Independence High School
2022-2023 Week 17 (12/5) Updates
Principal's Update
SIXER Community,
Last week we learned of the passing of one of our staff members, Mr. Hoang Nguyen. Mr. Nguyen was in his first year as a staff member at Independence after teaching at Silver Creek last year. Please keep the family in your thoughts. His Funeral will be on Friday, December 16th, from 10 am - 2 pm. This will be followed by cremation from 2:30 pm - 3 pm. This will be held at the Dignity Memorial Funeral Home on Lincoln Ave. The funeral will also have a webpage for teachers, students, friends, and family to level their condolences and goodbye messages to Hoang. This will also have the ability to share pictures. These will later be downloaded into a book for his widow to remember him and his impact on our community. Once that link is available, I'll send it out.
The team from our Methal Health & Wellness Center helped break the news to his classes and has been available for students dealing with grief around this news. For any students experiencing mental health and wellness concerns, they are located in D-05 and have a variety of services available or can make referrals to outside agencies if needed. Additional information from the Mental Health & Wellness Center is located later in this newsletter.
iCafe
Last week we opened the iCafe before school, starting at 7:15 for any students who need a warm place to be on campus before school.
CANVAS
Our new learning management system is set up to help you keep track of your child’s progress. Please view this video to see all the features parents/guardians can take advantage of on Canvas including:
1. When the course grade goes below a percentage you choose
2. When your student has a missing assignment
3. When your student’s grades change
4. Course announcements
Sixer Shoutouts
Student Shoutout
“Kascidy Schaffer is a super reliable student and a great leader. She is very consistent with her contributions to our class environment. Her SIXERs values are a great example to our community. Way to go Kascidy!” ~Ms. Kanoe Roberts, PE Teacher
Staff Shoutout
“Mr. Jarrod Thompson transferred to IHS this year and has been able to reflect on common district practices and site differences to help balance and understand our school's unique culture and struggles. He has stepped up and volunteered to help our safety team during lunch. He attends and contributes to IEP meetings for his students. He is an active and dedicated educator for his students and a collaborative staff member.” ~Mr. Bjorn Berg, Principal
Athletics Updates
Announcements
Congratulations to the boys’ basketball team on their 3rd place finish of the 66th Annual James Lick Invitational Basketball Tournament. Quavarrio Ford was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Sixer Study Hall Monday (3:45-4:45) in the school library. All are welcome. Contact Coach Carson w/questions carsona@esuhsd.org
Week of 12/5
Tuesday, 12/6
Sixer Soccer (g) vs Mt. Pleasant @ 6pm
Wednesday, 12/7
Sixer Basketball JV Tournament @ IHS @ 7:45pm
Thursday, 12/8
Sixer Basketball (g) @ Cupertino @ 7pm
Sixer Basketball JV Boys’ Tournament @ IHS - TBA
Sixer Basketball V Boys @ Palma (Salinas) @ 5pm vs Seaside
Sixer Soccer (g) vs Milpitas @ 6pm
Friday, 12/9
Sixer Basketball JV Boys’ Tournament @ IHS - TBA
Sixer Basketball Varsity Boys @ Palma (Salinas) - TBA
Sixer Soccer (b) @ Overfelt @ 6pm
Saturday, 12/10
Sixer Basketball (b) @ Palma (Salinas) - TBA
Visit Sixer Athletics for up to date information about athletics! Follow us on Instagram: @indyathletics
Senior Student Corner
Make Your Senior Portrait Reservation
Senior Portraits will be taken at Now and Forever Studios in Los Gatos. Act fast to secure a reservation and plan for travel to the event. Contact the studio via phone to make your sitting reservation now: (408) 354-8660. Or, visit www.nowandforeverstudio.com to make an online reservation.
These are the formal pictures that are often sent to relatives and passed out to friends and staff during the graduating year. Senior portraits are optional and include a formal and a graduation photo - all attire will be provided by the photographer. There is no pressure to purchase photos, but there is a "sitting fee." If students sit for a photo, then the studio will provide IHS with a copy to publish in the yearbook.
