The Mustang Messenger

• Para ver el boletín en español haga clic en el cuadrado negro ubicado en el lado derecho donde dice Traducir boletín.
• Cuando llegue aquí, haga clic en la flecha hacia abajo y elija el idioma Español.

Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!

Even though it was only a three-day week for our Mustangs, it was a fun one for us all as usual! 😎

The vast majority of our Mustangs had their School Pictures taken on Monday, September 30 and Tuesday, October 1...and we will hold a make-up photo day in the near future as we would like 100% of our students to appear in our yearbook alongside our staff to ensure that 2024-2025 is remembered for all of its glory! We will also take club/organization and school activity photos later in the year...so stay tuned for that info in the spring!

MONTY'S TACK SHOP + STUDENT LEADERSHIP!

The greatest reward we can ever see as families and educators is definitely when our Mustangs take the reigns to lead and support their peers. We certainly saw that this week as many of our student leaders organized and executed our best ever showing by our Mustangs at our September Monty's Tack Shop event, which is a surefire recognition of our Honorable, Engaged, Respectful, and Determined qualities by all who participate! Check out the photos and more information below about this encouragingly fantastic experience that we will be instituting each month for our Mustangs! Thank you to Ms. Bolyard, Ms. Lloyd, and Ms. Burns for their incredible leadership and support of this initiative that focuses on positive student performance at Simpson!

UDVAR-HAZY NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM FUN!

Our Grade 6 Science Simpson Mustangs enjoyed a visit to the Udvar-Hazy branch of the National Air and Space Museum on Tuesday, October 1 and Wednesday, October 2. Thank you to Ms. Song, Ms. Suttie, and Ms. Steinbach for their diligent efforts in organizing this wonderful experience for our student scientists! Ms. Jeane and Mr. Filsinger, we appreciate your support of our Mustangs on their field trip as well!

LCPS CUSTODIAN APPRECIATION DAY 2024!

We enjoyed celebrating Ana Ciciliano, Sandra Alas Valle, Reyna Fuentes Robles, Maria Victoria Gamez Lopez, Yoni Carlos Huaman Chumble, Rosenda Reyes, Cindy Mineros Duarte, and Ana Sorto Lara as our Simpson Superstar Custodial Team with a special lunch, personalized water bottles, and some new polos just for their daily awesomeness! Simpson would not shine without your phenomenal dedication! We greatly appreciate our NJHS and SCA students for making an awesome banner for the celebration!

AWS GIRLS TECH DAY in ARLINGTON, VA!

Just yesterday, our AWS Girls Tech Day Simpson Mustang participants enjoyed coding, robotics, cloud computing, problem-solving, and more during their time in Arlington, VA under the sponsorship of Ms. Poole, Ms. Herrin, Ms. Hawkins-Marshall, Ms. Ashley, Ms. Lloyd and Sra. Lopez!

SPIRIT DAYS THIS WEEK AND NEXT!

We have A LOT of VERY important and enjoyable SCHOOL SPIRIT days coming up in the next two weeks...and we would love to see 1000000% participation to the best of our ability!

• National Hispanic Heritage Month holds its finale celebration with a series of spirit days starting tomorrow, Monday, October 7 through Friday, October 11! Check out the image below this opening message for more details!
• Wednesday, October 16, 2024, is Unity Day, the signature event of National Bullying Prevention Month. Unity Day is a day when we can come together to send a visible message of building COMMUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. We will all be WEARING ORANGE to celebrate!
  
• Thursday, October 17, 2024 is SIMPSON SPIRIT! day as part of our county-wide LCPS School Spirit Celebrations! Please support your Mustang in wearing as much BLUE AND YELLOW as possible on this date...you will see that our Mustang Professional Staff will be very engaged in this event as well!
• Friday, October 18, 2024 is DIG PINK! Day in conjunction with Loudoun County HS' own celebration as part of their evening varsity football game at their home field. We will be wearing PINK in support of Breast Cancer Awareness month for 2024!

See below some information about National German Week, Monty's Café returning on Tuesday, October 8, as well as a great opportunity for our community of war veterans to join us for our annual Veterans Day celebration set for Monday, November 11 at Simpson...and a special contest for our Mustangs to create the cover art for the event's program!

