Olympia High Community Brief 
 
September 28, 2016

Florida flag

Pictured top:
Class of 2017 group shot. Please see the section below pertaining to upcoming Senior events. 
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Olympia High School
    
 
Last week was a whirlwind of activity for Homecoming. The event was rather early in the school year this time around and I think it turned out to be quite a positive change. The excitement and controlled chaos of homecoming week put the exclamation point on the energetic start to this school year. But underneath all of the fun and excitement was serious learning and growing. Walking around campus from class to class I see students collaborating, learning, leading, and helping each other. This is wonderful to see.  Your student is in good hands at our school.

Olympia's 'Open House' will be this Thursday, September 29th from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. It is a great opportunity to see the campus and visit your student's classrooms.

Sincerely,

Guy Swenson
Principal

Note:
If you no longer attend or have a student attending OHS and do not want to read our updates, you may opt out at the very top of this issue. However, if you do so, your email will be permanently removed from the system as a security step. We hope you will continue.
Vital Signs

Classroom Spotlight!   
Madame Sheila Mansier, Olympia High School French Teacher
 

Students enjoying their weather report delivered in French which was based on prevailing conditions from various French speaking nations found throughout the world

Learning Goals:
- To become aware of French-speaking countries and where they are located
-To acquire additional vocabulary and expressions in French pertaining to weather conditions
-To apply the rules of grammar relating to the use of articles with countries and continents and how they (sometimes) combine with prepositions to form mandatory contractions
-To work collaboratively with peers using and sharing a variety of Google products and tools
-To present the weather in French in front of an audience
 
Mme. Sheila Mansier
My French students are becoming aware of world geography and of the number of French speaking countries in all parts of the world, (called Francophonia), and they are learning to apply specific grammatical concepts and expressions (like how to use prepositions and contractions in geographical expressions) while performing in a presentational speaking task in French, a weather report. Students researched the location of their country and looked up the weather forecast, which required them to use the metric system to report temperatures in Celsius. They then worked collaboratively on the creation of a GoogleSlides presentation which they used as a backdrop for their weather reports.
 
First, we reviewed and expanded upon the weather expressions they learned in French I, then I taught them how to recognize the gender (masculine or feminine) of countries and how French requires them to use the definite article 'the' with countries and continents. I added more new content to what they already knew - directional expressions like to the north, in the mountains, or in the capitol, which requires the students to make contractions in French. Then, I assigned one of 30 countries located in a specific part of the French-speaking world to each student, and I grouped them together according to where their countries are located so that they could collaborate and share their presentation. This grouping strategy allowed the students to work with a team of their peers which always makes the task somewhat easier for shy students when it is time to perform in front of the class.

I love doing these projects with my students because when I look around the room when we are performing, they are all smiling and they seem to be having a good time in class.





A Walk Around Campus . . . Titan Happenings!  


Students listening to a presentation in Jean Adams' math class


Encouragement and positive messages displayed around the campus


The new look of a student's desk in the era of digital learning


For this Social Studies' lesson, Mr. Monczka utilized a slightly modified Harkness style in his classroom. For more information on the Harkness philosophy Click Here



Digital collaboration in action!


'Live Life Beautifully' display courtesy of our talented digital photography students!

Homecoming Week Highlights 

Enjoy some pictorial highlights from Homecoming Week. Special thanks to the students of Michael Cacciatore and Sandy Zaccagnini for the great photographs of the week's events.

Monday: Pajama Day




 Tuesday: Tacky Tourist Day
   



Wednesday: Splash Your Class Color




Thursday: Twin Day




Friday: Titan Spirit Day








Homecoming Game Highlights  

Friday: Parade and Football Game


A banner parade kicked off the football game festivities


School mascot, 'Tiberius,' and Principal Swenson join the parade

OHS marching band about to enter the
football field


The band kept the spirits high as they performed in the stands

Presentation of the Colors

The Titans are ready to take the field!


Game on!

The team kept the crowd on their feet as they played to victory!

Half-time crowning of King Miguel Perez & Queen Cameran Gordon with Principal Swenson


Saturday night Homecoming dance at the Hard Rock Live

Attention Class of 2017! 

SENIOR PARENT EMAIL LIST
All seniors parents should also email [email protected] to be added to the Senior Parent email list to stay connected and informed throughout the school year.

