Independence High School
2022-2023 - Semester 2, Week 3 (1/23)
Principal's Update
For our Engish Learners, we are busy finalizing the plans for the ELPAC test in February. This is a state test for all students who qualify as English Learners as we work toward English fluency. The majority of these tests will happen in English classes. This is one of the metrics used by the State of California to assess the progress of all High Schools. For more information about our school progress, please visit the state Dashboard at https://www.caschooldashboard.org/reports/43694274330031/2022.
Pizza lovers unite! Join us on Thursday January 26th at Pizza California (Old Oakland Rd) for a slice of deliciousness and support a great cause - our London NYDP (New Year's Day Parade) trip. 4pm till close. Let's raise some dough for the 76th Cavalry Marching Band and Color Guard!
Sixer Shoutouts
Student Shoutout
Adelfo Hernández González exemplifies SIXER community-building values. There have been a couple of new students in our Spanish 2 class and Adelfo has been very welcoming and friendly to them. Both of the students were smiling and working well with him on the very first day! Adelfo is a great role model. ~Ms. Paula Daccarett, Spanish Teacher
Staff Shoutout
Ms. Maggie Rodriguez is an eXtraordinary SIXER. She is in constant communication with our parents and community. She assists with language translation for meetings, school-wide lessons, and community outreach. You'll see her at Coffee with the Principal, facilitating school-wide lessons, assisting with emergencies, academic parent nights, ELAC meetings, and more. Ms. Maggie exemplifies what it means to be an eXtraordinary SIXER! ~Dr. Cristine LaMontagne, MTSS Implementation
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!
Academic Elective Fair (Thursday, January 26th @ Lunch)
Counselors have started working with students to create next year’s class schedules…Interested in Marine Bio? Psychology? Graphic Arts? Ballet? A 3rd year of a Foreign Language? Journalism? Leadership? Choir? Guitar? Then, come to the Academic Elective Fair. During lunch, these teachers (and their students) will be available to answer any of your questions at the Senior Stage. Come check out all the elective options available to students of every grade level.
Last week, Principal Berg, Associate Principal Mr. Salgado, Dean of Students Dr. Tran, along with members of our Safety Team, PCIS, and MTSS, hosted the Spring Behavior Expectations lesson in Math 1 and 2 classes.
The team presented student voice data taken from the Fall Panorama survey. Students were challenged to think about how student-reported data on actual incidents was much lower than the perception or feeling of safety at the school. They were able to critically reflect on how social media and the participation of amplifying negative incidents affects the perception of our community.
Instead of sharing, liking, or commenting on harmful videos, students were encouraged to report any type of concerning incident, including bullying, threats, fighting, etc. to a trusted adult or through the Say Something app.
This lesson also opened up dialogue on the reasons why we have school expectations about bathroom passes, a closed campus, tardies, and follow a Uniformed Behavior Response when dealing with consequences.
*All schools in the East Side Union High School District use the Uniformed Behavior Response to provide support to students who have harmed the campus community by not demonstrating the school-wide expectations.
Athletics Updates
Announcements
Spring Sport Athletes: Practices start in 1 WEEK!!
All spring athletes must be registered and cleared through www.athleticclearance.com
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 1/23/2023
Tuesday, 1/24
Sixer Basketball (g) @ Piedmont Hills l JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7pm
Sixer Soccer (g) vs Andre Hill @ 6pm
Wednesday, 1/25
Sixer Basketball (b) @ Piedmont Hills JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7pm
Sixer Soccer (b) vs Piedmont Hills @ 6pm
Sixer Wrestling @ Yerba Buena @ 6:30pm
Thursday, 1/26
Sixer Varsity Basketball (g) vs Overfelt JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7pm
Sixer Soccer (g) @ Gunderson @ 7pm
Friday, 1/27
Sixer Basketball (b) @ Leigh JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7pm
Sixer Soccer (b) @ Silver Creek @ 7pm
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
Scheduling 2023-24
Counseling will be presenting to all current students in G.9-11 this week about selecting courses for the 2023-24 school year. We encourage parents to speak to their student about what courses they want to take next year. Visit the Scheduling Page of the Counseling Website for more information and resources.
