Independence HS

10/30/2023

Independence HS10/30/2023

Principal's Update

SIXER community,


Thank you to eveyrone who joined us on Saturday, 10/28/23, for our Open house as we welcomed future 76ers to our campus.


This Friday, Marking Period 2 ends. Thursday morning we have office hours for staff, a great time to meet and get additional support for any classes you are struggling in. Thursday, is also our Senior night for our Football team as they take on Silver Creek at Home. Join us before the game for our Tailgate supporting campus groups.



Directions to monitor student grades through Canvas are included below.

Our learning management system is set up to help you keep track of your child’s progress. Please view this video to see all the features parents/guardians can take advantage of on Canvas including:


1. When the course grade goes below a percentage you choose

2. When your student has a missing assignment

3. Course announcements


CANVAS LMS for Parents

It’s been almost 13 weeks since we started school! Our staff has been reaching out to parents to ensure success for our students who need some extra support.


We asked our students to identify a person or place that exemplifies the Sixer Spirit:


  • “Mr. Stone always has a great and positive attitude towards his students. He is always understanding when one misses an assignment and understands their mistake.” ~Nabeel Javed, Senior


  • “Ms. Grover was a kind teacher who gives multiple chances to students and she helps students that need help.” ~Vincent Banh, Senior


  • “Ms. Nguyen, the Biology teacher, inspired me to be a better version of myself. She encouraged me to do more things beyond my ability, and she recognized my efforts which I was grateful for.” ~Ngoc Tam-Thao Luu, Senior


  • “The wrestling room- Every day you go there, there is energy, power, and community.” ~Brandon Nandi, Senior


  • “A classroom is a place where we share our learning experiences, a garden is where we sit with friends, and a school is where we make memories. That’s what makes us the Sixers.This exemplifies our Sixer community because we are learning new things together as a community.” ~Kaley Hem, Sophomore



Building positive relationships and helping our students build a support network is the Sixer Spirit.


School-wide lessons are opportunities for our students to acknowledge our strengths, reflect on our learning, and build upon our values. Check out the School-Wide lessons on our Sixer Values HERE! We are Respectful. We are Sixers.

Sixer Shoutouts

Student Shoutout

“Christopher Nguyen is studious, dedicated and respectful. Every day, he strives to do his very best at Spanish 3, he speaks to me in Spanish, he volunteers, he participates, and is not hesitant to ask for clarification when needed. He has come a long way in his proficiency in Spanish, and I know he will continue to grow. ¡Muchas gracias Christopher!” ~Sra. Alvarez, World Languages


James Agbayani, John Figueroa, Christopher Perez, Melanie Hernandez Barajas, and Jorge Vazquez– “You did an amazing job representing the Construction Academy at Open House this past weekend. You were professional, engaging, and were absolutely fantastic representatives for our school. Thank you for showing our community exactly what it means to be a Sixer! I am so proud of you!” ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

Counseling Corner

College Applications:

As we move into the month of November, seniors planning to apply to four year colleges are hard at work on their applications. The UC and CSU application deadline is November 30 at 11:59pm. We encourage students to submit their application before November 30. Private colleges (via Common App) have various deadlines. Students need to check each school for specific deadlines. Please check the counseling website for application workshop dates.


Community College applications will open in Spring 2024. IHS Counseling will be scheduling application and orientation workshops with our community college partners. Dates will be announced as they are scheduled.


Financial Aid Application:

AB469 was signed into law stating all seniors must fill out a financial aid application (either the FAFSA or CADAA). The applications are set to open in late December. IHS Counseling will be providing students and families with information on when, how, and what is needed to complete the application. Upcoming dates include:

  • Nov. 3: Classroom Lesson in Am. Government/Economics class

  • Nov. 7: Financial Aid Night Presentation at 6pm in the iCafe

    • Financial Aid representatives will present an in depth overview about the financial process and application. The presentation will be available in three languages (English, Spanish, and Vietnamese)


Upcoming Dates:

Oct. 25-26: Sophomore Counseling Lesson in PE 2

Oct. 26: 10KD Workshop: 4-Year Application Support

Oct. 27: SJSU Preview Day

Oct. 28: IHS Open House from 10am-12pm

Nov. 1-2: Freshman Counseling Lesson in PE 1

Nov. 3: Senior Counseling Lesson in Am. Government/Economics


Nov. 7: Financial Aid Night Presentation at 6pm in iCafe



Counselor Caseload Update:

IHS Counseling has made a shift in caseload. Please make note of who your student’s counselor is, as it may have changed.

