Aug. 11, 2020
Dear Independence High School Families,
If this global pandemic has taught us anything, it is the importance of community. Fortunately for all of us, this is a strength of the city of Independence. As we make every effort to ensure our students’ safe return to school, this sense of community has never been more important. We cannot wait to welcome our students to school on September 2, but more importantly, we have worked tirelessly to ensure that their return is in the safest manner possible. In such an unprecedented time as this, the knowledge that our entire community is working to ensure the safety of all concerned should serve to reassure all of us. There is no doubt that, after these many months apart, we will all return to school with a deeper appreciation for the transformative experiences and meaningful relationships that are built at Independence High School.
We know from working with adolescents that 100-percent, perfect compliance is not always possible. We will do our best to ensure that all students understand these new expectations. However, repeated failure to meet our community health expectations may result in time away from school. With that said, we are optimistic that our students’ care for one another and wish to do right by their teachers and classmates will carry us forward toward a healthy and safe 2020-2021 school year.
We are still discussing the details of our building reopening plan in an effort to make it as specific and detailed as possible. Our instructional staff has been meeting regularly to ensure that we consider every possible item related to student safety, academic instruction and the student experience at Independence High School. We have implemented many new rules and guidelines to mitigate the possibility of virus transmission. A broad look into some of the safety precautions that will be instituted this fall:
Classrooms
We will evaluate class size based upon each class, the room it is assigned to and the nature of the instruction that occurs within each class. We will require all teachers to assign student seating and dismiss students in an ordered, consistent manner to mitigate the risk of transmission.
Face Masks
All students and staff will be required to wear a mask at all times when inside the high school. If outside and maintaining a distance of six feet, masks may be removed. Extra masks will be provided to students and visitors, if necessary.
Lockers
At least to begin the school year, lockers will not be issued. Students will be able to wear backpacks throughout the course of the day. Once lockers are issued, possibly after the first few weeks, students will only be permitted to access their lockers at the beginning and end of the school day.
Restrooms
Restrooms will be available, but limited. Every effort will be made to limit the number of students in the restroom at one time. Distancing measures within the restroom will be instituted.
Locker Rooms
During the course of the school day, locker room facilities will not be available for students.
Arrival Time
Students are asked not to arrive before 7:30. Students will report directly to first period sometime between 7:30 - 7:40. Busses will drop off students at 7:30.
Dismissal Time
Students riding buses home from school may be dismissed from 9th period class a few minutes earlier than 2:35. These students will be required to report directly to the bus circle and board buses in assigned order. All others will be dismissed at 2:35.
Hand Washing
Students will wash or sanitize their hands as they enter and before they leave each classroom. Classes with a sink will be encouraged to utilize soap and water. All classes will have hand sanitizer provided near the doorway of each room.
Wellness Checks
Parents will be asked to confirm the completion of wellness checks for their students daily before reporting to school.
Lunch
All Juniors and Seniors will be given I-Pride privileges. These students will be permitted to leave campus for lunch (as well as free periods). All students will be permitted to eat outside or spend their lunchtime in the Media Center. We have discussed the need for additional space during student lunches - this is still a topic of discussion.
Water Fountains
Water fountains will be unavailable. Water bottle filling stations will be available. Students and staff are encouraged to maintain their own individual bottles.
Remote Learning
In the event that we move to remote instruction for any period of time, students should be encouraged to access curriculum, lessons and communications online through the use of G-Classroom and Gmail. The following are some expectations/norms that are currently identified by our district:
Student Expectations:
-Daily check-in for Google Classroom
-Dedicated learning space, as distraction-free as possible
-Face must be visible during the learning session and appropriate clothing must be worn
-Attendance will be taken during live lessons
Teacher Expectations:
-Two synchronized (live teaching) lessons per week, per teacher
-Dedicated office time(s) on non-synchronized days
-24-hour response times for student/parent communications
-Keep Google Classroom and Calendar up to date
-Reasonable flexibility for grading timelines
Parent Partnership:
-Help establish a routine for your student
-Please remind your child to check their Google Classroom daily
-Please check Google Calendar and ProgressBook weekly
-Please notify us if circumstances change for your student - in other words, please let us know how we can better serve your child
These precautions and expectations are all in place as a result of the District Steering Committee, the ILS Reopening Plan and the IHS Faculty Planning Committee.
District Reopening Plan
Athletic Update
Our athletic programs have started their fall season. I would like to personally thank Mrs. McGhee for her time and dedication. She has worked tirelessly, with help from Mr. Dreiling, to stay up to date with the latest requirements and guidelines from the Cuyahoga County Board of Health, the CVC, and the OHSAA.
OHSAA Physical Information
As a reminder all athletes must have a current physical on file. The OHSAA guidelines state that a physical is good for 13 months from the date the physical is signed by the doctor. This timeline is NOT going to be extended due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Here is the link to the required 2020-2021 physical form
Spirit Wear Sales
Several teams are currently running their spirit wear sales. All proceeds go directly to the team!
Follow our Fall Teams on Twitter
Cheerleading: @cheer_ihs
Cross Country: @FieldIHS
Boys Golf: @IndyGolf2
Girls Golf: @IHSGirlsGolf20
Football: @GO_IHSFootball
Boys Soccer: @BlueDevilUnited
Girls Soccer: @IHSGirlsSoccer2
Athletics: @IndyBlueDevils
Booster Club: @Indy_Boosters
Please contact Mrs. McGhee (amcghee@independence.k12.oh.us) if you have any questions regarding athletics.
Important Dates
Aug. 12 & 13, 17 -20, 9 am - 1 pm - Student Parking Passes will be sold in the IHS Office
Aug. 24 - Sept. 1 - Teacher Work Days
Thursday, Aug. 27 - Schedule Review Day - seniors only - 10 am - 2 pm
Monday, Aug. 31 & Tuesday, Sept. 1 - Schedule Review Days - for all students - 10 - 2
Monday, Aug. 31 - Freshmen Orientation (time TBD)
Wednesday, Sept. 2 - First day of school
Monday, Sept. 7 - Labor Day - no school
Finally
It goes without saying that the health and safety of all members of our community are our highest priority, so school, as we know it, must look different this fall. But the Independence community has a long history of overcoming challenges and making sacrifices for the greater good, and we are confident that the strategies we are adopting will allow us to continue to offer students an exceptional educational experience. More than ever before, our daily actions and choices will impact the health and safety of classmates, faculty and staff, as well as our ability to attend school in person this school year. Our safe return to in-person teaching and learning will require some online components and, for a variety of reasons, not every student is able to return to school in person. Whether we are physically together or not, Independence High School is committed to being flexible and accessible in supporting students and families as we adjust to the realities of this uncertain time.
I look forward to meeting each of you in person, as well as our students, in as safe a manner as possible.
Respectfully,
Mr. James Hogue, Principal
