Independence Primary School (IPS) recently welcomed visitors from Independence High School (IHS) for a special cross-campus connection. Students from Bill McGuiness’s AP European History class joined IPS students for recess, where they played games, shared laughter, and built meaningful relationships with kindergarten and fourth-grade students.
The visit highlighted the power of mentorship and community within the Independence Local Schools district. Both groups of students benefited — the younger children were thrilled to spend time with high school role models, while the older students experienced the joy and responsibility of serving as positive influences for their younger peers.
This experience is one of several recent collaborations between IPS and IHS. Earlier this year, students from the American Sign Language Honor Society visited the primary school to share their learning and spread positivity through encouraging messages and colorful chalk drawings.
These moments exemplify Independence Local Schools’ commitment to Creating an Inclusive and Welcoming Environment and Empowering Whole Child Development — fostering a sense of belonging, empathy, and community across all grade levels.
More joint experiences are already being planned to continue building these important connections between Independence’s youngest and oldest learners.