Senior Prom
The Senior Prom will be held at Cocoanut Grove in Santa Cruz, CA, on Saturday, April 8th, 2023. Ticket sales will begin in January. Early pricing will be approximately $75 and will include chartered bus transportation to the venue. The prom will include finger food/ dessert buffets, dj and dancing, a variety of photo booths, and 2-hours of private access to the Boarrwalk’s Arcade and Laser Tag. Although bus transportation is preferred, if desired, families may arrange for chartered transportation or drop-off. Students will not enter the event until 7 pm, and will have enough time to dine at a variety of nearby restaurants in Santa Cruz (at the Wharf or in Downtown). More info to come in January.
Yearbooks are going fast! Buy Now!
Yearbooks are priced according to a sliding scale, so purchasing earlier guarantees a better price. Right now, the yearbook is at its lowest cost, $65! Act now, the price will increase to $75 on December 1st.
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. In addition, the YOC offers packages for purchasing advertisement pages to honor graduating seniors and promote local businesses.
For further information, please review the Yearbook Frequently Asked Questions document.
Graduation Gear
If you missed the graduation gear event, students and their parents/ guardians can continue to order all their graduation needs from our vendor at hjgradstore.com. Options include graduation kits (the only required items - gown, tassel, and cap), announcements, plaques, jewelry and 2023 apparel. Purchases will be delivered directly to the student at school, following the Semester Break. Remember, ordering early ensures the best price. Costs will increase almost 100% in the Spring. The Class of 2023 will graduate at the IHS Football Stadium on Wednesday, May 31, 2023, at 6 pm.
Counseling Corner
IHS Counseling Corner Website: www.tinyurl.com/ihcounseling
Counseling Office located in N 02
* Applications for FAFSA (fafsa.gov) & CADAA (https://dream.csac.ca.gov) open October NOW!
* AB 469 - ALL Senior Students must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the CADAA (California Dream Act Application) and submit on or before March 2nd - Please attend any Cash 4 College Workshops online or for in person assistance on the applications!
* Parents & Students: After School Workshops & In Class Grade Level Presentations:
*12/07 – 10,000 degrees Financial Aid Workspace (7th per.) Location: TBD
*12/14 – 10,000 degrees Financial Aid Workspace (7th per.) Location: TBD
* As the second grading period just ended and as the last 6 weeks of grading period 3 is about to begin, we want to provide you with some resources to support your students, especially as they are working on their PIQs and applications for scholarships and studying for their classes.
College and career readiness flier
General posters in English and Spanish
Postcards in English and Spanish
* Our Head Counselor Mrs. Pham is out on maternity leave. Based on the student's last name, students can reach out to the following counselors for assistance in N 02.
A's = Ms. Fernandez & Mr. Hennessey
B's = Ms. Huynh & Ms. Liang
C's = Mr. Ly & Mrs. Marquez
* Together with counseling, Mr. Anthony Garcia (garciaa@esuhsd.org) is our 10,000 Degrees Fellow who assists, supports, and guides our students with financial aid, college, questions and much more! www.10000degrees.org
* In Office Counselor Hours:
Mr. Thompson Ly: 8:45 am - 4:15 pm
Mr. Mark Hennessey: 8 am - 3:30 pm
Ms. Flor Fernandez: 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Ms. Thuy Huynh: 8:15 am - 4 pm
Mrs. Lissenia Marquez: 8:30 am - 4 pm
Ms. Bonnie Liang: 8:15 am - 3:45 pm
Mr. Anthony Garcia: 9 am - 4 pm Tuesdays - Thursdays (10,000 deg.)
Ms. Dalia Cuenca: 8 am - 3:30 pm Mondays & Tuesdays (USF Intern)
Ms. Erin Serrano 8 - 3:30 pm Tuesdays & Thursdays (USF Intern)
Activities Updates
The Indy Holiday Giving Tree (All December)
ASB and the Inter-Campus Club Council are seeking donations for our community members who are in need this Holiday Season. Students, staff, and student organizations will be collecting gifts to place around the tree (located in the front window of N01). We invite all community members to contribute. Please send unwrapped gifts for children ages 2-18 years old (we will wrap them) to N01 (main office). We are also asking for $25 gift card donations for our families to use towards living essentials and food (Target, Safeway, Lucky, and Walmart are the most preferred).
Performing Arts - WinterFest Musical Concerts (12/6 - 12/7)
Performances are located in the IHS Performing Arts Theatre and begin at 7pm.
