Independence High School
1/21/2025
Principal's Update
Sixer Community,
Welcome back. I hope everyone was able to enjoy a restful 3-day weekend. This week, we continue our scheduling presentations using the course planner. This tool in Infinite Campus allows students to map out their four-year plans, seeing how they will meet all the credit requirements for graduation along with taking elective courses they are interested in.
On 1/30, all students will receive a reminder school-wide lesson about the SaySomething platform in their 4th period classes.
Starting in March, all students getting food from our school kitchen must have an ID card, use the Minga app, or enter their ID number for accurate food service counts. School meals will continue to be free during this time.
What's Happening This Week
Tuesday-Friday: AP Lunchtime Meet & Greet | Lunchtime | Dates and Location
Tuesday, Jan. 21: Sophomore Scheduling Lesson through PE 2 class
Tuesday, Jan. 21: Incoming 9th Grade Parent Night | 5:30-6:30pm | The Learning Center
Wednesday-Thursday, Jan. 22-23: ELD 2 Scheduling Lesson
Friday, Jan. 24: Freshman Scheduling Lesson through PE 1 class
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.
The deadline for Senior Portraits to make it into the yearbook is the end of January.
SIXER Shoutout
Our SIXER Values in Action
Elective classes are an important part of your educational journey here at Independence! Electives can help students explore new topics of interest, find new strengths, and learn life skills.
On January 16th, teachers of elective classes hosted the annual “Elective Fair” and this year it was the same day as the Sports Fair! See our students checking out all the fantastic electives and sports that IHS has to offer HERE.
If you are interested in checking out any of our AP offerings, come to a lunch time meet and greet! AP Lunchtime Meet and Greets are happening 1/17/25 - 1/29/25 in teachers’ classrooms. See the schedule HERE.
At East Side Union High School District, students must earn 80 elective credits to graduate. We have so many to choose from!
Check out these quick links for information on the classes we offer:
IHS Course Sequence with list of elective classes
Make sure you know all the important dates for choosing your classes for next year! For more information on the scheduling process and resources, visit the scheduling page of the counseling website at https://tinyurl.com/ihscheduling-25-26.
We Are Innovative. We are Sixers.
IHS Counseling Corner
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.
Spring Counseling Parent Night:
Thank you to all the parents and families who attended our Spring Counseling Parent Night this past Thursday. Visit the Parent section of the Counseling Website to view the presentation. For more information about the scheduling process and resources to help your student select courses for next year, visit the scheduling page of the counseling website at www.tinyurl.com/ihscheduling-25-26.
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.
Incoming 9th Grade Parent Night
IHS Counseling will be hosting an Incoming 9th Grade Parent Night on Tuesday, January 21 from 5:30-6:30pm. Parents of students who are scheduled to come to Independence next year as ninth graders are encouraged to attend as counselors will be going over course selections and the registration process for current eighth grade students. Parents can attend in person in the Learning Center (Student Union) or join via Zoom. Please share with any incoming parents!
Financial Aid Workshops - SAVE THE DATE
IHS Counseling will be hosting workshops to help seniors and their parents/guardians fill out the financial aid application (either the FAFSA or CADAA). Priority deadline for Cal Grants is March 3, 2025. Go to the senior page of the counseling website for information on what materials to bring to either workshop. As a reminder, AB469 requires all seniors to submit a financial aid application. We hope to see you there!
FSA ID Workshop: Tuesday, January 28 | 3-6pm | The Learning Center (Student Union)
Cash 4 College Workshop: Thursday, February 6 | 3:15-6:30pm | Student Union
Upcoming Dates:
Jan. 14: Spring Counseling Parent Night (G.9-11) | 5:30-6:30pm | The Learning Center
Jan. 15-16: ELD 1 Scheduling Lesson
Jan. 17: Junior Scheduling Lesson through US History class
Jan. 21: Sophomore Scheduling Lesson through PE 2 class
Jan. 21: Incoming 9th Grade Parent Night | 5:30-6:30pm | The Learning Center
Jan. 22-23: ELD 2 Scheduling Lesson
Jan. 24: Freshman Scheduling Lesson through PE 1 class
Jan. 28: FSA ID Workshop (G.12) | 3-6pm | The Learning Center
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
“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 1/20/25
Winter Sports
Sixer Basketball (b): Coach Gajardo (lj_gajardo@yahoo.com)
1/22/25 @ Leland JV @ 5:30 | Varsity 7:00
1/24/25 vs SCHS JV @ 5:30 | Varsity 7:00
Sixer Basketball (g): Coach Buckner (leilani.buckner10@gmail.com)
1/21/25 vs Live Oak HS JV @ 5:30 | Varsity 7:00
1/23/25 @ Lincoln JV @ 5:30 | Varsity 7:00
1/24/25 @ Del Mar JV @ 5:30 | Varsity 7:00
Sixer Soccer (b): Coach Mendez (fmendez888@gmail.com)
1/22/25 @ JLHS JV 4:30 | Varsity 6:30
1/24/25 vs Gilroy V 5:00 | Varsity 7:00
Sixer Soccer (g): Coach Kimball (mskimball1997@gmail.com)
1/21/25 vs Westmont Varsity @ 7pm
1/23/25 @ Lincoln Varsity @ 6pm
Sixer Wrestling: Coach Thompson (njakeg1209@yahoo.com)
1/22/25 @ PHHS @ 7pm (make up from 12/18)
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
Activities Updates
Want to dive deep into Vietnamese culture? Come to VSA's 2025 showcase, "Wave to Vietnam" at the IHS Theater on Friday, February 7th from 5:30-8PM, featuring a variety of performances with hats, fans, hip-hop, and more! VSA also has an after event, "Market by the Shore" in the Student Union from 8:15-9:15PM including a variety of foods such as pandan waffles, egg rolls, and boba! There'll also be vendors, fun activities and games like paper lantern making during the night market.
Tickets will be $10 sold by VSA officers and online, and $12 at the door with free admission to the after event. After event entry fee is $2 at the door. Hope to see you there!
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.
Order your yearbook today!
Yearbook orders are now being accepted at www.yearbookordercenter.com/job/6072
Yearbooks are $70 until April after April, they will then be $75 until the end of the school year,
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. Our next Saturday School will be in January 25th. 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
Please use this link for last weeks’ Coffee with the Principal
Please use this link for last weeks’ ELAC parent meeting
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.
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.
Coming Soon: The Body Project at IHS
Are you interested in learning more about accepting your body? This January, The Body Project will be hosting 4 one-hour sessions where you can learn ways to accept your body and improve your self-image. If you would like to participate, please email Tim Gale galet@esuhsd.org and Ilse Ruiz ruizilse@esuhsd.org to request more information.
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