Freedom High School
Community Brief
1
Monday, February 3, 2020

  
Welcome to Freedom High School where learning is our top priority and our focus is on literacy, rigor and relationships. Our school's pillars of honor, excellence and tradition continue to be on display on a daily basis by our students, staff, and community.

OCPS Parent Survey Link
It is so hard to believe we are in the month February. Seems like the first day of school was just yesterday. Parents I need your assistance. Each year we ask parents to participate in our annual school climate summary. Your survey answers are very important to me for I use them to continue growing and improving our school to new heights. Please note that all responses to this survey are anonymous. Please click https://ocps.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_38ZEa36rGBGv8zP to access the parent survey. Be sure to select our school before beginning the survey. Thank you for taking the time to help FHS improve our school goals.    
 
In Patriot Pride, 
    
Ms. Cheryl Neely
Principal   
 
Pictured very top: FHS Theater Department presents the musical, Ruthless! The show runs February 5 - 8 at 7:00 pm in the FHS Performing Arts Center. See below for details and ticket information.  
 
Upcoming Events 
Feb. 3 PTSA Meeting (in media center), 5:00 pm
Feb. 5 Ruthless! (in-class musical), 7:00 pm
Feb. 6 Ruthless! (in-class musical), 7:00 pm
Feb. 7 Metro Wrestling Tournament, 3:00 pm
Feb. 7 Ruthless! (in-class musical), 7:00 pm        
Feb. 8 Saturday School, 9:00 am
Feb. 8 Metro Wrestling Tournament, 9:00 am
Feb. 8 Ruthless! (in-class musical), 7:00 pm
Feb. 11 Baseball Pre-Season Classic, 4:00 pm
Feb. 13 Baseball Pre-Season Classic, 4:00 pm
Feb. 13 Boys and Girls Water Polo at YMCA, 7:00 pm
OCPS 2019-2020 Calendar


Featured Department
Exceptional Student Education  
 


Bottom left to right: Ms. Jabbour, Mr. Poole, Ms. Swederski, Ms. Gargano (Dept. Chair), Ms. Lorenzana, Ms. Galarza.
Middle row: Mr. Miles, Mr. Muriel, Mr. Goodwin, Ms. Neely (BLA), Ms. Scheuer, Ms. Briscoe, Ms. Mackin, Ms. Cabral.
Top row: Ms. Griffith, Ms. Michel, Ms. Cordo, Ms. Presume, Ms. Martin, Ms. Deluca, Ms. Christian, Ms. Luzoro, Mr. Hellmund, Ms. Slocum.
Patriot Spotlight
Na'im Rasul (Class of 2020)
MLK Leadership Award & Scholarship recipient
   
FHS would like to spotlight senior, Na'im Rasul, for his selection as a scholarship recipient of this year's Martin Luther King, Jr Leadership Award. Na'im was chosen because he demonstrates the spirit of Dr. King's integrity, leadership skills, creativity, cultural sensitivity, and most of all, "service to community."  
 
Na'im's proven leadership has been reflected as Secretary for Alpha Phi Alpha's Young Men of Distinction mentorship program. Additionally, his contribution to a myriad of community service acts from fundraisers to community clean-up has further deepened his interest in becoming a community pharmacist and improving medication safety. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and the City of Orlando Mayor's Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission honored Na'im and winners from other OCPS schools at the 34th Annual MLK Commemorative Luncheon on January 17, 2020.   
Special Recognition
Calvin Uptergrove
 
Left to right: Deputy Engstrom, Calvin Uptergrove, Deputy Randall

FHS would like to recognize freshman, Calvin Uptergrove, for his Samaritan heart and spirit. On Wednesday, January 22, 2020, Calvin was walking to school when he witnessed a vehicle accident that involved another FHS student. Upon arrival to school, Calvin immediately notified FHS Assistant Principal, Mr. Doug Farley. Mr. Farley then notified our School Resource Officers who in turn made certain emergency response assistance was in route. For Calvin's immediate notification of the accident, Deputies Engstrom and Randall awarded Calvin a "Junior Sheriff Deputy" badge/sticker. Calvin hopes to one day pursue a career in law enforcement.
Rigor Around Campus(and beyond)
FHS Students at 9th Annual Culinary and Hospitality Competition

Rigor around campus once again traveled, this time to the Marriott World Center. Students in the NAF-Academy of Hospitality and Tourism (AOHT) participated in the 9th Annual Culinary and Hospitality Competition at the World Center Marriott on Friday, January 24, 2020. The culinary students competed in the gourmet meal, dessert, waiter relay, and the knife skills competitions. The hospitality students presented their event plans, solved their case study, and demonstrated their knowledge of hospitality in the quiz cup.

