The Mustang Messenger

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Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!

Every week that we experience at JLS seems to make the year even more bright...and this last one was no exception!

• Monty's Café : Thank you to our PTO for the October edition of Monty's Café, which produced a sell-out of hot chocolate and doughnuts rather rapidly as it took place on our Fall Bus Evacuation Day! Truly a wonderful morning...and we appreciate all of our family volunteers for making it a success again!
• National Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week, sponsored by our student-led Latino Student Association, was a hit among students and staff with the highlight being the celebration of each individual's own heritage by wearing colors that represent their nationalities. We appreciate the ongoing leadership of Anthony Turcios Gonzalez, Marcelo Pertusatti, Angela Quiroa Aviles, Antonia Filipa, and Vanessa Sanchez Rodriguez for performing the morning announcements over the past month.
• Fist-Bump Friday, Round #2 was another hit for us on Friday, October 11...and it's funny how students are now looking for us to be there to give them that morning boost into a great day and a brilliant weekend. It helps us all as Mustang Professionals too, trust us! ✋
• After School Clubs and Organizations are off to a record start with student participation, including Intramural Flag Football, Latino Student Association, Harry Potter Club, Student Council Association, Principal Student Advisory Committee, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, PROPEL Level Up!, and Select Choir, just to name a few! Mad Scientist Club starts this week...and we have a Good morning, Mustangs! News Crew interest session set for Thursday, October 17 as well with Mr. Thompson as our sponsor! Stay tuned for more clubs and organizations heading your way...and remember that students can submit an interest in starting a club/organization by filling out this form!
• National German Week was a blast with hundreds of students participating in our trivia contest sponsored by Dr. Nunes in conjunction with her German classes at Loudoun County HS. Our German students are off to visit the German embassy on Tuesday morning, which is sehr gut, ja!
• Classroom activities created by our gifted Mustang Professionals were just as fun to visit this week in all departments, as always! Archeology took the forefront in Grade 6 Social Sciences and Global Studies classes accompanied by our very own Marnie Scassa leading the way as a guest speaker due to her experience as an archeologist herself! Ms. Storke engaged her students in producing skimmer cars and analyzing elements of motion, velocity, and traction down our art hallways...and new artwork created by our Mustangs started to appear in showcases and on the walls. Ms. Yorkshire and Ms. Denno (our new library assistant) have a Reading Rodeo initiative about to come our way to boost joy, creativity, and interest in reading among all Mustangs, including staff, so stay tuned for more info soon on this awesome endeavor!
• As always, check out some of the photos below for celebrations of these events in our Staff and Student Highlights portion of our newsletter!
• Friday, October 18 is Transportation / Bus Driver Appreciation Day! We have special t-shirts, Crumbl Cookies, and other surprises helmed by our SCA and other student groups in honor of our incredible bus drivers, all of whom manage a moving classroom of Mustangs to arrive safely at Simpson and at home daily. Please take some time to thank our bus drivers for their dynamic dedication to our Mustang family each and every day!

DON'T FORGET...We need your lively dedication and preparation as we head into our most vibrant spirit week ever...so that we can WIN the LCPS Spirit Day competition among all 100 schools! 🥳

SPIRIT DAYS THIS WEEK!

We have A LOT of VERY important and enjoyable SCHOOL SPIRIT days this week...and we would love to see 1000000% participation to the best of our ability!

• 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!

The End of the Quarter: Tuesday, October 29, 2024

As we approach the final two weeks and two days of the first quarter of 2024-2025, please take some time to sit with your Mustang and review through Schoology and StudentVue / ParentVue to ensure that all assignments are completed. If your Mustang has any questions for staff, please ask them to e-mail their teachers or talk with them this week...as always, we will be here to support to the maximum of level of engagement!

It's time for me to go outside for my Sunday run with Ollie...So much encouragig sunlight illuminating our forthcoming days as a Mustang family, both literally and figuratively!

Please do take care of yourselves and one another, and remember to focus on kindness as it is an easy pathway for us all to follow.

We wish you a terrific Sunday evening and great Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday as it is a staff and student holiday! We cherish you all being a part of our #mustangfamilyforever!

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

Principal

JL Simpson Middle School

Monday, October 14 - No School - Holiday (Indigenous Peoples Day)

Tuesday, October 15- B-Day - FLEX DAY: B5

• 6th Grade Author Visit - Sydney Dunlap - Postponed to January/February 2025
• German Class Field Trip to German Embassy with Dr. Nunes - 10:30 AM - 3:30 PM
• PTO Meeting - 5:00 PM - JLS Library/Media Center
• JLS Parents as Educational Partnerships (PEP) - 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Douglass Community Ctr.
  

