The Mustang Messenger
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Sunday, April 14, 2024
Traducción en Español
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A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!
We hope that you are loving this gorgeous Sunday weather as we look forward to a sunny, beautiful week at JL Simpson Middle School, the second of the final quarter of SY 2023-2024!
Month of the Military Child Spirit Days Go On!
Month of the Military Child Spirit Days continue into this coming week after a great level of participation by our student and staff Mustangs so far! Thank you to our Mustang Sources of Strength student leadership team for generating this celebration!
Monday, April 15: Wear BLACK for the Space Force
Tuesday, April 16: Wear RED, WHITE, and BLUE for the Coast Guard
Wednesday, April 17: Wear PURPLE for Military Kids!
Arab-American Heritage Unity Day - Friday, April 19
On Friday, April 19 we have another spirit day of wonderful colors in honor of Arab-American Heritage Unity Day! We can wear RED, WHITE, GREEN, and/or BLACK or the flag of an Arabic Country as part of this celebration! Let's all participate!
Monty's Cafe Returns to JLS...with LEMONADE!
Our Mustangs can once again enjoy a sweet treat from our terrific PTO-sponsored Monty's Cafe on Wednesday, April 17 from 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM in the cafeteria...and in the form of spring-time lemonade this time! What a refreshing way to start off the morning!
Crosstown Volleyball Game vs. Smart's Mill Middle School on Tuesday, May 7, 2024
We are seeking the participation of Grade 6, 7, and 8 Mustangs on our grade-level volleyball teams as we look forward to a crosstown Volleyball Game against the Smart's Mill Mavericks on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Tuscarora HS from 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM! Check out the slide below for more information...and we hope to see you there as part of our ongoing school spirit activities as we target the end of the year finish line with enthusiasm!
End of Year Field Trip Sign-Ups: Watch for Special Editions of the Mustang Messenger This Week!
Look out for special editions of the Mustang Messenger early this week focused on our forthcoming Grade-Level Field Trips to Kings Dominion (Grade 6), Hershey Park (Grade 7), and Busch Gardens (Grade 8). We will be seeking parent chaperones as part of these experiences as well!
SOLs Are Coming Our Way!
SOLs are coming our way…and we will be engaging collaboratively as a full Mustang Professional Team to maximize the positive approach that our students take to knock them out of the park as we have all worked diligently both as a staff and as a family to support our Mustangs in growing in their learning journey throughout SY 2023-2024! It’s time to celebrate that learning!
All in VA Tutoring Has Been Happening Since October 2023!: In addition to the ongoing instructional activities linked to literacy and computation skills that have been occurring across curricula in our classrooms this year, our Instructional Facilitators (Laura Bolyard, Melinda Maloney, Jennifer Burns, Angela Fraser, and Sheila Steen, to name a few), our Mathematics Interventionist (Shelly Graves) and our English Interventionist (Laura Zambrano) have been focusing on supporting our students to promote their growth in standards linked to English: Reading and Mathematics since the first quarter. We also have been recently joined by University Instructors tutors Bryan Wadursky and Brenton Figures Mormon who are supporting in classrooms alongside our educational professionals.
Loudoun County HS and Heritage HS National Honor Society members are expanding tutoring this month and into next year in a host of subject areas via submissions from Mustangs, their families, and our teachers via our new JL Simpson Middle School Tutoring Program Support Services Request Form.
We will be sending you a great Test Taking Tips resource for you as families to support your Mustang throughout the SOL Testing Window...stay tuned for a special edition of the Mustang Messenger focused entirely on SOLs!
Our Instructional Council is collaborating with student leaders to generate motivational concepts towards tackling SOLs this spring with a host of different activities/opportunities in which we can all participate as a team!
Advisory time in the coming weeks will be dominated by SOL Prep Activities across grade levels in which we all are participating to prepare for our forthcoming state assessments.