Mr. Garcia: 10,000 Degrees Fellow | 9am-4pm | Tuesday-Thursday | 415.578.4380 | anthony.garcia@10000degrees.org

Athletics Updates

“We(coaches, players, parents/fans) are always respectful and display good sportsmanship throughout and after the game.”

  • Kevin Johson


Week of 10/30/23

Sixer Football: 11/2/23 Silver Creek @ IHS JV @ 4:30 pm | V @ 7pm

Coach Braun (braunj@esuhsd.org)


Visit Sixer Athletics for up to date information about athletics! Follow us on Instagram: @indyathletics

Activities Updates

2023-2024 Yearbook Promo!

Right now, yearbook reservations/orders are $65.Students and parents/ guardians can order a yearbook at the school bank (A-06), or visit www.yearbookordercenter.com (enter code 6072) to purchase online (there is a $4.99 processing fee for online purchasing). For further information, please review the Yearbook Frequently Asked Questions document.


Seniors! Check out the special Senior Button in this Newsletter for all things relevant to you and graduation!


Follow us on Instagram:

Stay up to date on all student activities and events at IHS - be sure to follow your ASB accounts:


And, your class account for important information specific to your grade level:

Safety & Attendance

We are a CLOSED Campus!

This is a friendly reminder to students and parents that we are a closed campus. Students should not be leaving the school grounds during school hours, particularly during break and lunch for safety reasons. The Public Library and Overfelt Gardens are off limits.


Students should not be hanging out in the parking lots during passing periods, break and or lunch. Staff members will ask the students to go back to the main campus.


NO DOORDASH!

Doordash is not allowed. We are a closed campus and we do not want strangers driving onto our campus and delivering food to minors. Students may not walk off campus to get a delivery either. This is a safety issue!


Parents, please do not send food deliveries to your student. ALL students may eat for free at break and lunch.


Dress and Attire

The expectations for clothing are clean, covered, and appropriate. This means no clothing that displays explicit or derogatory language, no drug or alcohol references, no sexually explicit images or nudity, and no gang references or symbols.


Any clothing or accessory item that the Administration deems a safety issue will be addressed with the student, and we will work with them to find a solution.


Attendance Matters!

The C-05 office will continue to focus on attendance as we continue to strive towards our mission: Students Engaged in the Classroom. We would like to continue to remind SIXERs the importance of being on time, all day, every day, and that there is a correlation between attendance, grades, and graduation. Avoid the truancy process!


Students who are consistently tardy or absent will meet with Ms. Goltzer and/or one of our Parent Community Involvement Specialists or a Student Advisor. We may request a parent meeting as well.


Parents, if you need to report a student’s tardiness or absence, please do so as soon as possible. The Attendance Office is in the N1 building. If you would like to phone instead, use the following phone numbers based on your student’s last name:



Attendance Staff

Short Term Independent Studies

Naicila Vidal - 408.928.9521


Student last names A - L

Diana Castillo - 408.928.9552


Student last names M-Z


Thao Pham - 408.928.9542

Halloween Costume Guidance

Please read the requirements for Halloween costumes before Tuesday! See Ms.G in C05 for questions or concerns. Click on the link below for the guidelines.


Halloween Costume Guidelines

Reporting Line - SaySomething

Students and Parents,


Our highest priority is safety. If you witness or experience something that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or that could potentially become a safety issue, please report it. You can do so anonymously. We have a link to the SAY SOMETHING app on our Independence website. Please give the Administration as much information as possible so that we may investigate the issue. You do not have to use your name. I am providing the link here as well. Let’s work together to keep our campus and community safe!


https://www.p3campus.com/tipform.aspx?ID=3000

Saturday School

We will continue our Saturday School series this year. It is a great way to make up an absence and clear it from your record, and avoid truancy! Saturday School will be held from 8:45 a.m. to 12:45 pm. It is an opportunity to work on homework, makeup work or just work ahead! A teacher will be there to help you with your work. We will also have food available.

Bring your Chromebook, as there will be a limited amount for use.


Please join us for our next Saturday School on 12/16!

Use the following link to sign up!


https://forms.gle/FUESw4JdS5gzVPRj8

Parking Permits

Students who park on campus must have a parking permit. Please register your vehicle in C-05 and get your permit. Please display it in your vehicle when you park on campus. We ask that students park in the N1 parking lot (the large parking lot in front of the N1 Administration building).


Please drive safely in our parking lots. They are regularly monitored and any unsafe driving or driving at high speeds will not be tolerated. You may be cited and asked to park on the street in the future if you participate in these behaviors. We are a busy campus and you do not want to cause an accident or injure pedestrians.


