Attention 8th Grade Families – School of Choice Window
Families wishing to pursue Intradistrict/School Choice for the 2026-27 school year must make a request
during the lottery window which began at 8:00 a.m. on January 5, 2026 and closes at 4:00 p.m. on January 23, 2026. Please note this process is only for students who will be in 7th-12th grade in the 2026/2027 school year. There will be a one-to-one exchange based on a random and unbiased lottery that will take place after the Intradistrict/School Choice request deadline. This process creates an ordered interest list of students at the participating schools. The lottery does not account for extenuating circumstances or specific reasons for the request and it is not based on a first come first serve basis.
If you would like to request a school other than the school to which your student has been assigned,
please follow these steps by submitting a request through your Parent Portal:
- Click on the banner titled: The 2026-27 Intradistrict/School Choice lottery window is open
- Under the Student Info tab, click on School of Choice Requests
- Review the Parent Acknowledgement and Instructions
- Click on Create New School Choice Request
- Complete the request and SAVE
Middle School Program
Please see the flyers below for upcoming Middle School and Youth Action Team events and programs. All programs can be found and registered for at www.YourIrvine.org.
Warrior Run
Woodbridge High School Athletic Boosters are hosting their first 5k Run on January 31st to support all athletic teams. To register, please go to https://www.woodbridgewarriors.org/warrior-run/.
Save the Date – 8th Grade Students who will be attending University High School
Signing out Procedures
Just a reminder that when you are picking up your student early from school, please bring your photo ID into the office to verify your identification for safety purposes. This identification may be your driver’s license, passport or a California ID card. It is critical to check your student out through the front office…thank you for helping us keep your student safe.
E-Bike Safety Presentation
All the eBike Safety presentations hosted by the high schools are completed. Moving forward, if you need to complete this in order to obtain a registration sticker to park on campus, please contact our Campus Supervisor, Mr. Vasquez at orlandovasquez@iusd.org. Safety presentations will most likely be held on Thursday mornings before school.
E-bike Reminders
Important Regulations
Age and Licensing Requirements
- E-scooters: Riders must be 16 years or older and have a valid driver’s license or permit.
- E-bike classifications: There are three different e-bike classifications. California law restricts Type 3 e-bikes (up to 28 mph) to riders 16 and older.
Do not allow e-Bike Modifications
- Students may be tempted to modify their e-bikes to increase the speed by purchasing a kit online or having a friend modify the bike for them. This can be extremely dangerous.
- Many e-bikes are not equipped to handle higher speeds, and the braking systems may not be sufficient.
Safety Tips for All E-Vehicles
Follow the Rules of the Road
- Obey traffic laws: stop at signals, yield to pedestrians, and ride with the flow of traffic.
Always Wear a Helmet
- Required for riders under 18 and all Type 3 e-bike users. Helmets greatly reduce the risk of serious injury.
Stay Visible
- Use a front white light and rear red reflector, wear reflective clothing, and avoid poorly lit areas at night.
Avoid Distractions
- Do not use mobile devices or wear headphones while riding. Stay alert to your surroundings.
Ride Courteously
- Yield to pedestrians, use a bell or audible signal when passing, and slowdown in crowded areas.
Maintain Safe Speeds
- Practice at lower speeds, understand your braking distance, and ride within your comfort and equipment limits.
Did You Know?
- E-vehicles must be ridden safely on shared paths.
- Riders must always yield to pedestrians.
- Proper equipment, responsible behavior and rule-following significantly reduce accidents.
By following these guidelines, students can enjoy their e-vehicles safely and responsibly. Thank you for helping protect our community!
Chromebook Insurance
As we all know, accidents can happen with the IUSD Chromebook that is assigned and loaned to each student. Depending on the damage, this can be costly to a household. Please take a moment and get your Chromebook insurance. The 2025-2026 updated information and link is provided to you for your convenience: https://support.iusd.org/hc/en-us/articles/360033840394-IUSD-Chromebook-Insurance-Program.
