UPDATED: New time: 5:30 p.m. The 12/16 Board of Education meeting will include an important discussion about the proposed new PreK–8 school building, which is expected to be on the May 2026 ballot. We encourage all families, staff, and residents to attend.
Are you interested in a job in education? 📚 Apply to be a substitute teacher in our school district! Apply at OhioSTS.org
🎄 Need a little break from the holiday rush? 🎁 Independence High School Student Council is hosting Indy Kid Free Night on Dec. 12! Kids in grades K–4 can enjoy movies, games, crafts, & pizza from 5–8:30 PM in the IHS Media Center — all for $30.
On November 7, 10 of our Independence High School sophomores and juniors took part in the CVC Leadership Conference at Beachwood High School.
Student-athletes from every CVC school came together for a day of inspiration, featuring dynamic speakers, leadership activities, and small-group discussions that mixed students from across the conference. It was a powerful opportunity for our athletes to build confidence, connect with peers, and strengthen the skills that make them leaders on and off the field.
This experience is a great example of Empowering Whole Child Development—helping our students grow as leaders, learners, and teammates.
Student-athletes from every CVC school came together for a day of inspiration, featuring dynamic speakers, leadership activities, and small-group discussions that mixed students from across the conference. It was a powerful opportunity for our athletes to build confidence, connect with peers, and strengthen the skills that make them leaders on and off the field.
This experience is a great example of Empowering Whole Child Development—helping our students grow as leaders, learners, and teammates.
Due to inclement weather, Independence Local Schools will be closed today. Stay safe and warm, everyone.
On November 4, our bus drivers completed the two-part S.T.A.R.T. (School Transportation Active Threat Response Training) program.
During this hands-on training, drivers learned:
- How to respond effectively to active threats on a school bus
- Driving maneuvers that can help destabilize a threat
- How to make contact, issue clear commands, and use crisis de-escalation strategies
- Ways to identify concerning behaviors and communications
This valuable program equipped our drivers with practical, actionable skills to help keep students safe in crisis situations—an important step in Aligning Resources & Knowledge for Collaborative Growth, a core pillar of our district’s Strategic Vision.
During this hands-on training, drivers learned:
- How to respond effectively to active threats on a school bus
- Driving maneuvers that can help destabilize a threat
- How to make contact, issue clear commands, and use crisis de-escalation strategies
- Ways to identify concerning behaviors and communications
This valuable program equipped our drivers with practical, actionable skills to help keep students safe in crisis situations—an important step in Aligning Resources & Knowledge for Collaborative Growth, a core pillar of our district’s Strategic Vision.
This Thanksgiving, we’re thankful for our students, families, staff, and community who make Independence Schools such a special place. 💙 Wishing everyone a joyful and safe holiday! 🦃
Today we celebrate our amazing substitute teachers! 🍎
Thank you for stepping in, showing flexibility, and keeping learning on track — we couldn’t do it without you!
Thank you for stepping in, showing flexibility, and keeping learning on track — we couldn’t do it without you!
Today in Design Technology, 2nd graders took on the Spaghetti–Marshmallow Tower Challenge! The big question: Who can build the tallest tower? Students explored how engineers use structure, stability, and strong foundations to build tall creations. After learning what makes a tower stand strong, teams worked together to design, test, and rebuild their structures.
🗞️ Extra! Extra! Read all about it! The Independence Middle School 7th & 8th Grade Drama Club is excited to present Disney’s Newsies JR.! Join us as our talented student-performers bring this high-energy, crowd-pleasing musical to life — from delivering the papers to making the headlines!
📅 November 21 & 22
🕖 7 PM
📍 IMS Auditorium
🎟️ $8 General Admission (QR code on flyer for tickets)
Come support our amazing cast, crew, and production team as they share this inspiring story on stage. You won’t want to miss it! 🎭✨
📅 November 21 & 22
🕖 7 PM
📍 IMS Auditorium
🎟️ $8 General Admission (QR code on flyer for tickets)
Come support our amazing cast, crew, and production team as they share this inspiring story on stage. You won’t want to miss it! 🎭✨
It’s American Education Week! 🎓 We’re proud to celebrate the teachers, staff, and families who help every student in Independence Schools succeed. Thank you for all you do to support learning! 💙
A little kindness goes a long way! 💙 Join us in celebrating World Kindness Day by sharing a smile, lending a hand, or saying thank you. Together, we make our community stronger.
Today we honor the brave men and women who served our country. 🇺🇸 Thank you to our veterans and their families — including those in our Independence Schools community — for your courage and sacrifice.
It’s National STEM Day! 💡🔬⚙️ Our students are future innovators, exploring science, technology, engineering, and math with creativity and curiosity. Keep reaching for the stars!
Ms. Micki Dotson’s Stock Market I class has officially begun participating in the Ohio Stock Market Challenge. This challenge, sponsored by Ashland University, runs over a 10-week period from October 6 to December 2.
Read more online in Lilia Pawuk's story in The Spectator!
https://ihsspectator.com/1371/news/business-students-compete-in-the-ohio-stock-market-challenge/
Foods 101 made homemade pizzas this week! They came in all shapes and sizes!
As Veterans Day approaches, here is a great story written by our student "Spectator" reporter Tillie Averre!
IHS band director facilitates Purple Star Award
https://ihsspectator.com/1525/showcase/ihs-band-director-facilitates-purple-star-award/
We are honored to celebrate and recognize the brave men and women who have served our country. The IMS and IHS Veterans Day Program will take place on Monday, November 10 at 8:20 AM in the Independence High School Auditorium. The event will feature a guest speaker, special words from our students, and performances by our IMS Band and Choir. We warmly invite all veterans to join us for this meaningful celebration. Thank you for your service and sacrifice -we are deeply grateful.
This week at lunch, our IMS students had the chance to spread a little kindness at our “No Tricks, Just Treats” table! Students could send a sweet “treat” to a friend -a positive note, message, or affirmation- to brighten someone’s day. The table was full of smiles, laughter, and thoughtful messages as students reminded each other that the best kind of treat is a kind word. It was a fun way to celebrate the season while building positivity and connection across grade levels!
