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October, 2017

Volume 8, Issue 1

86 School Drive

Alpharetta, GA 30009

Phone: (470)254-7611

FAX: (470) 254-7621

www.independencehighschool.org

Mrs. Tabatha Taylor, Principal

Independence Insights

OUR LAST, FIRST DAY IN ALPHARETTA

Dear Stakeholders,

The usual level of excitement that accompanies the beginning of a school year

was elevated to new heights in August when we welcomed more than 200

students to Independence for what was our “Last, First Day” at this location.

Anyone visiting our school will observe us conducting business as usual. We

are educating our students, providing opportunities for them to explore post-

secondary options and making sure the seniors have dotted all the “I”s and

crossed all the “T”s regarding their Graduation Plans. What they won’t see,

however, is the amazing behind-the-scenes flurry of activity involved with

opening a new building! We are studying the layout of the facility, space

allocation, scheduling, equipment needs and hundreds of other details that will

be worked through by the time our students report for Mini-Semester III on

January 10, 2018. We are excited, energized and looking forward to

returning “home” to the location where Independence HS first opened its doors

in 1991; 791 Mimosa Boulevard in Roswell. Stay tuned for additional

updates as the big day draws near!

Adding to the positive energy of our return in August was the End of Course

data shared by the Georgia Department of Education. Seventy-six percent of

IHS Geometry students achieved Developing or Proficient levels on the test, an

increase of 29% and the highest Student Growth Percentile in the county!

Twenty-one percent of IHS American Literature students achieved Proficient

Level, an increase of 18% over last year’s scores and the second largest increase

in the county! I am very proud of our students, faculty and staff as we continue

to work together to reach new levels of success.

When I think of all that has been accomplished since Day 1, it’s hard to believe

that school has only been in session for a little more than eight weeks! We have

witnessed a solar eclipse, had the device roll-out to put Surface tablets into the

hands of interested students, hosted a Spotlight on Independence event and

honored our Star Students of Mini-Semester I. Thus far, it has been a great

year for the Independence family and I look forward to even bigger and better

things in the months ahead.

Sincerely, Tabatha Taylor

Principal

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Personalized Learning ............. 2

The Big Shout Out ................... 2

Student Services ...................... 3

Academics ................................ 4

Student Recognition ................ 5

Extra-Curricular ...................... 6

Partners in Education……...…..7

Media Center………………..…….8

One Vision, One Mission, One Goal: Success for All Students!

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“The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” ― Phil Jackson

IHS students have become quite familiar with and just a bit

competitive regarding the Shout Out!

posters each teacher has posted

outside his/her classroom. Students’

names on those posters indicate that

they have done something terrific in

class, something beyond the norm,

possibly outside of their comfort zones.

They are recognized for academic

success, leadership, citizenship, or any

other factor their teachers choose to

highlight. Those names are then

submitted weekly and qualify for The

Big Shout Out, a special event celebrating their efforts to excel. This mini-semester, the

students were invited to Escape the Bus Mission to Mars, a fun and challenging

experience designed to foster a positive culture around educational technology through

problem-based learning. iSchool Initiative,

creator of the program, saw a huge need in

today’s education system to reinvent what active

teaching and learning look like. Escape the Bus

demonstrates the Four C’s using core

components of Escape Rooms, educational

strategies, and technology to create an

unforgettable experience. Teams of students

and staff members boarded the bus and with

open minds and no instructions given, had 30

minutes in which to escape, using team work and

technology. We are happy to report that all are

safe and sound, having “escaped” successfully!

THE NEXT LEVEL OF PERSONALIZED LEARNING

THE BIG SHOUT OUT “ESCAPE THE BUS”

In support of Fulton County Schools’

One-to-One Personalized Learning

Initiative, Surface tablets were

distributed to interested students on

August 31. In addition to the training

provided by IHS Media and

Educational Technology Instructor,

Ms. Sara Allegood, recipients of

the devices were assisted by

fellow students and members

of the iSchool Advocacy

Team.

THE MS I BIG SHOUT-

OUT HONOREES

Andrew Foster Candace Gates Chantelle Christensen Chase Provost Christina Crawford Conley Dellinger Corey Wolfe Danilo Velasco Deon Mayfield Destiny Banks Edwin Ortiz Felix Rafael Fernanda Alexis Gabriel Reed Isabelle Sanchez Jackie Longacre JaCorienTyus Jacqueline Jimenez James Dittman Janae Faison Jazzeka Carter Jordan Hunt Keith DeMartino Kianu Louis Lauren Diehl Leo Zapata Max Hayden Melissa Trejo Miles Alexander Natalia Paris Peyton Doubleday Ronaldo Hernandez Spencer Norman Tavish Lebert Tristin Cook Tyler Shields

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“The best combination,” U.S. Secretary of Education

Arne Duncan has said, “is great teachers working

with technology to engage students in the pursuit of

the learning they need” (Duncan, 2010).”