In summary, we will all be working together to keep the finish line in view…because this is the time to continue to celebrate our progress as Mustangs and shine through June 14! We. Can. Do. This. 🐴 ✋
Thank you, as always, for being such fabulously kind supporters of Simpson as it is home to your Mustang and you as a family member every day. I shall look forward to seeing you all in the car line or at one of our great events in the coming days! Now I'm off to enjoy the sun a bit with my puppy Ollie for a healthy walk...and believe me, he definitely knows how to walk quickly to keep me in shape!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
Spring End of Course Standards of Learning Assessment Calendar
This Week at JL Simpson Middle School
Mary Poppins Jr Tickets on Sale Now! (See info below to purchase!)
April 15-19 - Happening All Week:
- Military Child Month Celebration (see spirit days below)
Monday, April 15 - A Day
- Wear Black for the Space Force - Military Child Month Celebration
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Jazz Band Rehearsal - Ms. Paquette - Band Room
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Mary Poppins, Jr. Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - M4
Tuesday, April 16 - B Day
- Wear RED, WHITE and BLUE for the Coast Guard - Military Child Month Celebration
Wednesday, April 17 - A Day
- Wear PURPLE for Purple Up for Military Kids
- 8:00 AM - 8:25 AM - Monty's Cafe Open @front entrance
- 9:15 AM - 11:45 AM - Rising 9th Graders Visit Heritage HS
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes - AUX Gym - Ms. O'Hara
- Level Up - Ms. Keefer - B16
- Weight Lifting Club - Mr. Dunbar
- Select Choir - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - Choir Room
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Mary Poppins, Jr. Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - M4
Thursday, April 18- B Day
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Opportunity Time - M6
- Select Choir Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey Johnson - M4
- Level Up - Ms. Keefer - B16
- SCA Meeting - Ms. Suttie / Ms. Herrin - C8
- Running Club - Dr. D, Mr. Peyton, Mr. Dungan - Main Office Vestibule
- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM: JLS PTO Meeting - Library/Media Center
Friday, April 19 - A Day
Wear RED, GREEN, WHITE, and/or BLACK or the flag of an Arabic country in celebration of Arab-American Heritage Unity Day!
Month of the Military Child - Let's Continue to Celebrate This Week!
Arab-American Heritage Month Unity Day on Friday, April 19!
PTO's Monty's Cafe Returns with Lemonade! - Wednesday, April 17 - 8 AM - 8:25 AM
Crosstown Volleyball Vs. Smart's Mill MS - Tuesday, May 7, 2024
Encourage your Mustang to participate in our Crosstown Volleyball Game vs. Smart's Mill MS on Tuesday, May 7 at Tuscarora HS from 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM! They can sign up below using the link or the Q/R code!
JLS Grade-Level Academic Weekly Update - April 15-19, 2024
Click here --> JLSMS Grade Level Academic Weekly Update - April 15-19, 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.
A Special Message from Ms. Beth Paquette, Band Director at JLS Since 1984
Dear Students, Parents, and Colleagues,
After 40 incredible years of teaching music here at JL Simpson MS and Loudoun County HS, I want to share that I will retire at the end of the current school year.
These past four decades have been filled with countless unforgettable moments, from our first squeaky notes to our most triumphant performances. It has been an honor and a privilege to watch each and every one of you grow not only as musicians but also as individuals. Your dedication, passion, and talent have inspired me each and every day, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of your musical journey.
As I reflect on the memories we've shared, I am filled with gratitude for the unwavering support of the school administration, my fellow educators, and of course, the incredible parents who have entrusted me with their children's musical education. Together, we have created a community bound by a love for music and a commitment to excellence.
While I am sad to say goodbye to this chapter of my life, I am also excited for the next chapter that awaits me. Retirement will provide me with the opportunity to spend more time with my family and to pursue personal interests.
I want to express my deepest thanks to each and every one of you for your dedication, passion, and friendship over the years. You have made my time here in Leesburg truly unforgettable, and I will cherish the memories we've created together forever.