SENIOR PICTURES:
  • Dean Stewart Photography is the school's yearbook photographer.
  • Senior pictures must be taken by DSP to be included in the yearbook and on the Jumbotron at graduation.
  • There is no cost to take a senior picture.
  • The deadline is: Monday, November 21, 2016.
  • You will not be included in the senior section if you miss the deadline.
  • Visit https://www.dsp-photo.com to make an appointment.
  • DSP provides the yearbook with the pictures. You don't have to do anything except make an appointment and have your picture taken by November 21, 2016.
  • The deadline will not be extended.
  • Schedule an appointment at http://www.dsp-photo.com 
SENIOR ADS:
  • The deadline is: Friday, January 13, 2017
  • The pictures, contract and payment must be turned in.
  • Payment plans are available.
  • Order and pay at www.smart-pay.com or in Room 427.
  • Contracts and other information regarding senior ads can be found on the OHS website 
If you are interested in purchasing a senior ad for your Class of 2017 graduate, please contact Mr. Cacciatore at [email protected]
 
Parents can schedule appointments to work with a yearbook staff member on the following dates: October 4, November 8, December 6, and January 10. Appointments are available from 2:30 pm to 5:20 pm.
 
Contracts and other information regarding senior ads can be found on the high school's website.

YEARBOOKS:
Yearbooks are currently sixty dollars on campus and online through www.smart-pay.com If you'd like to pay with cash or check, please bring them to room 427. Checks must be made out to Olympia High School. Personalized packages such as nameplates, autograph pages, and others must be purchased through the Smart Pay website.

SENIOR CAP AND GOWNS:     


Cap and Gown Order Dates
  • Saturday, September 24th, 10:00-Noon Main Office
  • Friday, September 30th, A & B Lunch Cafeteria
  • Saturday, October 1st, 10:00-Noon Main Office 
Cap and Gown Price
  • Cap and Gown Unit with Facility Fee $66.00*
If you are borrowing a Cap and Gown from someone who previously graduated the fee will be $46.00 which includes your tassel, Olympia Medallion and the Facility Fee
*The price will go up to $86.00 on January 1, 2017.

Contact Herff Jones at 407-647-4373 or www.herfforlando.com

REMINDER: Guidance Corner 
Three Important Things To Know:

#1: Seniors & Juniors - Join the College and Career Center Google Classroom using your code below. Get information on college visits, scholarships, applications, financial aid, and other important information:

Class of 2017 code: ds2dsm8
Class of 2018 code: 5jpksnb

#2: Seniors - Get college application help EVERY THURSDAY during your lunch from our College Transition Counselor, Ms. Renee Hudson, and our College & Career Advisor, Mr. Ernest Hayes.

#3: Sophomores & Freshmen - Prepare for your future now! Find colleges, explore careers, and make a plan for your life after your graduation using the tools on bigfuture.collegeboard.org
 
Breaking News from the OCPS Art World!

Congratulations to two of our very own Titan artists who received the following awards in an adjudicated exhibition. Their work will be included in a 2017 calendar. The event is the annual OCPS Global Peace Festival.
 
Recognized student artists:
  • 3rd Place to Joao Pedro Mascarenhas  (AP Studio Art 2D)
  • Honorable Mention to Shanay Minville  (Drawing 2)

"International Drive" by Joao Pedro Mascarenhas


"A World in Bloom" by Shanay Minville

* There were 15 pieces of art from three of our Visual Art Classrooms. Each teacher is limited to 6 pieces. All of the work submitted will be on display at Orlando City Hall for the rest of the month.

Debate Team Debut
By Jennifer Sandman, Debate Teacher & Coach

Olympia's debate team participated in a debate tournament one week ago Wednesday night at West Orange High School. There were 15 schools represented, and Olympia walked away with four medals on their first try!  
  • Imani Somner - 1st place in Dramatic Interpretation
  • Khanh Van Le - 3rd place in Original Oratory
  • Sarah Sawyer and Katie Collier - 6th place in Public Forum Debate
  • Katelyn Persaud and Destiny Scott - Public Forum
  • Martha Horne and Jade Lewis (both 9th graders!! Whoop, Whoop!!!) - Public Forum
  • Aya Erquizi - Lincoln Douglas Debate
  • Joao Pedro Gameiro - Lincoln Douglas Debate
  • Matthew Bryan - Congress

