend graduation.

*** IMPORTANT POINTS DURING PRACTICE ***
o Park in the Geico Garage. You will not have to pay to park.
o You must attend practice in order to be familiar with the procedures and process of the graduation ceremony.
o Graduation practice is May 17th, at 2:00 pm. You need to start arrive at 1:30 pm at the Amway center
o If your name is not correct on the card, please write any of the necessary changes on your card and give them to Ms. Witham, so they can be fixed before the actual ceremony.
Parking Map: Parking is free in the designated parking areas below.

Link for Graduation Livestream: https://youtu.be/wr4g6fP3Emk

Do you want your own copy of the graduation ceremony?

Valencia College Enrollment
Parent Academy at Edgewater High School: Special Session for Valencia Enrollment Process (May 21)
Senior Signing Day
Our seniors celebrated commitments to their college, university, vocation or military branch on May 11, 2022, their last day of school. We will miss our Class of 2022, but we are so very proud of their accomplishments and future plans.
Senior Drive-Thru
Arts Program
One of our talented Grenadiers, Airel Wills (12th grade), was recognized at the OUC Awards Ceremony (May 4th) for her winning rain barrel design to be featured in their annual calendar. Congratulations Ariel!
Ariel Wills (Class of 2022) with Mayor Buddy Dyer, Jessica Chidester (art teacher), and OCPS School Board Member Joanna Lopez.
Chorus Program
FFA Program
Earth Appreciation Week
Our FFA program sponsored a “Plant a Seed Day” during lunches during Earth Appreciation Week!
Colonial FFA a 2022 Agriculture Advocacy Award finalist!
Special Recognition
ESOL students
Mrs. Armenteros and Mrs. Fernandez celebrated our ESOL students with a special awards night this week, recognizing the academic accomplishments of these hardworking students. A huge thank you to School Board Member Johanna Lopez for stopping by to celebrate and recognize these students with us.
Staff Spotlight
Colonial's School Resource Officers from the OCSO
SRO Dishuk and SRO Lappas are our Grenadier School Resource Officers on main campus. SRO Chaddick serves on freshman campus. Each of our law enforcement support personnel are members of our School Emergency Response Team. Every day, these first responders can be seen talking with students and encouraging them to make the right decisions.
Summer 2022
Valencia College Summer Math Academy:
Orange County Virtual School:
College and Career
June 2022 SAT & ACT registration:
■ SAT Test Date- June 4, 2022
Late registration deadline is May 25, 2022
Website for registration: https://www.collegeboard.org/

■ ACT Test Date- June 11, 2022
Late registration deadline is May 20, 2022
Website for registration: https://www.act.org/

To register, follow the links above and create a account on the website. 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.
Resume assistance from the OCLS:
The Orange County Library System has a number of resources available for FREE to help with job searches and resume building beneficial to both OCPS students & parents. One example is their "Brainfuse" resume review service which assists with "writing a winning resume" at no cost and is available 24 hours. You can also use their "Book a Pro" service to get help from a librarian for 30 minutes at a time, also at no cost. All that is needed is a library card number or school ID (no charge for Orange County residents). 

Screenshot of available career services (click here for more information):
Two books of possible help to students and parents currently available from the Orange County Library System.

* Visit the OCLS website for more information, to get assistance, or to get a library card.
Colonial Parents
Parent Academy
We are pleased to announce that we will have our next Parent Academy:  

"Together Towards Tomorrow"
on
Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 9am to 1pm.

This event will be in person and we are asking all parents to register! It is very important that you sign up for at least one Parent Academy during the year, and this will be the last one for this school year!

The event will focus on learning about educational resources, programs, and enrichment opportunities to keep your child engaged during the summer months.

There will be up to 5 sessions that will be offered in Spanish only.

Registration includes:
· FREE Admission
· FREE Exhibit Hall
· FREE Book for each child attending the event
· FREE Morning Snack and Lunch
· FREE Tote Bag for each adult
· FREE Youth Academy (childcare) for ages 4-13

Speak Up Grenadiers!
It's Great To Be A Grenadier!
Dr. Maestre, Principal
Colonial High School
Sunday, May 15, 2022
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.
Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)

Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"