The Mustang Messenger

This Mustang Messenger edition shall cover Monday, November 18 - Friday, November 29, 2024 as we have our Thanksgiving Recess approaching next week. 😃

• 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!

In addition to seeing so many of you in our morning and afternoon student drop-off car lines and stopping by to support your Mustangs, we had a blast welcoming so many of you to JL Simpson Middle School this past week for two fabulous major events!

First and foremost, we wish to express supreme gratitude to all of the veterans in our community, both those who were able to attend our Veterans Day Celebration on Monday, November 11, 2024 and those who were committed elsewhere for the day. While we thank you forever for your service historically and potentially even now or into the future, we ultimately know that your stories, experiences, and the immense lessons that we can learn from you matter the most to us all. Therefore, we are very grateful for the opportunities to connect with you as an audience while hearing your impactful stories as our student leaders performed interviews just as much as we loved the chance to speak with you one to one.

• Brandon Filsinger and Lisa Hamilton, thank you so very much for helming our celebration yet again with such creative dedication and care!
• Vickie Doyle, Stephanie Dewan, Laura Ridings, and Molly Steinbach, we appreciate your teamwork in making our reception and stage decor so brilliant and well received!
• Matthew Pazanowski, Holly Hoey-Johnson, Penny Barry, and Vicki Meyding-Curtis, thank you for showcasing the talents of our musical and visual Mustang artists throughout our program!
• Griffin Vogel, what an outstanding job on our program cover! You are so very talented!
• Kevin Coello, you did a great job reading Cheryl Dyson's "Veterans Day" poem to commence our event! We appreciate you!
• Jordyn Pickett, Michael Gildersleeve, and Siyana Ali, you were so poised and professional with your interviews of the illustrious Mr. Jim Roberts, PO3, USN, Mr. Matthew Kauffman, 1st LT, USMC, and Mr. Duane Snow, Col, USAF respectively...thank you all for your excellence!
• Thank you to all of our Mustangs and Mustang Professionals (as well as quite a few Mustang Families) for wearing RED, WHITE, and BLUE as part of our spirit day initiative!

Check out more details and images regarding this spectacular experience below, courtesy of Ms. Kimberly Poole and others!

We also enjoyed seeing so many of our families at our Bring Your Parent To School Day (Fall Edition - A Day) on Thursday, November 14! We hope that you had a terrific time visiting our classrooms, connecting with our Mustang Professional Staff, and being super proud of the ongoing achievements of our Mustangs themselves as they weave their way through the middle school experience in such diverse, original ways! Our next Bring Your Parent To School Day (Spring Edition - B Day) is on Monday, February 10, 2025, so please mark your calendars now!

American Education Week emerges from Monday, November 18 through Friday, November 22...and JLS will be celebrating it in a big way!

• Special trivia questions will be introduced by student volunteers throughout the week!
• Student-centered experiences in the classroom shall be highlighted by our Mustang Professionals in the Mustang Messenger and in social media posts on Instagram (@jlsimpsonms_official_) as well as X (@JLSMS_Official)!
• We will be specifically honoring our Teaching Assistants and Substitute Educators rather awesomely, if you ask me, several times throughout the week! 😁
• Our JL Simpson Middle School 50th Anniversary occurs throughout the 2025-2026 season, but we are starting early with some fun images and historical information that shall begin to pop up around the school and in a variety of modes...so let's be excited about this fabulous celebration for two consecutive years in a row!

This week also holds our Grade 6, 7, and 8 Quarter 1 Honor Roll Celebrations, for which all invitees shall receive information today as well as a terrific Family Trivia Night sponsored by our Monty's Tack Shop Minions on Thursday, November 21 from 6 PM - 8 PM!

Our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) brought Monty's Café back to JLS on Tuesday, November 12, very kindly offering scrumptious hot chocolate and a host of delicious treats to all...and we greatly appreciate the donations to JLS as part of our Mustangs' purchases!

Speaking of our PTO, they have their next meeting on Tuesday, November 19 at 5 PM in the JLS Library/Media Center...on the same day that they are holding an all-day fundraiser at Wendy's on 404 E. Market Street in Leesburg, VA from 6:30 AM - 11:00 PM! Please stop by to grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner and mention Simpson so that we gain 20% of our proceeds in support of our Beetlejuice, Jr. spring musical! They also have a Holiday Spirit Wear Store open through Sunday, November 24 and a family BINGO NIGHT coming up on Wednesday, December 4, so check out those headlines and details below!

Finally, JL Simpson Middle School hopes that our community considers participating via donations to our Merry Mustangs program, the details for which can be seen by scrolling down this newsletter as well as below:

Merry Mustangs is a program that strives to support the needs of students and their families at Simpson Middle School. We are collecting donations to provide families with retail gift cards for the holiday season.