We hope you are having a dynamite weekend in this inspiring sunlight as it is so great to see its return! My parents are in town from South Carolina to celebrate my mom's birthday...so I have definitely been quite busy in a rewarding way!

Take care of yourselves and one another...and have a superb evening! We appreciate you all being a part of our #mustangfamilyforever!

Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III

Principal

JL Simpson Middle School

Dr. Nunes and our German students are sponsoring the National German Week for 2024 from October 7 - October 11! As part of our celebration, we have trivia questions that will be read on our morning announcements for which the answers are to be placed in the envelopes seen on the bulletin board near the WORLD LANGUAGES and CULTURES hallway!

Last week of Hispanic Heritage Month!

October is Bullying Prevention Month!

National German Week!

Monday, October 7 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: ADVISORY

• Spirit Day! Soccer Jersey Day
• 7th & 8th Grade Strings Visit with Dr. Dietrich - 1:45 PM - 3:15 PM - Auditorium

Tuesday, October 8- B-Day - FLEX DAY: B1

• Spirit Day! Dress like a Hispanic Historical Figure
• Monty’s Cafe - Open from 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Main Entrance Hallway - All hot chocolate and donuts must be enjoyed in the cafeteria only!
• Fentanyl Awareness Session @ Loudoun County High School - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM - LCHS Auditorium

Wednesday, October 9 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: A1

• Spirit Day! Dress like a Hispanic TV/Movie Character

• After School Activities

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) - Aux. Gym - Ms. O'Hara

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Latino Student Association (LSA) - Room D8 - Ms. Lopez

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Level Up - Room B16 - Ms. Keefer

Thursday, October 10 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B3

• Spirit Day! Dress in your country colors, wear your flag!
• After School Activities
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Harry Potter Club - Room A9 - Ms. Wence
• 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Intramural Flag Football - Mr. Carpente
• 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Select Choir Rehersals - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Level Up - Room B16 - Ms. Keefer

Friday, October 11 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: A3

• Spirit Day! Dress in your country colors, wear your flag!

Click the above image to find out our breakfast and lunch menu items for this week and month!

Click here --> JLSMS Grade Level Academic Weekly Update - -October 7, 2024 - October 11, 2024

HOW CAN I ACCESS THE JLS GRADE-LEVEL ACADEMIC WEEKLY UPDATE NEWSLETTER in MULTIPLE LANGUAGES?

To Translate A Document to a Preferred Language Other Than English:

1. Click on the grade-level newsletter you wish to review.

2. In the top menu, click Tools and then Translate document.

3. Enter a name for the translated document and select a language.

4. Click Translate.

A translated copy of your document will open in a new window. You can also see this copy in your Google Drive.

We are so grateful for our Simpson Superstar Custodial Staff! Our nearly fifty-year old school is beautiful on a daily basis because of their diligent, thorough care to ensure that our building is ready and comfortable for learning. You are all very special to us…and we have more surprises for you into next week! Happy National Custodians Appreciation Day! 💙 💛 🐴

Every month, eight students from each grade level are awarded the Simpson HERD Award. Students who exemplify the HERD characteristics: Honorable, Engaged, Respectful, and Determined (HERD) are chosen to receive these teacher nominated awards. Students receive a small gift and a yard sign displaying the HERD characteristic they demonstrated.

CONGRATULATIONS to our September HERD Award Recipients!

Here is a short video clip with all of our HERD award recipients for September!

Our PTO-sponsored Monty's Cafe returns on Tuesday, October 8th!

Students can purchase a hot chocolate or a donut for $2.00 each. We will have food options available for all of our Mustangs!

The cafe will be open from 8:00 AM and 8:25 AM, located near the front entrance of the school.

All proceeds support grade-level events at JLS...Can't wait to see everyone there!

We are honored to celebrate the military veteran family members of our JL Simpson students and staff at our annual JLS Veterans Day Celebration. The event will take place on Monday, November 11, 2024, at 8:30 AM in the auditorium. We will acknowledge our JLS community veterans in a student-led ceremony, complete with music provided by the JLS Band and Chorus. A reception will follow the event.

