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8/9 Newsletter

Posted Date: 8/09/25 (9:00 AM)

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Paw Prints Newsletter

Important News for our Panther Community

 
2025-2026 Theme: Better Together
PAWS Expectations
 

Welcome!

If you are receiving this newsletter, your child is enrolled to attend Lawton Chiles Middle School this year. Please read all of the information and follow all of the included links below so that you have the most up-to-date information to prepare your Panther for the best school year. We can't wait to see all of our Panthers on campus Monday!

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to email me.

I look forward to working with you and your child this school year.

Sincerely,
Dr. Melissa Laudani
Principal

Upcoming Important Dates

  • 8/11 - 1st Day of School
  • 8/15 - PAWS Expectation Assemblies
  • 8/18 - Cheer Tryouts, Boys VB Tryouts,
  • 8/18 - 6 pm Beginning Band Parent Meeting
  • 8/19 - Cheer Tryouts, Boys VB Tryouts
  • 8/19 - 5:30 pm - PTSA General Meeting
  • 8/19 - 6-7 pm - Parent Tech Night
  • 8/20 - 6/7 Girls VB Tryouts
  • 8/21 - 8th gr Girls VB Tryouts
  • 8/22 - Picture Day

Action Items

  • Clean out backpacks
  • Buy supplies https://www.lcms.scps.k12.fl.us/215194_2
  • Complete Google Permission Slips teachers will be sending home. This will allow your child to come in early or stay late any time during the year.
  • Complete Name Deviation form in Skyward
  • Complete SCPS Code of Conduct form in Skyward
  • Complete Healthcare Consent Form in Skyward

Backpacks

As you get your child ready for school, please be sure that any non-school items are cleaned out of their backpack (fishing hooks, pocket knives, etc.). You may consider washing it before sending it to school, too.
Aug tryout flyer

August Tryouts

Please remember that these forms must be signed in order to tryout. They will be turned in to the coach at tryouts.

Dance Parent Authorization Form https://drive.google.com/.../1XFz.../view...
Boys Volleyball Parent Authorization Form https://drive.google.com/.../1IQnUkxIUVysQP3CB3iX.../view...
Girls Volleyball Parent Authorization Form https://drive.google.com/.../1uvold_iIcVP.../view...
personal device use

Student Personal Electronic Device Use

All student electronic devices are to be:
  • Silenced
  • Stored in their backpack
  • Out-of-sight
  • Not in Use
From the first bell at 9:25 am to the dismissal bell at 4:05 pm (3:05 pm on Wednesdays).

**Please note: This includes:
  • Cell phones
  • Smart watches
  • Tablets
  • Air pods/earbuds
  • Headphones
  • Game systems
  • Any other personal electronic device
Students who are found using a personal electronic device will be receive a consequence following our discipline ladder for electronic device misuse.

Electronic Devices are Silent and Away All Day!

Lunches

Because students will NOT be using electronic devices during lunches, some of them may be at a loss as to what they can do. Some suggestions include: chatting with a friend, bringing a card game like Uno, reading a book. During lunches, students are to be seated inside the lunchroom unless they are in line or throwing away trash. Students are not allowed to wander around the Growl Grill restaurant. If your child is one who has been dependent on their phone, please have a conversation with them about what lunch can look like without the use of their phone.

Amazon Wish Lists

Here are Amazon wish lists for several of our teachers. They would greatly appreciate your support:

Strategic Plan Survey

Strategic Plan Survey

In partnership with Deliver Ed, Seminole County Public Schools is embarking on an important strategic planning process to guide our priorities and goals for the next five years (SY 2026–27 through SY 2030–31). This new plan will serve as our collective roadmap for student and district success.
 
SCPS belongs to all of us, and your voice matters. This process will reflect the best thinking of district leadership and the School Board of Seminole County, alongside the insights of parents, staff, students, and community members. Together, we’ll identify what’s working, where we can grow, and how we can accelerate student achievement for all.
 
