Due to unforeseen staff shortages caused by illness, we regret to inform you that bus schedules will be affected this afternoon. To ensure all routes are covered, we will need to consolidate services.
High school and middle school students who ride Bus 7 will be dismissed early at 2:20 p.m. and are expected to arrive home approximately 20 minutes earlier than usual.
Students on Bus 8 may experience delays of 10 - 15 minutes.
Primary school students who ride Bus 8 will likely arrive home about 10 -15 minutes later than their normal schedule.
Primary students that ride bus 7 home may be about 5 – 10 minutes later.
We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Parents who prefer to pick up their children directly from school are welcome to do so. Thank you for your patience and cooperation as we work through these challenges.
Students at Independence Primary School who earned 100 dojo points for positive behavior were treated to a glow-in-the-dark celebration, complete with music and dancing. The event rewarded students’ commitment to PBIS values and reinforced positive behavior.
A new bus driver candidate has begun pre-service training, with additional candidates scheduled for interviews. The district is also looking to fill cafeteria positions. Those interested in sub work are encouraged to apply! https://www.independence.k12.oh.us/o/ils/page/personnel
Independence Middle and High School students joined Shaker Heights and Orange City Schools for a morning of friendly competition and camaraderie at a bowling event on January 31 at Spins Bowling in Independence. Twenty-five student athletes competed across six lanes, with Orange City School District sponsoring the event. Students sported their school colors while enjoying two rounds of bowling, followed by a celebration lunch featuring pizza and salad!
Independence High School will honor four exceptional alumni athletes in its 2024 Athletic Hall of Fame class, featuring a collection of record-holders, state champions, and multi-sport standouts. The recognition will begin during halftime of the boys varsity basketball game against Cuyahoga Heights on Friday, February 7, with the formal induction ceremony following on Saturday, February 8 at Independence High School.
The 2024 inductees represent some of Independence's finest athletic achievements:
Tyler Polman (Class of 2017) leaves a legacy as one of Independence's most decorated runners. In cross country, he earned First Team All-Conference honors all four years (2013-2016) and was named CVC Conference Most Valuable Runner each season. Polman dominated postseason competition, winning three OHSAA District Individual Championships (2013, 2014, 2016) and capturing the Regional Individual title in 2016. His time of 15:37 ranks third on the IHS all-time best list, and his 22 career race victories set a school record. In track, Polman earned First Team All-Conference honors all four years, was named CVC Conference Most Valuable Runner in 2016, and achieved First Team All-Ohio status in 2017. His academic excellence earned him Academic All-Ohio recognition and the US Army Reserve National Scholar-Athlete Award. Polman continued his success at Youngstown State University (YSU), earning First Team All-Horizon League honors in cross country and placing among YSU's all-time top 10 in both 8K cross country and 10K track events.
Jared McCullough (Class of 2017) excelled in both soccer and track & field. As soccer team captain in 2016, he led the team to consecutive CVC Conference Championships (2015, 2016) while earning First Team All-Conference honors both years and First Team All-Greater Cleveland recognition in 2016. On the track, McCullough rewrote the record books, setting school marks in both the 100M (11.05) and 200M (21.97) dash. He earned District Championships in both events and achieved First Team All-Ohio status in the 100M (2016) and both the 100M and 200M (2017), finishing as state runner-up in the 200M his senior year. His outstanding 2017 season earned him team MVP honors.
Victoria Sirna (Class of 2015) dominated in three sports, particularly softball, where she set school records for home runs and RBIs. A three-time First Team All-Conference selection (2012-2014), she earned First Team All-District honors twice and Honorable Mention All-Ohio recognition twice. As team captain and MVP (2013-2015), she led the softball program to new heights. Sirna also excelled in volleyball, helping secure CVC Conference Championships in 2013 and 2014 while earning Second Team All-Conference honors, and served as basketball team captain in 2013.
Dana Zaccardelli (Class of 2017) established herself as one of Independence's premier distance runners. In cross country, she earned First Team All-Conference honors and was named CVC Conference Most Valuable Runner in 2015. Her time of 19:11 stands as the second-fastest in school history. A three-time state qualifier (2013, 2015, 2016), Zaccardelli earned First Team All-Ohio honors in 2013. Her track career was equally impressive, featuring First Team All-Conference selections (2014, 2016), Conference Most Valuable Runner honors (2016), and a school record in the distance medley relay. She served as team captain in both sports and was repeatedly recognized as Sun News Athlete of the Week.
The ceremony will take place on February 7 during halftime of the boys varsity basketball team against Cuyahoga Heights High School in the gymnasium of Independence High School. It will feature brief introductions of each inductee, who will be escorted by Independence cheerleaders to center court.
The formal induction ceremony and luncheon will take place Saturday, February 8, at 1 p.m. in the high school media center. Master of ceremonies Jim Riley will present detailed background information on each honoree, followed by remarks from the inductees themselves.