We are asking any veterans who would like to attend our celebration to please complete this RSVP.

What does Veterans Day mean to you? Show us!

Design a program cover for our Veterans Day assembly taking place on Monday, November 11. The winning design will be chosen by the Veterans Day program committee.

All entries are due by Friday, October 25th. The winner will be announced on the Friday, November 1st.

Use this link to enter your artwork!

The program cover will be 8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches in portrait format. All art must be your original work. No copyrighted images or characters. Work may be of any medium, including digital.

All works must include the following:

J.L. Simpson

Veterans Day Tribute

2024

JLS has once again teamed up with Skatetime School Programs® to bring an exciting and innovative Physical Education program to its students.

Students are learning basic skating skills during regular gym class right on the gym floor.

Skatetime is OPTIONAL. If your student chooses not to participate in Skatetime, they will continue with regular PE classes.

Skatetime starts on Monday, November 11 and runs until Friday, November 22 during your students PE block. The cost is $11.00, which covers the skate rental for the two week period.

Registration and Permission Form/Wavier are required for participation.

Registration Information:

• Online Portal Payment.
• Use the link above to make the $11.00 payment for Skatetime by Friday, October 11.

Wavier & Permission Form

• Waiver and Permission form

• Print out the Wavier and Permission Form found in the link above, and return the completed form to your HPE teacher by Friday, October 11, 2024. Be sure to indicate the skate size, and if you want quad skates or inline skates.
• Skate Size Information:
• Use whole sizes only
• Available Quad Sizes: Juvenile J8-J13 & Regular 1-12
• Available Inline Sizes: Juvenile J13 & Regular 1-16
• IMPORTANT! Skates are in boys whole sizes only
• Girls: Subtract 1 from their shoe size (i.e. Size 6 Shoe = Size 5 Skate)
• Half sizes: Boys round up (i.e. 5.5 = 6); Girls round down (i.e. 5.5 = 5)

Contact Margaret.Darby@lcps.org with any questions you have about Skatetime.

As mentioned in last week's Mustang Messenger, in order to improve student and staff safety, we are asking students who are morning car riders to no longer enter the building at the side door marked B2.

Students will continue to be dropped off at the B2 door, but will walk on the sidewalk toward the front of the school and enter through the main entrance as the only entryway into JLS for all visitors/guests and morning arrivals. This allows our safety and security team to ensure that all students, guests, and family members proceed to the correct locations of our building without worry of multiple entry points to our facility creating possible security concerns.

Here are some additional updates and reminders for you regarding our AM/PM carline:

• DROP MUSTANGS OFF ONLY AT THE B2 DOOR and CROSSWALK in the MORNING: All family members dropping off Mustangs in the car line are expected to proceed to the B2 Parent Drop Off location before opening their doors to drop off their Mustangs. Dropping students off in other areas of the car line reduces the efficiency and speed of the car line, potential safety hazards for students, and even causing a back-up to occur at times on Evergreen Mill Road.
• PLEASE STAY IN THE CAR LINE AFTER DROPPING OFF YOUR MUSTANG: Once you drop off your Mustang at the B2 Door, please continue stay in line and do not pass other cars on the left. This can be a tremendous safety issue if a student or staff member should happen to be in the crosswalk in front of the B2 door.
• USE THE SMALL LOOP WHEN DR. D OPENS IT UP!: Dr. Di Nicola will open the small car loop close to the front entrance of the building around 8:20-8:25 AM to allow our Mustangs to make it to their classes on time as the tardy bell rings at 8:30 AM.
• PICK UP YOUR MUSTANGS in the CAR LINE AFTER SCHOOL: Please proceed through the car line in a safe, linear manner, picking up your Mustang at the B2 door, the same location where drop-off occurs in the morning. All safety expectations listed above for morning arrival are still in place in the afternoon at pick-up time!
• PLEASE DO NOT PICK UP STUDENTS ON TOLBERT ROAD or EVERGREEN MILL ROAD: We have one car line for picking up our Mustangs after school...and these two locations are public roads where safety hazards can occur should our students be moving to these areas where many cars and buses are in motion.

