Because of the overwhelming success of the first session of IPS Drone Club, we are excited to offer a second session next week which will run for six weeks. Mr. Gruber will be leading the Drone Club at IPS, and we believe that this will be a cutting edge experience for our students. As part of the March 18th Board Meeting, we will be showing off our drone skills!
The breakdown of the program is ...
Week 1 - Intro to Drones - Laws and Regulations
Week 2 - Basic Operation
Week 3-4 - Flight Skills
Week 5-6 - Drone Skills and Maneuvers (Aerial Photography & Drone Projects)
In collaboration with and through financial support from PTO, IPS has been able to purchase six drones - four mini Drones and two mini-three Drones with RC screens.
Due to unforeseen staff shortages caused by illness, we regret to inform you that bus schedules will be affected this afternoon (Tuesday, Feb. 11)
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.
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
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! ❤️
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.
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
25 talented 3rd & 4th-grade IPS students from the English language arts enrichment program have been selected for publication in "Young Writers USA Scary Tales: The Witching Hour," a national youth writing competition.
"Our students have demonstrated extraordinary creativity and discipline by crafting compelling 100-word mini sagas. This achievement showcases the exceptional writing talent within our ELA program," says Principal TJ Ebert.
The student writers faced a challenging prompt: create an original, suspenseful story within strict word count limitations. The publication will come out in the spring.
Shout out to IPS Gifted/Intervention Specialist Michele Crum who led the lesson!
Give Your Child the Best Start! The Integrated Preschool Program at Independence Primary School is now accepting applications for the 2025-26 school year.
✔️ Open to Independence residents
✔️ Designed for children ages 3–5
✔️ A nurturing environment to grow, learn, and thrive
⏳ Deadline: Friday, January 24, 2025
📅 Screening Date: Friday, February 7, 2025
Learn more and apply today! Spaces are limited.
👉 Click below for details and the application process.
📞 Questions? Contact Lauren Salcer at 216-642-5870 ext. 1408 or lsalcer@independence.k12.oh.us.
Due to extremely cold temperatures, we are canceling school for Tuesday and Wednesday this week. All school activities, including athletic events and practices, are also canceled for these two days. The Board of Ed meeting tomorrow at 6 pm will still be occurring. Please stay safe and warm during this time. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation as we prioritize the safety of our students and staff.
Thank you, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to school on Thursday.
🎊 As we ring in 2025, we're filled with Blue Devil pride looking back at all our amazing students and staff accomplished in 2024! Here's to another incredible year of learning, growing, and achieving together. Happy New Year from Independence Local Schools! 💙💛
Fourth Grade Culinary Immersion Project commenced with a holiday brunch prepared by our 16 IPS Jr. Chefs. Thank you to IHS Food Services staff Tiffany Cullison and Tammy Cwalina for their help teaching students knife skills, food preparation safety, menu planning, and much more!
Due to unforeseen staff shortages caused by illness and injury, we regret to inform you that bus schedules will be affected this afternoon (December 13). 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 to 20 minutes.
• Primary school students who ride Bus 8 will likely arrive home about 20 minutes later than their normal schedule.
• Primary students that ride bus 7 home may be about 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.
This week, IPS students took part in the global Hour of Code event during Design Technology. They showed amazing creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. 💡 🌍
#HourOfCode #STEMFun #DesignTechnology #GlobalEvent
Families,
We are staying with the two hour delay today. Therefore, school will be in session today, Thursday, December 5.
If you did not get a phone call from me this morning, please contact your child's school to ensure your phone number is in the system.
As a reminder, AM Preschool is canceled.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we make sure our students and staff are safe.
Thank you,
Kelli Cogan
Superintendent