“Ms. Leslie Gregori– Thank you for bringing the brightest, most positive attitude to class every single day! Your energy made AP Lit not only fun but something to look forward to—even when we were drowning in essays. You’ve made my final year unforgettable, and I’ll truly miss your warmth and enthusiasm after 'we' graduate. Thank you for being an extraordinary teacher and role model in my senior year! FIGHTING!” ~ Huyen Ha, Senior

Congratulations to the entire Sixer community on an outstanding year of learning, growth, and connection! Guided by the values of being Spirited, Innovative, eXtraordinary, Engaged, and Respectful, our students and staff have truly exemplified what it means to thrive both in and out of the classroom.

This year, our classrooms have been alive with innovation—whether through project-based learning, technology integration, or creative problem-solving, instruction has centered on student voice and real-world application. Teachers continue to inspire curiosity and confidence, helping students discover new strengths every day.

Outside the classroom, we focus on our commitment to community. Through service projects, cultural celebrations, and student-led initiatives, and school-wide lessons, our school works to build a culture where students feel supported in their educational journey,

At Independence High School, we proudly stand by our mission: Where students find their passion, purpose, and path. As we celebrate this year’s achievements, we look forward to the future—one where our students continue to grow and positively impact our community by being Spirited, Innovative, eXtraordinary, Engaged, and Respectful.

We Are Sixers

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

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)

Spring Sports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. We have concluded our Saturday School sessions for this school year. 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

As we wrap up the school year, here are a few important reminders:
Seniors: You're in the final stretch! Finals are this week, so stay focused and finish strong. If you have any questions about your grades, be sure to talk to your teachers as soon as possible. The Senior “F” list will be finalized this Friday. Also, start gathering your books and Chromebooks now—you'll need to return all school items before receiving your graduation tickets.

To all other students: You're almost at the finish line—keep pushing! Finals are next week, so stay focused and finish strong. Be sure to check in with your counselor to make sure you're on track to graduate. If you're not, now is the time to make a graduation plan. If you're returning to Independence next year, hold on to your Chromebook and keep it in a safe place at home. However, please return all school-issued books before the end of the year.

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.

Daybreak Health - Online Therapy

We are thrilled to share that we have partnered with Daybreak Health, a school-based mental health company, to provide 1:1 teletherapy services to ESUHSD students with qualified clinicians.

When kids are mentally healthy, they can think clearly, pay better attention, and learn new skills. These evidence-based teletherapy programs have proven to positively impact academic outcomes like behavioral improvements, better grades, and higher attendance.

If you have a student who you think could benefit from virtual mental health support click here to make a referral, or reach out to your social worker for more information. #mentalhealthmatters