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: May 8 – 15 i-Ready Testing Window May 15 Last Day of LP9 May 18 First Day of LP10 June 4 Last Day of School! 🗓️ 25-26 Academic Calendar ✏️ iReady Testing Starts THIS WEEK! The Local iReady Assessment post-test window opens May 8 and runs through May 15! Proctored testing sessions will be available daily from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with the exception of the final day (May 15th), which will end at 1:30 PM. Students in HS grades 9–11 will be assessed in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math. We encourage students to set themselves up for success by getting a good night’s sleep, taking their time on each question, and showing their work using paper and pencil. Most importantly, students should give their very best effort! This is your chance to show how much you’ve learned this year 🤩! Please be sure to sign up for a testing time slot using the iReady Sign Up Form by this Wednesday, May 6th. Any students who have not signed up by this deadline will be assigned a time slot by their EA. The proctor schedule with zoom links will be shared later this week! Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Is iReady required for all students to take? A: Yes, iReady is a required local assessment for all 9th – 11th graders. Q: Am I allowed to test outside a proctor session? A: No 😅! All testing must be completed in a proctor session. Testing outside of a proctor session will result in having to retest. Q: Do I have to start with a particular test? A: Nope! You may start with either Math or ELA and complete the other one when finished. Q: Do I have to test every day? A: You should sign up for at least one 90-minute time slot each day. Plan your schedule so you have enough time to complete both tests within the week. If you are unable to test on a certain day, simply note the reason on the form. Q: I’m a senior—do I have to test? A: Seniors do not need to take the iReady. However, if you are graduating early (and are not classified as a senior), you are still required to complete iReady testing. Q: I signed up for a time slot, but I finished my test. Do I still need to attend? A: Nope! Once you have completed both the ELA & Math tests, you no longer need to attend additional testing sessions. 😎 One Month Left – Let’s Finish Strong!  We’re down to the final month of the school year—the last day of school is June 4th! Now is the time for students and families to stay focused and keep the momentum going! Students, continue giving your best effort each day, stay on top of assignments, and be sure to turn in any missing work. This final stretch is important and can make a big impact on your overall success! Parents and guardians, your support plays a key role in helping students stay motivated, organized, and on track. Checking in on progress, encouraging consistent work habits, and reaching out for support when needed can make all the difference. Make sure to reach out to your EA or one of our HS Counselors if you need additional support! Don’t forget about the Content Specific Study Halls 🤩! 👾 Fortnite Tournament Ready to claim the Victory Royale? We’re gauging interest for a school-wide Fortnite Tournament and want to see if you have what it takes to be the last one standing! Please fill out the quick interest form above by May 8th to help us finalize the prizes and brackets. Whether you’re a pro builder or just in it for the memes, we want to see you on the island! Sage Oak Appreciation – Chance to win a gift card! Do you have a favorite teacher? Now’s your chance to let them know! 🎉. Appreciate your friends, teachers, and counselors on this a short Public Padlet. Submit a 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 Yearbooks still available! 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…  🌟Sayler Birch (9th Grade)🌟 Sayler is a dedicated and hard-working student who is rising to the challenge of high school-level academics. She is thoughtfully building her skills while balancing a demanding schedule as a competitive gymnast. Sayler demonstrates strong time management and commitment by maintaining a well-rounded course load, all while commuting regularly to gymnastics practice in another town. She actively takes advantage of intervention opportunities and academic supports to strengthen her abilities in English and Math. Recently, Sayler competed in the all-around at a gymnastics competition—participating in all four events against dozens of athletes—and earned a spot on the podium! Sayler’s perseverance, discipline, and positive approach to both her academics and athletics make her a wonderful example of what it means to stay motivated and balanced. Keep up the great work, Sayler!  NEW Sage Studio Episode – Exploring Trade School Opportunities for HS Students  In this episode, host Tiffiny Webster welcomes Sage Oak High School counselor Coral Prendergast to discuss growing student interest in the trade school pathway. Coral highlights common trade careers such as electrician, welder, construction, cosmetology, firefighter, and EMT, often available affordably through community colleges. She walks through a Trade School Resource Hub she and a team created, including a recorded parent webinar, community-college program search tools by career or by school, and industry-sector tabs with descriptions, certifications students can pursue in high school, and county-based listings of community colleges and private trade programs with cost, length, and links. Click HERE to watch the full episode now! Mock Job Interview Activity Help your student step confidently into their future by connecting them with real-world experience. Our mock job interview program pairs high school students with community members, giving them the chance to practice professional communication, build confidence, and receive valuable feedback. Together, we can bridge the gap between virtual learning and real-life success! Sign up here to participate in the mock job virtual interview activity the week of May 18th-22nd. Students will attend a training session the week of May 4th-8th on how to conduct themselves, dress, and answer job interview questions to prepare for a successful mock interview. Students can participate in the lessons without taking part in the virtual interview, but we highly recommend the interview experience. Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity! AP Test Prep AP season is upon us! If you are working on prepping for an upcoming AP exam, there are FREE practice tests and tutors available at Tutor.com! Coffee With the Counselors Do you have questions for our school counselors? Come to coffee with the Counselors on Thursday at 9:00 this week for an informal time where you can ask any questions, get resources, and meet our counselors! Zoom Link 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! 