We invite you to take part by completing a short online survey, now open through August 22, 2025. You’ll have the opportunity to share feedback on current programs and services, highlight areas for improvement, and suggest ideas for the future.
 
Survey responses will be collected and analyzed by Deliver Ed. All responses are anonymous, no personally identifiable information will be shared. (If you're interested in participating in a future focus group, a separate form will be available to share your contact information.)
 
Your perspective is essential. Together, we can build a bold, student-centered future for SCPS.


FAST Testing

FAST PM1 will be given on the following dates:
  • 8/25 - FAST ELA 6
  • 8/26 - FAST Math 6
  • 9/4 - FAST ELA 7/8
  • 9/5 - FAST Math 7/8
Please follow the link below to read the FAST Parent Letter.

picture order form

Items of note:

Dress Code: Please e sure to follow the link below to the SCPS Dress Code. Students are to be covered from arm pit to arm pit and down to their thighs. All shirts must have straps. No midriff should be showing at any time. Crop tops are not to be worn.

ID Cards: All students will be provided with an ID card on a lanyard on the first day of school. They are to have them on them at all times. If your student loses their card, one free replacement will be provided. All subsequent replacements will cost $2. Parents will be sent a payment link when the ID card is printed. Please use the button at the bottom of the newsletter to request a replacement. Once a new ID has been issued, the old one is no longer valid.

Attendance Procedures Update

As a district, we are committed to improving student attendance and making it easier for families to share with us if your child needs to miss school. Beginning in the 2025-2026 school year, absence requests can be submitted through your Skyward Family Access Portal.

Medical and doctor’s notes, court documents, or religious instruction will still need to be provided for documentation along with the absence request. If your family does not have internet access, paper notes are still acceptable in this situation.

This will help us keep accurate records and make the process faster and more efficient for everyone. Regular school attendance is crucial for academic achievement, and we want to partner with our families to ensure every student has as much time in class as possible.  

To learn how to submit an absence request, please see the buttons below.

What counts as an “excused” absence?
After you submit the absence request, school staff will review it to ensure it meets the board policy for an excused absence. Here are the most common reasons that may be excused:
  • Your child is sick (Illness that lasts longer than 5 consecutive days may require a doctor’s note)
  • Doctor or medical appointments
  • Required court appearances
  • Death in the immediate family
  • Religious holidays or instruction
  • Approved school activities or events
  • Therapy appointments (speech, occupational, ABA, etc.)
  • Attendance at a DCF-supervised program
  • Significant community events (with principal’s prior approval)
  • Other special situations approved by the principal
  • Insurmountable conditions, like extreme weather or public health concerns

Each absence request will be reviewed in accordance with School Board Policy 5200.

If you have questions or need help accessing Skyward, please connect with your school directly. We’re here to help!

Thank you for partnering with us to support your child’s success through regular attendance and open communication.


Attendance research

Student Attendance

Students must be in class in order to learn. Please use the SCPS Student Calendar below to schedule any appointments or vacations to have as little impact on your child's attendance as possible.

Last school year, 16% of our students had 10+ unexcused absences and 24% had 15+ unexcused absences. It is our goal to reduce these numbers this school year.
2025-2026 SCPS Student Calendar

Important Links

Please follow these links to important documents for a successful school year:

PTSA

NEW THIS YEAR!
We’re excited to roll out a monthly PTSA calendar to help YOU stay in the know! From Student Perk Days and fundraisers, to volunteer opportunities and school events — it’s all here in one place.
Let this be your go-to guide for all the fun and important happenings at LCMS. And don’t forget — your PTSA membership helps make it all possible!


PTSA Facebook: LCMS PTSA
PTSA Instagram: chilesptsa
PTSA Twitter: @ChilesPtsa
PTSA Calendar
Schedule a Conference
Lost ID? Request One Here
LCMS Calendar
Clubs & Activities
Growl Grill Menu
PAWS 52
Panther Pride Press
Speak Out Hotline
Fortify FL