― Peggy Grant, Personalized Learning: A Guide to

Engaging Students with Technology

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During the week of October 23-27,

Independence will be hosting its annual

Career Week, a time for students and

their parents to explore post-secondary

options for our graduates. A

representative from the GA Student Finance Commission will conduct a

Financial Aid Workshop for students and their parents on Monday,

October 23th at 8:30 a.m. This session will explore many different ways in

which to finance two and four year college educations as well as give

attendees the chance to begin the FAFSA filing process. More than a dozen

area professionals from various fields will share their expertise and personal

experiences during the Speaker Series on October 25. The week will conclude

with the College, Career and Military Fair, featuring more than 30

representatives from two and four year colleges and universities, trade

schools, branches of the military and area businesses.

Parents

are

welcome

to

attend!

MS I Apply

to College

Day – GA

Gwinnett

College

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“While my time at Independence

was short, I have found myself

easily making friends with the

students and teachers alike. The

teachers demonstrate patience and

respect towards the students and

constantly encourage them to

succeed.” Spencer, 2017

This school helped me to be able to

have a second chance and to start a

new life.” Jane, 2017

“Every teacher I have had in this

school (and I have had nearly all) has

gone above and beyond for their

students. They are always willing to

work with you whether it be extra

help after class or help in making up

grades. They truly do care.”

Corey, 2017

News From Upcoming Events:

October 11-PSAT Administered

to Underclassmen; SAT

Administered to 12th Graders

October 23-27 Career Week

October 23-Financial Aid

Workshop

October 25-Speaker Series

October 27-College, Career and

Military Fair

November 9-Spotlight on

Independence

Students from Johns Creek HS visit during

Spotlight

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MATH AND SCIENCE—CHOICE AND VOICE

To engage students from the very

first day of class, a variety of

activities is offered to allow them

to put classroom concepts into

real life settings. This “Choice

and Voice” opportunity helps

develop critical thinking and

problem solving skills, involving

hands-on participation and team

work.

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Ceramics II

Clay Pot

Projects

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IHS Star Students are nominated by their teachers for

demonstrating academic success, leadership, positive attitudes,

responsibility and the qualities of a role model. Honorees were

joined by family and friends during a ceremony and reception in

their honor on October 3.

Congratulations to these MS I Star Students!

Holly Burks Jazzeka Carter Chantelle

Christensen

Keith

DeMartino

Conley

Dellinger

Lauren Diehl Janae Faison Preston

Heaver

Jaqueline

Jimenez

Tavish Lebert

Deon Mayfield

(2)

Gabriel Miller Spencer

Norman

JaCorien Tyus

(2)

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Upcoming Events:

Interact Club Meet-

ings—Fridays during the

lunch period

Habitat for Humanity

Meetings-the last

Thursday of the month in

Room II 103

Toy Drive-Habitat for

Humanity-Now

through November 30

-gently used books,

stuffed animals and new

toys (no electronic games

that require a computer

or gaming system, please)

Atlanta Humane

Society’s Walk for

Animals-October 15

Blood Drive at IHS-

December 1

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Mr. Ahmad Eidizadeh, Independence

High School’s faculty advisor of the

Habitat for Humanity Club, is passionate

about the organization that states as its

vision, “A world where everyone has a

decent place to live.” In addition to local

projects, Eidizadeh has long been involved

with Global Village, the international

segment of Habitat for Humanity. He has

served as a volunteer on various builds

and, most recently, as a team leader for

international trips. Mr. Eidizadeh

participates in these efforts during

summer breaks from school and has

traveled to the Dominican Republic,

Nicaragua, Chile, Portugal and Thailand.

Eidizadeh shares that the motivation

behind his involvement with Habitat

includes the “desire to help others who are

in need, the opportunity to connect with

fellow team members while working side

by side for a worthy cause, the chance to

learn new skills, visit new places and

discover

new

cultures.”

This

summer’s

Habitat

build in

Thailand

was especially meaningful to

Mr. Eidizadeh, as he was accompanied by

recent Independence High School

graduate, Mr. Francis Cronley. While

attending Independence, Cronley served

as president of the Habitat for Humanity

Club and participated in several local

builds last year. Eidizadeh states, “This

was the first time I was fortunate enough

to take one of our students along with me.

