Thank you for joining us and engaging in Sixer Values Friday! This week, we highlight student voices on the importance of being “Spirited.”

• “It’s important to embrace spirit within school to have a deeper connection of what your school is. School is not only a place to sit and learn, but to flourish and find yourself. A great way to find yourself is to really express your feelings whether that be with sports, dance, academics, and most importantly having PRIDE and SPIRIT with the community you stand with! Don’t ever be afraid to open your mind to the possibilities of what you can achieve Sixers!” ~Jaden Clark, Junior

• It is important to be spirited because it helps uplift the energy and mood of the school and keeps everyone feeling involved and part of the school community. I think it is important to have school pride and be involved because considering that this phase of school is the last phase of education before everyone goes their separate ways, it is best to take advantage of these opportunities now while you can.” ~Tony Luong, Senior

• Being spirited is SO important in nurturing a genuine community within our student body. When we are spirited, it is the easiest way for us all to come together despite our differences and celebrate shared goals and interests. Additionally, being involved within our school through extracurriculars relating to our interests gives us personal reason - a motivator - to attend school aside from our obligated classes which get stressful at times.” ~Vivian Vu, Senior

• I’m a big believer of “There’s power through experiences,” and having the courage to go through experiences is giving you a chance to grow and learn. At the same time, you are serving as a representation of how sixers can get motivated to do what you love and step up. Through this experience, you can also serve as an inspiration to your peers that there is nothing that you can’t do.” ~Kayleigh Soriano, Senior

• “The concept of having school pride and being spirited in general is important because it provides a greater communal and social aspect that academics alone cannot provide. Although a student can get exceptional grades, they still can feel completely unfulfilled without the social aspect that being “spirited” provides. Therefore, it is necessary that a student has this in order to have a fulfilling experience beyond their academics.” ~Eli Obrero, Junior

Schedule Change Requests:

Counselors are currently reviewing schedule change requests and making necessary changes (i.e. missing a class, placed in the wrong level, need class for graduation, have two of the same class). Students will receive an email if/when a change is made.

All other requests (i.e. different elective, order of classes, etc.) will only be made if possible (we can’t overload classes) and if there is room in the schedule.

Please keep in mind:

• Making a schedule change may require a change to several classes

• Students should attend their current schedule and do their best in case a change is not made

• You must be logged into your school email account to request a change

• At this time, we are only making the following changes:

• Class needed for graduation/A-G

• Wrong class (i.e. Common Core Math 3 instead of Common Core Math 2)

• Computer error (i.e. the same class twice, missing a class, an open period)

• Already passed class and need to be moved to the next level

• Discretionary changes will only be made if possible

Monday, August 12 is the last day for students to submit a schedule change request: www.tinyurl.com/ihschedulechange2024.

We are doing our best to make changes as quickly as possible. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

Counselor Caseload:

Due to personnel changes, there has been a shift in counselor caseload. Please make note of your student’s counselor as it may have changed.

• Ms. Pham: Last Names A-Chi | 408.928.9680 | phamm@esuhsd.org

• Mr. Hennessey: Last Names Chj-Hd | 408.928.9563 | hennesseym@esuhsd.org

• Ms. Fernandez: Last Names He-Maq | 408.928.9574 | fernandezf@esuhsd.org

• Ms. Huynh: Last Names Mar-Par | 408.928.9567 | huynhtt@esuhsd.org

• Ms. Marquez: Last Names Pas-Sq | 408.928.9568 | marquezl@esuhsd.org

• Ms. Liang: Last Names Sr-Z | 408.928.9546 | liangb@esuhsd.org
  

“Just try new things. Don’t be afraid. Step out of your comfort zones and SOAR.”

• M. Obama

The fall athletic season is upon us. If you ever wanted the opportunity to try a sport, NOW is the time. Feel free to contact the coach from the sport you are interested in (contact information below), or just show up and introduce yourself to learn more.

In order to participate in a sport, you must be registered through www.athleticclearance.com. You can visit our website to learn how to navigate the registration site.

All athletes must have a current physical on file in Athletic Clearance (dated after 6/1/24). The last chance for fall sport athletes to get a physical on campus is Tuesday, 8/13 afterschool in room M-34 ($25 cash only).

Go6ers!

Week of 8/12/24

Fall Sports

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

Sixer Golf (girls): Coac Richard Lee

Sixer Volleyball (girls): Coach Kenny (ng.kenneth02@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 Nelson trann@esuhsd.org

Winter Sports

Sixer Basketball (b): Coach Peralta (coachrayjay14@gmail.com)

Sixer Basketball (g): Coach Singh (singh@esuhsd.org)

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 Yenchik

Sixer Swim: Coach Martinez (martinezad@esuhsd.org)

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

Sixer Track and Field

Sixer Volleyball: Coach Nguyen (ng.kenneth02@gmail.com)

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

Visit GoFan.co to purchase tickets

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

Welcome families! We hope the first two days of school have been full of excitement. Whether you're experiencing a new transition or marking your final first day of school, we're thrilled to have you with us! We’re here to support you every step of the way. Feel free to drop by and visit us in the "Sixer Community Center" located in D207.

Backpacks are here!!! If you are in need of a backpack / school supplies, please stop by and see us in D207.

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.

Community Resources & Events

Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline

If you or your student need mental health crisis support outside of school hours, you may call 988 to request support from the Santa Clara County Mobile Crisis Response Team. If your phone number does not begin with a 408, 669 or 650 area code, please call 800-704-0900 and press 1.

Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline

Downtown Youth Wellness Center

Address: 725 East Santa Clara Street, Suite 105, San Jose, CA 95112

Phone: 408-961-4645

Email: dywc@hhs.sccgov.org

The Downtown Youth Wellness Center is a Behavioral Health program dedicated to promoting a safe, supportive, and youth-focused environment that provides short term Behavioral Health services, focused on prevention and early intervention for youth ages 12-25. Services include same day access to brief behavioral health support, peer support, workshops, well-being groups, social and educational activities, linkage to services/case management (including medical and longer-term behavioral health services), life skills development, education and career planning, independent living skills, and other related care. The DYWC is a partnership between the Behavioral Health Services Department and Alum Rock Counseling Center.

The DYWC is excited to continue to be part of the community that serves the youth in our community. In an ongoing effort to meet the needs of the youth, the DYWC has shifted the hours of operation to Monday through Friday from 10am-7pm.