Student Behavior Expectations Reminders
At the start of the school year, I provided the opportunity for you to learn all about South Lake including our academic program, South Lake Cares behavior expectations, progressive discipline practices as well as social/emotional behaviors to expect during middle school. We know that as time passes, we all could use some reminders about our expectations and so I would like to take a moment to remind parents and guardians of a few key items as we are now at the mid-year point of the school year:
- Attendance Matters – it is vital that your student be here on time to school and present every day. School BEGINS at 8:15am on Monday, Tuesday and Friday, and 9:00am on Wednesday and Thursday. If your student has an appointment during the school day, please do not keep them home all day and bring them back to school. We need your support in having your student get here on time and be here every day!
- Kindness Matters – while the adolescent brain is still evolving and there is an understand that impulsivity is at an all-time high during this time, there is always an expectation to be kind. We need your support to reinforce kindness when interaction with one another and that ‘joking’ does not excuse not being kind.
- Digital Citizenship Matters: Please help us encourage a kind online environment. We ask students to refrain from posting pictures or hurtful content about others. We need your support in monitoring your child's social media is a great way to support their emotional well-being.
- Safety Matters – it is important to wear a helmet and ride safely on a Bike/eBike. We have extra helmets available should your child need. Students are not permitted to do tricks with their bikes, ride at high speed or in the middle of the road in neighborhoods, or have multiple riders on a bike without a helmet. We need your support enforcing safe riding practices.
- Prepared for Learning Matters - Please ensure students arrive at school with a fully charged Chromebook each day. Since these are vital for classroom lessons, arriving prepared helps everyone stay on track! To support daily learning, please remember that Chromebook violations may result in a 'Chromebook Ticket,' which includes a Wednesday morning detention from 8:15 to 8:45 AM. We need your support to make sure your student brings it to school, charged, every day!
- Work Habits Matter – Progress Reports are available and we emphasize positive work habits. Please pay close attention to your students Work Habits proficiency as it informs you about their diligence in completing work in a timely matter, taking opportunities to improve their learning and completing assignments. We need your support to reinforce positive work habits.
- Problem Solving Skills Matter – at South Lake, we emphasize processes and resources for students to use to grow their independence in solving small, medium and sometimes large problems. It is critical that adolescents build their agency in both solving problems as well as coping through some adversity while the problem is being solved. We need your support in reviewing positive coping strategies with your child to use and how they can grow their ownership in solving minor problems in a healthy manner.
We appreciate your time and efforts to refresh all the ways to help your child grow their independence, make healthy choices, and further develop their humanity!
Annual Survey
Superintendent Parham sent a message to the IUSD community announcing that the Annual Survey is now open. I would like to take this opportunity to share how your feedback directly benefits our school and encourage you to take the survey. Your responses help our school understand what matters most to you so we can continually improve how we serve your child(ren) and family. It also helps determine priorities and where our school and IUSD allocate vital funds to drive positive student outcomes. The survey is anonymous and available in multiple languages. It only takes a few minutes but can have long-lasting and positive impacts on our school.
Click here to take the Annual Survey now. Thank you for your partnership and support of our school.
Irvine Junior Games
Early bird registration for Irvine Junior Games is online at www.IrvineJuniorGames.com. Registration is $45 per athlete if they register in January; it will go up to $55 on February 1st and will close by March 1st. The day of the Irvine Junior Game is Sunday, April 19 in the stadium at Irvine High School. This is a one-day track and field event hosted by the Irvine Children’s Fund (ICF). Athletes can choose any of the running or field events and compete against other students in their age group from other IUSD schools. Running events include the 100m sprint, 400m, 800m, and 1500m run. Field events are soccer kick, running long jump, and basketball shots. The top 3 athletes in each competition receive a medal!
Middle School Program
Please see the flyers below for upcoming Middle School and Youth Action Team events and programs. All programs can be found and registered for at www.YourIrvine.org. Through Youth Outreach, students will have the opportunity to develop a high degree of self-direction, self-esteem, and personal responsibility. The program is developed in part with student input and provides participants with the chance to engage in a wide variety of exciting and creative activities. The goal is to create a positive, supportive environment where students can explore new interests, build confidence, and connect with their peers outside of the traditional classroom setting. If you have any questions, please feel free to email mspcamps@cityofirvine.org
Save the Date – 8th Grade Students who will be attending University High School
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/ |