We had a diverse group of young people

from various states. Francis greatly

contributed towards this construction

project in Thailand and he worked hard

alongside his fellow volunteers.”

Mr. Eidizadeh is already looking ahead to

the summer of 2018. He hopes to recruit

another Independence student, and

faculty/staff members, to serve on the

construction team for his recently ap-

proved Global Village Build in Paraguay.

The IHS Habitat for Humanity Club meets

the last Thursday of the month in

Room II

103 during

the lunch

period.

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Francis Cronley, second from the

left, Mr. E, third from the right

Holly Burks, IHS Interact Club

President, recently attended the

2017 Rotary Youth Leadership

Academy, a leadership program coordinated by Rotary

Clubs around the globe. Young people ages 13–30 are

sponsored by Rotary Clubs to attend the event run by the

club's district committee and are chosen for their

leadership potential. The Alpharetta Rotary, sponsor of

the Independence Interact Club, covered all expenses for

Holly to attend. The format of the event varies from

district to district, but commonly takes the form of a

seminar, camp, or workshop to discuss leadership skills

and to learn those skills through practice.

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“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.” John Quincy Adams

The September meeting of the Young Women’s Empowerment Group (YWEG) featured guest speaker, Mr. Jamal Cornelious, Community Development Representative from Delta Community Credit Union.

Mr. Cornelious presented information and led discussions regarding fiscal responsibility.

The young men who participate in the

GENTS program at Independence

were fortunate to get solid business

advice from Mr. Jay Tropf,

Manager of the Windward

Chick-Fil-A, during their September

lunch meeting. Mr. Tropf spoke to

the students from the perspective of a

potential employer and highlighted

the attributes most employers are

seeking in job applicants. He

provided tips on preparing for and

participating in a successful interview

and then took it one step further.

Mr. Tropf outlined what was expected

of someone who has been hired for a

job. He touched on professional

appearance and conduct, teamwork

and customer service.

Thanks to Jay Tropf for his time and

expertise and to Windward

Chick-Fil-A for providing lunch for

the student participants!

YOUNG WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT GROUP

GENTS-GETTING EDUCATED NOW FOR

TOMORROW’S SUCCESS

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Many Thanks to Our Partners in

Education! Welcome to our newest

Community Partner,

Alpharetta Zaxby’s!

Thank you for your

support of our MS I

Star Students!

Our thanks go out to

Ms. Gloria Mattei,

owner of Nothing Bundt

Cakes on Windward

Parkway, for her support

of our Open House. It was

a great way to begin the

year!

Easy Ways to Support IHS

Pick up a Publix card in

our Main Office. Use it

every time you shop and

money will be donated

to our school.

Kroger shoppers simply

need to register their

Kroger Plus cards and

list Independence as the

organization of choice to

receive Community

Rewards funds.

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MEDIA CENTER

The IHS Media Center has a new look! Ms. Allegood and Ms. Riemenschneider have

reorganized the Fiction Collection by genre, changing the appearance from a traditional library

and giving the center the feel of a contemporary book store . Students may now search for their

selections by the type of book rather than the catalog number.

CONTESTS:

Weekly Trivia—One trivia question per week is posted in the Media Center and on the Daily

Announcements. Students may submit their answers for the prize drawing held each Friday.

Monthly Reading—Students have the opportunity to write reviews of the books they are

reading. Completed forms are submitted by month’s end and a drawing is held with the winner

receiving a gift card.

Pumpkin Picking—For the month of October, students must study the shelves of decorated

pumpkins and determine which characters and which novels are represented. At the end of the

month, a winner’s name will be drawn from all correct entries and that student will win a gift card.

YOUR LOGO HERE

It is the policy of the Fulton County School System not to discriminate on the basis of race, color,

sex, religion, natural origin, age or handicap in any employment practices, educational programs or

activities.

Independence HS

86 School Drive

Alpharetta, GA 30009

Phone: (470) 254-7611

FAX: (470) 254-7621

IHS Office of Student

Services:

Phone: (470) 254-7530

FAX: (470) 254-7617

“IHS is an amazing school!”

Nazaire, 2017

“(IHS) was a very good

experience. I liked how

the teachers would help

out with the students.”

Oliver, 2017

“I wish I could’ve attended this school soon-

er. The teachers, counselors and staff here

have provided so much help for me to grad-

uate, and I’m glad to thank everyone here.

I couldn’t have done it without this school

and I’m honored to say I graduated from

Independence High School.” Josefina, 2017