LCMS Paw Prints Newsletter

Dear LCMS Panther Families,

We have had a very busy week! 

First, it was School Counselors Week. Send a note to Mrs. Ayala and Ms. Forrester and let them know how much you appreciate them.

Tuesday, Lawton Chiles MS was 1 of only 20 schools (only 4 MS) who were recognized by Florida PBIS for our PawsUp PBIS Project! 

Wednesday, our Track team hosted both South Seminole Academy and Milwee. And several of our students were recognized at the SCPS Science Fair Award Ceremony.

Honorable Mention:

Mara Dauner

Gabriela Amaya Sanchez

Gavin Van Galder

Noah Holman

Lucas Haw

Dylan Kingsland

Caleb DeWitt

Zoe Van Galder

3rd Place:

Raphael Shanad

2nd Place:

Anna McNeill

Invited to STATE Sci-Fair:

Raphael Shanad

Anna McNeill

And Thursday, our Junior Thespian Troupe held their Festival Showcase, performing all the acts that were competed in Regionals, including those that will compete in States this coming week. Congratulations Troupe #88868!

Have a great week!

Don't forget, Panthers always:

Practice Safety

Act Responsibly

Work Hard

Show Respect

Go Panthers! #PawsUp

Sincerely, 

Dr. Melissa Laudani

Principal, Lawton Chiles MS 

School Counselor Week - Meet Ms. Lianne Forrester:

College(s): Rollins College '07; Regent University '15

Years as a counselor: 14

Why you are a counselor: Young people are sometimes easily dismissed or overlooked, as they navigate challenging issues in life. I wanted to be an advocate and trusted adult who could make a positive difference in a young person's life.

Favorite Food: Chinese

Favorite Movie: The Cutting Edge

Something Unique:  I am a walking Karaoke machine - always singing a happy tune.

School Counselor Week - Meet Mrs. Nicole Ayala

College(s): University of Central Florida (BS) & Webster University (MA)

Years as a counselor: Mental Health Counselor for 15 years prior to transitioning into SCPS and becoming a Certified School Counselor. This will be my 5th year as a certified school counselor.

Why you are a counselor: I became a school counselor to provide support and encouragement to the students. School can be very overwhelming; assisting and advocating for the kiddos while they attempt to navigate their way brings me joy and a feeling of accomplishment.

Favorite Food: Mexican or Sushi

Favorite Movie or Book: Movie: "A Star is born."

Something Unique: I have a 23-year-old daughter and 10-year-old twins (it keeps me young.... And tired)!

ID Card Reminders

All students are to have their ID cards on them at all times. We will start checking and students who do not have theirs will be added to the list for a replacement. Upon the second (or more) replacement ID, parents will receive a bill for $2.00 every time a new ID card is issued. Please stress to your students the importance of carrying their ID with them at all times. They need it to get on and off the bus, get into buildings during class change and pay for their lunch in the Growl Grill. Thank you for your assistance in this matter. 

Upcoming FAST Testing

Please see the flyers below regarding upcoming testing:

2024-2025 SCPS Grades 6-8 FAST Parent Brochure

How to Access the Family Portal  

***Repeated but Relevant***

PTSA 8th grade T-shirt Sales

8th Grade T-shirt sales have arrived!!! This is one of our biggest fundraisers to support all of the great 8th grade activities we are planning this year. Sales are open until 2/10 so don't delay! Shirts will be delivered the first week in March. There will be specific spirit days starting in March, any 8th grader wearing their shirt on those days will get a treat. Please email 8thgradelcms@gmail.com with any questions.

https://goinkit.com/lcms8/shop/home  

***Please note: This is different than the t-shirt for Gradventure. That shirt is included in the price of the trip and is required by Universal. 

Math Help at Home!

Are you looking for ways to help your student with their math work? Could your student benefit from some extra practice at home? Make sure to log in to Accelerate Learning - Math Nation with your student and take advantage of all the online textbook resources have to offer!

Math Nation Walkthrough

Gradventure Payment now open: 

What is Gradventure? 

Gradventure Info Sheet

Who: LCMS 8th Graders in Good Standing (see 8th gr Expectations letter) as well as no outstanding debts

When: May 16, 2025 from 3:30 PM to 1:00 AM

Where: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure Theme Parks

Cost: $175 - Payment Opens January 24

Universal does not accept annual passes for this special, after hours event.

Payments via MySchoolBucks - Due March 7:

Student payment: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZOKY9Z04VE4_ZZJQQPBN9U0SB0G  

Chaperone payment: https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZOKY9Z04VE4_ZZ65MQJMTBXJV9C 

Oviedo HS Registration Information

Below, please find the Curriculum Night presentations as well as the Informational Packet for student course selection. 

Curriculum Night presentation 

AP Human Geography Presentation 

OHS Freshman Registration Cheat Sheet 

A direct link to the course selection form is here: 8th Oviedo HS Course Selection

The school website also has a Course Selection informational document found here: https://www.oviedo.scps.k12.fl.us/student-services/course_selection/ with links to video guides and the full curriculum guide.

Spring Showcase

Do you have a 5th grader who will be coming to LCMS next year? Do you have a neighbor or a friend with a 5th grader? Share this flyer with them. We can't wait to meet our future Panthers!!

8th grade Information

This information was sent to 8th grade students & parents. If you are interested in chaperoning Gradventure, please email Lauren McDonald. 

There are several events planned this spring for our 8th graders. 

