Dear SIXER Families,

Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Independence High School! This year we will open our doors to our new SIXERs on Wednesday, 8/2/23, at 11:30 am for our new student orientation in the school gym. All new students (9th grade and transfer students) and their families should plan to attend the official IHS Orientation from 11:30 am - 2:30 pm. Please arrive by 11:15 am to check-in. During orientation, new students will receive their class schedule and school-issued Chromebooks. If you are a new student, please bring this letter to speed up checking out your electronics.

Additionally, new students will be greeted by and assigned a student mentor, receive a walking tour of campus, and learn about involvement opportunities IHS offers through clubs, athletics, and performing arts groups. Students will also receive an important newsletter, order forms for school portraits, and be able to preorder a yearbook for $65 (limited promotion for new students).

Parents are also invited to join an information session in our I-Cafe (N-02) at 11:45am to meet key individuals and learn more about the SIXER community.

For our returning SIXERs, class schedules will be available through Canvas and Infinite Campus on Monday, 7/31. We start school on Thursday, August 3rd, with Staff Meeting schedules on Thursday and Friday. School Pictures will be Wednesday and Thursday, 8/9 & 8/10.

We look forward to welcoming all our SIXERs back and another great school year.

Monday, 7/31

• Returning Students will be able to access their class schedules through Canvas.

Wednesday, 8/2

• New Student Orientation from 11:30 - 2:30. Meet in the Large Gym.

Thursday, 8/3

• First Day of School

• Staff Meeting Bell Schedule

Friday, 8/4

• Staff Meeting Bell Schedule

Next Week - Regular Bell Schedule

• Picture Days 8/9 & 8/10

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.

East Side Union High School District uses Access Request Management System (ARMS) for students to create, change, or recover their ESUHSD password. All students must follow the onboarding instructions below to have access to their ESUHSD district email, signing into a Chromebook, district computer, ESUHSD wireless network (while on campus and if community network is available), and instructional applications.

Update your Contact Information - If there have been any changes to your contact information, please submit an updated copy of the Student Contact Information Form. For Address changes, please provide a copy of any utility bill showing the parent/guardian’s name and new address.

Registration Hours for the first two weeks of school - To help expedite the registration and withdrawal process for the first two weeks of school, we will be registering new students from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM Monday through Friday and processing Withdrawals, Transcript Requests, Work Permits, & Diploma pickups from 1:00 PM to 3:00 pm.

CANVAS, Infinite Campus, & Remind - Our district Learning Management System, CANVAS, is your main landing page for grade and progress information. Class assignments are posted through Canvas, and parents/guardians can register as Observers to follow your student's progress. Parents can monitor student attendance through Infinite Campus. Lastly, we use Remind.com for sharing timely information and our school newsletters. Contact one of our Parent & Community Specialists for support setting up an account.

Mental Health and Wellness Center - Students interested in accessing mental health support on campus and in the community can visit the Mental Health & Wellness Center in room D-05. At the Wellness Center, students can access the calming Space, talk to a social worker or an intern about ongoing mental health needs, receive crisis support, attend a support group, or request information about services available in the community.

SaySomething - The health and safety of our students is vital to a positive community. Independence High School participates in the SaySomething program through Sandy Hook Promise. We encourage students to share concerns with a trusted adult. If a student or community member, they can call 1-844-5-SayNow, through the app or link below.

Closed Campus Policy - Students are NOT ALLOWED to leave campus during their school day. Students caught leaving or returning will have their items confiscated and be assigned a Saturday School. Students cannot order outside food and have it delivered during school hours. The parking lots are off-limits during breaks and lunch. Don’t use a car as a locker. DO NOT park in staff parking near the Theater. In addition, all visitors need to check in at the main office in N-01.

PE Clothes - PE clothes will be available for purchase during your students’ PE scheduled class. They will be $20 for the uniform set or $10 for each item. CASH only, please. We will sell one set per student at the beginning of the year. Sales will be open during the first week of school for all students, and following that, uniform items can be purchased from the staff in the girl’s locker room office.