Independence High School
2022-2023 - Semester 2, Week 13 (4/17/23)
Principal's Update
Welcome back from Spring Break! Today starts our 6th Marking Period as we move toward the end of the Second Semester in 33 School Days.
This week are on a special schedule for the statewide testing for our Juniors and Sex Education modules for our Seniors. Additionally, if you are using your school Chromebook for this testing or the upcoming AP tests, make sure you have the latest version of the operating system.
For our (soon-to-be) graduating students, I want to let you know that all student email accounts are deleted once a student leaves the district. If you are a graduating senior or a student who will not return to the district next year, please be aware that you will not have access to your "students.esuhsd.org" email account. You should begin to download or transfer any emails or information that you want to have access to at a later date. One easy option is to forward important emails to your own personal email addresses.
What's happening this week
Friday, 4/21 @ 6pm - La Noche Latina!
Join us at the gymnasium for our annual Latino Student Union festival! Featuring performances, food, drinks, raffle and prizes! Tickets are $12 at the door!
Saturday, 4/22 - Sixer’s Earth Day!
We need volunteers!!! Come join us for Sixer’s Earth Day on Saturday! Together we will beautify the campus with greenery, pick weeds, collect trash and more, helping to improve the quality of our school’s environment! Sixer’s Earth Day takes place this Saturday from 9:00 to 11:30 AM. The deadline to RSVP is Wednesday, April 19th at 11:59 PM, Click HERE!
Friday, 4/28 - 2023 IndepenDance Concert - Opening Night!
The annual IndepenDance Concert debuts at 7:30pm on Friday, April 28th at the IHS Theatre. Tickets are $12 and may be purchased from any performer in advance, or at the Box Office. Additional evening performances: Saturday, 4/29, Friday, 5/5, and Saturday 5/6. A Special Matinee Performance will take place on Wednesday, 5/3 @ 4:30pm.
Sixer Shoutouts
Congratulations to AP Digital Studio Art and Multimedia 2 students Katelyn Ho, Veronica Hong and Diep Van Pham Nguyen, winners in this year’s Downtown Doors program!
The winning pieces include, "Morning Commute," by Katelyn Ho, “Visions of Iridescent Flames” by Diep Van Pham Nguyen and “First Bite” by Veronica Hong. They will attend a reception ceremony at the San Jose Museum of Art. In addition to prize money and a year-long subscription to Adobe Creative Suite, their artworks will be displayed on the doors in downtown San Jose.
Click HERE to read the full feature article on Nuha’s participation in the SVUDL!
For a complete list of *ALL* Fall Semester Shoutout Winners, click HERE! Our Sixer Staff awarded 154 Sixer Shoutouts during the Fall semester! Congratulations to all
On Wednesday, April 5th, students from Mr. Stone’s U.S. History classes, Mr. Fernandes’ English 2 classes, and invited special education classes enjoyed a Japanese-American tribute and luncheon in D-Commons. Mr. Fernandes and Mr. Stone lectured on Japan and Japanese-American history during World War II and internment camps. Dr. LaMontagne presented on resilience art that came out of the camps. This is just another way our Sixers learn about how different cultures use art as a form of resilience.
Students in Mr. Fernandes’ and Mr. Stone’s classes shared projects and exhibits with tablemates and visiting adults. They also practiced making origami cranes. The crane, a traditional symbol of luck in Japan, was popularized as a peace symbol by the story of Sadako Sasaki (1943–1955), a girl who died as a result of the atomic bomb exploding over Hiroshima in 1945.
As part of the learning session, students enjoyed making and eating sushi rolls, BBQ teriyaki beef, Japanese salad, rice. Thank you to Mr. Fernandes and Mr. Stone for providing an innovative and collaborative learning experience for our students! We are eXtraordinary!
For more photos click HERE!