There are 2 ways you can contribute to Merry Mustangs:

• You can purchase and donate gift cards in any denomination. Ideas for store gift cards include Target, Walmart, Kohls, Marshalls, and Ross. Donations can be dropped off at the Simpson front office Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. We will be collecting gift cards through Monday, December 9th. Please use this link to sign up for gift card donations.

• You can make a monetary donation (any amount) that will be used to purchase various gift cards. Monetary donations can be made here through School Cash Online.

As always, please remember to spend some time connecting with your Mustangs about their academic and extracurricular experiences/opportunities at JLS by talking with them about their classes via our weekly Grade-Level Academic Updates posted below, perhaps asking them to show your their Schoology / StudentVue accounts if you would like to review their progress.

Please also encourage them to touch base with our Mustang Professional Staff about opportunities to enrich and improve their daily experiences at our beautiful school...because we can always make it happen! We shall continue to do the same from our end whenever we see open doors for opportunities for each and every one of our Mustangs as we want their worlds to be bright now and forever as they gradually extend in to their future pathways as the years pass by.

Wishing you a wonderful Sunday night and monumentally excellent week ahead! Hope to see you back at JLS this week or very soon!

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

Principal

JL Simpson Middle School

American Education Week

National Writers Month

Monday, November 18 - A-Day FLEX DAY: A5

• LCHS Fall Sports Teams Visit 8th Grade Students - 10:00 AM

Tuesday, November 19 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B5

• PTO Spirit Day at Wendy's - 6:30 AM - 11:30 PM
• PTO Meeting - 5:00 PM - Library

Wednesday, November 20 - A-Day: FLEX DAY: ADVISORY

• National Education Support Professionals Day
• 8th Grade Honor Roll Celebration for Q1 24-25 (invitation only) - 8:30 AM - Auditorium

• 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 - Level Up - B16 - Ms. Keefer

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Weightlifting Club - Gym - Mr. Dunbar

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Empowered Girls - B12 - Ms. Herrin

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

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Student Council Association (SCA) - C8 - Ms. Suttie

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - JLS Prinicpal Student Advisory Committee - Art 1

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - BeetleJuice Jr. Auditions - Ms. Hoey-Johnson

Thursday, November 21 - B-Day: FLEX DAY: ADVISORY

• 7th Grade Honor Roll Celebration for Q1 24-25 (invitation only) - 8:30 AM - Auditorium
• After School Activities
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Harry Potter Club - A9 - Ms. Wence
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Intramural Volleyball - Gym - Mr. Carpenter
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Running Club - C10 - Mr. Peyton
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Level Up - Room B16 - Ms. Keefer
• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - French Club Interest Meeting - D4 - Ms. Minnick

Friday, November 22 - A-Day: FLEX DAY: ADVISORY

• Substitute Educators Day
• 6th Grade Honor Roll Celebration for Q1 24-25 (invitation only) - 8:30 AM - Auditorium
• Project Lit Book Club - All Lunches - Library

Monday, November 25 - B Day: FLEX DAY: B7

Monty’s Tack Shop Open!

After School Activities:

• 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - Choir 6 Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - Auditorium

Tuesday, November 26 - A Day: FLEX DAY: A7

Monty’s Tack Shop Open!

• 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM - BLOOM Event in M6, Art, Cafeteria, and Auditorium
• 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM - November HERD Awards announced at all lunch shifts

Upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday - No School on Wednesday, November 27 - Friday, November 29

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 - November 18 - November 22, 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.

Thank you to our Veterans and their families for taking part in our Veterans Day Celebration.

Are you on active duty in the uniformed services or working on federally-owned property located in VA? Please complete the Federal Impact Aid survey via ParentVUE.

We need to hear from our families!

It’s that time of year again when we ask families to fill out the Impact Aid Survey. The Federal Impact Aid Program is designed to assist school divisions that enroll federally-connected students. The funds from this program directly impact the LCPS general operating budget.

On Monday, November 4, a communication from the division was emailed out asking all families to fill out the Impact Aid survey in ParentVUE. The Impact Aid Survey must be completed for all active LCPS students. Note: If both parents reside at the same address, then only one parent will need to complete the Impact Aid Survey. That parent will complete it for both parents.

ParentVUE Questions

If there are any questions, please contact ParentVUE support staff at the school of any of your students or email us with your name, your student name, your contact information and the questions you have at ParentVUE Support.

Impact Aid Questions

If you have questions or need more information regarding this Federal Impact Aid survey, please contact our Accounting staff at ImpactAid@lcps.org or 571-252-1220.

Please complete the survey by Friday, November 22.

Merry Mustangs is a program that strives to support the needs of students and their families at Simpson Middle School. We are collecting donations to provide families with retail gift cards for the holiday season. During this Season of Giving, please consider donating to the Merry Mustangs Program.

