The Mustang Messenger
2024-2025 Season
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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_
A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!
What a beautiful weekend we have witnessed these past few days!
It's been so refreshing to see signs of spring appearing in our trees that are budding green, gardens with emerging tulips, daffodils, and crocuses, among other flowers and plants, and sidewalks with local Leesburgians walking about with families, all with accompaniment by warmer temperatures! These are all such great indications that the final quarter of 2024-2025 is upon us...so let's get ready to ROCK Quarter 4 together by making it our BEST PERFORMANCE EVER academically, extracurricular-ly 😄, and as a Simpson Mustang Family!
CONGRATULATIONS to OUR GRADE 8 GUITARISTS...and ALL OF OUR VISUAL ARTISTS TOO!
Mr. Alphonso Young sent us information about our Grade 8 Guitarists earning SUPERIOR ratings form all judges on Friday, March 21 at their assessment experience! How fabulous is it that ALL OF OUR JLS MUSICIANS are so celebrated for their talents...and at the county or district level?! Way to go, outstanding JLS Guitar Gurus...and another CONGRATS to all of our JLS Musicians for beautiful progress and achievements!
Ms. Penny Barry and Ms. Victoria Meyding shared that quite a few of our Mustangs have artwork on display at Loudoun County HS...See the picture below in this week's edition! It was fun rolling around the hallways this past week seeing our artists post the new productions by our Mustangs for our Spring Art Showcase too. New pieces are gradually appearing on our walls, adding gorgeous originality and color to our spaces!
GRADE 6 BLANDY FARMS FIELD TRIP was a BLAST!
A big thank you to Michele Song, Beth Suttie, Molly Steinbach, René Pettit, Gabby Escobar, Rosmery Torres, Brent Washburn, Sam Carpenter, Sarah McIntosh, Sabrina Jeane, and Brandon Filsinger...as well as all of our Mustang family chaperones...for making our Blandy Farms Grade 6 Field Trip such a phenomenal success! Upon return from their trip, so many Grade 6 Mustangs approached me to tell me how much they thoroughly enjoyed their experience with hands-on learning via testing water samples, using microscopes to see what was alive and well at a cellular level, and subsequently applying concepts in a post-lab experience in their classrooms the next day. It's always terrific to have such valuable feedback from our Mustangs regarding their learning as it helps us to do our best work as educators!
GRADE 7 MORVEN PARK STARS and STRIPES VISIT!
Grade 7 Mustangs enjoyed another visit from Morven Park Museum on Monday and Tuesday this past week as presenters offered our students a civics lesson in their Social Sciences and Global Studies Classes called "Stars & Stripes," which explores the history of American parade flags, and also has an online exhibition of these flags called "The Stars and Stripes: Fabric of the American Spirit". Check out some photos from the event below!
LET'S BE ON TIME SWEEPS! - CONGRATS TO OUR MUSTANGS!
A resounding THANK YOU to our Mustangs for their excellence in arriving to class early or on time on Friday, March 28 as we conducted two surprise LET'S BE ON TIME! Sweeps with our Mustang Professionals' assistance!
In an effort to continually improve timeliness to class, we will have LET'S BE ON TIME! SWEEPS happening occasionally the rest of this school year and into 2025-2026 as a norm.
This means that school leaders will be posted throughout the building to identify students who are tardy to class at a particular time of day and subsequently contact their families to collaboratively discuss positive support measures accompanied by appropriate accountability dispositions to promote timeliness to class.
Being ON TIME and POWERFULLY PRESENT are both LIFE SKILLS for future success...and we appreciate your team work in making this happen! ⏰
QUARTER 3 IS COMING to AN END on THURSDAY, APRIL 3, 2025!
This is the time to empower your Mustang to show you how they are doing in their classes by looking at StudentVue and Schoology as the third quarter sees its curtains fall on Thursday, April 3! Our Mustang Professional staff, as always, have been working diligently to connect with students during FLEX, resource, and before/after school...and are always open to e-mails / conversations with students if they have any questions. Please have them reach out...and we shall be here!
MONTY'S TACK SHOP OPEN on TUESDAY, APRIL 8 and WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 at RESOURCE!
