independence insights · stuffed animals and new toys (no electronic games that require a computer...
TRANSCRIPT
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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
AT
INDEPENDENCE
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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