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   🌅 Senior Sunset Come celebrate the end of your high school journey with your fellow grads! Reminisce on the memories made during high school and share your post high school plans. Friday, May 29, 3pm to 8:30pm at Bolsa Chica State Beach in Huntington Beach. Sign up HERE! 👨🎓👩🎓Final Grad Webinar – Grads Only! The last Grad Webinar will be on Thursday, May 28th and will include a virtual walk-through and more details on the check-in process! Zoom Link ⭐️ Decision Day Celebration for Class of 2026 Grads! Sage Oak would like to honor all the 2026 graduates and celebrate the decisions they are making for their post-high school plans. We will hold a Zoom Decision Day Celebration on May 26th at 6:00 PM, where we will announce all participating graduates and announce their plans for after high school. Please fill out this survey if you would like to be a part of the ceremony and tell your family and friends to mark their calendars! We want everyone to know and celebrate how amazing our class of 2026 is! 🎓Cap & Gown Etiquette Graduates are welcome to decorate their caps, as long as designs are school-appropriate, lie flat, and do not include large objects, hanging pieces, or anything that makes noise. You may include your name, class year, future plans, or a meaningful quote.   Check out more details about the Graduation Cap Decorating Procedures & Etiquette! ⭐️Class of 2026 Resources⭐️ Grad Central P.R.F Save the Date Jostens Cap & Gown  Farmstrong Rescue – Volunteer Opportunity! Friday, May 15 Join the Sage Oak National Honor Society for a meaningful volunteer opportunity at Farmstrong Rescue on Friday, May 15, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Students are welcome to drop in at any time during the event window. Volunteers will assist with basic maintenance and animal care, so be sure to wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Come lend a hand and make a difference! Sign up HERE! L.E.A.P. Figure Skating Thursday, May 21 Come Learn, Experience, and Progress in figure skating! Experience what it is like to be a figure skater, even if it’s only for a couple hours. Figure skating lessons will be provided, skates will be available for $8 rental, off-ice training experience along with trivia fun! Thursday, May 21st 11:45 – 2:30pm at Great Ice in Irvine. Spots are limited. Sign up HERE! End of Year Beach Hangout Friday, May 22 Kick off summer and celebrate the end of the school year with your friends at the beach. Our last high school hangout of the year will be Friday, May 22 from 12pm to 3pm at Belmont Shores in Long Beach. Sign up HERE! NHS Prom Attire Collection & Exchange Wednesday, May 27 Do you have multiple fancy dresses you used for a single night, never to touch them again? Make them useful by donating them to those in need! On May 27th at Red Hill Park in Rancho Cucamonga, the National Honor Society will be hosting a dress collection. Stop by between 11am-2pm with your attire, and even check out some of the pieces other students donated. If you aren’t graduating, feel free to exchange dresses with other students for next year’s Sage Oak events. Any remaining dresses will be donated to financially burdened teenagers. Suits are also accepted! Sign up HERE! UC Riverside College TourFriday, May 22 Join us for an official guided tour of the University of California, Riverside on Friday, May 22nd! The tour begins promptly at 1:00 PM, so please plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early. Feel free to explore campus and grab lunch before or after the tour—this is a great opportunity to experience UCR firsthand! Sign up HERE! For any questions about any of the events listed, please email ASB Coordinator, Danny Levin, at dlevin@sageoak.education  This week, we’re celebrating Teacher Appreciation Week from May 4th – 8th! To honor our incredible teachers at Sage Oak, we’ve created a Padlet (linked below) where you can share kind messages, notes of gratitude, and words of appreciation for your teachers. We encourage every student and family to participate by sharing a post, photo, or a short thank-you video for your teachers! These messages may be featured on our social media platforms as a special way to recognize and celebrate the impact our teachers make every day! 👉🏼Link to Padlet👈🏼 Parent Survey If you haven’t completed the 2025–26 Sage Oak Parent Survey yet, there’s still time! The survey will remain open through Friday, May 8th. Your feedback plays an important role in helping us continue to improve and better support our students and families. We truly appreciate you taking a few minutes to share your thoughts-thank you! 👉🏼Link to Survey👈🏼 Sage Serves We are so proud of our Sage Serves students for the incredible time, effort, and heart you have put into volunteering this year. Your impact in the community has truly made a difference, and it has been amazing to see all that you have accomplished. As a reminder, Sage Serves has officially wrapped up, and we will no longer be accepting volunteer hours starting Tuesday, May 5. Thank you again for your hard work and for representing Sage Oak in such a positive and meaningful way! National Honor Society and National Junior Honor Society Applications Due Friday!There is still time! Sage Oak is accepting applications for the National Honor Society (NHS) and National Junior Honor Society (NJHS). These esteemed organizations recognize and promote excellence in scholarship, leadership, character, and service. To be eligible, applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and demonstrate a strong commitment to community service and leadership. The application deadline is May 8th, and selected candidates will be notified of their acceptance in June. NHS Application: 10th-12th Grade for the 2026-27 School Year NJHS Application: 7th-9th Grade for the 2026-27 School YearHear from our NJHS members! 👉🏼Sage Oak NHS Activity Log👈🏼 Students who are already members do not need to reapply. For questions please contact Kayce Betzel at kbetzel@sageoak.education for NHS and Amy Elwood at aelwood@sageoak.education for NJHS. Join us for our next Advisory Committee meetings! Join us for our upcoming Advisory Committee meetings to stay informed, and learn more about the work guiding our programs. Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) When: Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 9:00am Where: Zoom Link English Learner Advisory Committee (ELAC) When: Thursday, May 7, 2026 at 2:00pm Where: Zoom Link We hope to see you there!  Sincerely, Traci King High School Principal |