Thank you for your partnership to ensure the safety of our students and our JLS community by proceeding through our CAR LINE in the AM and PM in an HONORABLE, ENGAGED, RESPECTFUL, and DETERMINED (HERD) manner! You're the best!

The Academies of Loudoun 2024 Fall Admission Cycle opened on Monday, August 19, 2024, and will remain open until Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The fall admissions cycle is for any eighth-grade student enrolled in Algebra I or higher who is interested in applying to the Academies of Loudoun for ninth-grade entry into the Academy of Engineering & Technology (AET) program and/or the Academy of Science (AOS) program for the 2025-2026 school year.

The admissions office will conduct four (4) fall admissions information sessions for Loudoun County students in eighth grade and their parents or guardians. These sessions will provide details about the Academies.

2024 Fall Admissions Information Session Schedule

• Wednesday, August 28, at Tuscarora High School, 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, September 14, at Independence High School, 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, September 18, at Harmony Middle School, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 1, at River Bend Middle School, 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Academies of Loudoun Admissions website, email AcademiesAdmissions@lcps.org or call 571-252-1992.

Students should see Ms.Thomasson, 8th Grade Counselor, with any questions.

Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org

Thank you to those in our JLS Mustang Community who helped to make our 7th Grade English 9/11 Project a success. We appreciate your support and honor your memories of this day.

Our Mustangs have been working hard on their final proect - take a look using the link here!

It's almost time for the JLS Annual PE Moster Mash 5k! And it's a fundraiser this year!

Students can dress in their favorite costumes that they are able to comfortably run in (no masks) and will run a 5K during their PE class on Thursday, October 24 (A Day) & Friday, October 25 (B Day).

Parents/Guardians, we invite you to come and cheer on your favorite Mustang, or join the 5k run! Check your student's schedule to verify the day and time they will be running....and stay tuned for info about the FUNDRAISER INITIATIVE!

In conjunction with Bulling Prevention Month, we will wear orange to build commUNITY through kindness, acceptance, and inclusion to prevent bullying.

Loudoun County Public Schools is having a COUNTY-WIDE school spirit day on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 17...so we need ALL of our Mustang Community to participate!

Wear AS MUCH BLUE and YELLOW as possible to show your SIMPSON SPIRIT all day long!

We have been busy planning some amazing after school opportunities for our Mustangs!

Here are our current JLS Clubs/Organizations set for after school on Wednesdays and/or Thursdays.

Please remember that after school activity participation requires permission from parents/guardians!

Please use the link below to complete the PERMISSION CLICK document.

NOTE: Any student participating in an after school club/organization activity must have their parents complete the PERMISSION CLICK document linked here. 😀

Activity buses are available every Wednesday and Thursday for students needing transportation home from an after school activity. You can view the activity bus route stops using this link.

There will be an Intramural Volleyball team creation meeting for all students who have registered to play intramural volleyball at JL Simpson. The meeting will take place on Monday, October 21 during Advisory. Students who are registered for intramural volleyball will receive an email from Mr. Carpenter with meeting details.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING INTRAMURAL SPORTS!

Use the link below for registration and additional program information:

Follow this link for Registration and Program Information: Intramural Sports Website

Follow this link for Frequently Asked Questions: https://sites.google.com/lcps.org/lcps-intramural-playbook-2024/home/faqs

The upcoming dates for Intramural Flag Football are as follows:

Pool Play - Thursday, October 17th

JLSMS Tournament - Thursday, October 24th

LCPS Tournament – Saturday, November 2nd

Students must be registered to attend!

The risks of fentanyl and fake pills are very real and very terrifying. Attend our next Fentanyl Awareness Session on Tuesday, Oct. 8, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM., at Loudoun County High School to learn tips for talking to your student about the dangers of fentanyl and fake pills and what to do in a drug-related emergency. During this presentation, LCPS, who is partnering with the nonprofit Song for Charlie, will present The New Drug Talk, a 30-minute film that outlines the dangers of fentanyl and fake pills. Following the film, an expert panel discussion -- including community members who have lost loved ones to fentanyl poisoning -- will share their stories and guidance to help you keep your loved ones safe.

Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) is a program designed to engage and build meaningful relationships with the families of English Learners through the school year.

Our first meeting will be on Tuesday, October 15 from 5:30 PM-7:30 PM at the Douglass Community Center in Leesburg.

We will be implementing the LCPS-sponsored Second Step® Middle School program during our resource blocks this season.

From the LCPS Department of Student Services:

We want your child to be successful in school, and that means supporting and encouraging their

whole development. While excelling in academic classes is important, students also need skills for

learning challenges, making good decisions, handling strong emotions, and getting along with others.

Second Step® Middle School is a research-based social-emotional learning

program designed to improve students’ social-emotional skills, such as emotion management,

impulse control, problem solving, and empathy. Second Step skills and concepts are designed to

help students both in and out of school. These include:

Mindsets and Goals: Students learn how to develop a growth mindset and apply research-

based goal-setting strategies to their social and academic lives.

Developing a Positive Sense of Self: Students learn to identify their guiding principles,

work toward becoming the person they want to be, and learn strategies for building

confidence.

Thoughts, Emotions, and Decisions: Students learn how to recognize strong emotions

and unhelpful thoughts, and apply strategies to manage their emotions and reduce stress.

Managing Relationships and Social Conflict: Students learn strategies for developing

and maintaining healthy relationships, perspective-taking, and dealing with conflict.

If you have any questions about Second Step® Middle School, please don’t hesitate to contact

Sarah.McIntosh@lcps.org or Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org for more information. Thank you for your support as we work to build a safe and supportive school community!

Many of our Mustangs cashed in their well-deserved Monty Bucks received from our Mustang Professionals for their exemplification of HONORABLE, ENGAGED, RESPECTFUL, and DETERMINED characteristics!

All bus pass requests should be addressed to your grade level secretary. You can request a bus pass for your student via email, a written note with parent/guardian signature, or a phone call to your grade level secretary. Requests should be received no later than NOON on the day the pass is needed.

Whenever students have a change in dismissal transportation (ie. bus rider to walker or bus rider to car rider), please be sure to notify your house secretary the morning of the change via email or a written note.

6th Grade Administrative Professional - Molly.Steinbach@lcps.org

7th Grade Administrative Professional - Stephanie.DeWan@lcps.org

8th Grade Administrative Professional - Laura.Ridings@lcps.org

Our activity buses are rolling! Students who participate in after-school activities have the option to ride an activity bus home. Use this link below to view the route sheets for the activity buses, including the bus stop locations and approximate drop-off times.

NOTE: Any student participating in an after school club/organization activity must have their parents complete the PERMISSION CLICK document linked here. 😀

Students are expected to use their time effectively during our five-minute class change to ensure they are in class before the bell. School administration will implement student behavior administrative and accountability measures to address excessive tardies to class.

1st and 2nd Tardies to Any Class: Teacher and Student Conversation + General E-mail to Families Through ParentVue Communications

3rd Tardy to Any Class: Teacher and Student Conversation / Reflection Opportunity to Focus on Improving Timeliness to Class + Phone Call to Parent/Guardian

4th+ Tardy to Any Class: Teacher Referral to Dean + Phone Call Home to Parent/Guardian with Student Behavior and Accountability Measures Continuum:

• Lunch / After School Detention w/Teacher / Dean
  

• Loss of School Privileges (i.e. Recess, Intramural Sports, Clubs/Activities, etc.)

• Friday School
  
• Conferencing With LCPS Attendance Officer + Family + Student Support Advisor + School Leadership / Unified Mental Health Team

Please talk with your Mustang about the importance of arriving to class on time to BE PRESENT and POWERFUL in their learning!

Remember that we are here to support all of our Mustangs if they need help to strategize ways to arrive to class in a timely manner so that they can maximize their performance in each and every one of their classes! THANK YOU for your wonderful support!

Please contact your student's grade-level counselor if you have scheduling questions.

School Counseling Team Contact Information

6th Grade: Sabrina.Jeane@lcps.org

7th Grade: Alison.Hyman@lcps.org

8th Grade: Last Name A-Q: Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org

8th Grade: Last Name R-Z: Juan.Barrios@lcps.org

Please contact your student's grade-level dean if you have questions or concerns.

