Welcome to the High School Family Updates! This newsletter is sent out every week to high school parents, students and Education Advisors with important news, reminders and upcoming events. Look for it every week! Upcoming Important Dates: February 20 End of LP 6 February 23 Start of LP 7 🗓️ 25-26 Academic Calendar ⭐️NEW Honors Declaration Policy Beginning in the Spring 2026 semester, all Honors course decisions—including adding or dropping Honors—must be finalized by the progress report/midterm date. For this Spring semester, that deadline is March 13th. After this deadline, no changes to Honors status will be permitted, and Honors placements will be considered final. This update emphasizes that enrolling in an Honors course is a thoughtful academic commitment. It also allows teachers adequate time to plan instruction and assess honors-level work appropriately. Students and families are encouraged to carefully consider with their Education Advisor whether an Honors course is the best fit before making their selection. NEW EVENTS! Make sure to check the HS Events section below for NEW upcoming events – some of them are happening THIS WEEK! 🎈Upcoming HS Hangouts NEW March HS Hangout 👉🏼Irvine Lanes Looking for a break from the screen? Join your Sage Oak crew at Irvine Lanes! It’s the perfect chance to catch up with friends, meet new people, and show off your (lack of) bowling skills. No pressure, just pins and good company. See you on the lanes! 📅Friday, March 6 from 10am to 1pm. Sign up HERE! February HS Hangout 👉🏼Dave & Busters Kick off the weekend with fun, food & games! Join us for a high school hangout at Dave & Busters in Ontario. 📅Friday, February 20 from 11 – 1:30PM! Sign up HERE! 💃Prom 2026 You’re invited to an evening of magic and mystery at Prom 2026. Join us as we transform The Observatory in Santa Ana into a botanical wonderland filled with enchanting charm and ethereal vibes. Buy tickets here! Song requests 👉🏼fill out this form! 📷 Submit Your Yearbook Photo Want to see yourself in this year’s yearbook? Submit your headshot using the Google Form linked below! This form is for 9th–11th grade students. Yearbook Submissions Google Form Note: Seniors should submit their photos using only the Senior Submissions form (see details in the class of 2026 section) Sage Oak Appreciation – Chance to win a gift card! Show Sage Oak some love! Appreciate your friends, teachers, and counselors on this Public Padlet! Do you have a favorite teacher? Now’s your chance to let them know! 🎉. Submit a short video message thanking a teacher — or our amazing staff as a whole — for a chance to be featured in a student-created film! Sage Oak High School Yearbook Your year, preserved forever! Get yours to remember all the fun events, friends, and special moments. We have soft covers available for $41.27 and hard covers available for $48.27 (before taxes). You can also customize your copy by adding custom pages! Don’t miss out! Order here!  Every week, we will highlight a Sage Oak High School student who has been nominated by their Education Advisor. This week, Sage Oak High School is celebrating… 🌟Grace Waddell (11th Grade)🌟 Grace truly embodies the spirit of a Sage Oak student. As an 11th grader graduating this spring, she has already completed six community college courses and earned acceptance to more than four universities, including both Cal State and UC campuses. Grace not only excels academically, but is an active part of the Sage Oak heartbeat through her involvement in ASB and NJHS. She has also channeled her passion for literacy into meaningful action by helping to create and support a school-wide book drive through Sage Oak clubs. When she’s not working at her local coffee shop, Grace spends her free time crocheting adorable hats, blankets, and stuffed animals. She donates many of her creations to children’s hospitals and sells others online—contributing a portion of the proceeds to a literacy non-profit. Thanks to Sage Oak’s flexible schedule, Grace has been able to pursue her academic goals while making a difference in her community. This fall, she will attend a Cal State or UC campus to study pre-law and continue her journey of impact and achievement!  🌟Career Exploration Workshop – Hosted by Our School Counselors Thursday, February 19 (this week!) 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ZOOM LINK Students and families are invited to join our Counselor-Led Career Exploration Workshop! This interactive session will help students explore potential career pathways, discover their interests and strengths, and learn about tools and resources that can support future planning. Whether your student is just beginning to think about career options or already has ideas in mind, this workshop will provide valuable guidance and practical next steps. We look forward to seeing you there! 🤩Personalized College & Career Guidance—At No Cost! We are excited to be able to offer 30-minute, one-on-one strategy meetings at no cost to students with Ms. Jen Mejares-Pham, a college admissions and post-secondary strategy consultant who works with students on everything from college and trade pathways to applications, scholarships, and next-step planning. These sessions are a chance to ask questions, receive personalized guidance, and leave with a clear plan. Come prepared with questions and ideas. Sign-ups are limited, so don’t wait! Check out her video to learn more. Check out: learningwithjen.as.me and use the coupon MRSKING at checkout! HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS Here is the link to the HS Counseling Calendar – subscribe to this calendar to have all the webinars that the counselors are hosting with zoom links! Coral Prendergast (last names A-L) – cprendergast@sageoak.education Mackenzie Akins (last names M-Z) – makins@sageoak.education Life Hacks Join “Life Hacks” every Friday at NOON! If you want to hang out and connect with some other high school students or get some helpful tips to navigate the teenage years, join Ms. Coral at Life Hacks every Friday at noon. Join the Zoom HERE!   