Newsletter 5/8/2026

Default Image - southlake

Good Afternoon South Lake Families,

We hope to see at our Spring Musical Willy Wonka Jr. next week!
Show: Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory JR
Location: South Lake Middle School Multi-Purpose Room
Dates and Times:
       May 11    Cast 1, show 1                4:00 PM in MPR
       May 12    Cast 1, show 2                6:00 PM in MPR
       May 13    Cast 2, show 1                4:00 PM in MPR
       May 14    Cast 2, show 2                6:00 PM in MPR
Doors will open 15 minutes prior to start time, with entry through the lunch table doors. Tickets are $5 for general admission, and children 5 and under are free. The performance runs approximately one hour with no intermission. Please note that video and audio recording are not permitted. We look forward to seeing you there!

Join the Fourth Annual District Honors Art Show…discover a world of creativity at IUSD's third Annual District Honors Art Show on May 15-16. Featuring over 600 artworks by IUSD PK-12 students, this event is a celebration of talent and imagination. Free and open to the public, the show offers the chance for IUSD artists to see their work displayed at the Laguna Art Museum. A panel of judges will select the top 30 pieces for this prestigious showcase.
 
Mark your calendars and join us for a night of incredible art displays!
Location: Portola High School (1001 Cadence, Irvine)
Date/Time: 
May 15, 2026, 4-8 p.m.
 

May 16, 2026, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

🎶Come for the Art Show and stay for Porchella! Hear students from the Popular Music Program perform in the amphitheater from 5:30-9 p.m. on May 15! Join us in supporting our student artists and experiencing their remarkable talent. Learn more about the event.


Attention 8th Grade Families,,,you should have received an email detailing all the end of year activities for our 8th graders. Please see the 8th Grade End of Year Info for all the details…thank you! We will be taking the 8th grade Panorama Picture on Thursday, May 14th so make sure your student is at school!

Lastly, huge thank you to our amazing PTSA for showering us with Appreciation this week and for the generous cards, emails and sentiment shared with our staff!

Have a wonderful weekend Sharks!
In kindness, 
Belinda Averill
 

Principal

Schedule for May 11th - 15th
MondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday

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

Willy Wonka

 


 

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

Willy Wonka

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

Willy Wonka

Even Periods
Late Start

9:00am - 3:02pm 
Bonus Period PE

Willy Wonka

Panorama Picture (8th)

 

 

Anchor Day

 

8:15am – 3:02pm 
Bonus Period PE

Information & Resources

SPSA Feedback
School Site Council has approved our first draft of the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) for 2026-2027 school year. This includes our three schoolwide goals, expected outcomes, and resources allocated to support goals and actions. We love to hear your feedback after reading the SPSA – feel free to provide input using the SPSA Feedback Form…thank you!

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. 
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!

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
May 11th – 14th â€“ Willy Wonka Musical
May 14th â€“ 8th Grade Panorama Picture
May 15th & 16th â€“ Honors Art Show
May 22nd – Minimum Day
May 25th – Memorial Day
May 26th – 8th Grade Awards Night
May 30th – 8th Grade Dance