School Dean's Contact Information

6th Grade: Brandon.Filsinger@lcps.org

7th Grade: Katherine.Hailey@lcps.org

8th Grade: Brent.Washburn@lcps.org

Where can I find LCPS level information on general information and expectations for students and their families?

LCPS has updated this information for this year with the release of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for Families and Student Code of Conduct.

As Simpson will be aligning completely with this useful guide, please take time to review it with your Simpson Mustang prior to the start of the new school year and save it for future reference.

Click here to access the SY 2024-2025 Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for Families and Student Code of Conduct.

Please take some time to carefully read LCPS Policy 8650: Student Technology Acceptable/Responsible Use Policy and the new LCPS Policy 8655: Student Personal Device Use and address content directly with your Mustang as we will be doing the same among other school-wide expectations for 2024-2025.

Please note the following in terms of Student Personal Device Use:

Middle school students must keep their devices silent and not visible, stored in their locker during the school day. Personal devices may be used before or after the school day.

The above includes any and all devices, including cell phones, earbuds, wireless headphones, iPads, etc. :)

NOTE: Students may have wired earbuds/headphones for classes in which their teachers permit them to use these devices. The devices may only be connected to the Chromebook.

We also request that all families refrain from texting or calling our Mustangs' personal devices during the school day to help support this new LCPS policy and our engagement of its content at JLS.

WHAT IF WE NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR MUSTANGS?

• Please contact us at 571-252-2840 if you need to speak to your Mustang. We can always find them for you!
• We will allow any of our Mustangs to call home to their families as needed using our school lines...never a problem!
• Teach your Mustangs to use their e-mail accounts regularly alongside our own school expectations for academic engagement and communication with their teachers. You are more than welcome to touch base with them in that manner!

• LCPS middle and high school students receive information about the dangers of opioids and other illicit drugs through health and physical education classes. Student Assistance Specialists who have mental health and substance abuse expertise provide these targeted presentations and partner with their respective schools to plan additional opportunities, including assemblies, student-led campaigns, and classroom lessons.

• More information can be found on this site - Student Assistance Services / Fentanyl and Opioid Awareness

Is your Mustang looking for Loudoun County HS / Heritage HS National Honor Society or University Instructor tutoring before school, after school, or maybe even during resource block?

Click here and work with your Mustang to complete this Google Form to request a tutor and we will be in touch super soon!

Please read all instructions in the Google Form carefully to learn about the expectations for our tutoring support program...and reach out to JLS-Tutoring@lcps.org with any questions!

HRTD is excited to launch SHINE! Spotlighting Heroes in Education, a new recognition program that aims to tell the stories of the incredible work happening throughout the division. We encourage schools to promote SHINE both inside their buildings between peers as well as with their school communities through newsletters, websites and social media as all parents, students, staff and community members are welcome to submit a nomination. Each month, Loudoun Education Foundation will choose one submission to provide additional acknowledgement and a special gift.

How it works:

1. We are seeking submissions for LCPS staff members at schools, central office and support locations who:

1. Have gone above and beyond in a situation

2. Have inspired others or have a heartwarming story

3. Are doing something unique or creative that is leading to results

4. In general, ANY great news!

2. Complete the submission form (It’s short and easy!)

3. The Employee Recognition office notifies the nominee as well as their supervisor of the submission

4. The story may be placed on the Employee Recognition webpage.

Our goal is to place a spotlight on the hundreds of positive interactions taking place in LCPS each day...and especially at JLS! We look forward to seeing your celebrations of our JLS Mustang Professionals throughout 2023-2024!

The LCPS PROPEL and Level Up Program is designed to address equity through enrichment for high-achieving students underrepresented in STEM.

The program goals are:

• Developing high-level reasoning skills in students.
• Providing students with opportunities to enhance behaviors associated with high achievement and demonstration of the 5C’s
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Contribution
  • Creation
  • Critical Thinking
• Assisting students with planning and preparing for academically rigorous coursework in middle and high school and for entry into competitive academic programs.
• Providing opportunities for parents to share as educational partners.