All of the competitions were judged by prominent professional leaders in the field of culinary and hospitality. As a result, the AOHT students were awarded first place in Case Study, second place in Quiz Cup, and third place in Event Planning, Culinary and All Around Hospitality.

Thank you Chef Kate Restifo and Ms. Kristina Bryant for your hard work and dedication in preparing our FHS culinary students for this competition. A local news station captured some of our students in a news story that aired last week. Click https://m.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=LgLwQzYfA6E to see the channel 9 news story. For their efforts, Universal Studios have partnered with FHS and will give three students the opportunity to intern with them over the summer.
Student Services
Counselor Assignments 
School Counselor alphabet assignments have been updated. To view the Updated Counselor List click on the link.

Tutoring at FHS 
Click https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Grql-t6MinGi5OGpZcwtk4MMDniiiIa3dZZUhMQr9LA/edit?usp=sharing for tutoring opportunities available to our students.
Performing Arts
FHS Theater Department presents the musical, RUTHLESS!
Eight-year-old Tina Denmark knows she was born to play Pippi Longstocking, and she will do anything to win the part in her school musical! This aggressively outrageous musical hit garnered rave reviews during its long Off-Broadway run. Ruthless! is an over-the-top, campy comedy that parodies movies like Gypsy, The Bad Seed, All About Eve, and The Women. The show runs February 5, 6, 7, & 8 at 7:00PM. Tickets are $11 and are available now at www.FHSBoxOffice.com Seating is extremely limited!  
All-County Band
Congratulations to our 2020 All-County Band students! #ocpsart

Athletics
Visit the FHS Athletics Website at www.freedomhighathletics.com for up to date information including athletic physical forms.
Stay Connected!
FreedomHighAthletics.com is your window into the PATRIOT NATION. From schedules, to scores, news updates, and photo galleries of our phenomenal Student-Athletes in action - FreedomHighAthletics.com offers you everything you need to keep up with your favorite athletes, teams, and coaches at Freedom High School. As an added bonus for our fans, we are getting ready to launch Rapid Replay - featuring highlights of some of our favorite moments for you to enjoy and to share.

VNN Sports, our web provider, offers area businesses the opportunity to support Freedom Athletics by purchasing advertising on the site. FreedomHighAthletics.com averages nearly 12,000+ views a month, and will soon be one of the Top Ten High School Athletics websites in Florida. To learn more about our sponsorship opportunities, contact Athletic Director Robert Rego at Robert.Rego@ocps.net

Stay in the know on all things Freedom Athletics, and visit FreedomHighAthletics.com today!

#WeArePatriotNation

Cheer 
Congratulations to both the JV and Varsity competitive cheer teams. JV finished 2nd while Varsity took 1st in their respective divisions last week at the West Orange Cheer Classic. Varsity finished up their competitive season this past Friday at the State Championships in Gainesville.
 
 
 
Winter Sports at FHS 
Below is a list of our winter sports at FHS along with their respective head coach. Feel free to contact the head coach for tryout dates and other pertinent information.

* Boys Basketball - Dustin Leonardo Dustin.Leonardo@ocps.net         
* Girls Basketball - Robert Caraballo Robert.Caraballo@ocps.net
* Comp Cheerleading - Chani Mills Chani.Mills@ocps.net
* Boys Soccer - Juan Baquero Juan.Baquero@ocps.net
* Girls Soccer - Keith Hageman Keith.Hageman@ocps.net
* Girls Weightlifting - Robert Mahoney Robert.Mahoney@ocps.net
* Boys Wrestling - David Bush David.Bush@ocps.net
* Girls Wrestling - Lynzie Doll Lynzie.Doll@ocps.net