As I embark on this new journey, please know that I will carry each of you with me in my heart always. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your lives.
With warmest regards,
Beth Paquette
Band Director
JL Simpson MS
A Note from Dr. Di Nicola:
We will be celebrating the outstanding Ms. Paquette in many ways as we close out the current school year, so please do stay tuned for more information. In the meantime, please do take a few moments to check out her historic timeline and grand accomplishments here in Loudoun County Public Schools below. You will see why she is undoubtedly one of the most impactful educational professionals whom our school division will ever see!
1983 - 1984: Graduated from JMU, hired by King & Queen County to teach and direct bands at King & Queen Elementary and King & Queen Central High School.
1984 - 1994: Hired by LCPS to teach and direct bands at Loudoun County High School and JL Simpson Middle School. Ms. Paquette taught and directed the Loudoun County HS marching band, jazz band, pit band (for musicals) before and after school; and the Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Guitar Ensemble during the school day. After teaching her HS classes in the mornings, she taught two afternoon classes at JL Simpson MS.
At this time, there were only 4 high schools and 4 middle schools in LCPS. Each HS director taught 2 to 3 classes at their HS, and also taught 2 classes per day at their feeder middle school.
By 1994, the LCHS band program had grown from 100 students to 190 students, and the newly developed HS guitar program added another 60 students. The Simpson MS program had over 300 students. This necessitated making Ms. Paquette's one job into 2.5 different jobs – HS band, an additional full-time band/guitar position at Simpson MS, and a part-time guitar position at LCHS.
1994 - 1999: Ms. Paquette taught and directed 6th and 7th grade band and taught 8th grade guitar, levels 1 and 2.
1999 - 2022: Ms. Paquette taught 6th and 7th grade brass and percussion classes, 8th grade band, and directed all bands, including jazz bands.
2022 - 2024: Ms. Paquette has been the sole band director, teaching all classes and directing all bands.
Awards & Accolades:
- Twice voted LCHS Most Valuable Teacher
- Nominated for LCPS Teacher of the Year three times
- LCHS concert and marching bands and JLSMS 8th grade and jazz bands consistently rated Superior at VBODA and Music in the Parks Band Assessments/Contests.
- Numerous first place and best overall band awards at Music in the Parks Festivals.
- JLSMS students have been chosen in large numbers to district concert and jazz bands.
- JLSMS students consistently rated Superior at Solo & Ensemble Assessment.
3rd Quarter Honor Roll Celebrations Coming Up!
We will soon be celebrating our Mustangs who achieved honor roll for the 3rd grading quarter.
E-mail invitations for families of honor roll students were sent on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 6:30 PM, so please check your accounts!
The complete list of honor roll student names will be shared soon.
Celebrations will take place at 8:30 AM on the following dates:
6th Grade Honor Roll Celebration - Tuesday, April 23rd
7th Grade Honor Roll Celebration - Monday, April 22nd
8th Grade Honor Roll Celebration - Friday, April 26th
Congratulations, Danielle Sheppard and Nate Villanueva!
Danielle Sheppard and Nate Villanueva represented Simpson so well at our All-County Orchestra event last Friday and Saturday! They participated in two days of rehearsals with orchestra students from every middle school in the county and concluded the event with a wonderful concert.
Great job!
Congratulations, ALL DISTRICT BAND students!
Congratulations to the following Mustangs selected for All District Concert and Jazz Bands!
MS District Concert Band:
- Keira Bertoglio, Clarinet
- Serena Schoch, Baritone Saxophone
- Caden Halligan, French Horn
- Matthew Kirk, Percussion
MS District Jazz Band:
- Matthew Kirk, Vibraphone
- Emily Oates, Drums
- Grey Moore, 1st Alternate Trumpet.
Congratulations to our LevelUP Mustangs!