Click here to see the PROPEL and Level Up newsletter in English

Click here to see the PROPEL and Level Up newsletter in Spanish

Loudoun County Public Schools is offering new resources for all staff and parents/guardians to use to support students through www.parental guidance.org. You can learn more about this initiative by clicking here.

These resources include easily accessible video-based courses on difficult parenting topics, individualized parent coaching for any LCPS parent/guardian, on their schedule in their home, and weekly interactive webinars to let parents know the mental health needs of our students are a critical concern of Loudoun County Public Schools. Your unified mental health team members are ready to assist parents in accessing the support. You can watch this video about the services available.

Slide deck with additional information: Coaching CCHC LCPS 2024.pptx

The SNAP in Schools initiative from the Virginia Department of Social Service, which is based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), helps develop partnerships to bridge the gap of food insecurity among school-aged children. The objectives of SNAP in Schools are to reduce food insecurity in school-aged children, to increase the number of students directly certified for free school meals through SNAP, and to increase the number of students eligible without application for the summer EBT program.

Please advise families who could benefit from this program to access the CommonHelp portal link to submit online SNAP applications.

Please also share the flyer below with your families:

• English

• Spanish

Are you trying to figure out how to stay involved during those middle school years?

There are small and big ways that really make an impact on our AMAZING school! Please reach out to Natalie Sutter at JLSimpsonPTO@gmail.com if you are interested in helping with our PTO activities in any way. You can also sign up to help by clicking here!

The PTO has many things planned for our staff and students! Check out our Volunteer Signup! A board member will reach out with more details!

• FREE Grade Level Events for each grade
• Monty's Cafe (Coming back for a 3rd year)
• Family Bingo Night w/ Silent Auction and Concessions
• Enhance our social media platforms
• Lots of Appreciation Days / Weeks for Staff
• Joint 5K with other middle schools

Click here for the Official J.L. Simpson MS PTO Webpage.

We look forward to engaging all of our Mustang families in PTO in service and support of all of our children!

Quarter 1 - Thursday, August 22 - Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Dates to Remember + More!

Be sure to check here often as we will continue to add dates and events as they become available.

• October 7-11: Hispanic Heritage Month Spirit Week

• October 7: Spirit Day - Soccer Jersey Day

• October 8: Spirit Day - Dress like a Hispanic Historical Figure

• October 8: Monty's Cafe - 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM - Main Entrance

• October 8: Fentanyl Awareness Event @ LCHS - 7:00 PM-8:30 PM - LCHS Auditorium

• October 9: Spirit Day - Dress like a TV character

• October 9: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30 -4:30 PM - Aux. Gym

• October 9: Latino Student Association (LSA) After-School Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM-Cafeteria

• October 9: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• October 10: Spirit Day - Bring your Flag and wear it on your shirt, wear the colors of your flag

• October 10: Fall Intramural Flag Football - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM

• October 10: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• October 10: Harry Potter Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - A9

• October 10: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16
  

• October 11: Spirit Day - Bring your Flag and wear it on your shirt, wear the colors of your flag

• October 11: Yom Kippur

• October 14: No School (Indigenous Peoples Day)

• October 15: JLS Parents as Educational Partnerships (PEP) - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Douglass

• October 15-18: Bullying Prevention Awareness Spirit Week

• October 16: Spirit Day - Wear ORANGE for Unity Day

• October 16: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30-4:30 PM- Aux. Gym

• October 16: Student Counci Association (SCA) - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM-Cafeteria

• October 16: Mad Scientist Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Room C4

• October 16: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• October 17: Fall Intramural Flag Football - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM
  

• October 17: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• October 17: 8th Grade Strings Rehersal - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Auditorium

• October 17:Harry Potter Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - A9

• October 17: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• October 18: Spirit Day - PINK OUT for Breast Cancer Awareness

• October 18: Transportation Staff Appreciation Day

• October 18: Reading Department Field Trip - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

• October 20-26: Red Ribbon Week

• October 21-25: National School Bus Safety Week

• October 21: Intramural Volleyball Team Creation Meeting - During Advisory

• October 23: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30-4:30 PM

• October 23: Weightlifting Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Gym weight room

