South Lake Newsletter - May 17, 2024

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Good Afternoon South Lake Community, 

As summer is approaching and more unstructured time, we encourage you to implement a plan with your young teen about their time spent online and/or on their phone. The impact of media use online on young teens is significant, influencing both their social behaviors and mental health. Studies show that excessive use of social media can lead to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness among adolescents. Additionally, heavy internet use has been associated with disrupted sleep patterns and decreased academic performance due to distractions and reduced study time. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and managing online media consumption in young teens to promote healthier development and well-being. The American Academy of Pediatrics has put together a comprehensive 5 C’s Young Teen Media Guide and a Media Plan tool to use with your young teen.
 
In addition, with input from families, educators, mental health professionals, and youth, Project Cal-Well produced this easy-to-use guide to help parents and other adult family members navigate how to support the overall well-being and mental health of school-aged children, including tips for what can be difficult conversations. The guide equips caregivers with targeted strategies, tools, and resources that help them advocate for their family, address each child’s specific needs, and access professional help. Access the guide here.  

Lastly, there are plenty of resources available for you and your family in our Summer Break Resource Guide. There are lots of summer enrichments, camps and activities through IPSF, City of Irvine MSP, and local community centers like Woodbridge Village Association and Boys and Girls Club that have summer programs and events for your student to get involved with. We also have free bus passes through Youth Ride Free (information below) which is another great option for students to get to the beach and other areas of town.
 
Please note that next Friday is a minimum day before the three-day Memorial Day Weekend.

Have a great weekend Sharks!
In kindness,
Belinda Averill
Principal 
Schedule for Week of  5/20-5/24

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 

Minimum Day 

8:15am – 12:30pm

Bonus Period PE

South Lake Announcements and Information
PTSA Information 
8th Grade Dance
Our 8th Grade Dance Committee has been hard at work preparing for the big day! As the event draws near, we're reaching out to our amazing South Lake families for assistance. Firstly, we're seeking volunteers for both set-up and clean-up, as well as a handful of 7th grade parents to assist during the dance. Secondly, we're in search of drink and snack donations to ensure the party is a hit. Any support you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
 
Your help would make a huge difference in making this event a success. If you're available to lend a hand, sign up at the links below. Thank you for your support!
 
VOLUNTEER
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA4AB2DA6F8C43-49543189-slms
**Volunteers will need to sign the following waiver: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17Lvo2UJSrjQ6DPDjoUoiifEEVqd7rsP9/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=114206295122016723832&rtpof=true&sd=true
 
SNACK DONATIONS
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0B4BA4AB2DA6F8C43-49694288-8thgrade
Tickets are $30 per student and can be purchases on our webstore at www.southlakeptsa.com or send cash or check made payable to South Lake PTSA to the front office. All students who plan to attend are required to sign this eSign Waiver and submit at signed Dance Contract which will be distributed next week during Homeroom. Students will NOT be permitted to use their cell phone inside the venue.  

SHARK SHOPPE:  We are looking for donations to stock the Shoppe with snacks, candy, and drinks.  Please order from our Amazon link SHARK SHOPPE WISHLIST or purchase from any store and drop off in the front office.  We appreciate any and all donations. This is a great incentive for our students, so please consider donating.

8th Grade Families
End of year activities are detailed in the 8th grade End of Year Letter. 
  • Knott’s Berry Farm Permission Slip
  • Dance Contract
7th Grade Families
For 7th grade students who would like to enroll in IVA for World Language class in 8th grade next year, please complete this WL Enrollment Form and we will enroll your student. Confirmation of enrollment will come from IVA.

