SIXER community,

Congratulations to our inaugural girl's flag football team on winning their first-ever game last week. Today, we start the second marking period and are currently over 17% through the school year. Parents, please take a moment and fill out the Panorama Survey below to share your feedback.

Thank you to everyone who attended the Coffee with the Principal meeting last week. A question was asked about a parent's right to preview the class curriculum. We have administrative regulations allowing parents to examine the curriculum materials of the class(es) their child is enrolled in. If any parent is interested in this option, please get in touch with an administrator, and we will connect you with the appropriate district Subject Area Coordinator.

Students and staff will be receiving this survey separately.

We asked our students to identify a person, place, or event that exemplifies the Sixer Community. One of the frequently mentioned places on our campus was our Mental Health and Wellness Center.

• “This place exemplifies the Sixer community because people go there when feeling overwhelmed or need help. People need a lot of motivation to be able to go in and ask for help.” ~Elena Quo, Junior

• This place is where people can come back and ground themselves, letting us recoup and be the best us.” ~Kaylynn Doan, Freshman

• This place exemplifies the main ideas of SIXERS, as it shows that students aren’t alone. It allows students to be innovative and engaged while also giving them a place where they can just talk to someone or relax. ~Jayson Basto, Senior

• I believe it showcases an embracing environment for Independence. A vital part of a Sixer community.” ~Junlloyd Solicar, Senior

Another asset our Sixer Community is thankful for is Pastor Danny and the City Peace Project:

• “Whenever Pastor Danny Sanchez and the City Peace Project come to Indy it always makes me smile because not only is he giving out free items, he still motivates others to never give up. I appreciate Pastor Danny Sanchez’s motivation that makes me and others proud of what we can accomplish.” ~Bryant Sumano, Senior

• The city peace project helps people when they feel like they can’t do it. Also it’s a place where you can talk about your feelings and express yourself.” ~ShaKayla Johnson, Sophomore

School-wide lessons are an opportunity for us to asset-map our community and learn who or what our students value. We work toward learning about our neighborhood's history through people and their stories, so we can build community pride and be authentically community responsive in our curriculum and pedagogy.

Thank you to all who participated in our school-wide lesson “We Are Spirited.”

Check out the School-Wide lessons on our Sixer Values HERE!

Student Shoutout

“As a Wellness Center Aide, Ethan Nguyen always arrives to the center ready to help maintain a welcoming environment. Ethan takes initiative to help water our garden (recently, he helped water C-05's garden as well!) He is always ready to help guide visitors to appropriate staff or offices within the center. We appreciate your support!” ~Ms. Ilse Ruiz, Social Worker

“Jade Nunez helps us maintain a warm and welcoming environment in the Wellness Center. As one of our student aides, she takes the initiative to ask staff if there is anything she can help with, guides visitors to the appropriate offices, and helps maintain our garden. We appreciate the support she provides to us, and has helped during this grading period.” ~Ms. Ilse Ruiz, Social Worker

Fall Counseling Parent Night/AP Information Night:

Thank you to all the parents who attended our first Counseling Parent Night of the year. It was great to see so many parents (and students)! Attached below are links to the presentation from Thursday night. Our next parent night will be October 12 where we will be focusing on College Information and Financial Aid. We hope to see you there!

Don’t forget to check out the counseling website for up-to-date information!

IHS Counseling Parent Presentation | AP Information Presentation

ESUHSD College Night:

East Side Union High School District will be hosting our annual college night on Monday, September 18 from 5-8pm here at Independence! We will have over 100 representatives from colleges and resources present to answer all your questions! There will also be informational presentations for parents and students to attend. We hope to see you there!

Classroom Counseling Lesson:

IHS Counseling will be continuing our classroom lessons this week to sophomore (through PE 2) and junior (through US History) students. Be sure to check in with your student to see what they learned!

As a reminder, all lessons are posted to the counseling website on each respective grade level page. See what your student learned and engage them in a conversation about it.

College Workshops:

IHS Counseling and 10,000 Degrees will be hosting various workshops throughout the school year for students to learn more information about colleges and their programs, college application assistance, financial aid information and more. Be on the lookout for announcements and check the counseling website for dates.

