Independence High School
2/5/2024
Principal's Update
SIXER community,
Thankfully, IHS remains open today despite the recent rains impacting several of our sister schools. We are now 2 weeks from the end of our Fourth Marking Period and the February Break. We are 60% through the 23-24 school year and on 2/12 we will start several portions of the ELPAC testing for qualified students. The week we return, 2/26, will be both our Multicultural Rally and Sadies Dance.
Many thanks to our Student Equity Council for their work on Wednesday, 1/31/24, reviewing campus data and working on future school-wide lessons.
On Monday and Tuesday, January 29-30, 2024 Herr Lynch, Frau McHugh, the German Club, and German classes prepared for and celebrated Schnitzelfest in C-Commons!
“Something about Schnitzelfest that I really enjoy is the trial and error that I experienced when it came to making my dish. The first time I made it, it turned out horrible, but the second time, we got to learn from our mistakes and we put a lot more effort and care into reading the instructions and preparing it. [The dish] turned out really well and I feel really proud of me and my partner for overcoming that obstacle. I feel like that's something that's really big in German class, because you always make mistakes but you learn from them and you end up doing better than you did before because of those mistakes.” ~Kyle Repman, Sophomore
Through our World Languages programs, our Sixers are learning about new cultures and new languages. They are using challenges and mistakes to improve. And, of course,they learn life skills including respectful communication and problem solving. We are proud to share that two of our alumni who participated in the IHS German program under Herr Lynch– Mr. Ho (Science) and Ms. Dang (Social Science)-- are now two IHS staff members making a positive impact in our community! We are Respectful. We Are Sixers!
The IHS Schnitzelfest tradition began in 1976 and gained “cult status” in 2009. 2009 was a year for the ages, as Ms. Professorin Magistra Ceciliä "Zizi" Däng was crowned the first and still reigning Schnitzelkaiserin (Schnitzel Empress).
Sixer Shoutouts
A Sixer Shoutout to our IHS Student Equity Council members: Royce Castro, Guangxiu Chen, Dulce Estrada Saavedra, Davina Anh Ho, David Le, Oralie Luu, Kylynne Manganti, Amir Mohammed, Kaily Nguyen, Akshita Pegallapati, Sunny Ruiz Guzman, Vincent Sanchez, Kale Suba, Aldrin Udasco, and Kayden Wong for igniting the beginning stages of creating of our school-wide lessons for the 2024-2025 academic year! Your work in analyzing data to bring forth student voice is important work! ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation
Counseling Corner
Scheduling Process for 2024-25 School Year
This week, IHS Counselors will be meeting with juniors (through US History) and sophomores (through PE 2) to confirm their course selections for next year. We encourage students to bring their questions regarding course selections, if any, to these meetings to discuss with their counselors. Students will also receive a copy of their evaluated transcript during their meeting with their counselor.
Please note: Counselor availability will be extremely limited during this time. We thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.
Financial Aid Application Update
Thank you to all the families who attended our Cash 4 College Workshop last Thursday. Unfortunately, FAFSA is still experiencing some issues and they are working to correct them as quickly as possible. Rest assured, students’ application submissions and awards should not be affected.
At this time, FSA is set to send higher education institutions batches of FAFSA information in the first half of March. We will be hosting another Cash 4 College Workshop on March 14 for families who still need assistance in filling out either application.
Upcoming Dates:
Feb. 5-6: Junior One-on-One Meeting with Counselors in US History
Feb. 7-8: Sophomore One-on-One Meeting with Counselors in PE 2
Feb. 12-13: Freshman One-on-One Meeting with Counselors in PE 1
Counselor Caseload:
Ms. Pham: Last Names A-Cd | 408.928.9680 | phamm@esuhsd.org
Mr. Ly: Last Names Ce-Gak | 408.928.9547 | lyt@esuhsd.org
Mr. Hennessey: Last Names Gal-Ld | 408.928.9563 | hennesseym@esuhsd.org
Ms. Fernandez: Last Names Le-M | 408.928.9574 | fernandezf@esuhsd.org
Ms. Huynh: Last Names N-Pha | 408.928.9567 | huynhtt@esuhsd.org
Ms. Marquez: Last Names Phb-Tal | 408.928.9568 | marquezl@esuhsd.org
Ms. Liang: Last Names Tam-Z | 408.928.9546 | liangb@esuhsd.org
Ms. Dela Cruz: Counselor in Training | 8:15am-2:30pm | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday | dealcruzcharissamae@esuhsd.org
Ms. Ho: Counselor In Training | 9am-3pm | Tuesday, Thursday, Friday | hok@esuhsd.org
Mr. Garcia: 10,000 Degrees Fellow | 9am-4pm | Tuesday-Thursday | 415.578.4380 | anthony.garcia@10000degrees.org
Athletics Updates
“Great things come from hard work and perseverance. No excuses.”
