Congratulations to the 1200+ SIXERs who earned a 3.0 or higher in the first semester!

We are three weeks from the end of the 4th marking period and quickly approaching testing season. This will start with the ELPAC test, followed by the SBAC, and finally, AP testing. For our 9th through 11th-grade students, please remember to submit your schedule requests for next year after you attend the counseling presentation on schedule options.

Last week, the SF Chronicle shared an article detailing admissions and enrollments in the UC system from public high schools. https://www.sfchronicle.com/projects/2023/uc-school-admissions/. 62% of the IHS seniors who applied were admitted and of those, 61 enrolled in the UC system.

Student Shoutout

Talanoa’i Taufalele is a fantastic role model for his peers. He respects our campus community by cleaning up not only his own trash, but trash left by others. We are proud that you are a SIXER, Noa! ~Ms. Baker and Dr. LaMontagne

Staff Shoutout

Mrs. Roberts, PE teacher, has been making a positive impact in student lives each and every week by recognizing students for their participation, energy, kindness, engagement, and impact! Thank you, Mrs. Roberts for reminding students that learning isn’t just about scores or stats. Our students bring so much to our community and it's great to see them being honored each week. ~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!

On Thursday, 1/27, IHS teachers and students hosted an “Electives Fair” during lunch! Younger students were able to see different elective classes that are available, as well as speak to older students who are currently in those classes! Below, senior Gabriel Arroyo engages students with information about our fabulous Construction Academy here on campus. Check out more photos HERE.

Our Sixer staff has a wealth of expertise that students at IHS can benefit from by taking a world language or a specialized science class such as Forensics or Marine Biology. There are a number of academies, special programs, and classes students can join.

To see all of our course options, check out the IHS Course Catalog HERE.

Announcements

Sixer Girls’ Soccer continues to dominate on the pitch as they head into the final weeks of the league season. Good Luck Sixers!

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 1/30/2023

Monday, 1/30

Sixer Wrestling @ James Lick @ 6:30pm

Tuesday, 1/31

Sixer Basketball (g) vs Sobrato Varsity Only @ 7pm

Sixer Soccer (g) vs Del Mar @ 6pm

Wednesday, 2/1

Sixer Basketball (b) vs Pioneer JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7pm

Sixer Soccer (b) vs Oak Grove @ 6pm

Sixer Wrestling @ Yerba Buena @ 6:30pm

Thursday, 2/2

Sixer Varsity Basketball (g) @ Andrew Hill JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7pm

Sixer Soccer (g) vs San Jose High @ 6pm

Friday, 2/3

Sixer Basketball (b) @ Branham JV @ 5:30 | V @ 7pm

Sixer Soccer (b) vs San Jose High @ 6pm

Sixer Wrestling: BVAL Tournament @ Gunderson High

Saturday, 2/4

Sixer Soccer (g) vs Yerba Buena @ 10am

Sixer Wrestling: BVAL Tournament @ Gunderson High

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

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

ASB Executive Cabinet Elections for 2023-2024

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. Application & Guidelines, HERE

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 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.

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 Hawkins (Friday, March 3rd @ 6:30pm)

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/

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

• https://www.instagram.com/ihsco2023_/

Talent Show Picture Link for Students & Parents

As we continue trekking through second semester we would like to acknowledge that last week on Jan. 18th & Jan. 19th the Safety Team presented their Second Semester Supportive Behavior Presentation through the Math 1 & Math 2 classes. We would like to thank not only the Math 1 & Math 2 teachers for bringing their classes to the C-commons to hear us present, but to the students who completed the surveys 65% of our student peopulation.

The C-05 office will continue to focus on attendance as 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.

Semester Average: 85.46%

January Average: 85.46%

Last Week’s Average: 85.17%

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 of the Second Semester will be on February 4th, 2023 in the iCafe.

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

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.

Additionally, this is a friendly reminder that 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.

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

Thank you to those who attended our ELAC parent meeting last week. If you missed the meeting please use the link below to access the presentations and resources that were offered at the meeting.

ELAC 1/26/23

Attention Parents of English Language Learners (EL) We will be administering the ELPAC test to all of our English Language Learners (EL) starting on February 6 - February 16. This test will be used to reclassify our English Learners as proficient in English. Encourage your students to perform at their best.

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)

• 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

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.

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