There are 2 ways you can contribute:

• You can purchase and donate gift cards in any denomination. Ideas for store gift cards include Target, Walmart, Kohls, Marshalls, and Ross. Donations can be dropped off at the Simpson front office Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. We will be collecting gift cards through Monday, December 9th. Please use this link to sign up for gift card donations.

• You can make a monetary donation (any amount) that will be used to purchase various gift cards. Monetary donations can be made here through School Cash Online.

JL Simpson is proud to announce our Spring Musical - BEETLEJUICE, JR.!

The next set of auditions will take place on Wednesday, November 20 from 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM.

Additional information about the character roles, and the link to sign up for auditions can be found in the grade level Schoology pages.

For questions about the spring musical, please contact Holly Hoey-Johnson at:

Holly.Hoey@lcps.org

The Spirit Wear Store is now open just in time for the holidays!

The spirit wear store will close at midnight on Sunday, November 24th.

Distribution of spirit wear will begin after December 12th.

Check out the JLS Spirit Wear Store at the link below:

https://jlsimpson.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Come out and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner (or all three!) at Wendy's!

All proceeds from our Wendy's Spirit Night will support our spring musical production of

Beetlejuice, Jr.!

Be sure to mention Simpson when placing your order!

Our annual PTO Bingo Night will be Wednesday, December 4th. Doors open at 6:00 PM, the first game will be called at 6:30 PM.

We will have Little Caesar's Pizza and Krispy Kreme donuts for preorder coming soon. Come eat dinner, play some Bingo and win some prizes!

The SCA will be auctioning off baskets to help support some of their initiatives this year. You can help them create their baskets here. https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3N7ZUV0LQL6T0?ref_=wl_share

Project Lit is a book club for teachers and students who come together and read culturally important books, while encouraging the love of reading. Each month, participants will read a book at their own speed and meet in the library during lunch to discuss the book.

Please use the link below to view the informational slide deck on Project Lit, which includes a brief synopsis on upcoming books we will be reading.

Here is a link

If you have additional questions, please contact our Librarian

Devon.Yorkshire@lcps.org

Congratulations to Simpson's own Maggie Darby for being named VHSL Field Hockey COACH OF THE YEAR - CATOCTIN DISTRICT!

Mrs. Darby and her varsity Captains clinched the Catoctin District 4C Title!

Way to go, amazing Mrs. Darby! More great news for our JLS MUSTANG Community! So proud of your leadership!

Join the four-time National Championship Winning LCHS Marching Band Winter Guard!

Interested students should see Mr. Focer for additional information.

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.

The upcoming dates for Intramural Volleyball are as follows:

Game Play - November 21 – 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM - JLS Gym

Game Play - December 5 – 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM - JLS Gym

Game Play - December 12 – 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM - JLS Gym

Game Play - January 9 – 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM - JLS Gym

Game Play - January 16 – 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM - JLS Gym

LCPS Tournament - January 25 - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Heritage HS

After school activities run generally from 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM with our LCPS Transportation team citing that our two activity buses will arrive by 5:00 - 5:05 PM.

We acknowledge that on a few occasions recently that our activity buses have arrived later than the above time frame. Please know that JLS School Leadership is working closely with members of LCPS Transportation to improve activity bus arrival time to support our students themselves arriving home in a timely fashion.

Parents/families who are waiting to pick up their Mustangs from after-school activities are encouraged to park in our large staff/guest parking lot adjacent to our school in lieu of lining up in a car line format.

We also are working very closely with LCPS Transportation to improve the arrival of a few of our AM buses to Simpson so that our students are comfortably in their classrooms by the 8:30 AM tardy bell.

If you have any questions/concerns with your Mustang's LCPS transportation to JLS, please feel free to contact the LCPS Transportation team by using the LET'S TALK! option seen at the right of the page at this website. (See image below...)

Emails from school(s) and the division may look a little different. Learn what’s changed:

• School-wide email communications will now be coming from a no-reply email address. For example, a school-wide email from your principal or attendance admin will come from an email address that looks something like this “schoolabbreviation.noreply@lcps.org.” A division-wide email will come from “donotreply@lcps.org.” Please consult the email message for contact information or reach out to your school. You can also contact the Division via Let’s Talk.
• Opting out of school or division emails and phone calls is no longer a feature in this new system. If families or staff opted out of receiving a type of mass communication (email, text/SMS and/or phone) in the past, that opt-out did not carry over into the new system.
• Families and staff can still opt out of text/SMS messages via their phone, and weather-related notifications via ParentVUE.
• Families should begin (if they haven’t already) receiving messages in their primary language based on what they indicated in ParentVUE during Online Verification or registration. To update this information, please login to ParentVUE and click on My Account in the top right-hand corner of the screen. Under the Account Detail and Options, you will see a drop-down option for “Primary Language.” Select your language from there.

