The Mustang Messenger

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Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!

First of all, to all of our Mustang moms out there, Happy Mother's Day! We hope you have been able to enjoy this beautiful day with your family and friends! 😊 💐

As always, here is a recap of the past week's awesomeness at JLS!:

JLS Staff Appreciation Week Fun!

This past week was one of our most enjoyable yet this year as we celebrated the JLS Mustang Professional Staff via our Staff Appreciation Week extravaganza, in addition to recognizing the great Nurse Rene Pettit for National Nurses' Day on May 8.

Monday, May 6: Thank you to our Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) for bringing coffee and sweet treats to our house areas...and opening a tab at King Street Coffee for enjoyment by our Mustang Professionals on either Monday or Tuesday!

Tuesday, May 7: Our staff participated in a Faculty Meeting surprise Trivia Contest, complete with prizes sponsored by our PTO. First place winners received an opportunity to order in lunch from a restaurant of their choice, second place earned ice cream treats from Brewsters, and third place won Starbucks gift cards! All of our staff participants are receiving special surprise courtesy cards from Manhattan Pizza and Chik-Fil-A this coming week!

Wednesday, May 8 - Friday, May 10: Our Mustangs presented over 900 HERD (Honorable-Engaged-Respectful-Determined) Awards to our staff by walking certificates individually to their honorees. It was quite a beautiful sight to see our Mustangs enjoying the opportunity to express their gratitude to their teachers and our support staff!

Wednesday, May 8: Thank you yet again to our PTO for sponsoring a delicious brunch/lunch for our staff, courtesy of Famous Toastery! Nurse Pettit received fun treats from the school leadership team, counseling staff, and administrative professional team, including a beautiful plant that is now enjoying the sun at home! We love you, Nurse Pettit!

Thursday, May 9: Our school leadership team delivered Tropical Smoothies to our staff individually...they definitely enjoyed the sweet surprise as a dessert treat after lunch!

Friday, May 10: We capped off the week's celebration by having breakfast provided for our staff in the morning...and then school leadership walked around to visit each team member, providing them with a SUNSHINE CARD of gratitude, a new Simpson compact umbrella, and a stylish pen.

In other words, it was an incredibly wonderful week for our educators...and we thank all of you as our students and families for contributing yourselves in such special ways for them on your own! It has been a sheer joy to work alongside such a talented staff of professionals all year long and I am excited to continue to do so well into the future!

Students Continue To Shine at JLS by Tackling Their SOLs!

Our Mustangs jumped right into their English: Reading Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessment with an early morning celebration as they entered on a red carpet lined by our staff members clapping them into the building, accompanied by our resident DJ (Mr. Derrick Jackson) blasting fun music, Monty the Mustang dancing amidst bubbles emitted by a machine, and gorgeous Positive Chalk Quotes etched upon the sidewalk by many former Mustangs and current educators/family members. Our Mustangs did such great work on their first SOL of the season...and we are confident that they shall continue to shine!

Crosstown Volleyball vs. Smart's Mill Was A Blast!

Our Mustangs showed up exemplifying radiant school spirit throughout our Crosstown Volleyball Match at Tuscarora HS on May 7. SO MANY students participated alongside our staff...and we appreciate the attendance of many of our families to support our grade-level and staff teams as well! Such a fun evening for us all!

National Junior Honor Society: 8th Grade Inductees Celebrated on May 8

Our Grade 8 Loiselle-Fawcett Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) members were formally inducted on Wednesday, May 8 in our auditorium. The event was beautifully led by Loudoun County HS National Honor Society members, advisors Ms. Jean Nibbelink and Ms. Lisa Hamilton, School Counselor Sabrina Jeane, and Grade 8 Dean Brandon Filsinger. We greatly appreciate the incredible energy of Victoria Doyle (Financial Technician) and Laura Ridings (House B Administrative Professional) in making the arrangements for all of our refreshments and cafeteria reception so perfect. We were very grateful to have so many family members attend as a tribute to their Mustangs, who beamed as they walked across the stage to receive their certificates! Our Grade 7 NJHS inductees will have their ceremony on Tuesday, May 14 at 6 PM...and we are excited to see all of our new NJHS members jump into some end of year service projects to support our students, staff, and community!

JLS Vocalists and Instrumentalists Shine at Hershey Park!

Many of our fine arts student musicians shined at their Performance in the Park endeavor at Hershey Park on Friday, May 10, earning two second place trophies along the way! Check out the picture below to see a few of our superstars smiling as a result of the victory and the fun as a team!

Loudoun County HS Rising 9th Grade Student Council Association Members Honored!

On Wednesday, May 8, several of our current Grade 8 Mustangs / future Grade 9 Captains who are participating as active members in the LCHS Student Council Association in 2024-2025 were formally recognized in their new roles by their high school classmates. Thank you to Ms. Herrin and Ms. Suttie for supporting this initiative alongside the leadership of our LCHS SCA Captains!