• October 23: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• October 24: Fall Intramural Flag Football - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM

• October 24: Project Lit during lunches - Library

• October 24: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• October 24: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• October 24: Spooktacular Strings Concert at LCHS - 7 PM - Auditorium

• October 24 & 25: Monster Mash 5K during PE Classes

• October 28: Occupational Therapists Day

• October 29: End of First Grading Period

• October 29: October 2024 HERD Awards - Announcements in Cafeteria at Lunch

• October 30 - November 5: No School

• November 6: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30-4:30 - Aux. Gym

• November 6: Weightlifting Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Gym weight room

• November 6: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• November 7: 6th Grade Academies of Loudoun Presentation - 9:45 AM

• November 7: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• November 7: Harry Potter Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - A9

• November 7: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• November 8: 6th Grade All County Choir @ Stone Bridge High School

• November 8: Junior Regional Orchestra Event - Massaponax High School

• November 11: Veterans Day Celebration - 9:00 AM

• November 12: Monty's Cafe - 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM - Main Entrance

• November 13: 7th Grade Band Rehersal - 3:30 PM-4:45 PM - Auditorium

• November 13: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30-4:30 - Aux. Gym

• November 13: Student Counci Association (SCA) - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM-Cafeteria

• November 13: Weightlifting Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Gym weight room

• November 13: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• November 14: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• November 14: Harry Potter Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - A9

• November 14: Intramural Volleyball - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Gym

• November 14: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• November 14 & 15: Morven Park Visitors to 7th Grade History Classes

• November 15: School Picture Make-Up Day

• November 16: All County Orchestra Auditions - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M1

• November 20: Q1 Honor Roll Ceremony (Grade 8) - 9:00 AM - Auditorium

• November 20: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30-4:30 - Aux. Gym

• November 20: Weightlifting Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Gym weight room

• November 20: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• November 21: Q1 Honor Roll Ceremony (Grade 7) - 9:00 AM - Auditorium

• November 21:Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• November 21: Harry Potter Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - A9

• November 21: Intramural Volleyball - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Gym

• November 21: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• November 22: Q1 Honor Roll Ceremony (Grade 6) - 9:00 AM - Auditorium

• November 22: Project Lit during lunches - Library

• November 27 - 29: No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)

• December 2: 6th Grade Choir Rehersal - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Auditorium

• December 3: 8th Grade Band Rehersal - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Auditorium

• December 4: 7th Grade Band Rehersal - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Auditorium

• December 4: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30-4:30 - Aux. Gym

• December 4: Weightlifting Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Gym weight room

• December 4: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• December 5: 7th Grade Orchestra Rehersal - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Auditorium

• December 5: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• December 5: Intramural Volleyball - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Gym

• December 5: Harry Potter Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - A9

• December 5: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - B16

• December 10: Monty's Cafe - 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM - Main Entrance

• December 10: 7th Grade Band Rehersal - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Auditorium

• December 10: JLS Winter Choir Concert @ LCHS - 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - LCHS Auditorium

• December 10: JLS Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) - 5:30 PM-7:30 PM

• December 11: 8th Grade Orchestra Rehersal - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Auditorium

• December 11: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30-4:30 - Aux. Gym

• December 11: Student Council Association (SCA) - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Cafeteria

• December 11: Weightlifting Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Gym weight room

• December 11: Level Up - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - at the Academies of Loudoun

• December 11: 7th/8th Grade Band & Jazz Band Concert - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM - JLS Auditorium

• December 12: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• December 12: Intramural Volleyball - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Gym

• December 12:Harry Potter Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - A9

• December 12: Level Up Showcase - 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM

• December 18: Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) After-School Club - 3:30-4:30 - Aux. Gym

• December 18: Weightlifting Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Gym weight room

• December 19: Project Lit during lunches - Library

• December 19:Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• December 19: Harry Potter Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - A9

• December 23 - January 3: No School (Winter Break)

Email: Tripp.DiNicola@lcps.org

Website: https://www.lcps.org/jlsms
Location: J. Lupton Simpson Middle School, Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, VA, USA
Phone: 5712522840

Instagram: @jlsimpsonms_official_ jl