Please ask your Mustangs to check their e-mail for their Monty Bucks totals this coming Friday, April 4 as our Monty's Tack Shop will be available for them to cash them in on Tuesday, April 8 and Wednesday, April 9 during resource. Monty Bucks are awarded on the basis of HONORABLE-ENGAGED-RESPECTFUL-DETERMINED qualities via engagement at JLS...and we are seeing record numbers this year in terms of our Mustangs accumulating them! VERY AWESOME, INDEED! A big thank you to the great Laura Bolyard, Amber Lloyd, and Jen Burns for their mentorship of our Monty's Tack Shop Student Leaders as they run our entire program!
BRIDGES TRIP to GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY for a TEAM-BUILDING EXTRAVAGANZA with HARMONY MS HORNETS!
Many of our Grade 6-7-8 Mustangs will be partnering with Harmony Middle School Hornets on Tuesday, April 1 for their final collaborative event as they head to The Edge at George Mason University for an exciting team-building experiences! Kudos to Ms. McIntosh (AP at JLS) and Ms. Hepner (AP at Harmony MS) for their leadership of this great program...and we hope to see it extend into next year!
SPRING BUS EVACUATION DRILL - WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2, 2025
In compliance with Code of Virginia § 22.1-184, 8VAC20-70-110, and School Board Policy 6220 Student Safety and Discipline on Buses, school bus drivers and passengers must know the procedures for school bus evacuations.
We will be conducting our Spring Bus Evacuation Drill on Wednesday, April 2 as our Mustangs arrive to school. Students will be asked to exit the bus at the back door, carefully sit down on the edge of the bus exit, and then step out slightly to the pavement before moving 100 feet from the bus itself. We will have JLS Mustang Professionals, as always, present to assist our Mustangs in the process as we continue to promote safety and awareness with all protocols we engage with regularity at JLS and in LCPS!
SPRING END-OF-COURSE STANDARDS of LEARNING ASSESSMENTS: April and May 2025 - IT'S GAME ON TIME!
Believe it or not...we are about to head into Standards of Learning (SOL) Season for 2024-2025...and it's GAME ON! This is our theme this year as we look to partner with families to promote the greatest possible performance by our Mustangs on their SOLs for themselves individually and collectively as our teamwork lifts JL Simpson MS to the highest accreditation standards possible in the state of Virginia!
Importance of Our Mustangs Trying their BEST on the Virginia SOL Assessments
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Academic Readiness – Strong performance and progress helps ensure students are prepared for future coursework.
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High School Placement – Scores may influence placement in advanced or remedial classes to best support student learning.
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Skill Mastery – Demonstrates proficiency in key subjects like math, reading, and science.
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Confidence & Growth – Success boosts self-esteem and motivation for learning!
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School & District Performance – Results contribute to overall school ratings and resources.
Tips for Our Mustang Families to Support Student Success
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Encourage a Growth Mindset – Reinforce that effort and perseverance lead to improvement and success!
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Create a Study Routine – Set a consistent schedule for review and preparation by completing all assigned tasks in Schoology / classes, especially as we round out the year with the advent of spring!
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Stay in Touch with Teachers – Communicate regularly about progress and areas needing support!
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Ensure Proper Rest & Nutrition – Healthy sleep and meals enhance focus and performance!
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Utilize Practice Resources – Support learning with SOL practice tests and educational websites provided by our Mustang Professionals!
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Minimize Stress – Keep a positive attitude and encourage students to do their best without pressure!
We will be holding some SUPERB kickoff and finale events for SOLs as we celebrate student achievement and progress...and I am certain we will be reaching out to our Mustang families for engagement in this procotol right alongside us! Our PTO has already agreed to collaborate in our SOL GAME ON! project this year...and you are ALL always welcome to join us!
THANK YOU for being you and supporting your Mustang(s), their classmates, and our entire professional team as we are all aiming for the same result....the greatest possible experience academically, socially, and authentically in line with real-life experiences that pave the pathway to golden success in the future!
