Wednesday, April 2: San Jose City College Orientation Workshop | 2:15pm | The Learning Center

Wednesday, April 2: Evergreen Valley College Application Workshop | 2:15pm | The Learning Center

Battle of the Class Spirit Week & Activities

Tuesday (4/1): All Stars 🌟🎬

Time to rep your class movie theme — dress as a character or wear something that fits the vibe!

Lunch Activity: Airband @ Senior Stage

• Class of 2028: Wreck-It Ralph 👊💥🔨

• Class of 2027: Teen Titans: Trouble in Tokyo 🗼

• Class of 2026: Teen Beach Movie 🏖️🏄

• Class of 2025: Big Hero 6 🦸🚀

Wednesday (4/2): Jersey Day 🎽🔥

Show your team spirit by wearing your favorite sports jersey (or get creative with it)!

Lunch Activity: Powderpuff Cheer @ Senior Stage

Afterschool: Powderpuff Dodgeball @ Tennis Courts - FREE!

Thursday (4/3): VSCO vs eBoy 🌸🌞 ⛓️💔

We’re bringing it back! Pick a side and dress the part — are you a VSCO girl or an eBoy? 😵‍💫

Lunch Activity: Musical Chairs @ Senior Stage

VSCO aesthetic: Oversized T-shirts or hoodies, Scrunchies (on wrists and in hair), Puka shell necklaces, friendship bracelets, Hydro Flask water bottles (with stickers), Birkenstocks, Crocs, or Vans, Minimal makeup, messy buns, natural glow

eBOY aesthetics: Black clothing, striped long sleeves under T-shirts, Chains, chokers, earrings, Painted nails (often black), Curtain bangs (the signature hair flip), Silver accessories, rings, and belts, Converse, Doc Martens, or Vans, Sometimes incorporates anime/alt fashion influences

Friday (4/4): Color Clash 💚🩷💜🖤

BOTC D-DAY. Show your class pride LOUD and PROUD — wear your class colors head to toe!

Lunch Activity: Relay @ Senior Stage

BATTLE of the CLASSES RALLY @ MAIN GYM 5:30pm-8:30pm

• Class of 2028: Green 💚

• Class of 2027: Pink 🩷

• Class of 2026: Purple 💜

• Class of 2025: Black, Red, White, and Blue 🖤❤️🤍💙

“So beyond happy and proud that Angel Resendiz goes above and beyond for his fellow SIXERS & Staff! Even though he is one of our student aides, he is always happy to assist by giving us extra time to complete the necessary tasks here in the SLCenter. Using his lunch break to give a new student a tour or to finish handing out passes, Angel is a student we can count on to get the work done and with a smile! Thank you Angel!” ~Ms. Marquez, School Counselor

Hadestown: Teen Edition

By Robin E. Edwards, IHS Drama and English educator

Everyone loves a good sports game and the lessons it teaches about teamwork. The only issue with this is at the high school level, not everyone can make the team. In theater, there are places for everyone on and off the stage. Our recent production of Hadestown teen edition, over 80 students participated in making this project come to life.

While we all see the performers onstage, what many don’t realize is how much students contribute to this artform. The Ballet class helped to create the ballet they performed in the show, while Tech 1 students built, painted, decorated the sets and props. Theater Production students created and produced the sound reinforcement, lighting designs, coordinated costumes and engineered elements seen on stage. Volunteers from our band and orchestra programs worked to provide a live orchestra performance. While many other schools use backing tracks, IHS is very fortunate to have such talented and dedicated musicians who enhance the performance.

IHS also participated in the Rita Moreno awards, sponsored by Broadway San Jose. In recent feedback, one of the adjudicators noted after having seen various other high school productions of Hadestown, IHS obviously had a lot of student involvement in the overall production, which made a positive stand out compared to other schools who copied elements of the original production. The reviewer was so impressed she took down information from one of our production students to recommend them for future jobs in the area because of the original designs the student created.

