School Activities

	ALTRUSA Readers - In order to promote literacy the Altrusa Readers volunteer in our schools annually by reading to students in the K- 2 classrooms and donating books to the Media Center.
	Chess Club - The Lawton Chiles Chess Club was established after our 1999 Chess Challenge, when chess became very popular with the students.The Lawton Chiles Chess Club meets every Monday after school. Over 40 children participate in our weekly chess club that is organized and coordinated by volunteers. Our chess team allows students club ratings, tournaments, sportsmanship, and fun. Chess has proven to be an easy way to foster higher level thinking skills. Teachers recognize the academic benefits of chess and many have incorporated it into classroom free time.
	Citizen of the Month - The Gainesville Sun is proud to sponsor the "Citizen of the Month" Program in cooperation with the School Board of Alachua County and the Kiwanis Club of the University City. Every month during the school year a 5th grade student is selected as Citizen of the Month. At the end of the year one student is chosen as the Citizen of the Year. This award is based upon the student's scholastic standing, attitude and conduct, their contribution to the community (4-H, Scouts, Church, etc.) and their extracurricular activities. Selection is made by the fifth grade teachers.
	Coach For the Day - A program designated to bring health awareness to students and faculty where the entire school participates in morning exercise via the morning news.
	Coat Drive - Each winter Lawton Chiles participates with the Alachua County School Board in holding a coat drive for children in need of warm winter coats.  Both new and clean coats are collected and distributed.  This drive is usually held during the month of January.
	Drumline - The Chiles Drumline is run by Studio Percussion under the instruction of Tobin Wagstaff. Fourth and Fifth grade students have the opportunity to learn various percussion instruments as well as perform.
	Families Building Better Readers (FBBR) - Families Building Better Readers workshops are for parents of primary and middle grade students. Parents who participate in these workshops will learn about simple activities they can do with their children to improve reading performance.
	FRA Book Award - The Florida Reading Association invites Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade students to participate in voting for the Florida Children's Book Award. The books nominated have been copyrighted within the last five years and are currently in print. This program was designed to encourage young children to become enthusiastic about books by soliciting their votes for the Children's Book Award. The students have all eight of the books read to them in the Media Center and then they vote for their favorite.
	Geography Bee - Beginning in 1999-2000, Lawton Chiles Elementary fifth graders have participated in the National Geographic Bee, using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society.  The bee is held in thousands of schools in the United States and is open to students in grades 4 through 8.  The goals of the bee are to spark student interest in geography and to increase public awareness about geography.  Student winners selected at the school level bee may go on to the county, district, state, and national bee.
	Governor's Award - The student recognition program at Lawton Chiles Elementary School is a very important aspect of school life. The Governor's Award is a monthly recognition of student achievement. Every homeroom chooses two representatives per month and Mrs. Mullally, our principal, recognizes the students with a certificate on the WLCE Morning News Show. A photograph of all the selected students for the month is then displayed in the Media Center.
	Grade Level Recognition Programs - Students in grades K through 5 are recognized at the end of each week for accomplishments in academics and citizenship. Kindergarten has "Souper Kid", First Grade has "Shining Star", Second Grade has "Top Dog", Third Grade has "Sunsational Third Grader", Fourth Grade has "Fantastic Fourth Grader" and Fifth Grade has "Citizen of the Week."
	Lawton Chiles Birthday Celebration -The Lawton Chiles Birthday Celebration is a family fun night for everyone. This special evening, a favorite Lawton Chiles tradition, includes staff skits, silent auction, rides, food and a fun time for all. The event is a fun filled evening for students and families as well as raising money for the school.
	LRC Days - The Media Center and the PTA coordinate and sponsor these days for parents and volunteers to visit the Teacher Production Lab in the Sivia Center to make materials for use in the classroom. Cut outs, posters, bulletin boards the list is endless, and no experience is necessary. LRC Days are held twice a year. The Lab is a wonderful resource for Alachua teachers and staff. For more information visit their web site at Teacher Production Lab.
	March of Dimes - Every year Lawton Chiles students walk to support the March of Dimes and support healthy babies. In honor of the late Governor Chiles, the students take the challenge to collect donations. Since the school's opening Lawton Chiles Elementary has raised the most money for a public elementary school in Alachua County.
