At a recent Model United Nations conference in Fremont on Saturday, April 5th, Independence High School students showcased the results of their extraordinary dedication, research, and preparation beyond their regular coursework. Over the course of a challenging 12-hour competition, our delegates excelled across every committee, achieving an impressive Indy sweep!

Award Winners by Committee:

DISEC (Disarmament and International Security Committee):

• Best Research: Arlene Bui (10th Grade)

• Outstanding Delegate: Adelynn Le (11th Grade)

SOCHUM (Social, Humanitarian, and Cultural Committee):

• Best Research: Paakhi Manglik (9th Grade)

Specialized (Historical WWII Crisis Committee):

• Best Research: Brandon Ho (10th Grade) and Frank Shau (12th Grade)

• Best Delegate: Katie Chan (12th Grade) and Rovin Inocencio (12th Grade)
  
  

From our determined freshmen to our seasoned seniors, IHS students demonstrated remarkable poise, knowledge, and leadership. Special acknowledgment to the Model United Nations advisor Ms. Valerie Grover. Experiences like Model UN are so important for developing civic-minded leaders who stay engaged, informed, and ready to make a difference in the world.

Congratulations to all our delegates for representing Independence with such excellence!

Mission College Workshop:

Representatives from Mission College will be at IHS on Tuesday during Period 3 to assist students in their enrollment process. Mission College staff can help students with completing their application, completing required orientation, creating an educational plan with a Mission counselor and registering for classes. Come to the Learning Center (Student Union) at the beginning of third period.

Decision Day!

IHS Counseling, 10,000 Degrees and DCAC want to celebrate seniors on Decision Day 2025! Come celebrate your post-secondary plans this Thursday during lunch in the Student Union.

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)

4/30/25 @ Evergreen Valley 6pm

5/2/25 @ Piedmont Hills 6pm

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

4/29/25 vs Overfelt - 4pm

5/1//25 @ Silver Creek - 4pm

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

4/30/25 BVAL Finals @ Santa Teresa GC

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

4/30/25 @ Gunderson 4pm

5/2/25 @ Mt. Pleasant 4pm

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

5/1-5/3/25 BVAL Finals @ Independence

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

5/1/25 BVAL CCS Qualifier

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

5/1 & 5/3/25 Santa Teresa Division Finals @ Lincoln High School

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

4/29//25 vs Branham - JV 5:30 | V 7pm

5/1/25 vs Leigh - 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

** Upcoming AP Testing** May 5, 2025 - May 16, 2025

As we approach the AP (Advanced Placement) testing period, we want to share some important information to help your student be prepared and successful.

Students must arrive on time. Morning exams begin promptly at 8:00 AM and afternoon exams at 12:00 PM. Late arrivals may not be allowed to test.

What to Bring:

• Valid photo ID
  
  

• Several No. 2 pencils (non-mechanical)
  
  

• Black or blue pens
  
  

• Approved calculator (if applicable)
  
  

• Snacks and water for breaks (must be kept outside the testing room)

What NOT to Bring:

• Phones, smartwatches, or any electronic devices
  
  

• Books or notes

We encourage you to help your student by ensuring they get adequate rest, eat a healthy breakfast, and arrive at school with all needed materials. Your support during this time is invaluable.

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.