Grade 8 SOLs this Week / Mathematics SOLs for All Grades Next Week!:

This coming week our 8th graders will take their Civics EOC SOL Assessment on Monday, May 13 and then their Science EOC SOL on Thursday, May 16. All Mustangs will knock out their Mathematics SOLs on Wednesday, May 22. Without a doubt, we know that they will rock these tests gloriously! For full details and supportive practice tips for families about our forthcoming SOLs, please see the useful informational slide and guides attached below this opening message among our announcements in this week's edition.

Only five weeks remain of the 2023-2024 school year that has flown by considerably fast...right?! Let's continue to work as a team to make these final twenty-four days the best that they can be, functioning at our maximum potential with positive energy all the way to that finish line that leads to summer recharge and refreshment!

I hope that you have an outstanding week ahead...and we shall see you all super soon! 🐴💛💙

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

Principal

JL Simpson Middle School

Happening All Month - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month / Jewish American Heritage Month / Mental Health Awareness Month

Monday, May 13 - A Day

• 8th Grade - Civics Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessment
• After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
• Jazz Band Rehearsal - Ms. Paquette - Band Room
• 7th Grade Choir Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey Johnson - Auditorium

Tuesday, May 14 - B Day

• 8th Grade - Civics SOL Makeup
• After School Activities: 3:30 PM - 4:45 PM
• Select Choir Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - Auditorium
• 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM - Grade 7 National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony

Wednesday, May 15 - A Day

• 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Monty's Cafe Open!
• After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
• Opportunity Time - M6
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Ms. O'Hara - Aux Gym
• Weight Lifting Club - Mr. Dunbar - Weight Room
• Select Choir Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - Auditorium
• Orchestra Rehearsal - Ms. Paquette - Auditorium

Thursday, May 16 - B Day

• Grade 8 EOC - Science Standards of Learning (SOL) Assessment
• After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
• Opportunity Time - M6
• Running Club - Dr. DiNicola, Mr. Dungan, & Mr. Peyton - Front Foyer

Friday, May 17 - A Day - National Speech Pathologist Day

• Grade 8 EOC - Science Standards of Learning SOL MAKEUP

Click here --> JLSMS Grade Level Academic Weekly Update - May 13-17, 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.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month!

Simpson’s Unified Mental Health Team has some fun activities planned for our Mustangs!

• Our Mental Health Awareness Spirit Week will take place the week of May 20-24, 2024 with a variety of opportunities for students to participate, including a different theme for each day.
• During that week, students will have the option to create a My Emotions Wheel where they can use their creative and artistic talents to visually express the various emotions they feel and they will also be able to make a simple breathing stick out of pipe cleaners and colorful beads that they can use when they feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed.
• If you have any questions about our celebration, please feel free to contact your child's grade-level counselor (6th Grade: Alison Hyman, 7th Grade: Mica Thomasson, 8th Grade: Sabrina Jeane).
• Thank you for your support of positive mental health for all of our Mustang family members!
  

CONGRATULATIONS to our AMAZING JLS Mustang Professional, Ms. Heidi Terrett!

On behalf of the LCPS Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC), Ms. Terrett was selected to receive a 2024 Recognition of Excellence in Supporting Special Education Award for her extraordinary work as an Outstanding Inclusive Educator!

This prestigious award honors our everyday heroes who have gone above-and-beyond what is typical and what is expected to include support and create opportunities to shine for students with various types of visible and invisible disabilities and celebrates the extraordinary impact one has on the personal and academic success, self-esteem, and sense of belonging for students with disabilities in LCPS. Ms. Terrett's high standards and performance have set the bar for excellence, and she serves as a role model for others to emulate in their work with the special education community throughout our school division.

Ms. Terrett will be honored at a special awards ceremony hosted by LCPS SEAC in early June. Way to go, Ms. Terrett!

Congratulations to our 2023-2024 Loiselle-Fawcett Chapter of the National Junior Honor Society Grade 8 Inductees!

We celebrated them on Wednesday and look forward to celebrating our 7th grade inductees on Tuesday, May 14!

And, a special thanks to our NJHS Sponsors, Ms. Hamilton and Ms. Nibbelink!

The current PTO board is coming to the end of their long tenure and we are looking for new parents and teachers to step into vacant board positions.

We have one returning board member that is willing to spend next year passing along everything the board does. Without a minimum of a President, Secretary and Treasurer the PTO will have to dissolve.

There are many programs and ways that the PTO assists the school that will not continue without a board.

More information about the duties of each position can be found here.

Simpson PTO Executive Board Duties

Please email jlsimpsonPTO@gmail.com if you have any questions or are interested in serving.

