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!
As always at JL Simpson Middle School, we had a terrific week of fun classroom activities, community events, and honoring our Mustangs for their achievements during second quarter.
Here are some examples of what our school leadership and other Mustang Pros witnessed as we visited classrooms recently!:
- Our 8th graders constructed horn antennas during their science classes in the Amazon ThinkBIG Space to learn how radio waves can be captured via devices of their own creation.
- Robotics students were seen building machines that could pick up objects and maneuver around pathways in hallway spaces.
- 7th graders enjoyed taking a trip around the world in their English classes recently as they performed rotations from classroom to classroom to showcase their global country projects and taste foods that represent a diverse array of cultures.
- 6th grade Social Science and Global Studies projects adorn the walls of our hallways with representations of famous explorers and interesting facts about them, providing our newest Mustangs with pathways to developing research techniques under the guidance of their fabulous educators.
- Our Family and Consumer Science classes continue to create hunger pangs for those of us walking through the hallways as they produced fresh macaroni and cheese, omelettes, pancakes, and chocolate chip cookies over the past few weeks...I may have had a few more cookies than necessary! 😁
- Beetlejuice, Jr. rehearsals are at full throttle as the cast and crew target the first weekend of May for our incredible production!
ALL STATE CHORUS: THREE MUSTANGS QUALIFY!
Out of 1300 auditionees and 32 schools represented, three of our Mustangs have made ALL STATE CHORUS for 2024-2025!
Congratulations to Emma Takemoto, Emma Nanna, and Cam Shabanowicz...as well as to all Mustangs who tried out this season! We are so very proud of our talented fine artists in all genres!
RISING 6th GRADE CURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR FAIR on WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19: A HIT!
Our Rising 6th Grade Curricular and Extracurricular Fair proved to be a grand hit as we welcomed our future Mustang families (some of whom have had previous graduates from JLS or current Mustangs) to a series of rotations where they could meet many Mustang Professionals, our school leadership and Unified Mental Health Team, as well as learn about the scheduling process, elective offerings, clubs and organizations, extracurricular opportunities, our Parent-Teacher Organization, Youth After School, Intramural Sports, core subject classes, and so much more that will help to build a successful engagement experience at Simpson. We are so proud of all of our student leaders who supported this entire endeavor, as well as the fabulous Mustang Professional Staff members, all of whom spent an additional five hours after school to ensure this event was the captivating success that it turned out to be!
SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE to MUSTANGS for THEIR LEADERSHIP, ENRICHMENT, and RESUME BUILDING!: KEEP SCROLLING BELOW THIS MESSAGE TO FIND OUT!
Take a look carefully at this week's newsletter...because there are a vast number of ways in which your Mustang and you can participate in unique opportunities to shine!
- Grade 8: Amazon ThinkBIG Space Junior Staff Member - Application is due by Friday, February 28 - Information was delivered to your families last week...and you can find the application right here in the newsletter below!
- Grades 7-8: The If I Were Mayor essay contest is back for you to participate and take a chance at winning - We had a Mustang just last year win for our region!
- Grade 7: The Jack Kent Cooke Young Scholars Program application is open! 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.
- All Grades: World Languages Week: March 3-8, 2025: Mustangs at all grade levels can join us in celebrating World Languages Week by sharing and showcasing their heritage and native language. Interested Mustangs can fill out this Google Form!
- All Mustang Families: Multicultural Night: Wednesday, March 18, 2025: JLS Families, join us on Tuesday, March 18 as we take a trip around the world to explore new cultures! If you are interested in participating in Multicultural Night and showcasing your family culture, please complete the form at this link.
We are excited to welcome our Evergreen Mill 5th Grade Pythons who shall be JL Simpson MS 6th Grade Mustangs on Friday, February 28 for their Rising 6th Grade Visit, led entirely by our Sources of Strength team! We have one more visit pending from Frederick Douglass ES 5th Grade Stars on Thursday, March 13 in the near future as well! Can't wait!