Thank you for your support!

Department of Communications and Community Engagement
Loudoun County Public Schools

We are a week away from our first virtual session, the Brainstorming Workshop.

We know there are some students who want to participate but are struggling with finding a topic, this workshop is for them. The Brainstorming Workshop will be give students brainstorming activities, strategies and tools to help develop an idea into a project.

The first session will take place on Thursday, November 14th at 7pm. Students do not need to be registered for the competition to attend. Please send the attached flyer to you students, parents and teachers.

To register for this workshop, Interested students can simply email their name, grade and school name to: StepUp@LoudounYouth.Org to receive the Zoom link for the workshop.

If you have any questions about SULYC or Loudoun Youth, Inc., please reach out to me at swolfson@loudounyouth.org

The Step Up Loudoun Youth Competition presents middle and high school students an opportunity to identify an issue in their communities and implement a solution as they contribute to the world around them. The goal is to encourage, support, and reward the youth of Loudoun County for making positive changes in their own lives and the lives of others.

In the past few years, we have seen projects delve deep based on things already being done in school as part of Project Based Learning and Personalized Learning methods. These provide the perfect place for students to make their project work public by explaining, displaying and presenting it to people beyond the classroom. As in the past, students will create a five (5)-minute team video due on March 5, 2025, and then the top 20 teams will present live to judges at the LCPS Admin. building on March 26, 2025. The Finals and Awards Ceremony will be on April 3, 2025, where the top teams will be invited to present for cash prizes.

Use this link to check out top projects from previous years:

https://youtu.be/7_JjCB6vJqA

Use this link for additional information and registration. Registration Closes January 15, 2025.

https://www.loudounyouth.org/programs/step-up/

Mark Your Calendar for the Curriculum and Extracurricular Fair Nights for our Rising 6th, 7th and 8th grade families!

Join us to learn about the academic programs, extracurricular opportunities, and student leadership initiatives available at JLS!

Rising 7th and 8th Grade Families - Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Rising 6th Grade Families - Wednesday, February 12, 2025 - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

We are busy preparing for our future Mustangs!

If you have a current 5th grade student headed to Simpson next August, be sure to mark your calendar for the JLS Instrument Test Drive!

6th graders for the 2025-2026 school year are invited to come to Simpson on either Tuesday, January 21 or Wednesday, February 5, 2025 to try out Band and String instruments! You will have have the opportunity to meet Mr. Paz (Band teacher) and Ms. Kanakry (Strings teacher), and talk with current Band and String members to help you in making a decision on your musical instrument for 6th grade.

We can't wait to see our future Mustangs!

Student Success Talks with Dr. Spence will begin in November and run through May. Each election district will host one event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on its scheduled day. Families and staff are encouraged to attend the Talk in their district.

Student Success Talks are family engagement meetings that are all about open communication, sharing useful tips, and giving families practical advice to help their kids succeed. Each session will cover important topics related to students' academic, social, and emotional well-being. The goal is to create a space where families, staff, and the Superintendent can share ideas and resources together.

The Student Success Talk will take place at JL Simpson Middle School on Thursday, April 3, 2025.

6th GRADE FAMILIES,

Prior to starting 7th grade, all students are required to receive two immunizations: Tdap and MenACWY. Over the next 10 months, if your child has a doctor's visit and receives these immunizations, please email a copy to Nurse Pettit at Rene.Pettit@LCPS.org so that she can update your child's school records.

Use this link to view the Virginia Department of Health School and Day Care Minimum Immunization Requirements.

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 SHINE -Spotlighting Heroes in Education submissions highlighting a very special teacher!

Blanca Krauser (English 6): "When Mrs. Krauser is teaching, she goes above and beyond and really explains the lesson. It takes extra time for her to do that for us."

CONGRATULATIONS, 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 (Interim Dean): Noah.Rogers@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!

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!

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.

• November 18: LCHS Fall Sports Teams Visit 8th Grade During Flex - Auditorium

• November 19: PTO Spirit Day at Wendys - 6:30 AM - 11:30 PM

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

• November 20: National Education Support Professionals Day

• 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: Mad Scientist Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - C8 - Ms. Suttie/Ms. Weddle

• 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 14: Beetlejuice Jr. Auditions - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM

• 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: French Club Interest Meeting - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - D4

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

• November 21: Running Club - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - C10

• 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 26: Purple Out Spirit Day in Support of Epilepsy Awareness Month

• 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: Mad Scientist Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - C8 - Ms. Suttie/Ms. Weddle

• 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 4: PTA BINGO Night - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Cafeteria

• 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: PTO Spirit Night @ Panera - 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM

• 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: Mad Scientist Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - C8 - Ms. Suttie/Ms. Weddle

• 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: Mad Scientist Club - 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - C8 - Ms. Suttie/Ms. Weddle

• 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)