Middle School Program
If you are looking for fun and active activities for your child to engage in after school, look no further. South Lake partners with the City of Irvine Youth Outreach, and they have some great activities coming up…Register now!
Youth Action Team (YAT) – The Middle School Youth Action Team is an after-school community service-based program that encourages students to be actively involved in their community. YAT is a great way for students to learn new skills, experience new challenges, make new friends, and discover they have what it takes to make a difference in their community.
YAT T-shirt included in the course. Visit www.yourirvine.org and search “Youth Outreach” in the filter box to see all locations and options. Please contact Youth Outreach Senior Leader Jackson Clements with any questions.
Call/Text: (949) 664-2098
Email: JClements@cityofirvine.org
Attendance Matters
As we move through the school year, I want to emphasize the crucial role that regular attendance plays in your student’s success. Every day of learning matters, and consistent school attendance is one of the most important factors in achieving strong academic outcomes and fostering a sense of belonging at school. Here’s why:
- Improved Academic Performance: Students who attend school regularly are more likely to keep up with daily lessons and assignments, leading to better grades and a deeper understanding of the material.
- Building Positive Habits: Consistent attendance helps students develop responsibility, time management, and perseverance—skills they will carry with them long after middle school.
- Social Connections: Being in school allows students to participate fully in group work, social activities, and extracurriculars that are vital for their emotional and social growth.
- Strong Foundations for Future Success: Studies show that students with high attendance rates are more likely to graduate and pursue higher education or career opportunities with confidence.
We understand that occasional absences are unavoidable due to illness or emergencies. However, I encourage you to do your best to schedule appointments, vacations, and other non-urgent activities outside of the school day to minimize disruptions to your child's learning.
Youth Ride Free
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is excited to announce the continuation of their “Youth Ride Free” promotional bus pass program. This pass allows youth ages 6 to 18 to ride all OC fixed-route buses every day for free. Last year’s blue Youth Ride Free Passes expire September 30, 2025; the new Wave Youth Ride Free Passes are valid now through September 30, 2026, and require a new Parent Request Form for each recipient. To participate in the program, complete a new Parent Request Form, available using the below links, printed forms are also available in the front office. Return the completed and signed Parent Request Form to the front office to receive the new Wave youth bus pass for the 2025-26 school year.
Parent Request Form:
English – OCTA.net/YouthRequest
Spanish – OCTA.net/YouthRequest_SPN
Korean – OCTA.net/YouthRequest_KOR
Vietnamese – OCTA.net/YouthRequest_VIET
Mandarin – OCTA.net/YouthRequest_MAN
 For more information regarding the program visit: OCTA Youth Ride Free Pass Program
Language and Accessibility Resources for Families
As part of IUSD’s and our school’s ongoing commitment to making important information, resources and services accessible to our diverse community, we want to remind families that they can adjust language and accessibility preferences on the platforms used for school communications. Whether through ParentSquare, the Parent Portal or the IUSD website, it is easy to set your preferred language, ensuring you receive updates, notifications and resources in the language that works best for you.
CLICK HERE for resources, in multiple languages, to show how you can select your preferred language and accessibility features on ParentSquare. With ParentSquare, you can set your language preference to receive notifications, messages and updates directly in the language of your choice.
Bell Schedule
The 2025-2026 Bell Schedule includes all the minimum days and special schedules for the year. Please make sure to review the start and end times for these schedules.
Stay Connected
Stay connected by checking your email for communication from South Lake and IUSD. South Lake is also on Instagram @southlakemiddleschool and our website is at www.southlake.iusd.org.
Stay up to date about what is happening at school and in class by reviewing your student’s Planner, becoming a Canvas Observer, checking Parent Portal and visiting our website.
Canvas https://iusd.instructure.com/login
Parent Portal https://my.iusd.org/
Website https://southlake.iusd.org/ |
Save the date for PTSA’s next Shark Night Out at The Stand on January 15th…see you there!