Athletic Director - Bobby Rego Robert.Rego@ocps.net
Asst. Athletic Director - Maurice Allen Maurice.Allen@ocps.net
Asst. Athletic Director - Nathan Kallal Nathan.Kallal@ocps.net
Athletic Trainer - Joe Gonzalez Joseph.Gonzalez2@ocps.net
Athletic Trainer - Terri Charlock Terri.Charlock@ocps.net
Athletic Trainer - Peterson Francois Peterson.Francois@ocps.net  
Senior Class of 2020 Dates and Events
Feb 24 - 28 - Grad Bash Ticket Sales (online only)
Online ticket sales on SchoolPay for Grad Bash. Tickets are $100 each, FHS seniors only, no guests allowed, must not have any obligations.

Mar 2-6 - Grad Bash Ticket Sales (cash only)
Cash only ticket sales for Grad Bash after school in the media center. Tickets are $100 each, FHS seniors only, no guests allowed, must not have any obligations.

April 18 - Prom
Rosen Plaza Hotel. Prom questions should be directed to Ms. Fierle - Michele.Fierle@ocps.net

April 24 - Grad Bash 2020 at Universal Orlando Studios and Islands of Adventure
Attendees (FHS seniors only) will meet in the cafeteria at 4:30 pm to board buses (you must ride bus; no student driving) then return to FHS by 2:30 am. Attendees must ride the bus to and from Universal. No exceptions.

April 27 - Senior Common Formative Exams Periods 3 & 7
April 28 - Senior Common Formative Exams Periods 1 & 6
April 29 - Senior Common Formative Exams Period 5
April 30 - Senior Common Formative Exams Periods 2 & 4

May 1 - Senior Decision Day
9:00 am in the FHS gymnasium

May 11 - Senior Device/Textbook Check-in/Cap & Gown/Tickets Pick-up (last names A - M)
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the media center. Each senior will receive 15 tickets at no cost. (must be clear of all obligations)

May 12 - Senior Device/Textbook check-in/Cap & Gown/Tickets Pick-up (last names N - Z)
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the media center. Each senior will receive 15 tickets at no cost. (must be clear of all obligations)

May 13 - SENIORS LAST DAY!
Senior Walk-Out during 6th period
Traditional event when senior class of 2020 will walk out of Freedom together, as a class, for the final time.
        
Senior Assembly in the gym during 7th period
A senior assembly in the gym will immediately follow the walk-out.

May 15 - Senior Awards Night
7:00 pm in the PAC

May 18 - Final Device & Textbook return/Obligations clear/Ticket pick-up last names A - M
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the media center. Last chance to turn in devices, textbooks, clear obligations, and pick up tickets.

May 19 - Final Device & Textbook return/Obligations clear/Ticket pick-up last names N - Z
2:30 pm to 5:30 pm in the media center. Last chance to turn in devices, textbooks, clear obligations, and pick up tickets.

May 20 - CLASS OF 2020 COMMENCEMENT at AMWAY ARENA, 2:00 PM

For updates and info, visit the school information tab on the FHS website at www.freedom.ocps.net then click on "Seniors."

Our cap/gown and announcement company is Jostens. Any questions regarding orders can be answered at www.jostens.com or call them at 407-894-3131.

Mandatory graduation rehearsal date has not been released by Amway. Stay tuned for the mandatory rehearsal date and time.
Monday's Motivational Moment!
LOMBARDI ON WINNING

One of the most famous misquotes in all of professional sports goes back to Coach Vince Lombardi of the Green Bay Packers. The Super Bowl trophy is named in his honor. He won three NFL Championships and then the very first two Super Bowls on the heels of those three Championships.  
 
He is given credit with saying, "Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing." That's not quite right nor is it what he meant. What he DID say was this, "Winning isn't everything, but having the will to win is."

The lesson for our Patriots here at Super Bowl LIV? In life there will be times you come up short and will face defeat. But if you have studied, truly prepared yourself, and gave it your very best effort, you come out a winner and hopefully have learned something for next time. Take it from Coach Lombardi - he knew a great deal about building championship teams and getting the best out of his players, some of the greatest in NFL history.



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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 - Freedom High School is forbidden without written consent.  Thank you for your support of OCPS - Freedom High School and the Orange County Public Schools. Please contact Charles Youtz at  charles.youtz@ocps.net with any questions or for further information.