Counseling Corner!
Counselors have been hard at work supporting students and families as we roll out the Spring semester. Here are a few important updates :
If you missed our Cash-4-College Workshop (financial aid application), rest assured there is one more opportunity to receive help directly from the experts. The final workshop will be held on Wednesday, February 18 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in the library. The FAFSA priority deadline is March 2nd.
On January 15, Independence sophomores were invited to learn more about vocational opportunities available through ROC and CTEC for the upcoming academic year. Both juniors and sophomores are encouraged to apply now at https://tinyurl.com/2026-2027-ROC-CTEC-Application. The application deadline is early March, with program acceptance notifications announced in May.
Counselors have begun rolling out senior presentations during which seniors will receive important information regarding graduation requirements, important checkpoints, and college updates.
Students and families are encouraged to review grades on Synergy and to stay tuned for upcoming announcements via their respective Canvas Class.
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Early Out Schedule - 2:53 Release
1/26/2026
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Boys Basketball vs SLO (4:00, 5:15, 6:30pm)
1/26/2026
Independence High School, 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA
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Boys Basketball vs Ridgeview (4:00, 5:15, 6:30pm)
1/28/2026
Independence High School, 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA
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Boys Soccer vs Ridgeview (3:30, 4:30, 6:00pm)
1/28/2026
Independence High School, 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA
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Girls Basketball @ Ridgeview (4:00, 5:15, 6:30pm)
1/28/2026
Ridgeview High School, 8501 Stine Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93313, USA
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Girls Soccer @ Ridgeview (3:30, 4:30, 6:00pm)
1/28/2026
Ridgeview High School, 8501 Stine Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93313, USA
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Wrestling League Tournament @ BHS
1/29/2026
Bakersfield High School, 1241 G St, Bakersfield, CA 93304, USA
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Boys Basketball @ Highland (4:00, 5:15, 6:30pm)
1/30/2026
Highland High School, 2900 Royal Scots Way, Bakersfield, CA 93306, USA
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Boys Soccer @ Highland (3:30, 4:30, 6:00pm)
1/30/2026
Highland High School, 2900 Royal Scots Way, Bakersfield, CA 93306, USA
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Girls Basketball vs Highland (4:00, 5:15, 6:30pm) - Senior Night
1/30/2026
Independence High School, 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA
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Girls Soccer vs Highland (3:30, 4:30, 6:00pm)
1/30/2026
Independence High School, 8001 Old River Rd, Bakersfield, CA 93311, USA
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Athletics Booster Meeting (Library)
2/2/2026, 6 PM – 7 PM
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Falcons Got Talent
2/12/2026
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Greetings, Falcon Families!
What a great week! We celebrated the week of Winter Formal with dress-up days and a rally, then danced the night away on Saturday at "A Night in the Bayou!" Congratulations to the royalty winners!
Our next progress window opens the first week of February, so if your student is struggling in one or more subjects, please encourage them to attend our after-school tutoring sessions available on Tuesdays through Thursdays (late transportation provided).
Another valuable resource that’s available to students at school and at home is Tutor.com. This website provides 24/7 live, online tutoring services to students in any subject. Tutoring can be via text or video chat, and all tutors are highly trained professionals that can support students with any needs they might have. This includes reviewing concepts, homework assistance, essay analysis, and study help for upcoming tests. Find more information on Kern High’s Digital Resource page.
Don't miss out on a chance to give your input and ask questions from our administration! We will hold our annual Title I meeting on Wednesday, January 28 from 4:30-5:15 in our Parent Center. We invite you to join us to learn about the Title I program and to offer input on how we can support students and stakeholders. Light refreshments will be provided. We also encourage you to stay for Pizza with the Principal in our library at 5:30. You can RSVP for the pizza event on our website or on Parent Square. Bonus: If you have a freshman student, they're welcome to attend the movie night just for freshmen that same evening in the PAC!
Looking for a fun family event this upcoming weekend? Come watch the Bakersfield Condors and support our cheerleaders performing at the second intermission - plus, $5 from every ticket purchased goes towards the IHS Cheer program! Purchase tickets using this link.
Beginning this semester, our school will begin using an additional attendance code to better track time missed from class. Teachers will now have a second tardy option called “T2,” which will be used when a student misses more than 30 minutes of a class period. This update helps us more accurately identify when students are missing significant instructional time so we can provide support and address concerns early. Please continue to support daily, on-time attendance. If your student will be late or needs to miss part of a class period, encourage them to check in properly and communicate with the school when needed. If you have questions about your student’s attendance, please contact our Attendance Office.
Interested in more ways to get involved at IHS? Looking for some additional resources? Our Parent and Family Center is here to help! Find out how to become an “observer” on Canvas to track your student’s academic progress.
If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us at 661.834.8001 - we appreciate your support!
Sincerely,
Guillermo Alvarado, Ed.D
Principal, Independence High School |
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Title 1 Parent Meeting!
Independence will hold its annual Title I meeting on Wednesday, January 28 from 4:30-5:15 in our parent center. We invite you to join us to learn about the Title I program and to offer input on how we can support students and stakeholders. Light refreshments will be provided. We also encourage you to stay for pizza with the principal in our library at 5:30. You can RSVP for the pizza event on our website or on ParentSquare.
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Support the IHS Falcon Band Boosters!
🛒 Need groceries? Why not make them count for something bigger? Until February 23, every Instacart Gift Card you buy through our fundraising page helps support IHS Band Colorguard and Orchestra Boosters. 🙌 Redeem it on the Instacart app for delivery or pickup nationwide from top stores like Target, Walmart, Costco, Safeway, Kroger, and CVS. Get all your groceries, snacks & essentials while giving back at the same time. Groceries that give back? Yes, please! 🛒✨ Get yours here: grouprai.se/instacart69711s
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Earn your State Seal of Civic Engagement!
Is your senior student interested in receiving their State Seal of Civic Engagement on their diploma? Here is the required criteria; if you or your student have any questions, please reach out to their social studies teacher or their counselor.
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