Important Notice: TikTok Challenge

I’m reaching out today to inform you of a troubling trend that has come to our attention involving a TikTok challenge circulating among students. This challenge encourages the insertion of pencils and other sharp objects into school-issued Chromebooks, which can cause serious damage to the devices.

Not only is this behavior unsafe and potentially harmful to students, but it also poses a significant financial burden ($350 replacement cost). Chromebooks are essential learning tools, and intentional damage can result in costly repairs or replacements—expenses that may ultimately fall on families.

We are asking for your support in addressing this issue. Please take a moment to speak with your child about the dangers of participating in viral social media challenges, particularly those that involve damaging school property or engaging in unsafe behavior.

Our priority is to maintain a safe, respectful, and focused learning environment for all students. With your partnership, we can reinforce responsible behavior and ensure our school community continues to thrive.

Thank you for your ongoing support and attention to this matter.

-Jamie Vanek

Power of the Pen: Highlights

Congratulations to Camryn Clark for earning a Platinum Pen award at the district tournament this year. She is now being considered for publication in the Power of the Pen anthology, Book of Winners. If chosen, she will be a published creative short story writer! Congratulations to Camryn! 

Freddie Averre, Cam Bauman, Camryn Clark, and Aubrey Volk will compete at the Power of the Pen STATE tournament at Ashland University on May 22nd.

Good luck to these writers! Their words matter.

Coach Jill Wagner

Seventh-Grade Trip

Last Minute Briefing for Michigan

The following is simply an informational list regarding our seventh grade trip to Michigan on Thursday, May 22, 2025. First, we are looking forward to a great day away from Independence with your kids. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate! We ask that you keep the following “thoughts” in mind as you and your son/ daughter prepare for the trip.

~ We are scheduled to depart at 7:00 AM; therefore, we are asking that the kids arrive at school by 6:45 AM. 

~ Our estimated return to school is between 8:00 and 8:30 PM. Please make sure your son/daughter’s ride home is pre-planned. We certainly do not want kids waiting to be picked up following a long day.

~ Extra money for souvenirs is your call; however, I suggest you tell your son/daughter to place any extra cash in a safe place.

~ Phones are permitted; each student is responsible for his/her own phone.

~ The PTO has graciously provided water and breakfast bars for each bus. If students opt to bring beverages, they MUST be capped - NO pop cans or glass bottles!

~ I encourage you to limit food items to be consumed on the bus. Due to peanut allergies, ABSOLUTELY NO TREATS CONTAINING NUTS CAN BE BROUGHT ON THE TRIP!! Lunch and dinner are included.

~ Please have the kids dress tastefully. No jeans with holes, avoid short shorts, NO flip flops (tennis shoes or comfortable walking shoes are suggested, given the amount of walking we anticipate.)

~ The itinerary was shared with you in my original letter home regarding the trip; here is a recap:

Departure: 7:00 AM

10:00 AM Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village for the day, including a Rouge Factory tour; Lunch ~ kids selected their choice of a Firehouse Sub

4:30 Depart for home; dinner stop at Golden Corral (6:00 PM)

8:00 to 8:30 Arrive back at school

IHS Boys Soccer

On Monday, May 19 from 7:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the IHS Media Center, Coach Gino and Coach McDonald are having a one-hour Boys Soccer Player/Parent meeting to discuss the upcoming 2025 season. Hoping this time slot allows maximum attendance.



Arriving in the middle of the meeting is ok if schedule is an issue.

We would appreciate it if you can get the word out to anyone interested.

Regards,

Coach McDonald

Independence High School Boys Varsity Soccer - Head Coach

(201) 602-5678

IHS Girls Tennis

Hello, 8th-Grade Blue Devils, Girls Tennis is back this Fall and we would love for new players to come give tennis a try and help grow our program.  There will be a sign up meeting after school next Monday 5/19 at 3 o'clock in the high school commons area. We hope to see you there! 

Brett Diehl

Athletic Director

Independence High School

8th-Grade Parents

Dear Parents and Students, 

I am sending along some information for summer service hours, if interested. Eighth graders attending IHS can start earning service hours for graduation the day after they graduate from IMS. Forms can be turned in to me in the fall, or emailed to me over the summer. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact the person listed directly. If you have an event/organization that is looking for volunteers you can email me at kwhitacre@independence.k12.oh.us

Thank you,

Mrs. Whitacre

Community Service Coordinator

iCan Bike Cleveland

iCan Bike Cleveland is looking for volunteers June 9th-June 13th in the Independence Field House. If interested, please Rob Fellinger at robfellinger@yahoo.com  

See attached flyers.

Cornerstone of Hope

Ongoing

Gift Shop Brightening: any day of the week before 4:00pm: GIFT SHOP BRIGHTENING

Baking for our support groups: BAKING!

You can apply to be a Cornerstone of Hope Youth Volunteer at this link: Youth Volunteer Application and Sue will contact you or your parents for opportunities to volunteer at our bereavement center where our mission and goal is “Never Grieve Alone”. To find out more about our organization, please go to Cornerstone of Hope. For questions, call Sue Mackovjak, Volunteer Coordinator, at Cornerstone of Hope: (216) 524-4673 EXT 234.

Summer Playground Volunteers Needed

This six week program is a great way to give back to your community and ensure children (and you!) have a fantastic summer! Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays: June 17-July 24 (8:30AM-2:30PM). Training June 9th, 10th, & 16th. Contact Erin Spencer at spencere@independenceohio.org for additional information.

Senior Resident Assistance Senior residents in the City of Independence are often looking for hig

school students to help with tasks in their yard or around their house.

Hours will be awarded only for service for which a student is NOT paid.

Some of the tasks you may apply for are listed below:

Car Washing

Cleaning Gutters

Decorating for the Holidays

Dog Walking

Hedge Trimming

Lawn Mowing

Leaf Raking

Moving Boxes/Objects

Residents are responsible for providing equipment for task completion

Your information will be given to the resident requesting assistance with the tasks with which you indicated an interest in helping.

The resident will contact you to discuss the task and to make arrangements for task completion.

You will complete the task and ask the resident to sign your Community Service Form.

If interested, contact: Jennifer Zisk-Vitron zisk-vitronj@independenceohio.org