Tuesday, January 28: FSA ID Workshop | 3-6pm | The Learning Center (Student Union) - more info in the Counseling Section

"A Sixer Shoutout to Ms. Christina Helmer for her support during an IEP meeting. Ms. Helmer went above and beyond what I was expecting from her, providing many useful suggestions for support to the student and a great plan for "soft launching" the student with his return to school. She has always been very supportive and welcoming of me in my first two years here, but today was exceptional.” ~Mr. Steve Barcelos, Education Specialist

Independence High School’s Model United Nations

This past weekend, Independence High School sent 17 students to Foothill High in Pleasanton, CA for a conference called Norcal MUN.

“Seventeen diplomatic students conquered their fears by participating in lively debates, coming up with impromptu speeches on the spot, and working with like minded delegates to form solutions. This is the most amount of people our Model UN team has ever gotten for one conference. I’m so proud of every single one of them for being able to step outside of their comfort zone and learn something new. I can’t wait to see how much more our club will blossom.” ~Adelynn Le, Junior

“Each and every student participated in debate, learned something new, and teamed up with delegates from schools throughout the Bay Area. We even had freshmen attend and participate! It was a great experience for all. All students deserve special recognition for their efforts and commitment to social and political understanding of the United Nations and global issues.” ~Ms. Grover, Model UN Advisor

Congratulations to all participants: Royce Castro, Michael Hua, Felix Orozco, Paakhi Manglik, Adelynn Le, Rovin Inocencio, Katie Hion, Katie Chan, Ryan Matlob, Hanaya Maaz, Wen Cai, Yathaarth Tomar, Alex Thach, Frank Shau, Kushleen Kaur, Arlene Bui, Luke Nguyen

Special congratulations and recognition go to our FOUR award winning delegates:

Frank Shau for winning Outstanding Delegate in the International Labor Organization (ILO) committee.

Michael Hua for winning Honorable Delegate in the ILO Committee.

Katie Chan for winning the Research Award in the Olympics Committee.

Adelynn Le for winning the Verbal Commendation in the New York Mafia committee.

Scheduling Process for 2025-26 School Year

IHS Counseling will begin the scheduling process for the 2025-26 school year this Wednesday, January 15 for current students in grades 9-11. Scheduling lessons will be presented during the students' class period. During the lesson, counselors will show students how to select their courses for next year through Infinite Campus’ Academic Planner. Student access to the Academic Planner closes on January 29 at 4pm. Counselors will meet one-on-one with students in February to confirm their course selections.

For more information on the scheduling process and resources, visit the scheduling page of the counseling website at https://tinyurl.com/ihscheduling-25-26.

Please note: counselor availability during the scheduling process will be extremely limited. We ask that if you need to get a hold of us, send us an email and we will do our best to get back to you in a timely manner. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

AP Lunchtime Meet and Greet

Advanced Placement (AP) teachers and current AP students will be available over the course of the next week and a half during lunchtime for AP Meet and Greet. This is a great opportunity for students who are interested in taking AP course(s) for the 2025-26 school year to get more information about the course, its rigor, what it takes to be successful in the AP course and get their questions answered.

Jan. 27: Senior Classroom Lesson through Am. Government/Economics Class

Jan. 28: FSA ID Workshop (G.12) | 3-6pm | The Learning Center

Jan. 29: Academic Planner Student Access Closes at 4pm

Feb. 3-4: Junior One-on-One Counselor Meeting in US History Class

Feb. 6: Cash 4 College Workshop | 3:15-6:30pm | The Learning Center

Feb. 7/10: Sophomore One-on-One Meeting in PE 2 Class

Feb. 11/14: Freshman One-on-One Meeting in PE 1 Class

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

“Success is not final failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”

• W. Churchill

Announcements:

Spring sports begin on 2/3/25, all athletes need to register at www.athleticclearance.com in order to participate.

Week of 1/27/25

Winter Sports

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

1/29/25 @ PHHS JV @ 5:30 | Varsity 7:00

1/31/25 @ Prospect JV @ 5:30 | Varsity 7:00

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

1/28/25 BYE

1/30/25 vs MPHS JV @ 5:30 | Varsity 7:00

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

1/29/25 @ EVHS JV 4:30 | Varsity 6:30

1/31/25 @ YBHS V 5:00 | Varsity 7:00

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

1/28/25 vs Gunderson Varsity @ 7pm

1/30/25 @ Willow Glen Varsity @ 6pm

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

1/29/25 vs WCOHS @ 6:30pm

Spring Sports

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

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

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

Sixer Softball:

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

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

Sixer Track and Field

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

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)

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 in February 8th. 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

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.