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Independence High School

4/28/2025

IndependenceHigh School4/28/2025

Principal's Update

Sixer Community,


We are still collecting responses to the Panorama Survey. The results are used to help guide our school-wide lessons and as metrics in our School Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA). I invite all parents and guardians to take the survey through the directions below.


  1. Navigate to anonymous survey link:
    http://surveys.panoramaed.com/eastsideunion/family

  2. Select school name from a drop down menu

  3. Start survey & select preferred language from drop down menu


Thank you to everyone who has already submitted this survey.

What's Happening this week

Thursday, May 1: Decision Day for Seniors! | Lunchtime | Student Union

SIXER Shoutouts

A Sixer Shoutout to Ms. Jillanne Delgado for her incredible support in helping administer this year’s state testing. The English Language Proficiency Assessment for California (ELPAC) and the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) testing play a crucial role in helping schools measure student growth, identify areas for improvement, and ensure all students are receiving the support they need to succeed. Thank you Ms. Jill for making such an important contribution to our school community! You are appreciated! ~Dr. LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation

Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony

6/4/25 at the SJSU Event Center

@ 5:00 PM

290 S 7th St, San Jose, CA 95112


Additional details to follow.

Event Information

Class of 2025 Graduation

When?

Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025, 05:00 PM

Where?

290 S 7th St, San Jose, CA 95112

location_on Open maps

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.

Our SIXER Values in Action

At a recent Model United Nations conference in Fremont on Saturday, April 5th, Independence High School students showcased the results of their extraordinary dedication, research, and preparation beyond their regular coursework. Over the course of a challenging 12-hour competition, our delegates excelled across every committee, achieving an impressive Indy sweep!

Award Winners by Committee:

DISEC (Disarmament and International Security Committee):

  • Best Research: Arlene Bui (10th Grade)

  • Outstanding Delegate: Adelynn Le (11th Grade)

SOCHUM (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee):

  • Best Research: Paakhi Manglik (9th Grade)

Specialized (Historical WWII Crisis Committee):

  • Best Research: Brandon Ho (10th Grade) and Frank Shau (12th Grade)

  • Best Delegate: Katie Chan (12th Grade) and Rovin Inocencio (12th Grade)

From our determined freshmen to our seasoned seniors, IHS students demonstrated remarkable poise, knowledge, and leadership. Special acknowledgment to the Model United Nations advisor Ms. Valerie Grover. Experiences like Model UN are so important for developing civic-minded leaders who stay engaged, informed, and ready to make a difference in the world.

Congratulations to all our delegates for representing Independence with such excellence!

IHS Counseling Corner

Mission College Workshop:

Representatives from Mission College will be at IHS on Tuesday during Period 3 to assist students in their enrollment process. Mission College staff can help students with completing their application, completing required orientation, creating an educational plan with a Mission counselor and registering for classes. Come to the Learning Center (Student Union) at the beginning of third period.


Decision Day!

IHS Counseling, 10,000 Degrees and DCAC want to celebrate seniors on Decision Day 2025! Come celebrate your post-secondary plans this Thursday during lunch in the Student Union.

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

“I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it’s been.”

  • Wayne Gretzky


Week of 4/28/25

Spring Sports

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

4/30/25 @ Evergreen Valley 6pm

5/2/25 @ Piedmont Hills 6pm


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

4/29/25 vs Overfelt - 4pm

5/1//25 @ Silver Creek - 4pm


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

4/30/25 BVAL Finals @ Santa Teresa GC


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

4/30/25 @ Gunderson 4pm

5/2/25 @ Mt. Pleasant 4pm


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

5/1-5/3/25 BVAL Finals @ Independence


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

5/1/25 BVAL CCS Qualifier


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

5/1 & 5/3/25 Santa Teresa Division Finals @ Lincoln High School


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

4/29//25 vs Branham - JV 5:30 | V 7pm

5/1/25 vs Leigh - 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.

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 this Saturday, May 3rd. 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

** Upcoming AP Testing** May 5, 2025 - May 16, 2025

As we approach the AP (Advanced Placement) testing period, we want to share some important information to help your student be prepared and successful.

Students must arrive on time. Morning exams begin promptly at 8:00 AM and afternoon exams at 12:00 PM. Late arrivals may not be allowed to test.

What to Bring:

  • Valid photo ID

  • Several No. 2 pencils (non-mechanical)

  • Black or blue pens

  • Approved calculator (if applicable)

  • Snacks and water for breaks (must be kept outside the testing room)

What NOT to Bring:

  • Phones, smartwatches, or any electronic devices

  • Books or notes

We encourage you to help your student by ensuring they get adequate rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school with all needed materials. Your support during this time is invaluable.

***SAVE THE DATE***

ELAC Celebration: Tuesday, May 13 @ 6pm

Coffee with the Principal : Wednesday, May 14 @ 9am


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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