Holiday Spirit Week (12/12 - 12/16)
All students are encouraged to show their spirit by dressing accordingly for our thematic days:
Monday, 12/12: Snowed-in
Tuesday, 12/13: Santa’s Workshop (Fr: Snowpeople, So: Elves, Jr: Reindeer, Sr: Santa)
Wednesday, 13th: Ugly Sweaters!
Thursday, 14th: Channel your Flannel
Friday, 15th: Xmas Tree Day
Yearbooks are going fast! Buy Now!
Yearbooks are priced according to a sliding scale, so purchasing earlier guarantees a better price. Right now, the yearbook is at its lowest cost, $65! Act now, the price will increase to $75 on December 1st.
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. In addition, the YOC offers packages for purchasing advertisement pages to honor graduating seniors and promote local businesses.
For further information, please review the Yearbook Frequently Asked Questions document.
Safety and Attendance
As the end of the first semester is fast approaching, we are continuing to focus on our attendance. Our goal is to maintain a 95% attendance record and we are currently averaging below 90%.
The C-05 team has been 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.
We would like to continue to remind SIXERs of the importance of being on time, all day, every day, is how there is a correlation between attendance and grades.
One way to recoup a FULL DAY absence is by attending Saturday School.
Saturday School
Our LAST Saturday School for the first semester is scheduled for Dec. 10th. Saturday School is a way students can recover a FULL day of absence. This is to clarify that it will not excuse tardies.
You may sign up by clicking the following link:
https://tinyurl.com/SaturdaySchoolatIHS
SARB Meeting
The next SARB meeting will be Tuesday, November 22nd, at the District Office at 2 PM.
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
Our Sixer Values in Action
Check out how a few of our students are exemplifying our SIXER values! Maybe their learning can help you during these final few weeks before grades for the semester come out! We are proud of all of our students for seeing our SIXER values in themselves, as well as others.
S– “The entire staff works their hardest to provide for all our needs. Without them, IHS would not be at the place where it is today.” ~Christopher Nguyen, Senior
I– I believe my way of being able to alleviate some of these problems [a tight schedule] is by either planning ahead, or get more work done including the next few days to make my load lighter. I could maybe ask for time extensions from my teachers if I really don’t have time to do homework or any assignments. And to STOP procrastinating until the last minute.” ~Ryan Phan, Junior
X– “An eXtraordinary learning is realizing I underestimate myself a lot academically.” ~Mauricio Ortiz, Senior
E– “The class working together on tough problems or work was something engaging experienced in class. My teacher would also have us engage with each other giving us activities to do so that we are able to communicate and get to know more about our peers or classmates. Small activities and having the class brainstorm together works for me and keeps me engaged.” ~IHS Sophomore
R– “I show self-respect by not putting myself down when I make a mistake.” ~Alena Angulo, Senior
A multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) is a proactive and preventative framework that integrates data and instruction to maximize student achievement and support students social, emotional, and behavior needs from a strengths-based perspective.
Student voice is an important part of the narrative data we collect to inform decisions made around school improvement and high quality instruction. One way we collect student voice is through school-wide lessons carried out in 4th period classes, PE 1 and 2, US History, English 3, and Government/Economics classes.
Parent and Community Involvement Corner
As the holidays approach 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.
2022-23 STUDENT & PARENT HANDBOOK & ANNUAL NOTIFICATIONS
The student & parent handbook contains important information for parents:
A - G graduation requirements
key District policies
important meeting dates
testing dates
parenting tips
valuable phone numbers
school site information
Please take time to review the handbook with your student(s) for a successful school year.
CLICK HERE to access the East Side Union High School District Student & Parent Handbook
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Webinar: Teen Substance Use & Abuse
Thursday Dec. 8, 5pm-6pm
Use this link to register
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)
For any questions or concerns please contact me via email or phone 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
To Be Honest Mental Health Survey: To Be Honest is a local mental health education program for adolescents and young adults ages 14-25 in Santa Clara County. They want to learn more about what mental health resources and support you need! If you are interested in sharing more about the mental health resources would help you and your peers, please fill out a survey here: tinyurl.com/mhsurvey22 To learn more about To Be Honest, visit ToBeHonest.Today
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. We have an exercise station, an art station, a reading/writing corner, and a kinesthetic area. 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
