Dear Panther families,

🐾 A Very Special LCMS Goodbye to Xander 🐾

It is with some very big, very furry feelings that we share the news that Officer Pierce’s K9 partner, Xander, is retiring due to health reasons.

This school year marks Xander’s 9th year at Lawton Chiles Middle School, and over those years, he has become so much more than a K9 on campus. Xander has been an integral part of the LCMS family—a four-legged source of comfort, joy, and unconditional love.

You may have seen him during class changes, where he was always happy to accept a few pets (and perhaps give a few licks in return!). He has provided countless snuggles to students and staff having a difficult day, helped bring a little calm to some stressful moments, and, on more than one occasion, even helped soothe some tense situations.❤️🐶

Xander has a special way of making people feel better simply by being Xander. His presence has brought smiles to our hallways, comfort to our students and staff, and countless memories that will stay with us long after his paws leave our campus.

While we are sad to see him retire, we are grateful for the nine years of service, love, and very good boy energy he has given to LCMS.

Thank you, Xander, for taking such good care of our Panthers. You will always be a part of the LCMS family, and you will be missed more than you know. 🐾❤️

Please join us in wishing Xander a happy and well-deserved retirement!

Pictures of Xander through the years can be found HERE.

PTSA is re-releasing their Xander tshirt line in honor of his retirement. Orders can be placed HERE. Proceeds from this sale will go to the school to be used to honor Xander's legacy.

Have a great week!

Dr. Laudani

This week our students took FAST PM1 for ELA and Math (all except Algebra & Geometry students). Please see these brochures for more information:

As of Sept 2:

🚨🚨 PANTHERS… THE METER IS METER-ING!!! 🚨🚨📈

👀 LOOK AT THAT NUMBER GO!!! We are getting SO. CLOSE. And now the countdown to SINGLE DIGITS is officially HERE! 😱

You’ve got 9 DAYS to get your $60 IN and secure your spot at the MEGA BLAST FUN DAY! 💥🎉

BUT WAIT… 👀

Why stop at $60?! If you keep those donations coming, you can unlock MORE CHANCES TO WIN SOME PRETTY EPIC PRIZES! 🏆🔥

📅 DEADLINE: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11TH!

So, Panthers… it’s time to:

📱 TEXT IT.

📧 EMAIL IT.

🗣️ TELL YOUR PEOPLE.

📢 REMIND THEM AGAIN.

😂 AND MAYBE REMIND THEM ONE MORE TIME… JUST FOR FUN.

Every donation helps! Every share helps! Every “HEY… DID YOU SEE MY FUNDRAISER?” helps! 😆

📊 FUNDRAISER UPDATE:

💰 Total Raised: $42,426.09

🎯 Total Goal: $50,000.00

⏰ Days Remaining: 9

WE ARE ONLY $7,573.91 AWAY!!! 🤯🔥

The goal is right there 👏👀

LET’S. GET. IT. DONE. 🫡

🐾 LET’S GO, PANTHERS!!!

LOCK IN. LEVEL UP. GET THAT $60. 💰💥

YOU. GOT. THIS. 😎🐾

One Pack. One Voice.

#LCMSPTSA #OnePackOneVoice #MegaBlast #Fundraising #MiddleSchoolFundraising #LCMS

Students will go to the gym during their ELA class to have their picture taken.

Preorder pictures HERE Keyword: 9120

You should also receive an email from DSP with login infomation.

Order tickets here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Lawtonchiles6 

 ALL clubs require a signed parent permission slip before attending. Permission slips can be found on the LCMS Website - Students - Clubs & Activities

Attention middle school majorettes and aspiring middle school majorettes! 

Middle school night, which band and dance are now including us 🩵, is Friday September 18th. Details are in the parent authorization and will also be given at the clinic. 

Hagerty’s Tundra Twirlers can’t wait to see you! 🩵

Did you know that regular school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of student academic success? When students attend school consistently, they are more likely to stay engaged in learning, build positive relationships, maintain academic progress, and achieve their goals. Every school day provides valuable opportunities for growth, learning, and connection.

✅ Tips for Parents to Support Attendance: 

• Establish a consistent bedtime and morning routine.

• Schedule appointments outside of school hours whenever possible.

• Talk with your child about the importance of being present and engaged in learning.

• Communicate with the school when concerns arise that may impact attendance.

We understand that families may encounter challenges that make getting to school difficult. If barriers such as transportation, housing concerns, health issues, family circumstances, or other needs are affecting your child's attendance, support is available.

💙 Please reach out to your school's assigned School Social Worker, Mrs. Treco, for assistance, resources, and connections to supports that can help your child attend school regularly and thrive.

One of our renters, i9 Sports, is offering a special discount to LCMS students. 

New to LCMS or Reflections? This National PTA arts program gives students a chance to share their creativity, tell their story, and even advance beyond the school level!

Culture can be your family, traditions, food, music, language, community, celebrations—or anything that has helped shape who YOU are.

Choose your creative outlet:

 Visual Arts •  Photography •  Literature

You don’t have to call yourself an “artist.” Bring your ideas, your perspective and your creativity. We saw just how talented our Panthers were last year, and we’re ready to see even MORE of you participate this year! 

Rules, guidelines & details: lcmsptsa.com/reflections

Please keep this information in mind when scheduling vacations, appointments, etc. Please see information below for the process to request an excused absence.

Please be sure to enter the excuse request in Skyward even if you sign your child out early or in late for an appointment

Several of our clubs are up and running. Check out the flyers below.

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:

Visit the list to see all the new clubs!

Spots are limited!!

We are excited to offer the 8th grade students the opportunity to go to Pigeon Key, which is located on a remote island in the Florida Keys.

You will get the chance to explore various marine habitats, feed sharks, ride on a 35' catamaran, and snorkel a coral reef. Below is information regarding cost. It includes transportation, lodging with meals, snorkel gear, T-shirt, and educational materials / supplies. Please see the flyer below and scan the QR Code or click here for more information: https://docs.google.com/.../1xGvOIwXk8zRwE.../edit...

Dates: Thursday thru Saturday, April 8 - 10, 2027

Location: 1090 Overseas Highway, Marathon FL 33050

Price: $900.00, which can be paid in installments using My School Bucks

1st Payment: $300.00 (NON-REFUNDABLE unless the trip is canceled by the school)

Due: September 25, 2026

https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd...

2nd Payment: $300.00

Due: December 18, 2026

Final Payment: $300.00

Due: January 29, 2027

Please scan the QR code on the flyer below or click here for more information:

president@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Yadi Soto

vicepresident@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Jami Ginn⁩

treasurer@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Maura Ward⁩

secretary@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Lisa Bartek

membership@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Sarah T⁩apia

grants@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Leslie Bosley

hospitality@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Courtney Redfield⁩

8thgrade@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Kourtney Greenstein

reflections@lcmsptsa.com @Monica Hagan

SACRep@lcmsptsa.com @⁨James Ginn

socialmedia@lcmsptsa.com @Eva Martis-Cohen

studentperks@lcmsptsa.com @⁨Erin Clary

spiritnights@lcmsptsa.com @⁨January Sambell⁩

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

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

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:

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, instrument, 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.

Support our sponsors!

These banners are hung on the PE field fence in the car line as well as on 419.

If you would like to become a sponsor, please contact: https://share.hsforms.com/1JG4T_qJIQq2TMHgRyay3dQ4amsl