The Independence High School Chamber Strings and Winds Shines at Carnegie Hall in Unforgettable New York City Experience

This April, Mr. Ponticelli brought a talented group of young musicians on the trip of a lifetime as they traveled to New York City to perform at the iconic Carnegie Hall. Our IHS students not only delivered a stellar performance but also immersed themselves in the rich cultural tapestry of the city, exploring its landmarks, neighborhoods, and history.

Saturday (4/5) was filled with enriching experiences, including a Statue of Liberty Cruise, a walk through Lower Manhattan’s historic sites like Wall Street, St. Paul’s Chapel, and the 9/11 Memorial, as well as guided tours through Chinatown, Little Italy, and Greenwich Village. In the evening, students attended a performance by Alisa Weilerstein and the New York Philharmonic.

On Sunday (4/6), students participated in a strings and wind clinic and enjoyed lunch and a musical show at the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem. Students visited the Museum of Broadway and explored Times Square, Rockefeller Center, and the Theater District. Backstage moments came to life during the Radio City "Stage Door Tour," and a thrilling Broadway experience was had at the Tony-winning musical SIX.

On Monday, their journey continued with a visit to the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and a stroll through Central Park.

The highlight of the trip was undoubtedly the performance at Carnegie Hall on Monday night. The ensemble took the stage with poise and passion, leaving the audience inspired and reminding everyone of the power of live music.

The group returned to San Francisco on Tuesday with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for their craft. Their time in New York was more than a performance—it was a celebration of music, culture, and the magic that happens when talent meets opportunity.

Course Verifications:

Course Verifications were sent to students via their school email last week. This is the list of classes students have requested to take for the 2025-2026 school year. This is not their schedule. Schedules will be finalized at the beginning of August.

Students may request a change to their selected courses by submitting a schedule change request. Requests are not guaranteed. Only necessary changes will be made dependent on availability. Contact your school counselor for any questions.Next Steps Workshop

Seniors! Thinking about attending a four year college? Not sure what to do next? DCAC and 10,000 Degrees is hosting a Next Steps Workshop to guide you through the process of transitioning to a four year college. Come to the D-Commons during lunch on Wednesday, April 9 to learn more. We hope to see you there!

Counselor Contact & Availability:

Counselors are located in the Learning Center (Student Union). Counselors are available for student walk-ins before and after school and during break and lunch. Parents are encouraged to make an appointment with your student’s counselor.

• Ms. Pham: Last Names A-Chi
• 408.928.9680 | phamm@esuhsd.org
• Hours: 8:30am-4pm
• Mr. Hennessey: Last Names Chj-Hd
  
• 408.928.9563 | hennesseym@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8am-3:30pm
  
• Ms. Fernandez: Last Names He-Maq
  
• 408.928.9574 | fernandezf@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8:30am-4pm
  
• Ms. Huynh: Last Names Mar-Par
  
• 408.928.9567 | huynhtt@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8:15-3:45pm
  
• Ms. Marquez: Last Names Pas-Sq
  
• 408.928.9568 | marquezl@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8:30am-4pm
  
• Ms. Liang: Last Names Sr-Z
  
• 408.928.9546 | liangb@esuhsd.org
  
• Hours: 8:15-3:45pm

College Access Support (located in D-208 & the Learning Center):

• 10,000 Degrees

• Anthony Garcia |415.578.4380 | anthony.garcia@10000degrees.org

• Available in person Wednesday & Thursday

• Book appointment here

• Destination College Advising Program (DCAC)

• Daniela Navarro | 510.332.3723 | danielan@berkeley.edu

• Available in person Monday-Friday

• Book appointment here

Spring Sports

Sixer Badminton: Coach Allen Trinh (atrinh1219@gmail.com)

4/16/25 vs Silver Creek 6pm

4/18/25 @ Hill 6pm

Sixer Baseball: Coach Fernandes (fernandesp@esuhsd.org)

