Monday, April 22, 2024
Knights Find A Way!
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Ocoee Community Member
This is Teacher Appreciation Week at Ocoee High School. With so many special events and spring testing, we moved the week forward into April this year to make sure our faculty enjoyed the spotlight they deserve.
This week is the time to to express a little appreciation to our fiercely dedicated Ocoee educators who arrive early each school day to shape the students of today into the leaders of tomorrow. I can tell you that our honorable teachers put in many hours well beyond the typical school day to make sure that once the class bell rings, our Knights are receiving a high quality education. On top of their primary function, many also serve as coaches, sponsors, mentors, PTSA and SAC members, volunteers and role models. I share this because everyone of our Knights will have one or more teachers during their high school experience at Ocoee who they will remember for the rest of their lives.
I ask a favor of our students and families this week. If in your opinion, there is a teacher, counselor, staff member, coach, or someone on the OHS leadership team that has made a difference—gone that extra mile—kindly take a moment to thank them personally or by email. And please remember this point: "It's not what the teacher teaches, it's who the teacher is." Ahead of the content of whatever class our students are in, Ocoee teachers first care about their students' success. This is who they are and why they are in the profession.
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*** Special Knight Recognition ***
Pictured at the top of this issue from left to right and just below: Dean Anderson, Dr. Karcinski, and Mr. Martinez (Executive Director - OCPS High Schools).
As most of you are probably aware, there was a fire in the boys restroom in the 552 hallway this past Wednesday. What you may not know is that while students and staff were quickly evacuating the building, Dean Anderson was in the smoke-filled hallway and ran toward the smoke and fire, entered the bathroom, exited to get a fire extinguisher, and went back into the bathroom that was on fire to put it out. We want to publicly acknowledge him for his quick thinking and bravery.
Thank you Dean Anderson!
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Senior CFE Bell Schedule
On Tuesday we continue with Senior CFEs only for seniors that have a course that doesn’t have a state exam. Students will test with that teacher for the course that has a CFE.
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I think you will reading about some of our latest Knight successes and news. Thank you again for remembering our teachers and staff this week.
Knights Find A Way!
Dr. Karcinski
Principal
Ocoee High School
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Knight Spotlight
This is Teacher Appreciation Week!
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This year we are celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week early. Thank you to all of our Partners in Education for recognizing and acknowledging the hard work and dedication of our teachers.
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Thank you to FireFly Yoga https://www.fireflyyogacompany.com/ for coming out last week after school to provide a free yoga session for our staff. The time spent left staff feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.
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Senior Spotlight
Grad Bash '24 Highlights
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As our Seniors ventured through Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure on Friday night, Dr. K challenged our Knights to try to find her in the park and grab a picture! |
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Weekly Superintendent's Message
Monday, April 22, 2024
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OCPS Sustainability Efforts: |
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Happy Earth Day, OCPS!
On this week's Mondays with Maria presented by Addition Financial, Superintendent Maria Vazquez talks about the wide range of sustainability efforts happening in our schools.
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All students: Any student with below a 2.0 cumulative grade point average at the end of the year will need to attend summer school at Ocoee High School. Please keep in mind that transportation is not provided. Students who need to attend summer school will be notified in the coming weeks via their counselor or mentor. Letters will also be mailed home and a Connect Orange phone call and email sent to the parent/guardian of all students needing to attend summer school.
Rising Seniors who have not met their concordant score to graduate by the end of their Junior year will need to attend our ACT Camp. There will be two testing opportunities provided over the summer that you will need to attend to meet your concordant score.
* Summer School Dates and Times: June 3rd-June 27th, 7:30am-12:30pm
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Instructional Highlight
Mathematics with Ms. Bellinger
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Ms. Bellinger’s class is in full review mode for their May 9th End-of-Course Exam. Students are working collaboratively to complete practice problems on reflections, translations, dilations, and rotations and as Ms. Bellinger circulates the room, answers questions, and checks their work. Once students can show the correct answer, they get their next challenge question. |
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2023-2024 Senior Calendar: |
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This week in Knight sports: |
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Baseball and Softball Senior Knight: |
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Seniors Alex Martinez, Brandon Smith, Caleb Eason, Samara Singh, Xander Zwally, Max Lucien, and Bayleigh Castle celebrated their Senior Night on the field this past week! |
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Manager Bayleigh will be attending University of North Florida where she will pursue a degree in sports marketing. |
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Caleb will be attending Seminole State College where he will pursue a degree in psychology. |
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Xander will be attending Ursinus College where he will pursue a degree in biology and continue his baseball career. |
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Sammy will be attending Florida Memorial University where she will pursue a degree in criminal justice and continue her softball career. |
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Max will be attending Bob Jones University where he will pursue a degree in Cyber Security and continue his baseball career. |
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Brandon will be attending Seminole State College where he will pursue a degree in biology. |
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Alex will be attending Brewton-Parker College where he will pursue a degree in sports health and science and continue his baseball career. |
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Congratulations to Toni Lim who has been named a Gates Scholar for the Class of 2024! This is one of the most competitive and prestigious scholarships in the country - out of over 53,000 applicants, Toni was one of 750 selected! |
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Congratulations to Diego Mosqueda-Sandoval and Kishen Sukhu! These young men were awarded $2,000 each from the Retired Educators Foundation of Orange County! |
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Ocoee's Six Coite and Mildred Hill Scholarship Recipients
Each year, the Coite and Mildred Hill Scholarship fund awards $2,000 scholarships to students from Orange County who plan to attend either the University of Florida or Florida State University. This year, 6 of the 18 recipients were Ocoee Knights!!