You are not permitted to “hang out” in your vehicle during the school day.


Use the following link to register your vehicle. Pick up your permit in C-05.


https://forms.gle/WYhojwBqVvRouXUGA

Parent & Community Involvement Specialist (PCIS) Corner

Marking Period 2 ends on November 3, 2023. Encourage your student to review their grades/assignments on CANVAS and to speak with their teachers for any needed support.


Although all students receive free brunch & lunch, we are asking for your support in completing the “alternate Income form.” Please use this link to apply online or have your student pick up a form in N1, N02 or A202.


For any questions or concerns please contact your Parent & Community Involvement Specialists (PCIS) Ms. Ha phamha@esuhsd.org 408.928.9598 or Ms. Maggie rodriguezm@esuhsd.org 408.928.9541. We are located in what we are calling the "Sixer Community Center" located in A202. Please call us for an appointment or feel free to stop by and visit us.

Please ensure we have your email so you are able to receive Parent Meetings and school updates. We offer a variety of support services for our school community. Please complete the Parent Survey by using this link https://forms.gle/mY7aQo6c37KW5S64A to get your feedback regarding Parent Workshops.


As a reminder please refer to the academic calendar 2023-2024 to support you in the planning of any holiday vacations. As a reminder, vacations are not excuse absences in session days.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

● 988 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Get Help - Behavioral Health Services - County of Santa Clara (sccgov.org); informational flyer for mental health teams (attached)

● Black Youth & Suicide: A guide on suicide risk and mental health support for Black youth in Santa Clara County

● LGBTQ Youth Space (ages 13-25): https://youthspace.org/

● allcove: https://allcove.org/centers/palo-alto/

● Downtown Youth Wellness Center (ages 12-25) – flyer attached; Programs – Alum Rock Counseling Center (alumrockcc.org)

● Santa Clara County Office of Education - Department of Youth Health & Wellness

● Headspace for Teens: https://www.headspace.com/teens

● Crisis Text Line: https://www.crisistextline.org


For any questions or concerns, please get in touch with Ms. Ha phamha@esuhsd.org 408.928.9598 or Ms. Maggie rodriguezm@esuhsd.org 408.928.9541.

Mental Health & Wellness Corner

The Mental Health and Wellness Center is located in Room D-05.


Services offered in D-05

The Mental Health and Wellness team includes social workers, interns, and community-based organizations (CBOs) that work together to provide mental health support to IHS students. The Wellness Center team offers referrals to community resources, group counseling, short-term individual counseling, crisis intervention, and education about mental health and wellness.


How do I submit a referral?

Students, parents, teachers, and community members may submit a referral for any student at Independence by visiting the link below and filling out a Care Team referral form. A social worker or intern will follow up with the student.


Care Team Referral form: https://forms.doc-tracking.com/48252/48252/2416


Calming Space: The Calming Space is designed as a space for students who are experiencing stress in class and need a short break to self-regulate. Before students visit the Calming Space, we ask that they check in with their teacher and request a pass. Students may spend 15 minutes in the Calming Space; if they need more time, a wellness center staff member will check in to discuss additional resources and support. We ask that students always check in with an adult when they arrive and before they leave the Calming Space, keep their phones away, and that they try at least one station in the space. Stop by to take a look!


Calming Space Hours:

Monday: 8:30-3:45 (all day)

Tuesday: 11:16-3:45 (beginning of break - end of 7th period)

Wednesday: 11:55 - 3:45 (beginning of lunch - end of 7th period)

Thursday: 10:58 -3:15 (beginning of break - end of 6th period)

Friday: 8:30-3:45 (all day)

To Be Honest Mental Health Art Contest


To Be Honest is hosting an art contest now through November 15th! Students can create either a 2D, 3D, 4D piece or Short Film that reflects the theme “A Love Letter to Myself.” Through this theme, we really want youth to reflect on all of their positive qualities and how their uniqueness contributes positively to their communities! All pieces are scored by a panel of 8 community members who are passionate about mental health and art. The Top 3 winners in each category will receive $300, $200 and $100 gift cards to either BLICK Art Materials (2D & 3D prize) or B&H Photo & Video (4D & Short Film prize) to help further their crafts.

Where students find their Passion, Purpose, and Path.

School Vision

Independence High School is an intercultural community that provides students with rich opportunities for personal and academic growth while embracing diversity, belonging, and open access for all.

Newsletter Archives

Archives of previous newsletters can be found at https://independence.esuhsd.org/About-Us/Principals-Newsletter-archive/index.html