Athletics Updates
Week of 4/17/2023
Monday, 4/17
Sixer Tennis
Tuesday, 4/18
Sixer Golf
Sixer Softball
Sixer Tennis
Sixer Volleyball
Wednesday, 4/19
Sixer Badminton
Sixer Golf
Sixer Softball
Thursday, 4/20
Sixer Swim
Sixer Tennis
Sixer Track and Field
Sixer Volleyball
Friday, 4/21
Sixer Badminton
GoFan.co is now a vendor of ESUHSD. Now there are (2) options for purchasing tickets to basketball and volleyball games; pay via cash at the Box Office or electronically via mobile app/phone at IHS & GoFan.co. (Note: GoFan does charge a $1/ ticket fee for each transaction)
Visit Sixer Athletics for up to date information about athletics! Follow us on Instagram: @indyathletics
Counseling Corner
Summer School Application
We are now accepting sign-ups for summer school courses. We have a range of courses available both for recovery and acceleration in math. To apply for the summer school, click here. Contact our Summer School Coordinator, Ms. Huynh (huynhtt@esuhsd.org), for any questions.
Scholarships for Seniors
We are now accepting applications for scholarships aimed for Independence graduating seniors. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. See scholarship details below.
Go For It Scholarship
Application needs to be submitted to Ms. Pham in person or via email (phamm@esuhsd.org) by May 1, 2023.
All graduating seniors who will be going to higher education are eligible to apply
Award: $2000 (1 student)
Contact Ms. Pham (phamm@esuhsd.org) if you have questions
10,000 Degrees Scholarship | Flyer
Priority deadline has passed, but 10,000 Degrees is still accepting applications!
Award amount varies
No requirement
Contact Mr. Garcia (anthony.garcia@10000degrees.org) if you have questions
Ms. Liang’s Caseload
Ms. Liang is currently out on leave. In her absence, please contact the following counselors based on student last name:
Tb-Tr: Ms. Pham (phamm@esuhsd.org), Ms. Huynh (huynhtt@esuhsd.org) or Mr. Hennessey (hennesseym@esuhsd.org)
Ts-V: Ms. Fernandez (fernandezf@esuhsd.org) or Ms. Marquez (marquezl@esuhsd.org)
W-Z: Mr. Ly (lyt@esuhsd.org)
College Opportunities Summit 2023
Our community partner, 10,000 Degrees, is hosting a summer program for current juniors to learn more about college, majors, careers, and resources available. For more information and to apply, please see the attached flyer or contact for 10,000 Degrees fellow, Mr. Garcia at anthony.garcia@10000degrees.org.
Counselor Availability:
Ms. Pham (A-Cg) - 8am-3:30pm
Mr. Ly (Ch-Garc) - 8am-3:30pm
Mr. Hennessey (Gard-Le, I) - 8am-3:30pm
Ms. Fernandez (Le, J-M) - 8:30am-4pm
Ms. Huynh (N-Ph) - 8:15am-3:45pm
Ms. Marquez (Pi-Ta) - 8:30am-4pm
Ms. Liang (Tb-Z) - 8:15am-3:45pm
Mr. Garcia (10,000 Degrees Fellow) - 9am-4pm | Tuesday-Thursday
Ms. Cuenca (USF Intern) - 8am-3:30pm | Monday & Tuesday
Ms. Serrano (USF Intern) - 8am-3:30pm | Tuesday & Thursday
Activities Update
Hey Seniors!
Did you know? There is a special Senior Newsletter! Check out the special link for ALL senior-specific information, such as: professional portraits, graduation, FAFSA, and Prom! Just scroll, locate, and CLICK on the Senior Button!
Wrap it Up Rally, Senior Awards, & Senior Panorama (Friday, April 28th)
Wrap it Up Dance - sponsored by the Class of 2024 (Friday, May 19th)
Yearbooks:
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 processing fee).
2023 Cover Proof:
Yearbook Ads are a great way to honor graduating seniors, memorialize social groups and clubs, and promote local businesses. One exciting way to celebrate you and your friends is to contribute to a photo collage of all your collective experiences! Select from a variety of packages, layout options, templates, colors, and fonts. Upload as many photos as you desire and submit for publication!
For further information, please review the Yearbook Frequently Asked Questions document.
