8th Grade Families – Promotion Ceremony
On Friday, June 5, at 9:30 A.M., 8th grade South Lake students will be honored in a promotion ceremony, outside on our blacktop. Students are asked to arrive at their Homeroom location by 9:00 A.M. Student dress for the ceremony should follow our dress code and dress nicer than everyday school attire. Families are welcome and invited to attend and there is no limit for guest count. Family and friends attending will be sitting out on the grass behind the blacktop and will need to bring their own chair/seating. The ceremony will be livestreamed and the link will be sent out to families. Students will be dismissed at the end of the promotion to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon with family. Please do not bring any noise makers to the ceremony. Parking is limited so please walk to campus and PTSA will be hosting free Kona Ice for our 8th graders after the ceremony.
Yearbooks on Sale
If you would like to purchase a yearbook, we are now accepting $40 CASH ONLY. 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!
7th grade Families
Elective registration for 8th grade is due today! Please consider signing your student up to start their World Language as an after-bell elective. We are fortunate to offer this through San Joaquin at Irvine Virtual Academy. These classes count toward high school credit, students who successfully complete the course move onto level 2 in 9th grade. The majority of the course is asynchronous with two live online class sessions weekly. Students can enroll in the following World Languages:
SPANISH I - Available to 8th grade students only
This course is an introduction to the Spanish language and its cultures. Students acquire a basic understanding of the language system and the various Spanish-speaking cultures, along with the skills necessary to communicate in a variety of modes at a basic level. Students have opportunities to experience situations they might actually encounter in a Spanish-speaking environment and to use the language to convey and interpret meaning at a basic level. Students with C- or higher in Trimester 2 will automatically be eligible for Year 2. Eligibility will be lost if the student receives a grade of D+ or lower in Trimester 3.
KOREAN I - Available to 8th grade students only
This course is an introduction to the Korean language and its cultures. Students will acquire a basic understanding of the language system and the Korean culture, along with the skills necessary to communicate at a basic level. These skills are speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as cultural understanding.
CHINESE I - Available to 8th grade students only
This course is designed to assist students to develop low-beginning level skills in the Chinese language. These skills are speaking, listening, reading, and writing, as well as cultural understanding. This course will begin by introducing the writing and sound system of the Chinese language. A Romanized phonetic pronunciation system called “Pinyin” will be introduced. The remainder of the course will focus on grammatical patterns such as basic sentence structures, some grammatical points, and expressions.
FRENCH I - Available to 8th grade students only
This course is an introduction to the French language and its cultures. Students acquire a basic understanding of the language system and the various French-speaking cultures, along with the skills necessary to communicate in a variety of modes at a basic level. Students have opportunities to experience situations they might actually encounter in a French-speaking environment and to use the language to convey and interpret meaning at a basic level.
For those interested in World Language through IVA, please fill out World Language Google Form so that we can enroll your student for next year. Please know, students are only able to take a maximum of two electives in 8th grade so students enrolling in a world language are not eligible for Bonus Period PE.
Middle School Program
MSP has some fun upcoming events…see flyers for more information. Please visit www.yourirvine.org and search “YOUTH OUTREACH” in the filter box to see a complete list of upcoming classes, programs, and events.
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.
   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/ |
