PTSA - Contact Info
If you have any questions regarding your South Lake PTSA or would like to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact our PTSA President, Jill Pearson at JillKPearson@gmail.com. You can also visit our PTSA Website at South Lake PTSA. Please follow us on social media @southlakeptsa for all the up-to-date information of what’s going on at South Lake!
Attention 8th Grade Families!
Your student has received the information and required documents for the end of year. Included in this information is the following:
- 8th Grade End of Year Letter – this contains links to forms listed
- Wild Rivers Waiver
- Promotion Dance Information
- Promotion Dance Waiver (PTSA)
- Promotion Dance Contract
- Promotion Ceremony Information
Please review these documents with your student. We are excited to have our first field trip to Wild Rivers…please make sure to purchase your students’ ticket and complete the waiver.
After School Tutoring
After School Tutoring will end Wednesday, May 28th.
End of Day Attendance
Please avoid signing your student out during the last 30 minutes of the school day unless it’s an emergency. This time is critical for wrapping up instruction, providing important reminders, and ensuring a smooth, safe dismissal for all students. Early sign-outs can be disruptive not just to the learning environment but also disrupts the efficiency of the front office. Thank you for your cooperation in helping us maintain a focused and orderly environment.
Middle School Programs
Through our partnership with the City of Irvine Youth Outreach, there are some fun after school programs starting soon…register now! Visit www.yourirvine.org and search “MSP” in the filter box to see all locations and options. Click South Lake After School Programs and Activities. Please contact our Youth Outreach Specialist Aaron Silva with any questions.
Call/Text: (949) 664-2351
Email: asilva@cityofirvine.org
IPSF Summer Programs
Don’t miss out on all the fun at IPSF Summer! 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 at www.ipsf.net/summer
Summer Planning
Looking ahead to summer, many students look forward to a well-earned break—but the shift from structured school days to long, unstructured hours can also present challenges. Here are a few ways families can support students in maintaining balance, well-being, and connection during the summer months:
🕒 Maintain a Simple Routine
While students deserve flexibility, keeping a loose daily structure helps them feel secure and productive. Encourage a consistent sleep schedule, regular meal times, and a few daily responsibilities (like chores, reading, or physical activity). This rhythm helps prevent the summer slide and makes the transition back to school smoother.
📱 Manage Screen Time Mindfully
With more free time, screen use often increases. Talk as a family about what healthy screen time looks like—balancing entertainment with creativity, connection, and movement. Consider device-free meals or “unplugged” hours each day. Resources like Common Sense Media can help families evaluate age-appropriate content and build digital habits that support mental health.
🤝 Nurture Friendships & Social Confidence
Middle schoolers deeply value their social connections. Encourage in-person and outdoor hangouts, or local camps where students can practice teamwork and communication in relaxed settings. Another great option is community service! Summer is also a great time to reflect on what healthy friendships look and feel like—and how to navigate challenges with kindness and confidence.
Mental Health & Academic Supports
IUSD Family Counseling Center
The IUSD Family Counseling Center (IFCC) offers short-term, evidence-based mental health services provided by licensed mental health therapists for IUSD K-12 students and families.
Care Solace
To better serve our students, families, and staff, IUSD has partnered with Care Solace, which offers free and confidential services to connect families to outside mental health providers. Care Solace provides concierge services to assist families in navigating mental health services in the community.
Hazel Health
IUSD has also partnered with Hazel Health, a telehealth behavioral health company that provides one-on-one counseling from a professional therapist at no cost to IUSD students. A parent/guardian may refer their student through a link found on the IUSD website, or a referral can be made by the student’s school counselor, elementary resource counselor, mental health specialist, school psychologist, or administrator at their school. Students must have parental permission to enroll for services unless they are 18 or older.
Academic Supports
Khan Academy and Paper Tutoring provide students with avenues for academic assistance, alleviating some of the stressors that may impact their mental well-being.
For families seeking more information on IUSD mental health supports, please visit the Mental Health and Wellness website.
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.
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.
OCTA Transportation Information
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 purple/orange Youth Ride Free Passes expire September 30, 2024; the new blue Youth Ride Free Passes are valid now through September 30, 2025, 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 be issued a blue youth bus pass for the 2024-25 school year.
Parent Request Form: OC Bus Ride Guide – How to Ride: For more information regarding the program visit: OCbus.com/YouthRideFree. OC Connect is another option for students. This is a free shuttle service that runs every 20 minutes between the northern end of Irvine and the Irvine Train Station. This route drops off at Woodbridge High which is a short walk from here. The IrvineCONNECT webpage may be accessed through this link: https://www.cityofirvine.org/transportation/irvine-connect. On the webpage there is a link to track the shuttles in real time, which can be used in a similar way to watching for an Uber to see how far out it is.
 Bell Schedule
The 2024-2025 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.
Nondiscrimination Statement
The Irvine Unified School District is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs and activities including membership in student clubs shall be free from discrimination based on race, color, ancestry, nationality, ethnic group identification, age, religion, actual or potential parental, family, or marital status, or the exclusion of any person because of pregnancy or related conditions, physical or mental disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, or genetic information; the perception of one or more of such characteristics; or association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. The District does not discriminate in enrollment in or access to any of the activities and programs available. Admission to these programs is based on age appropriateness, class space, interest, aptitude, and prerequisite coursework where applicable. The lack of English skills shall not be a barrier to admission to or participation in the District’s activities and programs. The Irvine Unified School District also does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices. |