Level Up had their competition on Saturday, April 13 for Robotics and Prosthetic Limbs.
Simpson came in 2nd Overall for Prosthetic Limbs! Jaden Settipani, Logan Gilchrist, and Azarias Haileselassie won 1st for best presentation and Cole Wallace and Kevin Bradford won 1st for best fitting prosthetic!
A big shout out to Ms. Brenda Keefer for our outstanding quality mentorship of our Mustangs in LevelUP all year long!
Congratulations to our Simpson Leesburg Girls Softball and CLLL Baseball Teams!
A big congrats to our Leesburg Girls Simpson Softball Team for their season-opening win against Mercer, 18-0!
Our Central Loudoun Little League Simpson Baseball Team also won their season opener against Eagle Ridge, 11-1!
Way to go, Mustang athletes!
NEED A TUTOR? JLS Tutoring Program Support Services Request Form
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!
Heritage High School - Rising 9th Grade Events
- Future Heritage High School Students - The trip to HHS will be on Wednesday, April 17th in the morning. More information will be coming!
- Heritatge High School Rising 9th Grade Parent Night: Wednesday, April 17 @ 7:00PM. Come hear what to expect as your student transitions to Heritage. Program and Q & A presented by Heritage School Counseling.
Loudoun County High School Football Information
Join the PTO Board
The current PTO board is coming to the end of their long tenure and we are looking for new parents and teachers to step into vacant board positions.
We have one returning board member that is willing to spend next year passing along everything the board does. Without a minimum of a President, Secretary and Treasurer the PTO will have to dissolve.
There are many programs and ways that the PTO assists the school that will not continue without a board.
More information about the duties of each position can be found here.
Simpson PTO Executive Board Duties
Please email jlsimpsonPTO@gmail.com if you have any questions or are interested in serving.
PLEASE SIGN UP!: Snacks for Arab American Heritage Month
In celebration of April being National Arab American Heritage Month, we are hoping to provide traditional snacks for the staff to enjoy during their lunch. We are asking for three of each item so they can be equally split among the three houses.
Please sign up here if you can bring snacks the morning of Friday, April 26th.
PTO Meeting on Tuesday, April 16 at 6:00 PM
Our next PTO meeting is Tuesday April 16th at 6pm in the library. Anyone is welcome to join us!
Rising 6th Graders - Register Now to Attend Stampede Into Simpson!
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Student Volunteers Needed for Stampede - Open to all current Simpson students!
ATTENTION: Current Simpson Mustangs! - A LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU AND YOUR RESUME!
Are you interested in helping the rising 6th graders learn more about Simpson and feel more comfortable as they enter middle school?
Do you enjoy creating games and activities?
We would love for you to help us create content for Stampede 2024 and attend the Stampede as a mentor to our rising 6th graders.
You will need to be available to work on planning for the event after school on 4 Thursdays in April and May, and you will be required to attend the event on June 26-27.
Please fill out this form if you are interested in volunteering.
We hope to see you there, supporting our new Mustangs for 2024-2025!
Deadline for Yearbook Orders - April 20
Mark Your Calendar - Community Meet and Greet with Superintendent, Dr. Spence
Loudoun County High School will be hosting a superintendent's listening session and community meet and greet with our LCPS superintendent, Dr. Spence.
When: Thursday, April 18 - 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Where: The cafeteria at Loudoun County High School
Tickets On Sale Now! Click Below to Purchase!
Resource Opportunity for 8th Graders
SHINE! Spotlighting Heroes in Education Recognition Program
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:
We are seeking submissions for LCPS staff members at schools, central office and support locations who:
Have gone above and beyond in a situation
Have inspired others or have a heartwarming story
Are doing something unique or creative that is leading to results
In general, ANY great news!
Complete the submission form (It’s short and easy!)
The Employee Recognition office notifies the nominee as well as their supervisor of the submission
The story may be placed on the Employee Recognition webpage.
