Dear Panther families,

It is with a very heavy heart that we report the passing of K9 Xander. Xander has been a loyal member of the Oviedo Police department, serving along side Officer Ashley Pierce for 9 years. He has been a staple at Lawton Chiles Middle School and had recently retired due to health issues. 

Xander’s personality helped children, teachers, and officers during his time and was always there for hugs, kisses and snuggles. He was a source of comfort for the kids who were struggling or having a hard time.

Xander didn’t just walk up and sit. He walked up and FLOPPED. He had a love for all people and was a very special gentle giant. Xander was featured in pictures, on the news and in school photos. He was the most popular kid on campus!

Xander passed away at home with Officer Pierce and surrounded by his family. He was cared for and shown the greatest amount of love in his last moments. 

We will miss this special guy who always lit up the room when he came through the doors. Please take a moment to think of this beautiful boy and all the joy he brought to everyone. Our thoughts are with Officer Pierce and her family and his extended family here at Lawton Chiles Middle School.

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.

From Farm to Food Art! 

Last week, students in Mrs. Maiden’s 8th grade agriscience class turned agricultural products into creative masterpieces! Before creating their food art, students researched edible arrangements, explored related careers, and developed safety and design plans. From fruit bouquets to Mario, a paw print, and a balloon dog, students brought their ideas to life through teamwork and hands-on learning. A delicious way to connect agriculture with creativity! 

Mrs. Bond is so proud of all of her students for completing their first project in Design: Engineering! Students worked in groups to create their own working roller coaster with only paper, tape, and a marble. There were so many creative designs and themes! 

Students in Mrs. Martin's 8th gr US History classes created colony advertisements to entice people to move to their colony. 

Dr. Vardas-Archetype Project in 8 th Grade ELA. Eighth graders in ELA are currently working on an archetype research project. Students are examining a specific character archetype and tracing its presence across literature film and television. They are also analyzing how these patterns influence plot development and narrative structure. We look forward to seeing how they connect these recurring elements across different stories.

We have started the process of selecting our Teacher and Employee of the Year. 

Our nominees are: 

Teacher of the Year: Amanda Bond, Rebecca Bond, Tishauna Borosky, Merna Cronin, Lacey Edwards, Lianne Forrester, Allison Greer, Kim Higley, Ashley Maher, Cara Maiden, Maryann McConnell, Alison Nicholas, Nikki Ortiz-Tatarka, Christine Quinones, Kenneth Rohr, Angela Schniepp, Megan Stowell, Suzette Swallow, Shannon Tuttle, Melissa Vardas, Elizabeth Viles, Cheryl Ziolkowski

Employee of the Year: Gloria Bonet, Lakshmi Eswaran, Traci Freund, Isabel Garcia Caro, Kenneth George, Catherine Howline, Lorna Mikell, Stacey Moss, Lisa Potts, Kami Vanderwalker

Our Top 4 were recognized yesterday: 

Teacher of the Year: Cara Maiden, Alison Nicholas, Nikki Ortiz-Tatarka, Elizabeth Viles 

Employee of the Year: Lakshmi Eswaran, Traci Freund, Lisa Potts, Kami Vanderwalker

Winners will be announced next week. 

A moment to remember: 

Today we honor the 25th anniversary of the 2001 terrorist attacks. LCMS and our Nation stand united in remembrance of the 2,977 lives lost on that day, including many first responders, local law enforcement, and military personnel who demonstrated selfless courage in the face of terror. 

If you have not yet, talk with your students. Where were you that day? How were you affected? I was teaching 8th grade ELA and Yearbook at LCMS when we were in the building that is now Hagerty High School. Some of you were in my classroom that day. It was one of the most difficult days of my teaching career. 

We will never forget. 

Pictures from this week can be found HERE. 

Have a great week!

Dr. Laudani

Principal

Today we honor the 25th anniversary of the 2001 attacks. Our Nation stands united in remembrance of the 2,977 lives lost on that day, including many first responders, local law enforcement, and military personnel who demonstrated selfless courage in the face of terror. 

If you have not yet, talk with your students. Where were you that day? How were you affected? I was teaching 8th grade ELA and Yearbook at LCMS when we were in the building that is now Hagerty High School. That was one of the most difficult days of my teaching career. 

As of last night:

$60 IS ALL YOU NEED TO ENTER THE MEGA BLAST BEST DAY EVER!!! 

WOWWWWW, PANTHERS!!!  WE ARE SOOOOO CLOSE! We’re just $852.91 AWAY from our $50,000 GOAL! LET’S GOOOO!!!

CAN WE DO IT?!

ONE. MORE. DAY.

ONE. MORE. PUSH.

ONE. MORE SHARE.

Panthers, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to get your $60 in and secure your spot for the BEST DAY EVER! YOU’VE GOT THIS!

Don’t get FOMO watching your friends have the time of their lives!  Get those donations in, share your fundraiser, and LET’S CROSS THAT FINISH LINE TOGETHER! 

 OUR FINAL COUNTDOWN:

 Raised: $49,147.09

 Goal: $50,000

 1 DAY LEFT!

 LET’S HIT $50K, PANTHERS!!! 

ONE PACK. ONE VOICE. ONE BIG FINISH! 

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

Our Virtual Open House dropped this week.

Have your child log into their teachers' eCampus courses so you can see their Welcome Videos with information about each specific class. 

Individual teachers can be contacted with any questions. 

Volleyball season starts this week. Games are every Wednesday starting at approximately 5 pm with JV, followed immediately by Varsity.

Adult tickets are $5

Student tickets are $2

Tickets must be purchased online. No cash sales at the door.

Order tickets HERE.

***Concessions will be sold at all home games - Cash and Card accepted***

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

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 

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

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