Wishing you a wonderful week and great finale to Quarter 3 ahead...and hope to see you in the car line, around the school house, or maybe even walking around Leesburg as I am all moved in...a mere three minutes and forty seconds (even with lights) from JLS! 🚦 😉
Be well and take care of yourselves!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
Month Of The Military Child
National Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Quarter 3 Grading Period Ends on Thursday
Monday, March 31 - Holiday (Eid Al Fitr) - No School
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Rehearsals - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
Tuesday, April 1 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B1
- Bridges Field Trip to GMU
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. TECH Rehearsals - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
Wednesday, April 2- A-Day - FLEX DAY: A1
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Photo Day - M6 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - 6th Grade Band Rehersal - Auditorium - Mr. Paz
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Student Council Association (SCA) - Cafe - Ms. Suttie
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Weightlifting Club - Main Gym - Mr. Dunbar
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Level Up - B16 - Ms. Keefer
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Principal Student Advisory - M6 - Dr. D, Ms. McIntosh, Mr. Dungan
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Mad Scientist Club - 4 - Ms. Song
Thursday, April 3 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B3
- End of Quarter 3 Grading Period
- School Librarian Appreciation Day
- Student Success Talks With The Superintendent (Dr. Spence) - JLS Library - 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
- After School Activities:
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Rehearsals - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Select Choir Rehearsals - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Level Up - B16 - Ms. Keefer
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Running Club - C10 - Mr. Peyton
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - History Society - B14 - Ms. Vlchek
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Sources of Strength - Ms. Hyman
Friday, April 4 - Student Holiday/Teacher Workday - No School
- Solo and Ensemble Orchestra Festival at Lunsford MS
Monday, April 7- Student Holiday/Professional Learning Day for Staff - No School
This week marks the LAST FOUR DAYS of the third 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 and assessments are completed. If your Mustang has any questions for staff, please ask them to e-mail their teachers or talk with them...as always, we will be here to support to the maximum of level of engagement!
MAP and SOL Testing is Coming Our Way!
We will be engaging collaboratively as a full Mustang Professional Team to maximize the positive approach that our students take to knock their standardized testing 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! It’s time to celebrate that learning!
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is a three-part test that measures student knowledge in reading, language usage and mathematics. The MAP measures your child's academic progress or growth.
The Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish minimum expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course in English, Mathematics, Science, History, Social Science, and other subjects.
On testing days, please ensure:
- Your student is present and on time to school (Tardy students cause disruption when entering the classroom during testing.)
- Your student brings their fully charged Chromebook to school for testing
- Your student is well rested and has eaten breakfast (Breakfast can be purchased in the cafeteria)
- Early dismissals are scheduled after testing hours when possible and not during the testing window (8:30 AM - 10:30 AM)
SCHEDULING TIME for 2025-2026 CONTINUES! HAVE YOU LOOKED AT COURSE PLANNER WITH YOUR MUSTANG?!
Please be sure to refer to the e-mail Dr. Di Nicola sent on Friday, January 31 with details surrounding our new Course Planner system that supports our Mustangs in course selections both for next season and well into the future. Our counselors have been meeting laboriously alongside their colleagues from Loudoun County HS with our Mustangs to introduce them to Course Planner and will now create individual sessions with each and every student to ensure that their course selections are in place for 2025-2026. Please remember that no Rising 6th-7th-8th course selections can be altered after Monday, April 21, 2025! Take time to focus on course scheduling now...and reach out to your Mustang's counselor should you have any questions at all:
Grade 6: Sabrina.Jeane@lcps.org
Grade 7: Alison.Hyman@lcps.org
Grade 8: Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org
Grades 6-7-8: Ana.L.Castro@lcps.org
Check out our MUSTANG MOMENTS, a weekly news magazine created by students on our GOOD MORNING, MUSTANGS! news team under the guidance of Ms. Jennifer Burns, Instructional Facilitator, Technology and Mr. Aaron Thompson, Grade 6 English Teacher and School Musical Co-Director!
Each week we shall feature a showcase of the happenings from the previous week so that you can capture all of the glory of the excellence that occurs daily at JLS!
THIS WEEK FEATURES SOME AWESOME IMAGES FROM OUR JLS MULTICULTURAL NIGHT and SO MUCH MORE!
Click the image above to enjoy!