“The tradition of the Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates not only the achievements of those being honored but the enduring legacy of excellence passed down through the years,” said Superintendent Kelli Cogan. “This tradition, built on decades of dedication and hard work, continues to inspire our community and reminds us all of the remarkable individuals who have shaped the athletic history of our school district.”
A donation of $15 to attend the ceremony/luncheon is encouraged, but it is not a requirement. If anyone is interested in attending, please contact Tim Skoczen by January 31 at (216) 701-0502 tjskoczen@gmail.com.
Check out these awesome poses from the Indy 70s cheer and basketball team! 🏀🎉 #ThrowbackThursday #Sportsmanship #WinterSports
Third-grade students at IPS participated in an interactive Ellis Island simulation, re-enacting the immigrant experience of the early 20th century. Through this hands-on activity, students gained a deeper appreciation for U.S. history and their own family heritage.
Independence Schools, in partnership with ESC consultants, recently met to refine the PBIS framework. A key outcome was the agreement to align "I-Pride" values district-wide, emphasizing Integrity at the middle and high school levels and Empathy throughout all schools.
School counselors are more than advisors—they're mentors, advocates, and champions for student success. We appreciate your dedication Brooke, Natalie, Connie and Kyle, to nurturing our students' academic, personal, and emotional growth! #SchoolCounselingWeek
Congrats to IPS Preschool for achieving the prestigious Step Up to Quality Gold Award! This recognition highlights the program’s dedication to providing high-quality early childhood education. A banner will be displayed at the IPS preschool entrance to celebrate this achievement.
Our first graders were given the challenge to create something that represents them! From favorite activities to beloved characters, their creativity truly shined through. 🌟💡 We love seeing their unique personalities and passions come to life in their creations! ❤️
The Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference is this weekend at the Cleveland Convention Center. Three days of networking, over 30 ensembles performing and nearly 300 sessions presented by nationally recognized master teachers demonstrating research-based, best practices in the field of music education- it’s one of the largest state music conferences in the country.
Members of our Independence community are performing at this prestigious conference! IPS Music teacher, Shannon Jakubczak, is performing as a member of the Cleveland Orchestra Chorus!
Choral accompanist, Nada Montgomery, is performing as a member of the Cleveland Winds!
IHS Junior, Tillie Averre, is performing as a member of the 2025 Ohio All State Choir at 2pm on Friday February 7.
Please wish these talented women well as they represent Independence and these distinguished ensembles.
Congrats to our Power of the Pen writers!
First Place 7th-Grade Team award!
Seventh-grade individual awards:
Cam Bauman - 12th Place
Scarlett Lewis - 10th Place
Aubrey Volk - 3rd Place
Freddie Averre - 2nd Place
Eighth-grade:
Nicole Mehosky - 12th Place
There were 14 teams and 144 writers total! Proud of our Blue Devil writers!
Independence Primary, Middle and High School will now experience enhanced security with the newly installed visitor management systems. Guests will register using their driver’s license and receive a printed badge for identification while inside the building.
Students at IHS demonstrated strong results in recent End-of-Course (EOC) exams, particularly in government. The data will be used to inform future instruction and help students achieve academic success.
Good luck to our 7th- and 8th-grade Power of the Pen teams as they compete at the Roxboro creative writing tournament today!
Join our team! Independence Local Schools is hiring substitute cafeteria workers! Interested or know someone who might be the perfect fit? Contact Francine Kane at fkane@independence.k12.oh.us. or 216/642-5853
Oh, how the times have changed! Yearbooks are like little time capsules from the past! 🕰️💙 #TBT #Classof1961 #Seniors
Where in the world is Kana? After graduating from IHS in 2020, Kana Wisniewski went to Ohio University, originally for pre-medicine. Board member Ron Bernstein received a letter from Kana around the holidays. She is living in Taiwan and teaching grades 3-6. She is doing a lot of translation, revolving around English!
Kana was a member of the IHS Drama Club, choir, National Honor Society, Yearbook Club, Student Council, and Academic Challenge. She was the president of Biology Society and was the senior class secretary.
We are proud of you, Kana! Continue making a difference and carrying on a legacy of excellence.
At the January 21 Board of Education meeting, Independence Local Schools accepted two generous donations totaling $20,000.
Playhouse Square donated lighting fixtures and equipment worth approximately $10,000, which will be distributed between the middle and high school auditoriums. The district extended special thanks to alumnus Dave Synek for facilitating the donation.
Additionally, the district received $10,000 from the estate of an avid supporter of the arts in education, Dr. Sluberski. This gift will help support the schools' mission of providing support programming enhancements for the arts.
Treasurer Jennifer Knapp expressed gratitude for the contributions, emphasizing their positive impact on students and the community.