Wednesday, October 16 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: A5

• Spirit Day! Wear ORANGE for Unity Day
• Academies of Loudoun 2024 Fall Admission Cycle CLOSES at 12:00 PM
  

• 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 - Student Council Association (SCA) - Cafeteria - Ms. Suttie

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Mad Scientist Club - Room C4 - Ms. Song

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

Thursday, October 17 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B7

• Spirit Day! LCPS School Wide Spirit Day - Wear Simpson Colors - LOTS of Blue and Yellow!
• Simpson Yearbook Staff Application Window CLOSES!
• Monty's Tack Shop Halloween Movie Night - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Auditorium
• 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. Carpenter
• 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Select Choir Rehersals - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Strings 8 Rehersals - Auditorium - Ms. Kanakry
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Level Up - Room B16 - Ms. Keefer
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - News Crew - Room C11 - Mr. Thompson

Friday, October 18 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: A7

• Spirit Day! PINK-OUT for Breast Cancer Awareness
• Transportation Staff Appreciation Day (Thank your Bus Driver!)

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 14, 2024 - October 18, 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 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

The Simpson Yearbook is accepting applications for the following positions:

Design Staff (7th & 8th) - The Design Staff will write features, highlights, and captions to document the unique moments of our school year.

Photography Crew (6th, 7th, 8th) - The Photography Crew will document Mustang Moments during the school day and after school with high quality photographs.

Marketing Team Members (6th, 7th, 8th) - The Marketing Team will create posters, flyers and videos to advertise the yearbook.

Students interested in joining the Simpson Yearbook Staff should complete the application linked in their grade-level Schoology page. Applications are being accepted through Thursday, October 17.

The Academies of Loudoun 2024 Fall Admission Cycle opened on Monday, August 19, 2024, and will remain open until Wednesday, October 16, 2024, closing at 12:00 PM (Noon). 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

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 wear pink on Thursday, October 18 in honor of Breast Cancer Awarenss month. Pull out those pink shirts, socks, hats, shoes, beads, whatever you got and join the support!

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!

The PTO is supporting the PE department by gathering granola bars and water for every student that is running the 5k Monster Mash at the end of October. Please help us to re-fuel our Mustangs by donating an item from our wishlist found at the link here!

If you own a small business and would like to support the PTO this year, please email JLsimpsonPTO@gmail.com for our detailed tiered sponsorship letter!

Join us for our next PTO meeting on Tuesday, October 15 at 5:00 PM in the JLS Library.

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

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 participate!

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!

JLS is proud to share that we have received THIRTY-ONE SHINE -Spotlighting Heroes in Education submissions highlighting our fabulous Mustang Educators!

Our educators were nominated by our very own Mustang students for being kind, considerate, helpful, inspirational, energetic, patient, fun, encouraging, understanding, happy, loving, welcoming, engaged, supportive, good listeners, amazing teachers, connected to their students, open minded to mistakes, and for going above and beyond for their students. Many students wrote that they felt their teachers believed in them, and that made all the difference!

CONGRATULATIONS to our WORTHY THIRTY-ONE!

• Penny Barry (Art)
• German Cabezas (Spanish)
• Leslie Chisholm (Parent Liaison)
• Paige Costic (EL)
• Jennifer Dyson (Math)

• Brandon Elhai (Math)
• Chris Focer (History 6)
• Kimberly Gates
• Gabriela Gonzalez (Learning Assistant)
• Katherine Hailey (Dean 7)
• Alison Hyman (Counselor 7)

• Mikala Hawkins-Marshall (FACS)
• Jennifer Herrin (History 7)

• Becky Hronik (Science 8)
• Alexa Kanakry (Strings/Orchestra)

• Brenda Keefer (Science 7)
• Diana Lopez (Spanish)

• Jennifer Maulfair (English 7)
• Nathan McGraw (Drama)
• James Mullin (Learning Assistant)
• Jean Nibbelink (Math)
• Matthew Pazanowski (Band)
• Kimberly Poole (ICA)
• Lindsey Rice (FACS)
• Jennifer Seekford (Math)
• Michele Song (Science 6)
• Beth Suttie (Science 6)
• Heidi Terrett
• Robert Thompson (English 6)
• Sarah Wence (English 8)
• Amy Wilfong (Spectrum)

Thank you for SHINING for our Mustangs! Simpson is lucky to have you!

If you have a staff member you would like to nominate for SHINE, please complete the submission form (It’s short and easy!).

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!

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!

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 14: No School (Indigenous Peoples Day)

• October 15: German Class Field Trip with Dr. Nunes

• October 15: PTO Meeting - 5:00 PM - JLS Library

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

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

• October 16: Academies of Loudoun 2024 Fall Admission Cycle CLOSES at 12:00 PM

• 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: Spirit Day - Wear Your School Colors (Blue and Yellow)

• October 17: Last Day to Submit an Application for the Simpson Yearbook Staff

• 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 17: News Crew - 3:30 PM - 4:30 - C11

• October 17: Monty's Tack Shop Halloween Movie Night - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Auditorium

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

• October 18: Transportation Staff Appreciation Day (Thank your bus driver!)

• 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 - 4:30 PM - B16

• October 23: Empowered Girls - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - B12

• October 23: Principal Student Advisory Committee - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Art 1

• October 23: Latin Student Association (LSA) - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Cafeteria

• 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