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Independence High School

3/3/2025

IndependenceHigh School3/3/2025

Principal's Update

Sixer Community,


Starting later this week all students getting food from our school kitchen must have an ID card, use the Minga app, or enter their ID number for accurate food service counts. School meals will continue to be free during this time.


Save the Date! Parents and Community are invited to attend a Focus Group to share your experiences at Independence High School on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at 3:45pm. Please RSVP HERE if you can attend!


For our students and families that registered after the October Census date, we will be sending texts and emails to qualify students for our UPP counts. This provides reduced AP test fees and brings in additional funding for our school. This information is confidential and protected by FERPA laws.


I also invite all community members to attend our district LCAP meeting on March 24th, at 5:30 PM in our Student Union.

What's Happening this week

Thursday, 3/6 | 8:30am - 9:15am | Office Hours. Connect with your teacher!


MULTICULTURAL SPIRIT WEEK

MONDAY [3/3]: WHITE LIE DAY 🤥❌

  • Wear a note featuring an obvious lie about yourself! 📝

  • Don’t miss a stunning performance by Independence’s K-Club at Senior Stage during lunch! 🇰🇷✨


TUESDAY [3/4]: TACKY TOURIST DAY 🤳🌺

  • Dress like a classic tourist—sunglasses, cameras, cargo shorts, and more! 🕶️🩳

  • Head to Senior Stage at lunch to enjoy Mabuhay’s amazing performance! 🇵🇭🥢


WEDNESDAY [3/5]: DAY IN THE BAY 🧋🌉

  • Show off your Bay Area pride with staple outfits! 👖🖇️

  • Watch the Latino Student Union’s Burrito Eating Challenge at Senior Stage! 🌯🇲🇽


THURSDAY [3/6]: FLAG DAY 🇺🇸🌍

  • Represent your heritage by wearing your culture’s flag colors! 🇨🇳🇮🇳🇲🇽🇧🇷🇵🇸

  • Tune in for a MYSTERY FOOD TASTING SHOW at Senior Stage during lunch—are you up for the challenge? ❓🧆🍱


FRIDAY [3/7]: CULTURAL DAY 🥻👘

  • End the week in style by wearing traditional clothing or accessories from your culture! 🧣👗

  • Multicultural RALLY - Assembly Schedule

  • Join us for Pictionary at Senior Stage—test your artistic skills! ✍️🎨

SIXER Shoutouts

“Sean Matthew Luna demonstrated exceptional respect and responsibility during Saturday school by taking the initiative to pick up garbage around the student union. His actions showed a deep sense of care for our shared space and a commitment to maintaining a clean environment for everyone. Without being asked, Matthew took it upon himself to make a positive impact, showing kindness and leadership. His extraordinary behavior exemplifies the values we all strive to uphold, and I’m truly appreciative of his thoughtful efforts to help keep our community clean.” ~Sra. Alvarez, World Language Teacher

3 WAYS TO ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN: (LINE 6 on Order Form)


  1. Buy cap, gown, & tassel. You get to decorate them and keep them.
  2. Borrow a sibling's or older friend's gown. Buy cap & tassel only, and you get to decorate and keep cap & tassel.
  3. Borrow cap and gown from the school. You may not alter or decorate them, and cap & gown must be returned immediately after the ceremony.



Click here to view the full Product Catalog.

Click here to visit our website.

Questions?

Call the Grad Company office at (925) 736 0679 or Mike Rabago cell (925) 876 7731.

The deadline for Senior Portraits to make it into the yearbook is the end of January.

Our SIXER Values in Action

At Independence, students are exposed to amazing opportunities thanks to our dedicated teachers and program coordinators. Recently, Ms. Brandi Fabricius’ art students participated in a 2-day workshop with artists from Local Color SJ! Established in 2015, Local Color is a non-profit organization whose mission is to “build equitable pathways for creatives to thrive!” Learn more about Local Color’s Color Me Rad Youth Programming through this short documentary.


Participating in art offers students numerous benefits, including enhanced academic performance, cognitive development, and socio-emotional growth. Additionally, arts education fosters critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, contributing to overall cognitive development. Involvement in the arts enhances self-awareness, self-confidence, and social engagement.