On Monday, February 24, our Bridges program will be meeting in the Amazon Think Big Space for an exciting event that will involve virtual reality, Legos, minecraft and more! We will be partnering with EL students from Harmony Middle School to build connections and experience some of the amazing technology available at Simpson. So awesome!
Finally, we were excited to welcome our Grade 6 Families back to JL Simpson MS to celebrate their Mustangs at our Quarter 2 Honor Roll assembly...and we are looking forward to seeing our Grade 8 Families tomorrow and Grade 7 Families on Tuesday, February 25 for the same purpose! This time around our Mustang honorees were provided with a special Quarter 2 Honor Roll pin and two bracelets, one for themseves reading I AM KIND OF A BIG DEAL! and one to give to a Mustang Professional who made an impact on them so far this year. All received certificates signed by yours truly and their dean...and delicious cinnamon churros in the cafeteria as a special treat. How cool is that?!
We are looking forward to another grand week ahead, Mustang Families. HERD Awards for February will be announced, our Project Lit library program continues, clubs and activities galore...so much excitement! Now, as usual, it is time for me to go out and enjoy a sunny run! What a beautiful week seems to be upon us these next five days...not only with the weather, but for experiences for all Mustangs at JLS!
Remember to be kind and to take care of yourselves and others! Enjoy the days ahead and we hope to see all of you very soon!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
Monday, February 24 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: ADVISORY (Adjusted Bell Schedule)
- Grade 8 Honor Roll Celebration for Quarter 2 - 8:30 AM in the Auditorium
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Rehearsals - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
Tuesday, February 25 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: ADVISORY (Adjusted Bell Schedule)
- Grade 7 Honor Roll Celebration for Quarter 2 - 8:30 AM in the Auditorium
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. TECH Rehearsals - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
Wednesday, February 26- A-Day - FLEX DAY: A6
- Grade 7 Science Field Trip to Washington/National Zoo (Ms. Keefer / Ms. Masiya / Ms. Costic's classes)
- After School Activities
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Beetlejuice Jr. Rehearsals - M4 - Cafe - Mr. McGraw, Mr. Thompson
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - 8th Grade Band Rehersal - Auditorium
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Latino Student Association (LSA) - D7 - Ms. Lopez
- 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 - JLS Principal Student Advisory Committee - Art 1
Thursday, February 27 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B6
- Grade 7 Science Field Trip to Washington/National Zoo (Ms. Pruden / Ms. Byard / Ms. Miller's classes)
- 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 Rehearsal - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM - 8th Grade Orchestra Rehersal - Auditorium - Ms. Kanakry
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Level Up - B16 - Ms. Keefer
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Video Game Cub - C10 - Mr. Peyton
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Harry Potter Cub - A9 - Ms. Wence
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - History Club - B14 - Ms. Vlchek
- 3:30 PM - 4:50 PM - Intramural Basketball - Gym - Mr. Carpenter
Friday, February 28 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: A8
- Rising 6th Grade School Visit - Evergreen Mill Elementary School
- Project Lit Book Club During All Lunch Shifts
- February HERD Award Winners Announced During Lunch
- Grade 8 Applications for AWS Think Big Space Junior Staff Training Program Closes
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
8th grade artists are finishing up a mural in our CTE hallway that leads from House C to the cafeteria hallway!
Our No Place for Hate initiative continues as our Mustang leaders post portions of our Mustang mane and leaves on a tree to represent student signatures!
Ms. Washburn, our Grade 8 Dean, ran into two awesome Mustangs after their basketball game this past weekend!
Some Mustangs enjoy picking out some fun prizes at our Annual Book Fair. Thank you to Ms. Yorkshire and Ms. Denno for raising more than $3,000 in sales to support JLS...and to promote reading around our entire school all year!
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!
Click the image above to enjoy!
Click here --> JLSMS Grade Level Academic Weekly Update - February 24, 2025 - February 28, 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.
