March 14, 2025

February Students of the Month

5th Grade: Camden Anzalone, Claire Van Dyke, Averi Tokich, Molly Powell

6th Grade: Elise Hatton, Claire Soukup, Charlie Hill, Sophia Stacy

7th Grade: Olivia Cerny Elaina Kotabish, Logan Wingate

8th Grade: Evan Grassian, Dominic Marek

Power of the Pen Highlights

Congratulations to our Seventh-grade Power of the Pen team for winning the Fourth Place team award at Regionals today. A special congratulations to Aubrey Volk for earning 6th Place overall;

Cam Bauman for winning 5th Place overall; And, for the very first time in POP history,

Camryn Clark for winning First Place Overall!!

***36 teams competed with over 210 writers present. Bravo! Also, honored today were Cam Bauman and Freddie Averre for winning a Best of Round award at the district tournament in February.

The state competition is on May 23rd!

Again, congrats Blue Devils!

Mrs. Wagner

P.S. Thanks to Mrs. Vincz and Mrs. Sheehan for helping judge.

WEB

Any current 7th graders interested in nominating themselves to be a WEB leader for next year, please come down to Mrs. P.'s room at the beginning of recess for a brief meeting on Thursday, March 20th. If you can't make it to the meeting but are interested, please see, or email, Mrs. P. before the end of the day on Friday, March 21st. March 21st is a firm deadline. It is important that you understand that expressing interest in becoming a WEB Leader does not guarantee that you will be a WEB Leader, as other factors are also used in the selection process. Thank you for your understanding.

Michigan Trip for Seventh Grade

Seventh Grade Parents, By now, you should have received the GREEN letter regarding payment for the seventh grade trip to Michigan on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

The cost of the trip remains $149.00 since we did meet the participation requirement. Final payment is due by Friday, May 2, 2025. This information is outlined in the letter dated February 26, 2025. If you have not received the letter, please check with your son/ daughter. If necessary, I can provide additional copies.

Thank you for your support. Do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions (216-642-5865, ext. 1334).

Dana M. Yaro-Linderman

Blue Devil Football News:

On 3/9 & 3/16, the Middle School Coaches will put on their annual Winter Skill Clinic for grades Pre-K through 6. This is an opportunity for our youth program to get exposed to football and develop or enhance their skills prior to the Spring Flag League. This is also a great opportunity for our 6th graders to introduce themselves to our Middle School Coaching Staff. In addition, this allows our youth program athletes and new middle school athletes to interact with some of our High School Seniors. Sam Bernhardt, Alex Waski, and Liam Rienerth, also volunteered their time to ensure we create a true family culture from top to bottom.

Camp Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVEGdSGBiqk

Also, we would like to congratulate Rising Senior Stephen Mylnarczyk for earning February Lifter of the Month.

Stephen currently leads the Blue Devils in offseason training points and has attended every single 6am workouts while competing in both indoor and outdoor track. He also has been putting in extra work with his receivers by attending throwing sessions.

Stephen has also made it a point to support his teammates and classmates by attending multiple sporting events and games.

Matthew Burns

Independence Middle School Teacher

Independence High School Head Football Coach

mburns@independence.k12.oh.us

Instagram: @independence_fb

X: @Independence_FB

Facebook: Independence Blue Devils Football

Yearbook Order

If you have not yet ordered your 2024-2025 IMS Yearbook, you have until March 15th to do so. Please see the information below for how to place your online order. No orders will be taken after March 15th.

Important Dates/Events

March:

18: PTO meeting-5:30

21: End of third quarter

28: All-Pro Parent Breakfast-7th grade

April:

11: State Testing for ELA (all grades)

15: PTO meeting-5:30pm

18-25: Spring Break-No School

30: State Testing for Science (grades 5 and 8)

May:

2: State Testing for Math (all grades)

20: PTO meeting-5:30pm

23: Spring Fest

26: No School-Memorial Day

30: All-Pro Parent Breakfast-8th grade

June:

2: 8th grade promotion

3: Last Day of School

3: End of 4th quarter

Safe Schools Helpline

This Helpline has been developed for you and other students, parents, and staff members to help maintain your safety and the most positive school environment possible. The purpose of the Safe School Helpline is to promote school safety and report wrongdoings or illegal activity. Any type of information involving a threatening situation to students, the school, or staff should be reported. Examples include thoughts of suicide or self-harm, violence, weapons, bullying, drugs and alcohol, and theft.

Access Link: https://www.safeschoolhelpline.com/

800-4-1-VOICE ext. 359

800-418-6423/ Text:66746, TIPS

Independence Local Schools | www.independence.k12.oh.us