Lawton Chiles Middle School - Seminole County Public Schools

09/05/2026

09/04/2026

🐾❤️ For Xander. With Love. From His Pack.
By now, many of our Panther families may have seen the very special announcement about Xander’s retirement on the Lawton Chiles Middle School - Seminole County Public Schools social pages or in Dr. Laudani’s weekly newsletter.

For nine years, Xander has loved on our Panthers, comforted students and staff, walked our halls alongside Officer Pierce, and become one of the most beloved members of the LCMS family. There really is only one Xander. 🥹🐾

To celebrate him, LCMS PTSA is bringing back our limited-edition Xander shirts! Wear yours proudly and show some love for the very best boy. ❤️

Orders are open September 4–14 only, with delivery expected in mid-October.

Proceeds from this sale will go to the school to be used to honor Xander’s legacy and the incredible impact he has made on our Panther community.

🐾 Shop here:
https://goinkit.com/xander/shop/home

We love you, Xander. Thank you for taking such good care of our Pack. ❤️🐾

📸 If you have any pics with Xander drop them in the comments!!

09/04/2026

🐾 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 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!

PTSA is re-releasing their Xander tshirt line in honor of his retirement. Proceeds from this sale will go to the school to be used to honor Xander's legacy. Orders can be placed here: https://goinkit.com/xander/shop/home

09/03/2026

📅 September is National Attendance Awareness Month!
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.
Every Day Counts. Every Student Matters. Every Attendance Success Story Starts with Showing Up.

09/02/2026

The Florida Department of Education and announced the 2026 Hispanic Heritage Month contests. All K-12 are encouraged to participate.

Six essay winners will be awarded a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by Florida Prepaid College Plans.

Read the full announcement at: https://bit.ly/4ygaYoH

09/02/2026

🤩

🚨🚨 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.

09/02/2026

School Store Volunteers Needed!

We’re looking for volunteers to help with our School Store! Volunteers will assist students with purchases, help keep merchandise organized, and make sure the store runs smoothly.

New Volunteer Orientation
Before signing up for a school store shift, all volunteers will need to attend a brief orientation. We’ll go over how the store operates, volunteer responsibilities, checkout procedures, and everything you need to know to feel comfortable helping out.

Once you’ve completed orientation, you’ll be able to sign up for available store shifts through our SignUpGenius.

Step 1: Email [email protected] to schedule an orientation session.

Step 2: After completing orientation, use the SignUpGenius link for regular school store shifts. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4DACAE2CA3F5C52-65326186-lcms #/

The store is open Wednesdays and Fridays. We’d love to build a great group of volunteers who can help throughout the school year!

Thank you for supporting our students and our school store!

🐾

09/01/2026

🥪🔥 LET’S SUB IT UP AT JERSEY MIKE’S! 🔥🥪

Panthers… ARE YOU READY TO GET YOUR SUB ON?! 🥪

Skip the “What’s for dinner?” debate and head to Jersey Mike’s! Grab your favorite sub on bread or in a tub and help support LCMS PTSA while you’re at it! 🐾❤️

📅 Tuesday, September 15th
⏰ 5:00 PM–8:00 PM
📍 Jersey Mike’s

⭐ 20% of your purchase comes back to LCMS PTSA!

👉 Don’t forget to mention LCMS when you order!

📱 Text the group chat.
👯 Bring your crew.
🥪 Get your sub.
🐾 Support LCMS.
😎 Basically… it’s a win-win-win!

Come hungry. Leave VERY Happy. Help LCMS. ❤️🐾

SEE YOU AT JERSEY MIKE’S! 🥪🔥

🐾

09/01/2026

Lots going on! 🐾

🎉🐾 SEPTEMBER CAME IN WITH A BANG! 💥🎉

Hello, September! 👋😎
We’re officially kicking off a brand-new month!🐾

Here’s a peek at what’s coming up this month:

📝 Fast Testing — Hope you all got to show off those skills! 🧠💪
🐈‍⬛Cool Cat Café — Officially OPEN every Wednesday & Friday before school AND during lunch! Grab a snack, drink, or something cool! 😎
👩🏻‍🏫👨🏾‍🏫 Teacher Mini Grants — Applications will be opening soon! We can’t wait to see what awesome ideas our teachers come up with! ✨
🎺 Oviedo Middle School Band Night — Let’s make some noise! 🎶
😎 Labor Day — A day off to relax, recharge, and enjoy the day! 🐾
📚 Open House — Attend virtually and meet the amazing people who help our Panthers soar! 🐾
📸 Picture Day — Practice that smile! 😁📸
🥪 Jersey Mike’s Spirit Night — Dinner + supporting LCMS PTSA = a WIN-WIN! 🙌
🚀 MEGABLAST DEADLINE — 9/11/26! 🚀
Don’t miss your chance to reach your $60 to earn your spot at the BEST DAY EVER! 🎉💥
🎶 Hagerty Middle School Band Night — Another chance to enjoy some awesome music! 🎺🥁
🎗️ Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Spirit Day — Wear YELLOW and help us spread awareness, hope, and support! 💛

📅 Stay in the loop all month long:
📱 Save it to your phone
🖨️ Print and hang it at home
🗓️ Subscribe & sync it to your personal calendar:
https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/1?cid=YWRtaW5AbGNtc3B0c2EuY29t

🐾 Join the LCMS PTSA today:
https://bit.ly/JoinLCMSPTSA

September, we’re ready for you! 👀🔥

Let’s make it an AMAZING month, Panthers! 🐾🍂🧡
ONE PACK. ONE VOICE.🐾❤️

09/01/2026

SCPS Families - SAVE THE DATE! One of our Seminole County Public Schools Partners in Education is hosting a free family night coming up this fall! Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College is hosting a Spooky Star Party, and they would love for you to join them!

Details:
Event Details:

Join the Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College for an evening of celestial observation, spooky crafts, hair-raising science activities, and of course...candy! We encourage everyone to be festive and to dress up in their Halloween best.

The star party and science activities are FREE to attend, and all are welcome! There are no tickets needed to attend this event; all you need to do is show up. Activities will be held throughout the entirety of the event.

5pm to 8 pm: Hair-raising science exhibits and demos, spooky crafts, solar telescope observing, live animals, fossil hunting, and more!

8 pm to 10 pm: Astronomical observing with the Emil Buehler Planetarium, Central Florida Astronomical Society, and UCF Astronomical Society.

Food and drink provided by the Seminole State College Raider Grill (while supplies last)

Participating organizations include Seminole State College Physical Science, Mathematics, Performing Arts, Biology, Nursing, Grindle Honors, Phi Theta Kappa, and Softball, and more.

Outside organizations include the Avian Reconditioning Center, Florida Bat Conservancy, Central Florida Zoo, and more.

We encourage costumes and don't forget to bring your trick-or-treat bags because all of our guests will be passing out lots of CANDY!

SCCPTA (Seminole County Council PTA)
SCPS Elementary Education