page background
page background

Independence High School

1/8/2024

Independence HighSchool1/8/2024

Principal's Update

Happy New Year SIXER community,


I hope everyone was able to enjoy a restful break. Welcome to the first week of school for the second semester. First semester grades will be finalized to be mailed out this week. As we go into the first few weeks of this semester, we will also be undergoing potential class balancing. Additionally, based on first semester grades, our counselors will be meeting with student to make necessary changes for graduation purposes.


Congratulations to our Marching Band and Color Guard on their recent trip to play in the London New Year's Day Parade. The video is linked below.

zoom_out_map

Over the winter break, our 76er Cavalry Marching Band & Color Guard, our band director Mr. Ken Ponticelli, band boosters, families, and alumni traveled to London, England to represent Independence High School in the 2024 London, England New Year’s Day Parade!


In true Sixer Spirit, our students collaborated with Oak Grove High School to represent the East Side Union High School District in London. The 76er Calvary Marching Band continues to connect people in community- across our campus, across our district, across generations of IHS students, and now across the world.


It took a village of support to make this trip– a learning experience of a lifetime– a reality.

View photos of their trip HERE. Thank you to Joey Jam Flores, IHS Drum Instructor and Production Coordinator, for sharing the photos!

Sixer Shoutouts

IHS Community Shoutout


A huge Sixer Shoutout to the 76er Cavalry Marching Band & Color Guard, our band director Mr. Ken Ponticelli, band boosters, families, and alumni for representing Independence High School in the 2024 London, England New Year’s Day Parade!

Counseling Corner

Scheduling Process for 2024-25 School Year

As we begin Semester 2 of the 2023-24 school year, we are already planning ahead for the 2024-25 school year. IHS Counseling will begin the scheduling process for the new school year this month. We will be announcing dates for scheduling classroom lessons and student/counselor meetings next week. Please save the date for Thursday, January 18, 2024 for our Scheduling Parent Night at 5:30pm in the iCafe. More information to follow.


Silicon Valley Technical Career Education (SVCTE) Enrollment for 2024-25

IHS Counseling has begun the recruitment process for enrollment in SVCTE for the 2024-25 school year. Students currently in grades 10-11 who are interested must fill out this interest form (form can only be accessed and submitted by students). Submitting this form does not guarantee enrollment. Please note: SVCTE medical programs are extremely impacted. Not all students who apply will be able to get in.


Enrollment in SVCTE does impact a student’s schedule at IHS. Please review how SVCTE will impact your student’s home school courses with your school counselor before committing to SVCTE.


IHS Counseling will be holding a field trip to SVCTE for interested students this Friday, January 12. Space is limited for the field trip. Students wanting to attend the field trip will need to do the following:

  1. Submit the SVCTE Interest Form 2024-25

  2. Pick up a permission slip from Counseling (N-02)

  3. Return completed and signed permission slip to Counseling by Wednesday, January 10 at 4pm. Permission slips will be time stamped.


Contact Ms. Pham (408.928.9680 | phamm@esuhsd.org) for any questions.


Financial Aid Application - NOW OPEN

California State Assembly Bill 469 states all seniors must submit a financial aid application (either the FAFSA or CADAA). Both the FAFSA and CADAA are now open for students and parents to submit. We recommend reviewing the resources below as there have been changes to the applications. Please contact your school counselor with any questions.


Upcoming Dates:

  • Jan. 12: SVCTE Field Trip

  • Jan. 18: Counseling Parent Night: All About Scheduling (G.9-11) | 5:30pm in iCafe


Counselor Caseload:

We welcome back Ms. Marquez! Please be patient as she transitions back. We are also excited to welcome Ms. Dela Cruz who will be joining IHS Counseling as a counselor in training. Her contact information will be shared shortly.

Athletics Updates

“Nobody who ever gave their best effort ever regretted it.”

  • George Halas


Community Reminder: All tickets for Sixer Athletic Winter Team home games will only be available for purchase online. Please visit Gofan.co for all tickets.


Week of 1/8/24

Sixer Basketball (b): Coach Yenchik

1/12/24 vs Leigh F @ 4pm | JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7


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

1/9/24 @ Live Oak @ 4pm | JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7

1/11/24 vs Westmont@ 4pm | JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7


Sixer Soccer (b): Coach Mendez (fmendez888@gmail.com)

1/9/24 @ Gilroy 7pm

1/11/24 vs San Jose High School @ 7pm


Sixer Soccer (g): Coach Kimball (mskimball1997@gmail.com)

1/10/24 vs James Lick @ 7pm

1/12/24 @ Westmont @ 7pm


Wrestling: Coach Thompson (njakeg1209@yahoo.com)

1/11/24 @ Mt. Pleasant @ 6:30pm


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

Seniors - the deadline for Senior Portraits is February 2, 2024.

Activities Updates

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.


We had approximately 80 students attend our December dates!


Our next date is Saturday, January 13th. See you there!


Use the following link to sign up!

https://forms.gle/FUESw4JdS5gzVPRj8

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 & Community Involvement Specialist (PCIS) Corner

Welcome back! We hope you all enjoyed your holidays and are ready to start off our Second Semester. If you are in need of a new backpack or supplies please come by A202 (Sixers Community Center) or contact Ms. Ha phamha@esuhsd.org or Ms. Maggie rodriguezm@esuhsd.org


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


**Save the date** January 24, 2024: ELAC Parent Meeting


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

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

The Mental Health and Wellness Center is located in Room D-05.


Services offered in D-05

The Mental Health and Wellness team includes social workers, interns, and community-based organizations (CBOs) 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 or intern 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 as a space 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!


Calming Space Hours:

Monday: 8:30-3:45 (all day)

Tuesday: 11:16-3:45 (beginning of break - end of 7th period)

Wednesday: 11:55 - 3:45 (beginning of lunch - end of 7th period)

Thursday: 10:58 -3:15 (beginning of break - end of 6th period)

Friday: 8:30-3:45 (all day)

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
Bjorn Berg
Bjorn is using Smore to create beautiful newsletters