AWS Think Big Space Junior Staff Training Program Opportunity for 8th Grade Students! Applications Due February 28!
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is excited to announce an incredible opportunity for 8th-grade students: AWS Think Big Space Junior Staff Training Program!
This nine-week program is designed to equip students with hands-on experience in technology operations, teamwork, and event facilitation. Participants will develop valuable skills that will enable them to assist educators, manage equipment, and represent the Think Big Space at special events.
Program Details:
📅 Duration: 9 weeks
📍 Location: AWS Think Big Space at JLS
🕒 Sessions: 1-2 sessions per week during school hours
What Students Will Learn:
🔹 3D Printing & Design with Bambu and Tinkercad
🔹 Robotics & Machine Learning with iRobot Root, Blue-Bots, Ozobots, and more
🔹 Communication & Problem-Solving Skills
🔹 Event Readiness & Presentation Training
🔹 Hands-on Experience with Advanced Technology
The program culminates in a celebration, where students will be recognized for their achievements. This is a fantastic way for students to gain STEM experience, build confidence, and prepare for future leadership roles.
Spots are limited! If your student is interested in becoming an AWS Junior Staff member, we encourage you to apply today.
To apply, please fill out the application: AWS Junior Staff Application
Applications due February 28th.
Program starts March 5th and 6th during your resource block.
Look for an email from Abby Spessard (AWS Junior Staff Coordinator) by Tuesday, March 4th to see if you were accepted!
We look forward to seeing our students Think Big and take their STEM skills to the next level!
The Town of Leesburg invites local 7th and 8th grade students to enter the Virginia Municipal League’s (VML) “If I Were Mayor” essay contest.
Students are asked to identify a problem within their community, gather feedback from community members, and offer a proposed solution, which must be presented in a typed essay between 300 and 500 words.
Students must live in the Town of Leesburg, which is considered a VML member locality. All entries must be received by Monday, March 17. Visit https://www.vml.org/Opportunities/Essay-Contest for full details.
Regional winners selected from around the state will each receive a $150 gift card and a plaque. One statewide winner chosen from the regional winners will receive a $250 gift card and a plaque. The runner-up from the region that receives the statewide award will become that region’s winner.
In 2024, Simpson's own Leia Hatem won the contest for Region 6!
“This is a great opportunity for our local 7th and 8th grade students to imagine themselves as mayor, identify an issue, and problem solve for their community,” said Leesburg Mayor Kelly Burk. “I can't wait to read the great ideas that will come from the essays. If there is a really good idea maybe we can work together.”
Winning essays will be featured in the May issue of VML’s magazine Virginia Town & City.
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!
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!
JLS is proud to share that we have received SHINE -Spotlighting Heroes in Education submissions highlighting many of our very special teachers!
Use the link below to view the Staff SHINE submissions:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/10CLr09q_G6sO-9pyjKJBGr_Hw0LGTYfo72ZUzl_EgN4/edit?usp=sharing
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!).
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.
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!
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.
February 24: Quarter 2 Grade 8 Honor Roll Celebration - 8:30 AM
February 25 - Quarter 2 Grade 7 Honor Roll Celebration - 8:30 AM
February 26 & 27: 7th Grade Science Field Trip to the National Zoo
March 13: Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) Meeting at JLS - 6:00 PM
March 17 - March 18: District Orchestra Assessments at Freedom HS
March 18: Multicultural Night at JLS - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
March 20: All District Jazz Auditions
March 21: SCA Spring Fling Dance - 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
March 24 - March 27: Grade 6 Science Field Trip to Blandy Farms
March 31: No School - Holiday (Eid al Fitr)
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 14 - April 18: Spring Break Week
April 23: MAP Testing for Reading (Grades 6 & 7), IRL SOL Testing (Grade 8)
April 30: MAP Testing for Math
May 1 - May 3: Beetlejuice Jr. Spring Musical Production Weekend
May 26: Holiday (Memorial Day)
June 13: Last Day of School and End of Quarter 4 Grading Period