	Math Superstars - Math Superstars is a Florida Dept. of Education program developed by teachers for the basic purpose of providing the extra challenge that students need in Math!  It is not meant to replace any aspect of the math curriculum but will provide challenges and rewards for the student's efforts.  It allows students to use higher order thinking skills and have fun putting their skills to work on their way to becoming a math SUPERSTAR!
	Meaningful Monday - Every Monday morning on WLCE Morning News, Mr. Powell, the assistant principal, pulls out a "Caught Ya!" slip with the name of the student that will represent all students caught that week doing good deeds. The winner for the week gets a stuffed purring Cheetah.
	Million Minutes of Reading - The annual "Million Minutes of Reading" race begins every September. The long-term goal of the Million Minutes of Reading is to encourage students to read. All elementary students who reach their reading goal of 300 minutes (approximately 15 minutes per day) will receive a certificate. Those students who read the most at their grade level in each participating school will receive "Super Reader" ribbons at the Family Literacy Festival at the Alachua County Library headquarters downtown. This event is sponsored by The Gainesville Sun, the School Board of Alachua County, the Alachua County Literacy Network and local businesses.
	Radio Station - Broadcasting at 107.5 FM, Lawton Chiles "Chillin' Cheetahs" Radio Station is another avenue of communication between the school, students, parents, and members of the community.  Within two miles of the school, you can pick up the low-powered FM radio signal, and begin to hear students' voices as they provide you with the latest school news and weather.
	National Red Ribbon Campaign - The National Red Ribbon Campaign began in 1985 as a symbol to reduce the demand for drugs and to stop the illegal use of drugs.  The goal of the campaign is to promote healthy lifestyles for individuals, families and communities by preventing problems related to abuse of alcohol and other drugs.  Under the leadership of the counseling department, Lawton Chiles students participate in educational Red Ribbon Week activities to learn about drug abuse prevention.  Red Ribbon Week is held each year near the end of October.
	Reflections Program - National PTA Reflections Program is an Arts Recognition and Achievement Program for Students. The 2004-2005 Theme is "A Different Kind of Hero." National PTA believes all children deserve a quality arts education and encourages students to pursue artistic expression through participation in its annual Reflections Program. Students in preschool through grade 12 are encouraged to submit works of art in four areas: literature, musical composition, photography, and the visual arts (which includes art forms such as drawing, painting, print making, and collage). For more information visit PTA Reflections Program.
	PAWS to Read - PAWS to READ pairs certified therapy dogs with young readers to change children's reading experience from intimidating to fun and rewarding.  All children, including those who already read well, can benefit from the program.
	Peaceful Playground - Chiles PTA raised money to install and implement the peaceful playground that provides numerous recreational activities that teaches the students to effectively resolve playground conflicts.
	Pet Drive for Haile's Angels: In the Media Center a student-decorated tree is set up for the purpose of collecting food, toys and bedding for the homeless animals at the Alachua County Humane Society. The items collected also provide assistance to local elderly residents in the care and feeding of their pets.
	Scholastic Book Fair - Every year the Media Center and the PTA hold a Scholastic Book Fair. Students, parents and staff come in and browse and purchase the new books available. Teachers fill out a classroom "wish list" of book titles they can use in the classroom libraries. Money made from the book fair helps the Media Center buy supplies and equipment.
	Sunshine State Readers - The Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Program is a statewide reading motivation program for students in grades 3-5. Students in 4-5 grades will be introduced to the SSYAR Program at our school.
	Susan Reger "Snuggle Bear Foundation": Lawton Chiles Elementary has established a special foundation to honor the memory of Susan Reger, a former parent and volunteer at Chiles. The purpose of this foundation is to collect new, stuffed bears for distribution to the Shands Hospital Pediatric Unit, SPARC, the Advocacy Center, Gainesville Police Department and to other children in crisis in the area. Each bear comes with a tag describing some "hugging" instructions. Shelly Whitfield coordinates and directs this program.
	Veteran's Day Program - Fourth grade students honor our nation's veterans with a patriotic musical program. Students also participate in a community service project by writing letters to service men/women and collecting needed supplies to send to them.