During the week of March 15-19, Independence High School will be administering tests to all of our 10th grade students.  All sophomores will be taking the Ohio Graduation Test (OGT), a required test for high school graduation.  To maximize the opportunity for students to pass these extremely important tests, the high school will observe a delayed start for all freshmen, juniors and seniors not being tested.  All 10th graders (and upper-classmen still needing to pass sections of the tests) will report to school at the regular time, and will observe a testing schedule from 7:40-9:40 am.  All other students will report to school at 9:40 am for first period. Students will be counted tardy if they are not in school by 9:40 am each morning.

Busses must follow their regular schedule each morning.  Therefore, special bus transportation will not be provided for students at the later time each day.  Students will be responsible for their own transportation if they choose to come in at 9:40 am.  Non-tested students arriving early will be required to report to the library, study hall, weight room or computer lab until classes start.  Please call the high school's main office at #216-642-5860 if you have any questions on the schedule for the week of March 15-19.  Thank you!

Click Here for the OGT Bell Schedule for the week of March 15-19, 2010.

CONGRATULATIONS to our Middle School teachers - Mrs. Koussa, Ms. Davis and Mrs. Grendel - for being selected as "Ohio Lottery Teachers of the Month"!

This award was based on commitment to education, activities in the classroom, leadership, and community involvement.  Kimberly Gill from Channel 5 came to Independence Middle School to film our teachers in action.  Mrs. Koussa's segment aired in November.  Ms. Davis and Mrs. Grendel's segment will aired on Monday - March 15th.  As you can see, we are surrounded by award winning teachers!

Also...  Congratulations to Mrs. Grendel, who was named "Ohio Lottery Teacher of the Month" for February!  Mrs. Grendel won tickets to the Cavs' game on March 21st, where she will be recognized. She also won a gift basket and a jacket; and Independence Middle School will be entered in the "Ohio Lottery School of the Year" drawing!  Her picture will also be posted on the Ohio Lottery's website.  Way to go Mrs. Grendel!

Conservation Efforts are Abundant for Independence Local Schools

Conservation efforts continue throughout the district and the results are impressive. At each of the buildings, the district website has become the “goto” place to find information that used to go home in paper form, such as school supply lists, parent/student handbooks, newsletters, and field trip forms.  Communication to staff is primarily done through internal quick email.

Principal Mrs. Judith Schulz keeps in touch with her parents on a weekly basis through the “IPS News Blast.” They also email and phone parents for communication purposes instead of sending home written correspondence. Teachers encourage their students to utilize the back of worksheets for their math problems. Whenever possible, they copy and/or print on both sides of the paper to use less sheets of paper. The schools also have an extensive recycling program that all staff members use for classroom papers, construction paper clippings, or scraps. They also use these art scraps for future projects. They recycle and reuse plastic bags for things that travel to and from school. In the primary school’s special education room, they have purchased fabric cloths (which are washed daily) to aid in clean ups vs. using paper towels. Also, they use metal utensils (washed daily) vs. plastic utensils for lunches and snacks.