South Lake Newsletter 11/1

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Good Afternoon South Lake Families, 

Middle school can be a time of tremendous growth and learning for students—both academically and socially. It’s normal for students to encounter new challenges, misunderstandings, or social conflicts, and we want you to know that we’re here to support them every step of the way.

Encouraging your child to speak up when they face challenges, whether it’s about social conflicts, misunderstandings in class, or needing additional help with coursework, is an important step in building their confidence and resilience. Here are some tips to help guide these conversations at home:
 
 

  • Normalize Asking for Help: Remind them that all students need help from time to time and that their teachers, counselors, and other staff at South Lake are here to support them. Asking for help shows strength and determination to succeed. We are here to support…we want students to let us know what they need. 

 
 

  • Address Concerning Language and Behavior: If they hear language or behavior that makes them uncomfortable, encourage them to share this with a trusted adult. By speaking up, they contribute to a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. Sometimes students aren’t sure of what will happen if they report…please know it always makes a positive difference!

 
 

  • Create a Safe Space for Conversations: Let your child know that it’s okay to come to you or other trusted adults with anything on their mind, whether it’s a social situation or a classroom challenge. It is best NOT to match their reaction and to size the problem.

Here are two strategies we use to size the problem:
Break Down the Problem into Smaller Parts: Start by dividing the problem into manageable segments or categories, like time, impact, and resources required. By breaking it down, it becomes easier to analyze each part independently, which can reveal the scope of the problem and its main challenges.
 

  • For example, if your child reports that their teacher isn’t giving them enough time to complete their assignments start by asking questions to better understand the assignment, breaking it down might include analyzing issues with time management, understanding how to seek help during class time or understanding what resources are available to aid in the assignment…model a growth mindset!

Use a Scale to Measure the Impact: Assign a scale (e.g., 1 to 5 or low, medium, high) to gauge the problem’s impact and urgency. Factors like the number of people affected, recognizing what is in their control and what is not, and the potential consequences of not addressing it can help you better understand its scope. 
 

  • For instance, if there’s a social conflict among friends, you could evaluate its impact by who this involves, helping your child reflect on their role in the conflict, separating anger from hurt feelings, and gauging any disruption to the learning environment. 

At South Lake, we’re committed to providing a strong support network for all our students. Our counselors, teachers, and staff are ready to listen, guide, and assist students as they navigate these important years. Please encourage your child to reach out, knowing they have a community that cares deeply about their growth, learning, and well-being.

To hear more from our counselors and ask about these strategies., calendar their upcoming event Coffee with the Counselors on November 14th.

We hope you have a wonderful weekend…don't forget Sunday is Daylight Savings!

In kindness,
Belinda Averill
Principal
 

Schedule for the Week of November 4th - November 8th

Monday 

Tuesday 

Wednesday 

Thursday 

Friday 

Anchor Day 

8:15am – 3:02pm 

Bonus Period PE

 

Anchor Day 

8:15am – 3:02pm 

Bonus Period PE

 

Odd Periods

Late Start

9:00am – 3:02pm 

 

Even Periods

Late Start 

9:00am – 3:02pm 

Bonus Period PE 

 

Anchor Day

Minimum Day 

8:15am – 12:30pm 

Bonus Period PE

South Lake Information and Resources

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!
 
PTSA – Shark Night Out: Thursday, November 14th
Take a break from cooking and join us at the Woodbridge Center for Pizza Press, Cha for Tea and Yogurtland with your friends and family! When ordering please let them know you’re with South Lake and a percentage of all sales will go back to South Lake and directly benefit our students.
 
PTSA – Reflections 
We had a record number of Reflections entries this year…38!! Thank you to all our Sharks who submitted projects! We want to shout out our Sharks who advanced to the district level: Mona T., Jariya L., Mariia M., Kanna M., Maithili S., Hope A., Ezra P., and Rowan Y! Big THANK YOU to our Reflections co-chairs, Annabelle Hartshorn-Cruz and Chelsea Ito! Without volunteers like you, we wouldn’t be able to keep all these amazing programs going! South Lake appreciates you both so much!

PTSA - Shark Shoppe
The Shark Shoppe is open! Our Shark Shoppe is an incentive program for students to use their Shark Cards. The PTSA, along with our South Lake community keep the Shark Shoppe stocked for our students. Please consider ordering some fun stuff or pick some of our students’ favorite treats by visiting our Shark Shoppe on Amazon! Everything will get shipped automatically to school so all you need to do is pick and hit submit. You can also pick things up from your favorite store and drop to the front office. Let’s keep this fun tradition going! Shark Shoppe Link
 
South Lake Parent Engagement
On Wednesday, November 20th at 6pm, IPD and South Lake Admin will be presenting Healthy Choices, providing valuable information about recent trends with middle schoolers as well as resources and strategies to actively parent healthy choices. 

IUSD Parent and Family Engagement
IUSD Parent and Family Engagement has several parent classes and workshops being held in October. Please Click Here to register and view schedule. Irvine Family Resource Center is offering a workshop called “Screens and Teens”. It will provide information, resources and youth perspective regarding technology and social media usage. Register HERE
IUSD has many great workshops and presentations set up for the parents/caregivers of Irvine students. Below you will find the links to workshops and other district wide parent/guardian presentations. Irvine Parent Education Programs (IPEP) are FREE seminars and educational workshops offered to Irvine parents/caregivers throughout the school year. Our goal is to empower parents/guardians with the skills and strategies necessary to become active participants in their student’s education. 
 
We invite you to register for one or more of the IPEP Parent Workshops.
Click here for a full list of November's offerings.

Middle School Program (MSP)
If you are looking for great after school activities for your students that build community, have service components and are just plain fun…there are several upcoming events and classes to get involved with through our Middle School Programs hosted by the city of Irvine. Each of the flyers linked below have information about registration, cost and contact information. For more information, please contact Site Coordinator Karley Abeyrama at (949) 724-7190 or at KAbeyrama@cityofirvine.org
CO-ED Football 
Youth Action Team - Fall
MSP Fall Registration

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. 

Upcoming Dates to Calendar
November 8th – Minimum Day
November 11th – Veterans Day (No school)
November 14th - Coffee with the Counselors
November 14th - Shark Night Out
November 15th – End of Trimester 1
November 20th - Healthy Choices Parent Night