If you have a staff member you would like to nominate for SHINE, please complete the submission form (It’s short and easy!).
Click here --> JLSMS Grade Level Academic Weekly Update - March 31, 2025 - April 4, 2025.
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.
The Young Scholars Program application is open! We encourage any student in 7th grade to consider applying for this amazing opportunity.
The Young Scholars Program is a selective, five-year pre-college scholarship program for high-achieving seventh graders who have financial need. It provides comprehensive academic and college advising, as well as financial support for school, Cooke-sponsored summer programs, internships, and other learning enrichment opportunities during high school.
To be eligible to apply, applicants must:
- Currently be in 7th grade and/or entering 8th grade in the fall of 2025.
- Earn grades of all, or mostly, As in core academic subjects since the beginning of 6th grade.
- Demonstrate unmet financial need. We will consider applicants with a family adjusted gross income up to $95,000 - particular consideration is given to candidates whose family annual gross income is below $65,000.
Click here to learn more about the program and access the application through the Cooke Foundation website. The deadline to apply is April 30, 2025. Email scholarships@jkcf.org if you have any questions!
Entry Deadline Friday, April 11
Help celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence by making history come alive, sparking a civics renaissance, and celebrating democracy! Through the work of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), the Commonwealth is commemorating the anniversary with educational activities, community and statewide events to celebrate that “Virginia’s History is America’s Story.”
VDOE has partnered with VA250 to engage students across the Commonwealth through the study of civics, history, and democracy to promote the principles of engaged and informed citizenship.
Included in this effort is our Expressions of Freedom contest – an opportunity for students to share their ideas and perspectives through artwork, videos, audio recordings, or essays in response to the question: “What does Freedom mean to you?”
The contest is open to students in Grades 3-12. Winners will have the opportunity to have their work placed in a time capsule in the restored pedestal of the statue of George Washington located in historic Trafalgar Square, London, England.
Expressions of Freedom Contest Rules and Guidelines:
- All entries must be submitted electronically using the Expressions of Freedom link by 11:59 p.m., Friday, April 11, 2025.
- All entries must be original pieces of work – the use of Artificial Intelligence is prohibited – and adhere to the following:
- Students may submit:
- An essay up to
- 250 words – Grades 3 – 5
- 500 words – Grades 6 – 8
- 1,000 words – Grades 9 - 12
- Video or Audio up to two minutes; or
- Physical artwork must be submitted digitally through high-resolution photo.
- Selected participants may be asked to provide the physical submission for display and featured in a commemorative booklet during the July 4th celebration along with other VA250 commemorative events and celebrations.
- Parental permission is required for all selected entries.
- Additional information about the competition criteria can be found on the Expressions of Freedom webpage.
Please check this section often as we continue to add new activities!
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.
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.
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...)
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!
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.
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: Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org
Grades 6-7-8 Combo: Ana.L.Castro@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
6th Grade (Interim Dean): Samuel.Carpenter@lcps.org
7th Grade: Jeremy.Fox@lcps.org
8th Grade: Brent.Washburn@lcps.org
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.
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!
This message does not reflect any update on the Academies of Loudoun (ACL) application status for those who applied for the 2025-2026 school year.
Families of all 8th-grade through 11th-grade students are receiving this note regarding a change to next year’s morning transportation schedule for ACL. This message does not reflect any update on the application status for those who applied for the 2025-2026 school year.
In order to ensure shorter commute times and better service, buses serving ACL in the mornings will change to a hub-stop model for the 2025-2026 school year. ACL morning bus (hub) stops will be located at the elementary school where students are zoned. Parents will be responsible for transporting their ACL students from their homes to their designated hub stop.
There will be no change to the afternoon bus service, which will continue to return students to their home high school where they will utilize their regular transportation to get home. This continues the practice of ensuring students can participate in activities at their home high school.
The hub-stop model is currently successfully used for other special programs (IB, HAMSci, ROTC, TJHS). LCPS has moved to a hub-stop model in order to reduce the commute time for students and provide more reliable service for special programs across the county where transportation is offered.
What will families need to do if their student attends ACL in the fall of 2025?
- Starting in July of 2025, log into ParentVue and opt-in for ACL transportation. Complete this action by mid-July to ensure your child has bus transportation in place for the first day of school.
