Independence High School
5/19/2025
Principal's Update
Sixer Community,
Congratulations to all our students who completed their AP exams over the past two weeks.
This Thursday, May 22nd, is our Senior Honors Night. Friday, May 23rd, we will be on a staff meeting (early release) schedule. On Monday, May 26th, there is no school for Memorial Day. And, on June 2, 3, and 4, we will be on our Finals schedule.
Seniors and Senior Parents, graduation information is linked in the Senior Section below. Lastly, seniors, remember that your East Side Union Student Email address will expire after you graduate. This is a good time to start copying any files you may have to a personal account.
What's Happening this week
Friday, May 23: Staff Meeting Schedule
SIXER Shoutouts
A Sixer Shoutout to Julerie Suralta, senior. She is one of the featured high school artists and winner of the San Jose Downtown Doors program, digital category. Her artwork is up in downtown San Jose off of 3rd and St. James, right next to Campus Burgers.
Meet Julerie and hear her talking about her artwork HERE.
Thank you to all of our students who submitted shoutouts to staff members. If you missed it last week, please check out some of our Staff Appreciation Shoutouts HERE! (Shared with permission.)
Class of 2025 Graduation Ceremony
6/4/25 at the SJSU Event Center @ 5:00 PM
Doors open for the public @ 4 PM
Seniors arrive @ 3:30 PM
290 S 7th St, San Jose, CA 95112
Each Graduating Senior is eligible to claim up to 8 tickets which need to be picked up on Tuesday, 6/3/25 by 1PM, when they return all school materials and complete the Senior Survey.
For a full schedule of Senior activities and additional details, please see the document attached below.
Class of 2025 Graduation
Wednesday, Jun 4, 2025, 05:00 PM
290 S 7th St, San Jose, CA 95112
3 WAYS TO ORDER YOUR CAP & GOWN: (LINE 6 on Order Form)
- Buy cap, gown, & tassel. You get to decorate them and keep them.
- Borrow a sibling's or older friend's gown. Buy cap & tassel only, and you get to decorate and keep cap & tassel.
- Borrow cap and gown from the school. You may not alter or decorate them, and cap & gown must be returned immediately after the ceremony.
Click here to view the full Product Catalog.
Click here to visit our website.
Questions?
Call the Grad Company office at (925) 736 0679 or Mike Rabago cell (925) 876 7731.
Our SIXER Values in Action
Santa Clara County Students Showcase Innovation at 2025 S4CA Design Competition
San Jose, CA – May 1, 2025 — Innovation, imagination, and engineering excellence were on full display at the 2025 Santa Clara County Construction Careers Association (S4CA) Student Design and Build Competition, held on May 1 at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. This year’s event centered around the theme “Tiny Homes and Unique Alternative Housing,” inviting students to creatively tackle California’s housing challenges with forward-thinking design solutions.
Participants from across the county submitted 3D-modeled entries using Autodesk Inventor software, showcasing functional tiny homes designed to attach to Automoblox T9 trucks. Each student-designed home featured a custom-built attachment mechanism and demonstrated scaled-down architectural innovation that fused mobility with sustainable living.
A standout among the competitors was the Independence High School STEAM Academy, which entered two groups into the contest. Ten students from the Introduction to Engineering Design course took on the challenge, and six of them walked away with top honors—earning cash prizes, gift cards, and even a tablet for their designs. Their models impressed judges with their structural creativity, clean aesthetics, and real-world practicality.
Not to be outdone, a team from Independence’s Aerospace Engineering course made waves with a futuristic “moon rocket tiny house” concept, blending science fiction with scalable engineering. The rocket-inspired habitat earned high praise and secured a winning spot among the top entries.
Judges from the S4CA panel—including industry professionals, city planners, and educators—commended all student participants for their inventive designs, technical skills, and thoughtful approaches to alternative housing. “The quality of work and depth of thought these students brought to the table was truly remarkable,” said one judge. “They’re not just designing structures—they’re thinking like future engineers and city planners.”
The competition not only celebrated engineering skill and creativity but also highlighted how youth can contribute to meaningful solutions for California’s housing crisis. Through this hands-on project, students explored principles of sustainability, mobility, and urban planning—laying the foundation for future careers in construction, architecture, and design.
The S4CA continues to inspire the next generation of builders and thinkers, and this year’s competition proved once again that the future of housing design is in good hands.
Independence Art Show
Amazing student art will be displayed in the Art Building this week! Come by and check it out.
We Are Innovative. We Are Sixers.
