Balanced Technology Initiative Reminder
The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) is launching a new Balanced Technology Initiative, designed to help students cultivate healthy digital habits and be empowered to use technology with intention, focus, and balance. Through this initiative, IUSD is strengthening the guardrails for students participating in our Chromebook 1:1 program.
Beginning Monday, March 9, 2026, the following updates will take effect for middle school student Chromebooks:
- Daily Device “Bedtime”: Internet access will automatically turn off from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., including weekends, to support healthy sleep habits and reduce late-night distractions.
- Enhanced Content Filtering: Access to high-distraction categories such as gaming, entertainment, comedy, and YouTube Shorts will be even more limited by default. Educational content and instructional resources will remain fully available.
Ongoing Efforts as a District
IUSD has long prioritized student digital safety and responsible technology use. Students receive instruction on digital citizenship and must review and agree to the District’s Acceptable Use Agreement before taking a Chromebook home. In addition, we utilize robust filtering systems that comply with federal Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requirements while still allowing access to meaningful educational resources.
What Families Can Do at Home
We know students use Chromebooks for learning, but we also recognize that devices can become a source of distraction. Creating healthy technology habits works best when schools and families work together.
We encourage families to:
- Take a few moments to discuss expectations for device use at home.
- Establish family boundaries around screen time and overnight device storage.
- Talk with your student about responsible digital citizenship and balance.
- Use the Blocksi Parent Dashboard for Families, which lets families view their child's browsing history, set even stricter filtering levels when the device is at home, and even "pause" the internet outside of school hours.
Together, we can help students develop lifelong habits that support both academic success and personal well-being. For more information about how you can support your student, visit our Digital Citizenship webpage, which offers a variety of resources and information. Thank you for your continued partnership and support.
8th Grade Families – Early College
The Irvine Unified School District (IUSD) Early College Program (ECP), developed in partnership with Irvine Valley College (IVC), offers a unique opportunity for academically qualified IUSD students to earn nearly two years of transferable college credits while completing their high school education. Now in its second year, the ECP can save students both time and money, which can be directed toward a career, graduate work, or other academic goals.
To learn more, incoming 8th-grade families are invited to the Parent and Student Information Meeting on March 12 at 6 p.m. The Zoom link will be made available closer to the meeting date. Please visit ivasecondary.iusd.org/ECP for more information, including an FAQ and program flyer. For questions not addressed in the FAQ, email ivasecondary@iusd.org. Interested students are also encouraged to talk with their school counselors to learn more about the program to assess if ECP is a good fit for them and their academic goals.
7th Grade Families – Parent Notification
All 7th grade parents received the Parent Health Notification Letter 2025-2026 this week about our upcoming Health education with information and links for what to expect as well as opt out options.
IPSF - SUMMER IS COMING!
Let curiosity lead the way this summer with classes that inspire innovation! Choose from a variety of exciting and educational classes for students in grades PreK-12, all taught by IUSD teachers and specialized instructors. Browse classes to plan your summer and get ready to register for classes on March 19! www.IPSF.net/summer
Summer Dual Enrollment Classes
Looking for classes for your soon to be high schooler…see information about IVC/IUSD Summer College below.
Parent Workshop
OCDE us offering a virtual Prevention: It Starts with You webinar for parents who were unable to attend in person last month. The information in here is really valuable and impactful – we strongly encourage you to attend their March 10th webinar.
Yearbooks on Sale
Yearbooks are on sale NOW! If you would like to purchase a yearbook, you can do so online at MySchoolBucks for $35.00. Quantities are limited – secure yours today! Prices will increase to $40 on March 1, 2026. Don’t miss out on this year’s memories and ensure your child can participate in our school wide signature party at the end of the year!
Middle School Program
Spring Break Teen Camp – Looking for something to do during Spring Break? Join Youth Outreach’s excursions-based camp that takes students to various attractions throughout Southern California!
Save the Date – 8th Grade Students
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.
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/ |
We look forward to seeing students back on campus on Tuesday, March 10th, for the start of the Trimester 3…have a wonderful weekend! 