- LCPS staff will assign hub stops and then share transportation information 10 business days prior to the first day of school.
- Morning hub stops are based on your child's Elementary Attendance Zone.
- Students/families will be responsible for getting to their designated Hub Stop no less than five (5) minutes before their bus stop time.
- Buses will transport students to ACL.
- At the end of each school day, students will be transported from ACL back to their home high school, where they will utilize their regular transportation to get home. This continues the practice of ensuring students can participate in activities at their home high school.
- For the end of the school day, pick up from Hub Stops will not be necessary.
Have questions about this new morning hub-stop bus model? Visit our Hub Stop Frequently Asked Questions or contact Transportation via Let’s Talk.
The LCPS Annual Staff, Student and Family Survey is the most extensive and influential feedback survey conducted by Loudoun County Public Schools each year. Question topics address all areas of school climate, including academic support for students, family communication, and learning environment. You should have received an email from Dr. Aaron Spence with a dedicated link to take the survey. Please check your spam or junk mail and contact research@lcps.org if you have not received it by February 25.
Please take this opportunity to make your voice heard by March 21. School administrators depend on the results as they develop goals for their school improvement plan. The data is also used at the division-level to track overall trends and monitor outcomes prioritized in the One LCPS: 2027 Strategic Plan for Excellence. Representation from all perspectives is crucial to inform the decisions being made across the school division.
Students in grades 3-5 and 9-12 will receive the survey in school, at a time selected by the school principal. Middle school students do not need to take the survey because they took the Virginia School Climate Survey earlier this year.
Contact research@lcps.org with questions about the survey.
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:
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 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!
We Have Added Several End-of-Year Event Dates - Take A Look!
Quarter 3 - Thursday, January 30, 2025 - Thursday, April 3 2025
Dates to Remember + More!
Be sure to check here often as we will continue to add dates and events as they become available.
March 31: No School - Holiday (Eid al Fitr)
April 3: School Librarian Appreciation Day
April 3: Student Success Talks with the Superintendent at JLS - 4:00 PM
April 3: End of Quarter 3 Grading Period
April 4: Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day)
April 7: Student Holiday (Teacher Work Day)
April 9: Grade 8 Visit to LCHS (Rising Freshman Event) - 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM
April 9: PURPLE Up Day - Wear Purple for the Military Child
April 10: Intramural Soccer Team Creation Meeting During Advisory
April 11: Grade 7 Field Trip to The Virginia War Memorial & Holocaust Museum, Richmond
April 14 - April 18: Spring Break Week (No School)
April 22: Happy Earth Day!
April 23: MAP Testing for Reading (Grades 6 & 7), IRL SOL Testing (Grade 8)
April 24 - 25: ACDA Virginia Honors Choir
April 28: Bring Your Parent To School Day
April 30: MAP Testing for Math
May 1 - May 3: Beetlejuice Jr. Spring Musical Production Weekend
May 5 - May 9: Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6: Quarter 4 Interims (halfway point of the Q4 grading period)
May 9: 8th Grade Music in the Park Performance at Hershey Park
May 10: PTO Mustang Gallop 5k Fundraiser
May 12: National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Induction Ceremony
May 19: National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) Induction Ceremony
May 20: JLSMS Choirs Spring Concert at LCHS
May 21: 6th Grade Gold/Blue Band Spring Concert at JLS
May 22: 6th Grade Gold/Blue Orchestra Spring Concert at JLS
May 23: SCA Spring Dance
May 26: Holiday (Memorial Day)
May 27: JLS Select Choir Performs at the LCPS School Board Meeting
May 28: 7th & 8th Grade Band and Jazz Band Spring Concert at JLS
May 29: 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Spring Concert at JLS
June 9: 6th Grade End of Year Awards Ceremony
June 9: Empowered Girls Visit Longwood University
June 10: 8th Grade End of Year Field Trip to Hershey Park
June 10: STEAM Day at JLS
June 11: 7th Grade End of Year Awards Ceremony
June 12: 8th Grade End of Year Awards Ceremony
June 13: Last Day of School and End of Quarter 4 Grading Period