Big congratulations to Evensia Chery, Diego Mosqueda-Sandoval, Toni Lim, Erlensky Regis, Karla Soto, and Reniyiah Bryan!
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Seniors! National Decision Day is coming up soon!
In order to receive an invitation to the Ocoee HS Decision Day event, which celebrates all students (not just athletes) committing to a college, technical college or military branch, you must complete the form in the link below and show proof of acceptance. There is an option to upload your proof of acceptance in the form or you can email it to erin.wolfgramm@ocps.net or bring it to the College and Career Center. If we don’t have proof of the acceptance, you will not receive an invite to participate. If you’ve already shown proof - you won’t need to send it again.
We need to have your response by April 24th. If you aren’t 100% sure where you will attend, you can choose a school you have been accepted to – this doesn’t tie you to a school.
Athletes who have already signed with their school at an athletic signing are still encouraged to join their friends and participate in this event.
Again, invitations will only go to those who completed the form and have proof of acceptance on file with us. If you have any questions, feel free to ask!
Can’t wait to celebrate you!
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Seniors! Your 2024-2025 FAFSA should be submitted.
Schools began to receive student FAFSA information mid-March and then started processing the applications for financial aid.
*** The FAFSA BBQ is coming up on May 2nd. If your FAFSA is not fully processed by April 24th and proof emailed to Mrs. Wolfgramm or seen in the CCC, you will not receive an invite. Mr. Hendricks is cooking and believe us - you DON'T want to miss it! ***
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Seniors - time to submit your Senior Survey! Take this 15 question survey through Xello in LaunchPad. |
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There are MANY scholarships still available. We are constantly adding new opportunities to the Scholarship Spreadsheet. Please take advantage and APPLY! |
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Horatio Alger CTE Scholarship: |
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Horatio Alger CTE Scholarship: up to $2,500 per student headed into a Post-Secondary CTE program this Fall. 500 students will be awarded nationwide.
1. Open now until June 15, 2024, for citizens ages 18-35, entering a Certification or Technical program, that is 2 years or less. (NOT for a 4-year degree.)
2. Students can download their FAFSA Submission Summary PDF or scan a copy of their 2022 tax return, and they are ready to apply. (Income of $65,000 or less.)
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FFA Update
Four new Knight FFA success stories!
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Our FFA chapter was recognized as one of three chapters in Orange County to be named as one of Florida's Finest. In October we will be recognized as a National Chapter at the National FFA Convention. |
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As another success story, Dakota Keller was named a Top 4 Finalist in the State with her Proficiency in Goat Production! We are so proud to see her recognized at this year's state convention. |
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Our Aquaculture Team also competed in State Aquaculture and placed 6th in the state. Payton Grant finished as the #2 individual in the state which is a huge accomplishment! Pictured above: Payton Grant, Colton Glover, and Michael Roberts. |
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Final Parent Academy Conference
of 2023-2024
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1) Today is Earth Day and this year's theme is "Planet vs. Plastics." Worldwide plastic disposal tonnage by method: |
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (just released this past week for 2023) Access data
Footnote for our Knights: Once per year about this time, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics releases their annual findings for median weekly earnings and monthly unemployment rates by level of education. While the data will change slightly year-to-year, the pattern you see above does not. This holds true even during economic recessions. Overall, those with more education earn higher paychecks and have less chance of being out of work. Of course, individually this can be affected by industry, where you live, the financial condition of the organization you work for, your time on the job, quality of your work, and other factors, but in the U.S., this pattern generally holds true for the population—the odds of economic success rise with greater education.
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3) KNIGHT WISDOM TO LIVE BY |
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Arthur Ashe On Worth
From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.
~ Arthur Ashe, tennis legend
Leonardo DiCaprio On Personal Accountability
Only you alone can change your situation.
~ Leonardo DiCaprio, actor
Martina Navratilova On Respect
Labels are for filing. Labels are for clothing. Labels are not for people.
~ Martina Navratilova, tennis player
Brad Stevens On Self-Improvement
When you compete against everyone else, no one wants to help you. But when you compete against yourself, everyone wants to help you.
~ Brad Stevens, NBA executive
Gail Koziara Boudreaux On Pressure
I'm a big fan of Billie Jean King and believe deeply in her quote, 'Pressure is a privilege.' Pressure is an opportunity to make a difference.
~ Gail Koziara Boudreaux, CEO, Elevance Health
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Knights Find A Way!
Dr. Karcinski, Principal
Ocoee High School
Monday, April 22, ,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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