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Independence High School

8/19/2024

IndependenceHigh School8/19/2024

Principal's Update

Sixer Community,


As we enter our third week of the school year, we will have picture day through English classes on Wednesday and Thursday. These images go on our student ID cards which can be used to check out items through the book room and as identification. These are also the yearbook pictures and used in our student information system.


This week we will continuing to monitor our master schedule as we solidify enrollment numbers and see where we have the need to open additional sections.


Back to School Night has been moved to Wednesday, 9/4.

What's Happening This Week

Mon 8/19 - 5:30am - 7:30am: Senior Sunrise @ Football Stadium

SIXER Shoutout

“Miko Angeles has brought excellence to his new job as head custodian. He cares about IHS and the students. He responds to all the tickets in an amazingly fast time. He either has the items resolved quickly or forwards them to the appropriate team at the District Office. He desires a beautiful campus and does everything in his power to make it that way. We are so blessed to have such a great Head Custodian leading the team. I can not say enough praise for Miko, and the team he leads.” ~Mr. Larry Winterlin, Industrial Education


Congratulations to our We Are Spirited School-Wide Lesson drawing winners: Luis Orozco (junior), Brandon Vo (sophomore), and Ricardo Lopez (senior)! Thanks for participating in the We Are Spirited School-Wide Lesson!

Our SIXER Values in Action

We Are Innovative 2024 2025

This week, we highlight reflections from students about times they were innovative here at IHS:


  • “The STEAM academy has given me various opportunities to help me grow as a person. By giving me opportunities such as constructive projects for academic clubs, they help me pursue my career even more. I would like to thank Mr. Winterlin for giving me these opportunities!” ~David Zavala, Junior


  • “A teacher that has provided many students an opportunity to be innovative is Ms. Battrell. Thanks to her book project, I, along with other students, were able to get creative and work with like minded classmates to create a children’s book. This project did not have too many guidelines, which made it easier for us to be innovative.” ~Adelynn Le, Junior


  • “There was this activity in Ms. Helmer’s class that made my group mates and I think of a way to build the tallest spaghetti noodle tower. It was really fun to do but frustrating. I feel like it pushed me and the others out of our comfort zone by making us think differently.” ~Christine Hart, Senior


  • During December finals for PE in Mrs. Roberts' class, I had to create a dance routine with my team of 5 other classmates. I wouldn't consider myself a creative person but I somehow came up with a lot of dance moves even though I seldom dance. I thought I wouldn't be able to come up with anything, let alone enough moves for the song, but what I came up with worked out.” ~Heather Lien, Senior


  • “When I had modern dance my freshman year we had our final which was to choreograph our own dance. This pushed me to be creative and use my creativity to put into a piece for the class.” ~Summer Dinh, Junior


If you missed the “We Are Innovative” school-wide lesson, view it and engage by submitting your response HERE!

IHS Counseling Corner

Schedule Change Requests:

The window to a request schedule change has closed. Counselors are only 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.


At this time, spaces in many classes are extremely limited. Therefore, requests such as changing electives, dropping/adding a course, changing order of classes, etc. have not been approved. We cannot guarantee a schedule change will be made and encourage all students to continue attending their scheduled courses and do their best.


We are doing our best to review changes and make the necessary 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.
Making the Spartan East Side Promise

Athletics Updates

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

  • M. Obama


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).


Go6ers!


Week of 8/19/24

Fall Sports

Sixer Football:

8/23/24 Scrimmage @ Leigh HS (TBA)

Coach Braun (braunj@esuhsd.org)


Sixer Golf (girls): Coach 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:

8/24/24 - vs Hillsdale @ 11am

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

Activities Updates

Seniors!

Start your final year of high school together with some fresh sunshine, spirit, and sustenance this Mon. August 19th @ Senior Sunrise in the Football Stadium from 5:30am - 7:30am

Bring cash for food and senior spirit merch!


Interested in welcoming the new school year with a show stopping performance?

Sign ups for Welcome Back Rally on Fri. August 30th is now open.

Complete this form: https://tinyurl.com/ihswbr2024

Slots are FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED - Sign up quick to secure your club’s spot!


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

Jennifer Andrade-Chavez - 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

Parent and Community Specialist Corner

***Save the Date***

Back to School Night : September 4, 2024

Parent Workshop - Info Night: September 18, 2024 6pm

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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