We are honored to announce that Ms. Victoria Curtis-Meyding, Mr. Derrick Jackson, and Ms. Alesha Whitmore have already been recognized by families in our community! You can find their stories on the SHINE webpage under Inspirational Stories.
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!
Makeup and Retake Photos Now Available Online
Make Up/Retake School Pictures are now viewable online. 😀
Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc
Use your student ID when prompted for the online code.
For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com
* LCPS Events and Announcements *
Summer Virtual Classes for Rising 8th and 9th Grade Students
Virtual Loudoun Online
Term 3 registration opens Monday, April 22 at 6am: https://www.lcps.org/domain/21526.
Term 3 is the summer term. P.E. classes fill up fast.
- Rising 8th and 9th grade students have the opportunity to participate in virtual learning as detailed on the VLO Middle School Information webpage.
Be ready, check out the information below before registering.
Video: “Online Learning: Is Virtual Loudoun for Me?”: Student Experience
VLO Terms: Program Calendar
FAQs, "How many virtual classes can I take?"**
Parent Coaching and Resources
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
* Community Events / Announcements *
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy - Young Birding Program
* Simpson Middle School PTO *
How do I join the Simpson Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO)?
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 nsutter@gmail.com or Sara Conner sbc070178@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!
Be Sure to Join Remind to Receive More Important Updates
Dates to Remember
Be sure to check here often as we will continue to add dates and events as they become available.
April 2024: ALL MONTH: Ongoing celebrations at JLS this month!
Arab-American History Month
National Poetry Month
Month of the Military Child
Autism Awareness Month
Earth Month
April 15 - Wear Black for Space Force
April 16 - Wear Red Whit and Blue for Coast Guard
April 17 - Wear PURPLE to celebrate the Month of the Military Child / Monty's Cafe Open at 8 AM at school main entrance / Rising 9th Grade Visits Heritage HS
April 19 - Arab American Heritage Spirit Day
April 22 - 7th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration / Mary Poppins, Jr. Elementary School Tour
April 23 - 6th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration
April 24 - Administrative Assistant Day / 8th Grade Integrated Reading & Writing SOL
April 25 - Makeup 8th Grade Integrated Reading & Writing SOL / PEP Meeting 5:20 PM
April 26 - 8th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration
May 3-5 - Mary Poppins Jr. School Musical
May 3 - Lunch Heroes Day
May 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week 2024
May 6 - Interims
May 7 - Reading SOL
May 8 - School Nurse Appreciation Day / Reading SOL Make Up
May 10 - Hershey Park Music Department Field Trip
May 13 - Civics 8 SOL
May 14 - Civics 8 SOL Makeup / PTO Meeting
May 15 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8 AM at school main entrance
May 16 - Science SOL
May 17 - Science SOL Makeup
May 21 - JLS Choir Concert @LCHS
May 22 - Math SOL / 6th Grade Orchestra Concert / 6th Grade Spring Art Exhibit
May 23 - Math SOL Makeup
May 27 - No School - Holiday - Memorial Day
May 28 - Retake Reading SOL / 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra Concert
May 29 - Science SOL Retake
May 30 - Civics 8 SOL Retake / PEP Meeting
May 31 - Math SOL Retake
June 3 - 7th & 8th Grades Jazz Band Concerts
June 5 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8 AM at school main entrance / Guitar Concert
June 6 - Grade 7 Field Trip / 6th Grade Gold and Blue Band Concert
June 10 - STEAM Day
June 11 - Grade 8 Field Trip / Grade 6 Mustang Awards Ceremony
June 12 - Grade 8 Mustang Awards Ceremony
June 13 - Grade 6 Field Trip / Grade 7 Mustang Awards Ceremony
June 14 - Last Day of School/End of Fourth Grading Period
June 26 & 27 - Rising 6th Grade Stampede Into Simpson
Follow Us On Social Media!
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLSimpsonMS2020/
X: @JLSMS_Official