Newsletter 4/17/26

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Good Afternoon South Lake Families,

We are excited to host our very first Beyond Awareness Celebration at South Lake on April 24th! We’ll be welcoming 11 guest presenters with disabilities who will share their lived experiences with our students. These speakers will serve as role models and mentors, helping students rethink assumptions and better understand how we are all more alike than different. Presentations will take place in the MPR and will focus on inclusion, assistive technology, and respectful language. We look forward to a meaningful day of learning and connection!
 

CAASPP testing starts this week…please see the schedule below. We ask for students to arrive at school on time as we will test at the beginning of the day. Please make sure your student has their Chromebook charged and ready to go! Scores are used to measure student growth, place students in specific courses, and provide valuable insight into your student’s overall performance including areas of academic strength and areas for growth before entering high school. 

 Tuesday, April 21st - ELA
 Wednesday, April 22nd  - ELA
 Thursday, April 23rd - ELA
 Wednesday, April 29th - Math
 Thursday, April 30th – Math 
 
Here are some tips to help prepare your child for testing:
 

Vital Link has offering this amazing FREE opportunity for our South Lake students…see the flyers below for more information and make sure to fill out the interest form.


Lastly, Irvine Unified School District’s Special Education Department and Community Advisory Committee are hosting the 5th Annual Abilities Awareness Event, with the theme “Allyship in Action!” on Thursday, April 22, at Solis Park School from 5-7:00pm.
 
This event celebrates the unique strengths and talents of every individual in IUSD while highlighting the powerful allyship among teachers, students and families. We invite the community to come together, learn from one another and appreciate the diverse abilities that make our school communities special.
This event is free and open to the public. The festivities will include:
 

  • Guest DJ Performance: Enjoy a lively set that sets the perfect atmosphere for celebration.
  • Family Resource Fair: Connect with local organizations and resources that support inclusive practices in the community. Discover valuable information and connect with community partners dedicated to supporting individuals of all abilities.
  • Marketplace: Explore a variety of products created by the diverse talents within our community.
  • Fun Activities: Participate in engaging activities designed for all ages and abilities.
  • Food Trucks: Enjoy a variety of delicious food options available for purchase from local food trucks.

We hope you and your family will join us for this wonderful community event!

Have a wonderful weekend Sharks! 
In kindness, 
Belinda Averill
 

Principal

Schedule for April 20th - 24th
MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday

Anchor Day
8:15am – 3:02pm 
Bonus Period PE
 


 

Anchor Day
8:15am – 3:02pm 
Bonus Period PE CAASPP TESTING

Odd Periods
Late Start
9:00am – 3:02pm

CAASPP TESTING

Even Periods
Late Start

9:00am - 3:02pm 
Bonus Period PE

CAASPP TESTING
 

 

 

Anchor Day

 

8:15am – 3:02pm 
Bonus Period PE

Beyond Awareness Celebration

Information & Resources

WHS Football Interest
Woodbridge High School Football will be holding their mandatory parent & player meeting for all incoming WHS freshmen wanting to join the football program. They will go over important details, expectations, and volunteer opportunities for the upcoming 2026 football season. 
 
Meeting Details: 
📅 Date: Monday, April 20th 
🕕 Time: 7:00-8:30PM
📍 Location: Woodbridge Performing Arts Center Theater
Meeting Topics will Include: 
 

  • Joining the Program
  • Summer Camp Details
  • Suggested Donations
  • Fundraising Details
  • Volunteer Opportunities

Parent and player attendance is crucial to ensure we are all on the same page in preparing for a successful 2026 football season. Please try to have at least one parent/guardian in attendance with each player.

Uni Pep Squad
Tryout Clinics start next week…see flyer below. 

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 register for classes TODAY! 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 and Dual enrollment below. 
Yearbooks on Sale
Yearbooks are on sale NOW! If you would like to purchase a yearbook, you can do so online at MySchoolBucks for $40. Quantities are limited - 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 
Please visit www.yourirvine.org  and search “YOUTH OUTREACH” in the filter box to see a complete list of upcoming classes, programs, and events. Follow us on Instagram @irvineyouthoutreach for the latest information on all our programs! If you have any questions, please feel free to email us at mspcamps@cityofirvine.org.

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/

Upcoming Events
April 21st – ELA CAASPP
April 22nd – ELA CAASPP
April 22nd - Allyship in Action 
April 23rd – ELA CAASPP
April 24th – Beyond Awareness Celebration
 April 29th – Math CAASPP
 April 30th – Math CAASPP