10/3 Paw Prints Newsletter

Posted Date: 10/03/25 (9:00 AM)

Paw Prints Newsletter

Important News for our Panther Community

Principal Update

Congratulations to our Teacher of the Year, Grace Kuperman, and our School-Related Employee of the Year, Claribel Milan-Arias. Please join us in congratulating them - see the pictures below.

Just a quick reminder that stuffed animals are considered toys and should not be brought to school.

Also, to review the new attendance process, you must follow these steps:

Step 1 - Submit an excuse request in Skyward. Directions HERE: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1AD8nCC7o6xQNo-PsIsmf2XClDO9u2HFP/view?usp=sharing

Step 2 - If it is a medical absence only, email the doctor's note within 5 days to lcms_attendance@scps.k12.fl.us

Lastly, there will be times throughout the year that we have grade specific information. Below is information for 8th grade families regarding HS options - yes, it's that time already!

Have a great week!

Dr. Laudani

Principal

Upcoming Important Dates

10/6-7 - QBAs - ELA/SCI/HS Spanish

10/7 - Band Concert @ HHS

10/8 - Vball vs. Milwee - Boys @ home

10/9-10 - QBAs - Math/SS

10/9 - 4:45 pm SAC

10/10 - Last day of Q1

7 pm - Middle School Night @ Oviedo HS Football game

10/13 - Teacher Workday - No School

10/14-10/17 - Write Score #1 in ELA classes

10/15 - Vball vs. SSA - Girls @ home

10/16 - 6th grade Health Screenings

XC Tryouts

10/17 - Breast Cancer Awareness - Wear Pink

HS Magnet Presentations - in 8th SCI

10/18 - District Volleyball Tournament

Action Items

Talk to your child about QBAs next week
Talk to your student about the PTSA Reflections Contest - due 10/10
Purchase tickets for for the Magic vs Heat - deadline 10/5
Check out the different clubs offered (see below)
Sign up to be a Dividend (see below)
Join PTSA (see below)

Support LCMS PBIS - purchase deadline 10/5

Come check out the Orlando Magic vs. Miami Heat. A portion of the proceeds go to our PBIS program to pay for student rewards and items in the PAWS-itive Store.

Tickets must be purchased by 10/5.

https://www.gofevo.com/group/Lawtonchiles7

PTSA Reflections - submission deadline 10/10

The LCMS PTSA Reflections Program is Back!

This year’s theme is “I Belong.”

The Reflections program encourages students to explore the arts and express their ideas through creativity. It’s a wonderful opportunity for students to develop confidence, showcase their talent, and earn recognition.

Students can submit ORIGINAL works in these categories:

Dance Choreography
Film Production
Literature
Music Composition
Photography
Visual Arts

Deadline: October 10, 2025

Questions? reflections@lcmptsa.com

Top 3 entries in each category move on to the Seminole County level!

Tip: Entries should reflect the theme “I Belong”—interpret it creatively!

Scan the QR code on the flyer for details or visit: www.lcmsptsa.com/reflections

Now Hiring

We have some openings in our front office:

Bookkeeper

If you are interested, please apply at: https://www.scps.k12.fl.us/jobs

The position closes at midnight 10/3.

After School Tutorial

Tutoring starts October 7, 2025 and concludes on April 23, 2026 and will be held from 4:15-5:15 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students will receive homework help as well as tutoring in math and reading by teachers and high school students.

Transportation will only be available from LCMS to Geneva Elementary (for those who live in Geneva only. The bus will arrive @ Geneva at 5:40 pm). All others will need to secure a ride after school. Pick up will be promptly at 5:15 pm. If your child will be walking home from LCMS on these days, there will not be a crossing guard to assist.

As a reminder, students participating in the after school tutorial program are expected to follow school expectations and guidelines. These standards ensure a safe and positive environment for everyone. Students who do not uphold these expectations may be dismissed from the program.

Questions? Contact Ms. Brinker-Martin at 407-871-7110 or Paige_Brinker-Martin@scps.k12.fl.us

Cross Country Tryouts - XC

Cross Country Tryouts: Thursday, October 16, 4:15 pm - 5:15 pm

Distance for tryout: 1-mile timed run (regular season meets 1.5 miles (JV) and 2 miles (Varsity)

Practice Days for students who make the team: Mondays and Tuesdays 4:15-5:15

MANDATORY MEET DAYS: November 5, 12, 19, December 3rd 4:45-6:00 AND December 6th 8 am-10:30 am

Tryout Permission Form: Must be printed, completed, and turned in AT TRYOUTS to participate:

Parent Permission Form

Questions: Coach Rohr or Coach Capp

LCMS Teach-In Tuesday, November 18, 2025

Parents, community members, and friends of Seminole County Public Schools, make plans now to be a part of Teach-In 2025 on Tuesday, November 18th.