Special thanks to Ms. MC, Mr. Ponticelli, Tina Bustamante, Quyen Vu, Francesca Truong, Alleha Le, and Ms. Dodd for all of their support in helping us get this production to the stage.

Yes, theater is called a 5,000 year old dying art form, but it is a place where everyone is welcomed and everyone can be a part of the collaborative team.

We Are Spirited. We Are Sixers.

Financial Aid Application Priority Deadline THIS WEDNESDAY!

The priority deadline for the financial aid application is this Wednesday, April 2, 2025! Seniors are encouraged to submit either the FAFSA or CADAA by Wednesday. Students not planning to attend college after graduating high school should see their counselor to sign an opt out form.

As a reminder, AB 469 requires all seniors to submit a financial aid application. Please contact your school counselor with questions and for more information.

10,000 Degrees and DCAC is hosting open financial aid workshops to assist students and families with filling out the financial aid application. The last workshop is this Wednesday during Periods 1 and 7 (if students do not have class). Students and families who need assistance with filling out their financial aid application are encouraged to attend these workshops.

Apr. 2: San Jose City College Orientation Workshop | 2:15pm | The Learning Center

Apr. 2: Evergreen Valley College Application Workshop | 2:15pm | The Learning Center

Apr. 2-3: ELD Counseling Lesson in ELD 1-2

Apr. 4: Freshman Counseling Lesson in PE 1

Apr. 7: Senior Counseling Lesson in Am. Government/Economics

Apr. 9-10: Junior Counseling Lesson in English 3

Apr. 11: Sophomore Counseling Lesson in PE 2

Counselor Contact & Availability:

Counselors are located in the Learning Center (Student Union). Counselors are available for student walk-ins before and after school and during break and lunch. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment with your student’s counselor.

• Ms. Pham: Last Names A-Chi
• 408.928.9680 | phamm@esuhsd.org
• Hours: 8:30am-4pm
• Mr. Hennessey: Last Names Chj-Hd
  
• 408.928.9563 | hennesseym@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8am-3:30pm
  
• Ms. Fernandez: Last Names He-Maq
  
• 408.928.9574 | fernandezf@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8:30am-4pm
  
• Ms. Huynh: Last Names Mar-Par
  
• 408.928.9567 | huynhtt@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8:15-3:45pm
  
• Ms. Marquez: Last Names Pas-Sq
  
• 408.928.9568 | marquezl@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8:30am-4pm
  
• Ms. Liang: Last Names Sr-Z
  
• 408.928.9546 | liangb@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8:15-3:45pm

College Access Support (located in D-208 & the Learning Center):

• 10,000 Degrees

• Anthony Garcia |415.578.4380 | anthony.garcia@10000degrees.org

• Available in person Wednesday & Thursday

• Book appointment here

• Destination College Advising Program (DCAC)

• Daniela Navarro | 510.332.3723 | danielan@berkeley.edu

• Available in person Monday-Friday

• Book appointment here

Spring Sports

Sixer Badminton: Coach Allen Trinh (atrinh1219@gmail.com)

4/2/25 vs Piedmont Hills 6pm

4/4/25 @ Yerba Buena 6pm

Sixer Baseball: Coach Fernandes (fernandesp@esuhsd.org)

4/1/25 @ Mt. Pleasant - 4pm

4/3/25 vs Mt. Pleasant - 4pm

Sixer Golf: Coach Bartholomew (bartholomewr@esuhsd.org)

3/31/25 vs Gunderson 4:30 Spring Valley GC

4/3/25 vs Gunderson 4:15 Santa Teresa GC

Sixer Softball: Coach Quezada (jorge.quezada@evc.edu)

4/2/25 vs Mt. Pleasant 4pm

4/4/25 @ Andrew Hill 4pm

Sixer Swim:Coach Martinez (rodriguez.adrian1821@gmail.com)