Kobe Bryant
Week of 2/5/24
Sixer Basketball (b): Coach Yenchik
2/7/24 vs Branham JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7
2/9/24 @ Christopher F @ 4pm | JV @ 5:30 | V 7pm
Visit GoFan.co to purchase tickets
Sixer Basketball (g): Coach Singh (singh@esuhsd.org)
2/6/24 @ Del Mar JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7p
2/8/24 vs Andrew Hill JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7p (Senior Night?)
Sixer Soccer (b): Coach Mendez (fmendez888@gmail.com)
2/6/24 @ Gunderson 7pm
2/8/24 @ James Lick 7pm
Sixer Soccer (g): Coach Kimball (mskimball1997@gmail.com)
2/7/24 vs Willow Glen @ 7pm (Senior Night!)
2/9/24 @ Santa Teresa @ 7pm
Sixer Wrestling: Coach Thompson (njakeg1209@yahoo.com)
2/9/24 CCS Wrestling Finals - TBA
Sixer Football: Coach Braun (braunj@esuhsd.org)
Sixer Golf (girls): Coach Carson (carsona@esuhsd.org)
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 Baker (bakerl@esuhsd.org)Visit Sixer Athletics for up to date information about athletics! Follow us on Instagram: @indyathletics
Visit GoFan.co to purchase tickets
Activities Updates
ASB Elections
This Thursday is Election Day for the 2024-2025 ASB Cabinet.
Caps and Gowns
Seniors still wishing to purchase Caps and Gowns can visit http://HJGradstore.com. or contact our Rep. Mike Rabago. Office number 925-736-0679
2023-2024 Yearbook Promo!
Right now, yearbook reservations/orders are $70. 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
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.
Thank you to everyone who attended our Saturday School on, 2/3.
Use the following link to sign up!
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 and Community Specialist Corner
We invite you to join us for ESUHSD’s Family Engagement Conference! We’ll be hosting workshops on topics such as How to Support Learners for Academic Success, Preparing for College and Career, Getting Financial Aid and Scholarships, and Practicing Online Safety, among many more! We’ll also be hosting a resource fair and raffle! Not to mention the free food! RSVP today at www.esuhsd.org/familyengagement or scan the QR code from above
Winter is here! If you are in need of warm items, such as socks, gloves, beanies, sweater come by A202 (Sixers Community Center) or contact Ms. Ha phamha@esuhsd.org or Ms. Maggie rodriguezm@esuhsd.org
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.
For confirmation of Free & Reduced please contact Child Nutrition Services at cns@esuhsd.org
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
Sacred Heart Community Service
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 in D-05
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.
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, 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. 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!
Wellness Center Hours:
Monday: 8:30-1:53, 2:55-3:45 (closed 6th period for weekly Care Team Meetings)
Tuesday: 8:30 - 3:45
Wednesday: 8:30 - 3:45
Thursday: 9:30 -3:15 (Closed during weekly staff collaboration)
Friday: 8:30-3:45
Classroom Calming Kits
During this week’s All Staff Collaboration, teachers were introduced to our new Classroom Calming Kits. These kits are designed to provide some activities that students can use to self-regulate in the classroom. The kits include coloring sheets, fidget toys, and a collection of mindfulness exercises that students can use if they begin to feel stressed while in the classroom.
NEW CBO: Alum Rock Counseling Center’s Truancy Abatement Program (TABS)
We would like to welcome one of our newest CBO’s, Alum Rock TABS! TABS provides case management, linkage to community resources, individual mentoring, and group services. Their goal is tro prevent truancy by helping students and families address situations that may be preventing them from attending school on a consistent basis. Their staff are in D-05 on Wednesdays. If you would like to learn more about this program, please contact a social worker. To submit a referral, please complete a Care Team Referral and indicate that you are interested in TABS.
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. We are grateful this month for the love and support our partners have shown to the DYWC! Don’t miss our new program offerings this month including:
Healthy Relationships Workshop 2/13/24
Self-Love Day 2/14/24
Black History Month Movie and Discussion 2/20/24
Understanding Anxiety Group for Youth 2/28/24
Next Door Solutions Youth In Action Conference 2/17
Next Door Solutions to Domestic Violence (NDS) will be hosting the Youth in Action Conference on Saturday, 2/17/2024, at the Mayfair Community Center from 9am – 1:30pm.
This year, the focus is creating spaces where youth can connect with each other, learn about healing, and uplifting their community. We are thrilled to collaborate with other organizations to promote the needs of youth and move them towards action.
We will have a parent component at the same time! Providing an opportunity for parents to learn, understand, and reconnect with their teens while learning about the LGBTQ+ community, communication, and self & community care.
The youth conference will be in English, and the parent component will be in Spanish.
Where students find their Passion, Purpose, and Path.
School Vision
Contact us
Email: bergbj@esuhsd.org
Website: https://independence.esuhsd.org/index.html
Location: 617 North Jackson Avenue, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: 4089289500
Twitter: @IndependenceHS