PTSA

Join the Olympia High School PTSA and know your dollars are being put to good use!
  • Your membership dues and donations support many programs for Olympia High School benefiting students and staff
  • Members receive a monthly e-newsletter and timely email updates important to you and your student
  • The larger the member base, the stronger the voice OHS has in Tallahassee and Orange County via PTSA
  • Contact Pat Brown, PTSA Membership Chair, if you want a membership form emailed to you please email at [email protected]  
 
DREAM Guest Speaker
Mr. Ronnie Goodin

Ronnie Goodin, a retired NASA scientist, was invited to speak to Tracy Ebert's 7th period DREAM students. Mr. Goodin  spoke to the students about ethics in the workplace. Mr. Goodin has a wide array of topics he can present AND he travels with his own rocking chair. It was an interesting presentation and discussion.


Ronnie Goodin, NASA Scientist (Ret.)
Sept. 2016 at OHS

Athletics

Follow us on Twitter
@ OHSSportsTeams


Cross-Country Highlight
By Stephanie Manny

 
Front row L-R: O'Neel Occenat, Alex Akin and Chris Johnson. Back row L-R: Nolan Meuret, Ahmed Jafri, Troy O'Toole, John Hinkle, Ethan Hood, Jeremy Brinker and Bruno Chionha
 
The boys' varsity team secured another victory at the Darter Invitational Saturday, September 17th. Ethan Hood led the way running a personal record of 16:29. For those that may not know anything about cross country, the kids run 3.1 miles for every race. So....yes, Ethan ran 3.1 miles in 16 minutes and 29 seconds!!! This time is not only the 12th fastest time in the state (in the 4A classification) but it also puts him at #9 on the top 10 fastest times list in Olympia History. Also running well and setting personal records were: Oneel Occenat, John Hinkle, Chris Johnson, Troy O'Toole, Bruno Chionha and Nolan Meuret.

The varsity girls also had a great showing placing 3rd as a team against 12 other teams. Mariana Ortiz set a personal record of 20:16 and finished 11 overall.  Following close behind were: Dianna Perez, Lauren Miller, Sammy Gelman, Rachael Gomez, Julia House and Morgan Weber for the top 7 spots on the team.

The JV girls earned their first victory of the season with the dynamic freshman duo of Alice Flament and Chloe Gordon finishing 1st and 2nd overall for the race.  Lauren Burns, Samantha Steimer and Sara Aladham rounded out the top 5 spots for the team.

The JV boys also ran well sweeping the race and earned a perfect score with Cole Ferguson winning the race in a time of 18:08. Very close behind were: Will Marberry, Luke Carey, Michael Gerber and Ruben Ruiz for the top 5 spots.

* A big THANK YOU goes to Tara Ulrich and Kim Payne for getting up early this Saturday to come cheer on the kids!! The top 7 travel to UF this weekend to take on the best in the state.    

----------------

Athletics Department
Athletic Office Rm. 634
Athletic Secretary: Ellie Gomatos - [email protected] 
Athletic Director: Lauren Bradley - [email protected] 
Head Athletic Trainer: Barry Walters - [email protected]   


Check out the new athletic website and register your child for sports today!



EVERY STUDENT ATHLETE MUST BE REGISTERED TO TRYOUT FOR A SPORT.

HOW DO I REGISTER? 
  • STEP 1 - GO TO THE OHS Athletics Website 
  • STEP 2 - CLICK ON "REGISTER FOR SPORT"- located under "parent info" top right
  • STEP 3 - FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS

Non-Traditional Students
 
What is a non-traditional student? A non-traditional student is a student that does not physically attend Olympia High School but is zoned for Olympia. These students can participate in athletics IF they qualify under OCPS and FHSAA criteria. IF you are a non-traditional student, please visit the athletic website to understand your registration criteria and deadlines.

Types of Non-Traditional Students 
Full-time FLVS 
Charter School  
Special/ Alternative School 
Non-Member Private School (less than 125 students) 
Home School 
International/ Immigrant Student

* If you have any questions, please contact the athletic office at 407-905-6400 ext. 6126436 or email Athletic Director Lauren Bradley at [email protected]

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 - Olympia High School is forbidden without written consent.  Thank you for your support of Olympia High School. Please contact [email protected] (OHS school secretary) with any questions or for further information.