Upcoming Counseling Evening Events
Thursday, January 26th: Spring Counseling Parent Night from 6-7pm
Grade 9-11 Parents: All About the Scheduling Process | Zoom Link
Grade 12 Parents: Financial Aid Presentation | Zoom Link: English & Spanish | Vietnamese
Reminders
AB 469
All seniors must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or the CADAA (California Dream Act Application) by March 2nd. Counselors and Mr. Garcia are available to assist students in completing the application. IHS will also be hosting a Cash 4 College Workshop on Thursday, February 2nd from 3:30-6:30pm for any senior and family who needs assistance.
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 Updates
Talent Show Picture Link for Students & Parents
The photos are ready from last weeks Talent Show. Please support our local, student photographer and your student by browsing the collection and making a purchase! Check them out HERE
ASB Executive Cabinet Elections for 2023-2024
This week applications will be released for next year’s ASB Cabinet Elections. ASB oversees all clubs and schoolwide events each year, from Freshman Orientation in the Summer all the way to the Senior Picnic at the end of the year. Applicants should be strong students with a service-oriented mindset, possessing the desire to collaborate, create, plan, organize and execute inclusive events for all IHS stakeholders. ASB Officers are democratically elected each February.
Yearbooks & Yearbook Ads!
Yearbooks are priced according to a sliding scale, so purchasing earlier guarantees a better price. Right now, yearbook reservations/orders are at $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). Yearbooks will increase to $75 in February so buy now!
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 are 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 them for publication!
For further information, please review the Yearbook Frequently Asked Questions document.
Valentine’s Day Spirit Week (February 13th - 17th)
Stay tuned for a list of thematic dress-up days and lunchtime events
Annual Multicultural Assembly/Rally (March 3rd - during school)
A traditional, cultural rally highlighting and honoring the many different cultures at Independence High School.
Schoolwide Dance #3: Sadie Hawkin’s - Friday, March 3rd @ 6:30 pm
The “Sadies” Dance is a long-running tradition at Independence. The dance is designed, organized, and hosted by the IHS Spirit Squad. ALL proceeds benefit the Spirit Squad, ensuring they can continue to provide training and supplement the cost of cheer uniforms. Tickets can be purchased from any Cheer Squad Member or the ASB Bank (A06) starting in mid-February.
Social Media Handles
Stay up to date on all student activities and events at IHS - follow your ASB-endorsed accounts:
- https://www.instagram.com/indyactivities/
- https://www.instagram.com/indyathletics/
- https://www.instagram.com/indyperformingarts/
And, be sure to also follow your class account for information specific to your year:
- https://www.instagram.com/ihsco2026/
- https://www.instagram.com/ihs.co2025/
Safety and Attendance
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.
CLOSED Campus
A friendly reminder to parents and students that we are a closed campus. Students should not leave the school grounds during school hours–particularly during breaks and lunch for safety reasons. The Public Library and Overfelt Gardens constitute as off campus as they are not on school grounds.
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
Please join us for our ELAC Parent meeting on Thursday, January 26, 2023 at 6:00pm in N02/I-Cafe. We will discuss academic progress as well as support services available to students & parents.
If you and your family suffered any damage or displacement due to our recent storms/floods, please contact either Ms. Guardado guardados@esuhsd.org or Ms. Maggie rodriguezm@esuhsd.org as soon as possible.
Please mark your calendars for future Family Engagement Workshops:
Understanding Changes in Behavior in Your Child Thursday, 2/9 5-6pm
Communication With Your Child Thursday, 3/9 5-6pm
Anxiety: Insight & Skills for Parenting Your Anxious Child Wednesday, 3/29 5-6pm
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
County of Santa Clara - Weather Safety Resource
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)
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.
Metal Health and Wellness
The Mental Health and Wellness Center is located in Room D-05.
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