Independence High School
2022-2023 - Semester 2, Week 12 (4/3/23)
Principal's Update
This week we end our 5th marking period.
Next week is Spring Break, and the following week we will be a special schedule for our statewide testing for the Juniors. We will also give the Science portions to our Seniors who did not test and the California Healthy Youth Act - Sexual Health Education units.
Just a quick reminder that for students who are here early and need a warm place to go, we have the iCafe in N-02 open as a warm place to study.
What's happening this week
Tuesday, 4/4 @ 7 pm - Concert
IHS Performing Arts: Piano & Choir Concert takes place in the Theatre
Saturday, 4/8 @ 5 pm - Senior Prom
The 2023 Senior Prom takes place in Santa Cruz, CA, at Cocoanut Grove. Buses leave IHS @ 5 pm, and doors open @ 7 pm.
Monday, 4/10 - Friday, 4/14 - Spring Break
Sixer Shoutouts
Student Shoutout
Sadev Desai has been working in a very collaborative manner with his team members when it comes to completing assignments in Spanish class. His generous spirit was also evident as he shared his umbrella with peers during last week's staggering downpour. Thank you for being a role model, Sadev! ~Ms. Daccarett, Spanish Teacher
Staff Shoutout
Mr. Huan Lee and Ms. Sarah Anderson, You are fantastic Freshman class advisors! Although you are new to campus, you are not new to engaging students. We appreciate your efforts to guide our newest and youngest students throughout the year in their class activities. Thank you for helping mold our future, inclusive campus leaders and the Class of 2026! ~Dr. Cristine LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation
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
After spending a month on World War 1. Ms. Cristina McClelland’s classes needed a break from death and destruction, so they did a quick unit on art history. Ms. McClelland included such artists as Leonardo DaVinci and Frida Kahlo. Students chose a piece from each artist to analyze throughout the unit, and then we finished by recreating a Van Gogh and a Picasso piece by piece.
Ms. McClelland reached out to the Art Department and received some advice on how to approach the project (such as buy two posters and leave one intact, so you still have a reference to put it together). It was a moment of beauty, really enjoyable, and especially accessible to her English Language Learners.
Check out a fantastic video of the class project and final outcome HERE!
Athletics Updates
Week of 4/3/2023
Tuesday, 4/4
Sixer Golf @ Gilroy GC @ 3:30pm
Sixer Softball vs James Lick at 4pm
Sixer Tennis vs Yerba Buena @ 4pm
Sixer Volleyball @ Leland @ 5:30/7pm
Wednesday, 4/5/23
Sixer Badminton vs Valley Christian @ 6pm
Sixer Softball vs Andrew Hill @ 4pm
Thursday, 4/6
Sixer Softball @ Andrew Hill @ 4pm
Sixer Swim @ Live Oak @ 3:30pm
Sixer Tennis @ Lincoln @ 4pm
Sixer Track and Field vs James Lick @ 4pm
Sixer Volleyball @ Leigh @ 5:30/7pm
Friday, 4/7
Sixer Badminton vs Andrew Hill @ 6pm
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 (Friday April 28th)
Wrap it Up Dance - sponsored by the Class of 2024 (Friday May 19th)
Yearbooks & Yearbook Ads!
Yearbook Sales are ending soon. 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
For our Spanish Speaking Families, please join us for our PIQE Workshops, Wednesday, April 5, 6:00pm -7:15 via ZOOM LINK : Meeting ID: 880 4923 3240 Passcode: 2023
For our Spanish Speaking Families, please join us for our PIQE Workshops. Our first session will held on Wednesday, March 29, 6:00pm -7:15 via ZOOM LINK : Meeting ID: 880 4923 3240 Passcode: 2023
Please mark your calendars for future Family Engagement Workshops:
Supporting Youth With Trauma & Traumatic Experiences Thursday, 4/20 5-6pm
Healthy Relationships: Helping Your Child Develop Healthy Relationships Thursday, 5/4 5-6pm
LGBTQ+ Support for Families Thursday, 5/18 5-6pm
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 excused 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