IHS Counseling Corner
UC & Private College Admissions Workshop:
Juniors! Are you interested in attending a UC and/or private college but don’t know where to start? IHS Counseling is hosting a workshop to assist juniors in starting the application and what students can do during the summer to prepare for the college application season in October. The workshop will be held this Wednesday, May 21 at 2:15pm in the Learning Center. 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
Destination College Advising Program (DCAC)
Daniela Navarro | 510.332.3723 | danielan@berkeley.edu
Available in person Monday-Friday
Athletics Updates
Shout Out:
Congratulations to Sixer Softball for becoming the 2025 BVAL West Valley Division Champions. Their 12-11 victory over runner up San Jose High, clinched the championship and secured a spot in the CCS Playoffs. Go Sixers!!
Good Luck and Go Sixers!
Week of 5/19/25
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: Coach Quezada (jorge.quezada@evc.edu)
BVA West Valley Division Champs!! CCS Playoff Bound!!!!
Game dat & time: TBD
Sixer Swim:Coach Martinez (rodriguez.adrian1821@gmail.com)
Sixer Tennis: Coach James (jesse316james@yahoo.com)
Sixer Track and Field: Coach Manav (ihs76ers.xc.tf@gmail.com)
Sixer Volleyball: Coach Buckner (leilani.buckner10@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)
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
Activities Updates
Attention ALL Sixers Students!
If you haven’t already done so, please download the MINGA app on your phone to access your Digital Student ID. This is a REQUIREMENT to get into ALL home sports games that require a ticket for FREE and will be required for check-in at dances and other school events.
No phone? No problem..MINGA is accessible on your chromebook via ARMS.
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:
And, your class account for important information specific to your grade level:
Safety & Attendance
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. We have concluded our Saturday School sessions for this school year. 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
Parent and Community Specialist Corner
Use this link to refer to last weeks’ Coffee with the Principal
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.
For any questions or concerns please contact your Parent & Community Involvement Specialists (PCIS) Ms. Ha phamha@esuhsd.org 408.928.9598 or Ms. Maggie rodriguezm@esuhsd.org 408.928.9541.
Parents: For technology access please see the flyer below. As a reminder your student can share the pairing code for CANVAS.
Please refer to the academic calendar 2024-2025 to support you in the planning of any holiday vacations. As a reminder, vacations are not excuse absences in session days.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
Sacred Heart Community Service
Second Harvest Food Bank nearest Food pickup
● 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.
Mental Health & Wellness Corner
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.
Daybreak Health - Online Therapy
We are thrilled to share that we have partnered with Daybreak Health, a school-based mental health company, to provide 1:1 teletherapy services to ESUHSD students with qualified clinicians.
When kids are mentally healthy, they can think clearly, pay better attention, and learn new skills. These evidence-based teletherapy programs have proven to positively impact academic outcomes like behavioral improvements, better grades, and higher attendance.
If you have a student who you think could benefit from virtual mental health support click here to make a referral, or reach out to your social worker for more information. #mentalhealthmatters
Community Resources & Events
Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline
If you or your student need mental health crisis support outside of school hours, you may call 988 to request support from the Santa Clara County Mobile Crisis Response Team. If your phone number does not begin with a 408, 669 or 650 area code, please call 800-704-0900 and press 1.
Santa Clara County Suicide and Crisis Hotline
Downtown Youth Wellness Center
Address: 725 East Santa Clara Street, Suite 105, San Jose, CA 95112
Phone: 408-961-4645
Email: dywc@hhs.sccgov.org
The Downtown Youth Wellness Center is a Behavioral Health program dedicated to promoting a safe, supportive, and youth-focused environment that provides short term Behavioral Health services, focused on prevention and early intervention for youth ages 12-25. Services include same day access to brief behavioral health support, peer support, workshops, well-being groups, social and educational activities, linkage to services/case management (including medical and longer-term behavioral health services), life skills development, education and career planning, independent living skills, and other related care. The DYWC is a partnership between the Behavioral Health Services Department and Alum Rock Counseling Center.
The DYWC is excited to continue to be part of the community that serves the youth in our community. In an ongoing effort to meet the needs of the youth, the DYWC has shifted the hours of operation to Monday through Friday from 10am-7pm.
Where students find their Passion, Purpose, and Path.
Resource Links
School Vision
Contact us
Email: bergbj@esuhsd.org
Website: https://independence.esuhsd.org/index.html
Location: 617 North Jackson Avenue, San Jose, CA, USA
Phone: 4089289500
Twitter: @IndependenceHS