Sixer Tennis: Coach James (jesse316james@yahoo.com)

4/1 & 4/3/25 BVAL Tournament 12pm

Sixer Track and Field: Coach Manav (ihs76ers.xc.tf@gmail.com)

4/3/25 @ Andrew Hill 4pm

Sixer Volleyball: Coach Buckner (leilani.buckner10@gmail.com)

4/1/25 @ Leigh - JV 5:30 | V 7pm

4/3/25 @ Del Mar JV 5:30 | V 7pm

Fall Sports

Sixer Football: Coach Braun (braunj@esuhsd.org)

Sixer Golf (girls): Coach Richard Lee (rlee@fusdk12.net)

Sixer Volleyball (girls): Coach Kenny (leilani.buckner10@gmail.com)

Sixer Cross Country (boys & girls): Coach Kevin (ckwang91@gmail.com)

Sixer Tennis (girls): Coach Scott (rl20ii@yahoo.com)

Sixer Water Polo (boys & girls): Coach Martinez (rodriguez.adrian1821@gmail.com)

Sixer Girls’ Flag Football: Coach Baker (bakerl@esuhsd.org)

Winter Sports

Sixer Basketball (b): Coach Gajardo (lj_gajardo@yahoo.com)

Sixer Basketball (g): Coach Buckner (leilani.buckner10@gmail.com)

Sixer Soccer (b): Coach Mendez (fmendez888@gmail.com)

Sixer Soccer (g): Coach Kimball (mskimball1997@gmail.com)

Sixer Wrestling: Coach Thompson (njakeg1209@yahoo.com)

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

Visit GoFan.co to purchase tickets

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:

• https://www.instagram.com/indyactivities/

• https://www.instagram.com/indyathletics/

• https://www.instagram.com/indyperformingarts/

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

• https://www.instagram.com/ihs_co2027/

• https://www.instagram.com/ihsco2026/

• https://www.instagram.com/ihs.co2025/

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.

Parents, Cookies is a marijuana reference. Cookies clothing or accessories are not permitted. Parents, please partner with us on this!

Saturday School!

Come to Saturday School this year and recover an unexcused absence or an excused illness absence. A teacher will be there to help you with your academics. Use the time to study or work on missing assignments. Our next Saturday School will be in April 12th. We will feed you! Please plan to stay until 12:45pm. Please see Ms. Goltzer or Ms. Andrade in C05 for questions or concerns. Use the form to sign up!

https://forms.gle/YLYgSvMsCKkrNba48

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 Student Union. 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

Jennifer Andrade - 408.928.9521

Student last names A - L

Diana Castillo - 408.928.9552

Student last names M-Z

Thao Pham - 408.928.9542

Say Something

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

***ATTENTION***

Just a reminder that Marking Period 5 concludes this Friday, April 4. Please take a moment to check in with your student. The upcoming grading period, June 4, will mark the end of the semester and will determine their final grade. If you have any questions or concerns about academics, feel free to contact your student's school counselor. Click on the link below to find your students’ school counselor: ​​https://sites.google.com/esuhsd.org/ihscounseling/meet-your-counselor

***SAVE THE DATE***

As a reminder, Attendance Matters! Consistent attendance in high school is essential for academic achievement, as even missing a small amount of class time can have a notable effect on a student's learning and overall performance.

Attendance Matters. On Time. All Day. Every Day.

Please refer to the flyer below for information on upcoming parent meetings.

Services offered at the Wellness Center

The Mental Health and Wellness team includes social workers, interns, and community based organizations (CBO’s) 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. Visit us in room D-01 to learn more!

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. A social worker, intern or other school staff member 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 to be a place 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. Students who visit the calming space during regular class time are expected to check in with Ms. Johnson, our Wellness Center Clerk, when they arrive and before they return to class. We also ask that students keep their electronics put away and that they do not engage in side conversations with other students.