Incorporating art into education not only enriches students' academic and personal lives, but also fosters a more innovative and inclusive community.

We Are Spirited. We Are Sixers.

IHS Counseling Corner

Financial Aid Application Priority Deadline Extended!

The California Student Aid Commission announced the priority deadline for financial aid has been extended to April 2, 2025! Seniors are encouraged to submit either the FAFSA or CADAA by the deadline. 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.


Financial Aid Workshops

Our college access programs are hosting open financial aid workshops on Thursdays from 3:15-4:15pm in Room D-208. Students and families who need assistance with filling out their financial aid application are encouraged to attend these workshops.

Community College Workshops:

IHS Counseling will be hosting a series of workshops to help students through the community college application, orientation and registration process. Representatives from the community college will be on campus to assist students and answer any questions they may have. Please check the IHS Counseling Calendar for up-to-date dates and information.

Upcoming Dates:

Mar. 5: West Valley College Application Workshop | 12:20-2pm | The Learning Center

Mar. 6: Open Financial Aid Workshop | 3:15-4:15pm | D-208

Mar. 6: SJSU Next Steps Workshop | 3:20-4pm | The Learning Center

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.


College Access Support (located in D-208 & the Learning Center):
Making the Spartan East Side Promise

Athletics Updates

“Nothing endures but change.” ― Heraclitus

Congratulations to our wrestling team for becoming BVAL Santa Teresa Division champs. The team was led by Aaron Olvera, Caleb Colmenero, and Andres Juarez. Andres placed 4th in CCS at 120 pound class earning him a spot in the CIF tournament in Bakersfield, CA. Andres unfortunately lost his opening match to the 16th ranked 120 pounder in the state, but he was able to battle into the quarterfinals of the consolation bracket. Andres is the first wrestler to represent Independence HS in over a decade. Hopefully, Andres will return in 2026, and take a few of his teammates along with him.


Congratulations to our boys’ basketball team as they completed an undefeated league season to win the BVAL Santa Teresa West Division. Led all season by the league MVP Josh Villanueva, the Sixers did a great job navigating a lot of new experiences and continued to represent our community in a positive manner.


Week of 3/3/25

Spring Sports

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


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

3/4/25 @ James Lick - 4pm

3/6/25 vs James Lick - 4pm


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

3/3/25 vs Oak Grove @ Spring Valley 3:30pm

3/4/25 vs Oak Grove @ SJ Municipal 3:45pm


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


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

3/7/25 vs Gilroy - 4pm


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

3/6/25 vs Christoher - 4pm


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


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

3/7/25 vs Oak Grove - 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

Activities Updates

Attention ALL Sixers Students!

If you haven’t already done so, please download the MINGA app on your phone to access your Digital Student ID. This is a REQUIREMENT to get into ALL home sports games that require a ticket for FREE and will be required for check-in at dances and other school events.


No phone? No problem..MINGA is accessible on your chromebook via ARMS.

Order your yearbook today!

Yearbook orders are now being accepted at www.yearbookordercenter.com/job/6072

Yearbooks are $70 until April after April, they will then be $75 until the end of the school year,

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.


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 March 15th. 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

Parent and Community Specialist Corner

***SAVE THE DATE***

***SAVE THE DATE***

Alternative Education Options Information Night: March 11, 2025 at 6:00pm, Student Union


Is your student falling short on credits? Join us to learn about the Pegasus and Foothill graduation and credit recovery programs, along with the application steps. Counselors and representatives from both schools will be available to guide you through the process. Don’t miss this opportunity!

***SAVE THE DATE***

Monday, Mar 24, 2025; LCAP Community Meeting

We invite you to participate in a discussion focused on improving services and providing the best support for our students.

Calling all Seniors and Senior Parents! Attend the meeting and enter for a chance to win Reserved Seating for Graduation!

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.

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.

Parents: For technology access please see the flyer below. As a reminder your student can share the pairing code for CANVAS.

Please refer to the academic calendar 2024-2025 to support you in the planning of any holiday vacations. As a reminder, vacations are not excuse absences in session days.

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.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Sacred Heart Community Service

Martha's Kitchen

Second Harvest Food Bank nearest Food pickup


● 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

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.

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
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