What does it mean to “Teach for a Day”? LCMS invites you to share your time and talents with our students through career exploration and/or introducing them to new experiences! Plan to share a short lesson about your job, travel, hobby, sport, or life skill. Teach-In highlights the importance of bringing together teachers, school staff, parents, students and the community in a unified effort to support our students and schools. Volunteer for one class period or for the entire day!

Teach-In for the 2025-2026 school year will be held during American Education Week on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. If you are interested, please complete the form below. If you have specific questions, you can reach out to Dr. Taylor at taylorjd@myscps.us.

Form: https://forms.gle/Y9Rd9n7mpqLtVZNo9

Magnet & HS Program of Emphasis

The on-time application period for Middle and High School Magnet Programs as well as for High School Programs of Emphasis for the 2026-2027 school year begins on Oct 1 and ends on December 1. If you are interested in unique theme-based magnet programs for your middle or high school student learn more about our programs and to apply today at www.scps.us/sapa

Choice Expo

Join us on October 9, 2025, from 6 to 8 PM at Winter Springs High School to learn about the unique opportunities available at SCPS Middle School and High Schools. Learn more at https://www.scps.us/sapa

Please find the WSHS IB Newsletter here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1do3Fb4h3jBAVSl6X0aFEwZLOe-God5AT/view?usp=sharing

LMHS Haunted House

Lake Mary High School is having their annual Haunted House on Wednesday October 29th from 7-9 PM. We would like to invite your students, staff, and families. We have a less scary Pumpkin hour for the ones who do not wish to be scared as much from 6-7 PM.

Club Listing

Several of our clubs are up and running.

Parents MUST sign a Google permission slip for each club their child plans to attend.

Visit the Students page of the LCMS website for a list of clubs & their Google permission forms:

https://www.lcms.scps.k12.fl.us/students

Visit the list to see all the new clubs!

**New Club Alert: Math Club starts 10/14, Basketball Club starts 10/23

Who to Call Flowchart

Have an issue? Don't know who to contact? Follow this flowchart.

All staff emails can be found on the Staff page of the LCMS Website: https://www.lcms.scps.k12.fl.us/staff

Administrator content areas can be found on the Our School page of the LCMS Website: https://www.lcms.scps.k12.fl.us/187285_2

The Conference Request Form can be found on the Parents page of the LCMS Website and at the bottom of this newsletter:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScw0R4y5dat1synlqFq3Re8JRU5zIJR5ZrhLZbHmw0BgFdLLw/viewform

Join LCMS in The Rising 5K

Join the LCMS group participating in The Rising 5K put on by the Oviedo Run Club on Saturday, October 25. The school with the largest group receives a $500 grant!

Right now, kids who sign up for the 5K pay their age to register. Parents and siblings can participate too - the more the merrier - just be sure to register using the link below as part of the Lawton Chiles group.

LCMS PTSA

PTSA Board Member Emails:

president@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Courtney Witt⁩

vicepresident@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Yadi Soto⁩

treasurer@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Maura Ward⁩

secretary@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Lindsey Smallwood⁩

membership@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Sarah T⁩apia

grants@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Kourtney Greenstein⁩

hospitality@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Felicia Prior⁩

8thgrade@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Kellie Burzee⁩

reflections@lcmsptsa.com @Monica Hagan

SACRep@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Kelly R⁩epstien

socialmedia@lcmsptsa.com Lisa Bartek

studentperks@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Kelly R⁩epstien

spiritnights@lcmsptsa.com @⁨January Sambell⁩

If you are interested in volunteering in the Lorenzo Library before school or during lunches, email Kelly Repstien at either of the emails above.

For more information about LCMS PTSA, visit: https://www.lcmsptsa.com/

To sign up for LCMS PTSA, visit: https://lcmsptsa.givebacks.com/shop?category=17470

To register to be a Dividend, visit: https://dvd.scps.k12.fl.us/

PTSA Facebook: LCMS PTSA

PTSA Facebook Group: Lawton Chiles Middle School Families Oviedo, FL

PTSA Instagram: chilesptsa

No Food Deliveries & Drop Offs

We do not accept any food deliveries (Door Dash, Uber Eats, etc.) for students.

We do not accept any drop offs of any kind - PE Uniforms, lunch, homework, etc. If a student forgot their lunch, they will still be fed by Red Apple Dining.

We do not allow students to bring and share cupcakes or other treats. Please save the birthday celebrations for after school.