4/15/25 vs Yerba Buena - 4pm

4/17/25 @ Yerba Buena - 4pm

Sixer Golf: Coach Bartholomew (bartholomewr@esuhsd.org)

4/14/25 vs Del Mar 5pm San Jose Muni GC

4/17/25 vs Del Mar 5pm Las Lagos GC

Sixer Softball: Coach Quezada (jorge.quezada@evc.edu)

4/15/25 @ Evergreen Valley 4pm

4/16/25 @ San Jose 4pm

Sixer Swim:Coach Martinez (rodriguez.adrian1821@gmail.com)

4/18/25 @ Lincoln 4pm

Sixer Tennis: Coach James (jesse316james@yahoo.com)

4/15/25 vs Overfelt 4pm

4/17/25 @ Del Mar 4pm

Sixer Track and Field: Coach Manav (ihs76ers.xc.tf@gmail.com)

Sixer Volleyball: Coach Buckner (leilani.buckner10@gmail.com)

4/15/25 vs Leland - JV 5:30 | V 7pm

4/17/25 @ Evergreen Valley - JV 5:30 | V 7pm

Fall Sports

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

Sixer Golf (girls): Coach Richard Lee (rlee@fusdk12.net)

Sixer Volleyball (girls): Coach Kenny (leilani.buckner10@gmail.com)

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

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

Sixer Water Polo (boys & girls): Coach Martinez (rodriguez.adrian1821@gmail.com)

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

Winter Sports

Sixer Basketball (b): Coach Gajardo (lj_gajardo@yahoo.com)

Sixer Basketball (g): Coach Buckner (leilani.buckner10@gmail.com)

Sixer Soccer (b): Coach Mendez (fmendez888@gmail.com)

Sixer Soccer (g): Coach Kimball (mskimball1997@gmail.com)

Sixer Wrestling: Coach Thompson (njakeg1209@yahoo.com)

Visit Sixer Athletics for up to date information about athletics! Follow us on Instagram: @indyathletics

Visit GoFan.co to purchase tickets

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/

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.

Parents, Cookies is a marijuana reference. Cookies clothing or accessories are not permitted. Parents, please partner with us on this!

Saturday School!

Come to Saturday School this year and recover an unexcused absence or an excused illness absence. A teacher will be there to help you with your academics. Use the time to study or work on missing assignments. Our next Saturday School will be this Saturday, May 3rd. We will feed you! Please plan to stay until 12:45pm. Please see Ms. Goltzer or Ms. Andrade in C05 for questions or concerns. Use the form to sign up!

https://forms.gle/YLYgSvMsCKkrNba48

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 Student Union. 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

Jennifer Andrade - 408.928.9521

Student last names A - L

Diana Castillo - 408.928.9552

Student last names M-Z

Thao Pham - 408.928.9542

Say Something

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

Please join us for this ELAC Parent meeting on Wednesday April 16 @ 6:00 pm in the Student Union.

Please use this link for last weeks’ Coffee with the Principal slide deck.

Looking ahead.. Spring Break April 21, 2025 - April 25, 20205. Please plan your vacations accordingly as we are quickly approaching the end of the school year.

As a reminder, Attendance Matters! Consistent attendance in high school is essential for academic achievement, as even missing a small amount of class time can have a notable effect on a student's learning and overall performance.

Attendance Matters. On Time. All Day. Every Day

Please refer to the flyer below for information on upcoming parent meetings.

Services offered at the Wellness Center

The Mental Health and Wellness team includes social workers, interns, and community based organizations (CBO’s) 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. Visit us in room D-01 to learn more!

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. A social worker, intern or other school staff member 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 to be a place 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. Students who visit the calming space during regular class time are expected to check in with Ms. Johnson, our Wellness Center Clerk, when they arrive and before they return to class. We also ask that students keep their electronics put away and that they do not engage in side conversations with other students.