All Student Behavior Expectations
With only five weeks left in the school year, we would very much appreciate you taking time to review South Lake behavior expectations with your student so that we have a positive end of the year. This is the typical time of year where we need to remind students of our behavior expectations. We would greatly appreciate you reviewing the following expectations for student behaviors:
  • Tardiness – it is critical to get to school on time as well to class. Please work with your student to plan to get to school before the bell rings (8:05am or 8:55am). Students have lots of time to socialize with their peers during break and lunch, they do not need to socialize during transitions between classes. 
  • Boundaries – it is crucial at this age that students maintain appropriate boundaries with one another. We understand that students are impulsive at this age however, we are reminding students repeatedly to keep their hands to themselves. This includes hand holding, pushing, grabbing, taking other people’s belongings for fun and being silly. At this point of the school year, our students are physically too big to be engaging in this type of behavior. 
  • Language – we have dedicated time through lessons, assemblies, targeted intervention, and reinforcement of using inclusive language with one another. Language that is racist, obscene, and offensive has no place on our campus. At this time, students are VERY familiar with our expectations and MUST adhere to these at all times. 
  • Release Time – school ends at 3:02pm every day. Students are required to leave campus by 3:15pm at the very latest. We ask that you know where your student is going, who they are with and keep a curfew for when they are to be home. Students MUST wear a helmet and adhere to all requirements for riding an eBike or traditional bike. 
IPSF Summer Programs
Summer is almost here…don’t miss out on all the fun at IPSF Summer! Choose from over 400 exciting and educational classes for students in grades PreK-12, all taught by specialized instructors and IUSD teachers. Session A classes start June 13, register today! https://ipsf.net/classes-camps/summer/

Middle School Program (MSP) at South Lake
If you are looking for great after school activities for your students, there are several events and classes to get involved with through our Middle School Programs hosted by the city of Irvine. Please contact Site Coordinator Karley Abeyrama at (949) 724-7190 or at KAbeyrama@cityofirvine.org for information.    Paper – Free Tutoring
As your student is getting going with their academics, please know that IUSD offers Paper Tutoring, a free resource, giving your student 24/7 access to chat with tutors for live help and assignment support. Paper helps parents and guardians avoid the cost, time, and stress of having to relearn geometry and poetry or hire a private tutor to help their child with classwork. Paper can provide support with homework help, writing feedback (i.e. editing essays), and study support. Help is available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, and French. Students can access Paper Tutoring directly from their class Canvas Page. Some additional resources are this informational video on Paper TutoringPaper for Parents & Guardians and Paper Website: Unlimited Tutoring, Anywhere & Anytime.  
 
Student Attendance
It is important to make every effort to have your student in school and on time. While attendance and success in school are positively correlated and directly linked, there are times when a student should stay home and absences are necessary.
  • Illness - Please keep student home when they have several signs and symptoms of illness including a fever (temp > 100.4).
  • Mental health – a new California law states that absences for the benefit of the pupil’s mental or behavioral health shall be excused (Ed Code 48205)After 5 absences, a doctor’s note will be required. 
  • Doctor appointments
  • Court appointments
  • Funerals for immediate family members
We want to honor and support the mental and physical health of our students, and we also need to prioritize the importance of attendance both for student success and to ensure that IUSD receives critically important state funding for our schools. Please know that the School Attendance Review Board (SARB process) will be initiated, when a student accumulates 3 unexcused absences or truancies. If you have concerns about extended absences or if you have any questions about attendance, please don’t hesitate to call. We appreciate your partnership in supporting the health, happiness, and academic achievement of our students. 

OCTA Youth Ride Free Program 
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is excited to announce the continuation of their “Youth Ride Free” promotional bus pass program.  This free youth pass allows youth ages 6 to 18 to ride all OC fixed-route buses every day for free. The purple/orange Youth Ride Free passes are valid now through September 30, 2024 and require a new Parent Request Form for each recipient.  For more information regarding the program visit: OCbus.com/YouthRideFree. 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 form to the front office to be issued a purple/orange youth bus pass for the 2023-24 school year. 
Parent Request Form: OC Bus Ride Guide – How to Ride:


Bell Schedule 
The 2023-2024 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
Upcoming Events
May 24th - Minimum Day
May 27th - Memorial Day
May 28th - 8th grade Awards Night