Upcoming Dates:

Sept. 18: University of San Francisco Presentation (2:45pm in the iCafe)

Sept. 18: Common App Workshop (3:30pm in the iCafe)

Sept. 18: ESUHSD College Night (5-8pm in IHS Large Gym)

Sept. 20: San Jose State University Presentation (2pm in the iCafe)

Sept. 20-21: Sophomore Counseling Lesson in PE 2

Sept. 21: 10,000 Degrees Workshop: Career Mapping (8:30-9:15am in the iCafe) | Click here to RSVP

Sept. 22: Junior Counseling Lesson in US History

Counselor Caseload & Availability:

“We(coaches, players, parents/fans) are always respectful and display good sportsmanship throughout and after the game.”

• Kevin Johson

Sixer Boys’ Soccer meeting on Thursday, 9/21 at 3:30 in M-34. All boys interested in playing this year should attend.

Week of 9/18/23

Sixer Football: Coach Braun (braunj@esuhsd.org)

9/22/23 vs Oak Grove JV @ 4:30 pm | V @ 7pm

Sixer Golf (girls): Coach Carson (carsona@esuhsd.org)

9/18/23 vs Santa Teresa @ San Jose Municipal GC @ 4:30

9/20/23 vs Santa Teresa @ Santa Teresa GC @ 4:30

Sixer Volleyball (girls):Coach Kenny (ng.kenneth02@gmail.com)

9/21/23 vs Live Oak JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7pm

Sixer Cross Country (boys & girls): Coach Kevin (ckwang91@gmail.com)

Sixer Tennis (girls): Coach Scott (rl20ii@yahoo.com)

9/19/23 @ Oak Grove @ 4pm

9/21/23 vs Sobrato @ 4pm

Sixer Water Polo (boys & girls):

9/19/23 vs Mt. Pleasant Girls @ 6pm | Boys @ 5pm

9/21/23 @ Santa Teresa Girls @ 6pm | Boys @ 5pm

Coach Martinez (rodriguez.adrian1821@gmail.com)

Sixer Girls’ Flag Football: Coach Baker (bakerl@esuhsd.org)

9/19/23 @ Willow Glen @7pm

9/20 vs Pioneer @ 7pm

2023-2024 Yearbook Promo!

Right now, yearbook reservations/orders are $65.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:

• https://www.instagram.com/indyactivities/

• https://www.instagram.com/indyathletics/

• https://www.instagram.com/indyperformingarts/

And, your class account for important information specific to your grade level:

• https://www.instagram.com/ihs_co2027/

• https://www.instagram.com/ihsco2026/

• https://www.instagram.com/ihs.co2025/

• https://www.instagram.com/ihs.co2024/

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

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

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.

Please join us for our next Saturday School on Saturday, September 30th.

Use the following link to sign up!

https://forms.gle/FUESw4JdS5gzVPRj8

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

Sixers!!! September is Attendance Awareness Month! Did you know that missing just two days per month can affect your grades?

Good attendance habits pay off! More school days attended increases a student’s academic success and improves their chances of earning a high school diploma.

Please encourage your students to attend all of their classes regularly and on time. As a reminder if your student will be absent or late to school please contact your attendance clerk.

Student Last Name A - L

Diana Castillo - 408-928-9552

Student Last Name M - Z

Thao Pham - 408.928.9542

Attendance Matters. On Time. All Day. Every Day.

September - Attendance Matters

District Message: Attendance Kick-off!

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 or have your student pick up a form in N1, N02 or A202.

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.

Make sure your child is present to learn and grow.

***Save the Date*** ELAC Parent Meeting: September 20, 2023 @ 6:00pm

COMMUNITY RESOURCES

● 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.

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)

To Be Honest Mental Health Art Contest

To Be Honest is hosting an art contest now through November 15th! Students can create either a 2D, 3D, 4D piece or Short Film that reflects the theme “A Love Letter to Myself.” Through this theme, we really want youth to reflect on all of their positive qualities and how their uniqueness contributes positively to their communities! All pieces are scored by a panel of 8 community members who are passionate about mental health and art. The Top 3 winners in each category will receive $300, $200 and $100 gift cards to either BLICK Art Materials (2D & 3D prize) or B&H Photo & Video (4D & Short Film prize) to help further their crafts.

All our students will receive free brunch and lunch this year, regardless of income status.

Additional student benefits include AP Test discounts, College Application Waivers, Internet Discounts for home, and Grant opportunities for ESUHSD.

You can fill it out online. https://www.myschoolapps.com/

Paper forms and instructions are available here - https://www.esuhsd.org/Students--Parents/Child-Nutrition-Svcs/Income-Eligibility-Form/index.html.