The first was a Grade Level Assembly during 7th period, January 7. During this assembly, we reviewed student behavior expectations and went over the 8th grade Privileges Letter. Each student received a copy of this letter. You can also view the letter here: 8th gr Expectations Letter

Other important dates include:

Jan 15 - Deadline to purchase 8th grade yearbook advertisement www.yearbookforever.com

         OHS presentation for zoned students

Jan 21 6 pm - OHS Curriculum Night

Jan 24 - Deadline to purchase yearbooks (MSB or, if personalized www.yearbookforever.com) 

      Gradventure Tickets go on sale - $175 - See below

Jan 30 5:30-8:30 pm - HHS Curriculum Night

March 7 - Deadline to purchase Gradventure Tickets via MSB

March 24 & 25 - HHS Counselors meet with zoned students in Science classes

TBD - 8th grade Dance Tickets go on sale 

May 9 - 8th grade Dance 6-8 pm

May 12-16 - 8th gr Spirit Week

May 16 - Gradventure

May 21 - Awards Night - 6:30 pm @ HHS - Invitations will go out by TBD

May 22 - 8th gr Yearbook Signing Party - 6th period (3:17-4:05 pm)

If you are interested in helping to plan 8th grade events, please join the PTSA 8th gr Committee. Contact Jessica Grebey @ 8thgradelcms@gmail.com for more information

For the most up-to-date information, please check the 8th grade Information page on our website at: https://www.lcms.scps.k12.fl.us/students/8th_grade_information 

Gradventure Information: 

What is Gradventure? 

Who: LCMS 8th Graders in Good Standing (see 8th gr Expectations letter) as well as no outstanding debts

When: May 16, 2025 from 3:30 PM to 1:00 AM

Where: Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure Theme Parks

Cost: $175 - Payment Opens January 24

Universal does not accept annual passes for this special, after hours event.

Gradventure Info Sheet

Eighth graders also received a link in their email so that they can vote on the Gradventure t-shirt design. 

LCMS Family Night @ Orlando Magic 

Our students and families have 2 opportunities to see the Orlando Magic and support LCMS PBIS events.

Feb 21 vs. Memphis Grizzlies - First 100 people invited to join @ 4:45 PM for a special VIP viewing of NBA warmups. Ticket link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Lawtonchiles24

March 29 vs. LA Clippers: First 15 students invited to join VIP Locker Room Legends experience to cheer on the Magic as they run out of the locker room for the game.  Ticket link: https://fevo-enterprise.com/event/Lawtonchiles2

PTSA Needs You!

Sign up to volunteer in the student lounge https://m.signupgenius.com/?#!/showSignUp/4090C4FA8A72CA3F58-53035785-student  

Pigeon Key Trip 

Who: 8th graders

What: Trip to Pigeon Key

When: April 11-13, 2025 

We met the minimum threshold so the trip is definitely happening! If you are still interested in participating, please register below. 

Register at https://www.myschoolbucks.com/ver2/prdembd?ref=ZZI5ZOKY9Z04VE4_ZZ5X54WULVTT3TZ

Pigeon Key FAQs 

Pigeon Key Parent Meeting Presentation 

?s please email Ms. Heckle at hecklemz@scps.k12.fl.us

***Club Listing  - New Club Alert

Some clubs have not yet started. Please see the chart below for more information. 

Don't forget: The Google form MUST be completed by parents/guardians BEFORE a student can attend a club meeting. 

Step 1 - Click the link below to view the list of clubs.

Step 2 - Parents must click the link for the Permission Form and give permission for their student to attend. Take a note of the date and time. These forms will be added closer to the start of the school year. 

Step 3 - Students then attend the club meetings and have fun! Any student who shows up for a meeting without the parent permission will not be allowed to stay. 

***Club listing is a live document. Check back for updates. 

Dress Code

Reminder while you are back to school shopping, crop tops do not meet dress code and should not be worn to school. For full dress code information, please visit: https://cdnsm5-ss20.sharpschool.com/.../Pol.../DressCode.pdf 

Want to be involved? Join PTSA

Please click here for all PTSA Information: PTSA Website

Who to Contact

Have a question or an issue, but you aren't sure who to contact? Use this flowchart below for assistance. All email addresses can be found on the Staff Directory on the LCMS Website:  Staff Directory  Lists of which administrators are over which subject areas can also be found on the LCMS Website: Administration

Drop Off & Cell Phone Policies

Support our Business Partners!

If you are interested in advertising in the weekly newsletter, please email Melissa_Laudani@scps.us.

If you are interested in having an ad banner on our carline or Hwy 419 fence, please fill out this form: https://share.hsforms.com/1JG4T_qJIQq2TMHgRyay3dQ4amsl or call the number below. 

Pictures of these banners will also be included on the website and in this newsletter. 

Support our Banner Sponsors!

Support our Newsletter Advertisers!

Please support these Business Partners:

Support our In-Kind Donors!

Please support these Business Partners who have supported our school programs through an in-kind donation:

Support our Renters!

Please support these Business Partners who have rented our facility for an activity:

i9 Sports - visit:  https://www.i9sports.com/venues/oviedo-area-oviedo-community-lawton-chiles-ms-youth-sports-programs/8063 

MVP Volleyball - visit: https://www.mvpacademyvb.com/floridaindoor 

Ball Class Soccer - https://clubs.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=1232352 

Hagerty Pop Warner - https://www.hagertypopwarner.com/ 

S4 Sports Camps - https://www.s4sportsacademy.com/summer-camps-seminole-county