Graduation Webinar – in case you missed it! In case you weren’t able to join us for the Graduation Webinar last week, you can view the recording and the slides below: Graduation Webinar Recording Graduation Webinar Slides 📸 Senior Submission Submissions are now open for graduates to submit a headshot, quote and baby pictures that are used for the ceremony slideshow. The headshot will also be used in the yearbook. If you do not wish to submit one or more of the items, please indicate that on the first question. Due by March 20th. PSO Scholarship – Last week to apply! This PSO Scholarship supports PSO’s (Parents for School Options) mission to provide free and equitable access to education. It is open to U.S. high school seniors enrolled in an online public school or independent study program who plan to attend a college or vocational school after graduation. The deadline to apply for this scholarship is February 20, 2026! Apply HERE! Sage Oak Scholarships – Last week to apply! We are excited to announce several scholarship opportunities available exclusively to members of the Class of 2026. These awards recognize students who demonstrate character, commitment, growth, and excellence. These scholarships are designed to honor not just achievement, but who you are as a learner and a member of our school community; your effort, integrity, resilience, and impact. A total of 18 students will be selected across these categories. Available Scholarships: Service Scholarship – $500 Accountability Scholarship – $500 Growth Mindset Scholarship – $500 Excellence Scholarship – $500 Superintendent’s Award – $1,000 Click Hereto review eligibility and application requirements. If you are eligible, we strongly encourage you to apply. This is an opportunity to have your hard work recognized and supported as you take your next steps beyond high school. APPLY HERE Application Deadline: February 20, 2026 Complete Your FAFSA or CADAA Today! If you need help completing a financial aid application (FAFSA or CADAA), please come to the Financial Aid Support and Assistance Open Zoom on one of the following dates! February 25, 2026 1:00 PM Zoom Link April 9, 2026 Understanding Your Award Letter“ 11:00 AM Zoom Link Visit these slides for more information on how to apply, or visit FAFSA.gov or dream.csac.ca.gov. ⭐️Class of 2026 Resources⭐️ Grad Central P.R.F Save the Date Jostens Cap & Gown  NEW Cal State San Marcos College Tour Friday, February 20 Come join us for an official, guided tour of CSU San Marcos! The tour will start promptly at 10:30AM. Check in is at the Campus Tours Office. You are welcome to stay on campus to eat lunch after the tour! Sign up HERE! NEW UCR Center for Early Childhood TourFriday, February 20 Come experience Early Childhood Education principles in action at UC Riverside’s Center for Early Childhood Education! Only a few spots left! Sign up HERE! Children’s Literature Festival Friday, March 6 Each year, the festival brings together educators, librarians, parents, students, authors, illustrators, editors, and those interested in children’s literature for a unique combination of full conference and small group sessions. This year our faculty is once again chosen from the “best of the best”. Sign up HERE! NEWCuppaPug Social Friday, March 13 CuppaPug is a one-of-a-kind experience where you can sip coffee, snuggle pugs, and support a great cause. Spend an hour surrounded by lovable rescue and resident pugs, each with their own personality and charm! Tickets are $20 per person. There is also a small cafe with drinks and snacks for purchase. Parents and guardians are welcome to purchase tickets to attend as well, or students may be dropped off for the event. Sign up HERE! CTE Cinema Makeup School Wednesday, March 18 Give students a behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood with a guided tour of Cinema Makeup School in Los Angeles. Students will explore the campus, see professionals in action, and learn about exciting careers in film, television, special effects, and entertainment artistry—an inspiring experience for creative students exploring arts and industry pathways. Sign up HERE! Newport Bay Outrigger & Kayak Tour Friday, March 20 Get out on the water and explore the Back Bay by kayak! Sage Oak students will enjoy a guided kayak tour at Northstar Beach, spotting wildlife like herons, migratory birds, and marine life while learning about this unique coastal ecosystem. With expert guides from the Newport Bay Conservancy, this hands-on adventure is perfect for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. 🛶 Sign up HERE!  Parent 101 Webinar High School Parent 101: Feb 19, 2026 @ 12:00PM Click the link below to register. Please share with anyone you feel may be interested: Click here! A Sneak Peek at the ELA CAASPP Sample ELA CAASPP test questions help students and families become familiar with the format, question types, and online tools used on the assessment. They highlight the skills and level of thinking expected at each grade level while helping reduce test anxiety. Get a sneak peek at CAASPP-style ELA questions to practice skills, build confidence, and feel ready for test day. Click here to explore the skills and concepts you’ll need to succeed.  Sincerely, Traci King High School Principal |