Social Media Handles
Stay up to date on all student activities and events at IHS - follow your ASB-endorsed accounts:
And, be sure to also follow your class account for information specific to your year:
Safety and Attendance
CLOSED Campus
As Spring has sprung and our students enjoy the change in weather, this is a friendly reminder to parents and students 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 constitute as off campus as they are not on school grounds.
Additionally, students should not be hanging out in the parking lots during passing period, break and or lunch. Staff members will ask the students to go back to the main campus.
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 how there is a correlation between attendance and grades. We are happy to report that as a site we are making an improvement in the right direction. Let’s keep it up SIXERS!
Semester Average: 85.86%
February Average: 85.69%
Last Week’s Average: 85.08%
We will continue diligently working with students, and having parent conferences with students to address attendance and generate a plan to help support and motivate the students to be in class.
One way to recoup a FULL DAY absence is by attending Saturday School.
Saturday School
Our next Saturday School is scheduled for this upcoming April 22, 2023.
Saturday School is a way students can recover a FULL day of absence. Saturday School does not excuse excessive tardies.
You may sign up by clicking the following link:
https://tinyurl.com/SaturdaySchoolatIHS
Short Term Independent Studies (STIS)
Please remember that if your student will be absent for 5 days up to 14 days, they may apply for short term independent studies through the C-05. Please have your student come by C-05 to speak with Ms. Vidal or Mr. Salgado regarding the process.
Student Parking Permits
This is a friendly reminder that if students are driving their car to school, they must fill out a student parking permit application.
The student parking permit application will be completed online. Once the form has been submitted, please bring your driver's license, current motor vehicle registration, and proof of auto insurance to C-05 to receive your parking permit.
The online application can be found here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdUdLoXqaupme8lYk5rdzpOl3hWnfXKSbJGF9PsL4WqSiYNjA/viewform
The IHS Attendance Office is located in N-01
Attendance Secretary
Naicila Vidal - 408.928.9521
Student last name A - L
Diana Castillo - 408.928.9552
Student last name M-Z
Thao Pham - 408.928.9542
Parent and Community Involvement Corner
“Sixers Earth Day” (Campus Beautification): April 22, 2023. 9am-11:30am
Join us for our next Family Engagement Workshop:
Supporting Youth With Trauma & Traumatic Experiences,
Thursday, April 6pm-7pm
Please mark your calendars for future Family Engagement Workshops:
Healthy Relationships: Helping Your Child Develop Healthy Relationships Thursday, 5/4 6pm-7pm
LGBTQ+ Support for Families Thursday, 5/18 6pm-7pm
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Santa Clara Family Health Plan (SCFHP) Blanca Alvarado Community Resource Center is a convenient, welcoming, and safe space committed to advancing the health of SCFHP members and East San José residents. The Center collaborates with safety-net agencies to offer community-responsive and culturally competent health and wellness programs and helps connect residents to resources. https://crc.scfhp.com/
988 Crisis and Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Get Help - Behavioral Health Services - County of Santa Clara (sccgov.org); informational flyer for mental health teams (attached)
LGBTQ Youth Space (ages 13-25): https://youthspace.org/
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
Our Independence Clothes Closet has a number of gently used clothing items. Please reach contact Ms. Maggie in N01 if you are in need of any items (ie…sweaters, jackets, socks, blankets)
As a reminder, please refer to the academic calendar to support you in the planning of any holiday vacations. As a reminder, vacations are not excuse absences in session days. For further questions, please contact your attendance clerk.
For any questions or concerns please contact Ms. Maggie rodriguezm@esuhsd.org 408.928.9541.
Please ensure we have your email so you are able to receive Parent Meetings and school updates. Please complete the Parent Survey by using this link https://forms.gle/mY7aQo6c37KW5S64A to get your feedback regarding Parent Workshops.
Metal Health and Wellness
The Mental Health and Wellness Center is located in Room D-05.
Office Closures: The office is closed on Wednesdays from 11:30 until 2:00 pm. If you need support from an adult, please go to C-05, N-1, or N-2 for assistance.
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 15-20 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 Instagram @indywellness76
Reporting Line
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