Families of Mustangs who are nominated by JLS Staff to receive department awards will receive an invitation to attend our End of Year Grade-Level Awards Events this coming June.

All students at each grade level will attend their event to celebrate their peers and their own promotion to the next grade level with special announcements to recognize our Mustangs as a collectively successful team! #mustangfamilyforever!

Middle school students who have taken a high school course while in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade may elect to have the course expunged (grade and credit omitted) from the student’s high school records. The high school credit courses available to middle school students include the following, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II/Trig, Robotics and World Languages.

If you wish to expunge the grade for a high school course taken in middle school, the expungement form must be completed through Permission Click. Expungement requests should be submitted to the school counseling department no later than the end of the first quarter of the 2024-2025 school year.

Please click here for additional information and Permission Click link.

In accordance with updated respiratory virus guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LCPS has updated its guidance specifically relating to COVID-19 but also applying to the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

Per this updated guidance, students or staff who have symptoms of, test positive for or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND their symptoms have improved or resolved. The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer required.

Please refer to the chart on this attendance webpage if your child is experiencing symptoms or illnesses and you are unsure if they should go to school.

Thank you for helping to keep our students and staff healthy.

____

Additional Resources:

Newsletter Graphic: Resp Virus Guidelines graphic.png

Flyer (for printing and posting): Resp Virus Guidelines 040424.pdf

Our Simpson Mustangs Softball Schedule:

May 13 vs. Brambleton Middle School

at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 7:30 PM

Our Simpson Mustangs Baseball Schedule:

May 16 @ Harper Park MS Hurricanes
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 6:30 PM

May 20 vs. Farmwell Station MS Falcons
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 6:30 PM

May 23 @ Blue Ridge MS ULLL
at Franklin Park Field #4 -- 6:30 PM

May 30 vs. Willard MS Wildcats
at Edgar Tillett Memorial Park -- 6:30 PM

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!

Transportation is available to the Stampede. Buses will depart from and return to Catoctin Elementary and Frederick Douglass Elementary. Complete the transportation form if you would like for your student to ride the bus from one of these locations.

ATTENTION: Current Simpson Mustangs! - A LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU AND YOUR RESUME!

Are you interested in helping the rising 6th graders learn more about Simpson and feel more comfortable as they enter middle school?

Do you enjoy creating games and activities?

We would love for you to help us create content for Stampede 2024 and attend the Stampede as a mentor to our rising 6th graders.

You will need to be available to work on planning for the event after school on 4 Thursdays in April and May, and you will be required to attend the event on June 26-27.

Please fill out this form if you are interested in volunteering.

We hope to see you there, supporting our new Mustangs for 2024-2025!

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!

Make Up/Retake School Pictures are now viewable online. 😀

Please visit: vosphoto.com/uc

Use your student ID when prompted for the online code.

For questions regarding school pictures please email: underclass@vosphoto.com

The LCPS PROPEL and Level Up Program is designed to address equity through enrichment for high-achieving students underrepresented in STEM.

The program goals are:

• Developing high-level reasoning skills in students.
• Providing students with opportunities to enhance behaviors associated with high achievement and demonstration of the 5C’s
  • Collaboration
  • Communication
  • Contribution
  • Creation
  • Critical Thinking
• Assisting students with planning and preparing for academically rigorous coursework in middle and high school and for entry into competitive academic programs.
• Providing opportunities for parents to share as educational partners.

Click here to see the PROPEL and Level Up newsletter in English

Click here to see the PROPEL and Level Up newsletter in Spanish

The Division of English Learners, Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Office is pleased to invite and

welcome you to

The Family Room session:

English Learners in Gifted Education

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

6pm English & Spanish

7pm English & Arabic

This session is for families of Multilingual Learners in elementary and middle school. Explore the LCPS Gifted Education Program, its mission, program options, evaluation process, and family support. Families are encouraged to come with questions.

Click on this flyer link to learn more!

English Flyer PDF

Spanish Flyer PDF

Arabic Flyer PDF

Please include this information in your school newsletter. Contact Sarah.Ocampo@lcps.org, DEL FACE Supervisor with any questions.

Virtual Loudoun Online

• Term 3 registration opens Monday, April 22 at 6am: https://www.lcps.org/domain/21526.

• Term 3 is the summer term. P.E. classes fill up fast.

• Rising 8th and 9th grade students have the opportunity to participate in virtual learning as detailed on the VLO Middle School Information webpage.

Be ready, check out the information below before registering.

• Video: “Online Learning: Is Virtual Loudoun for Me?”: Student Experience

• VLO Terms: Program Calendar

• Middle School Information

• Payment

• Registration

• FAQs, "How many virtual classes can I take?"**

• Indicators for Successful Virtual Learners

• Technology FAQs

• Technology Prerequisites

• Device Requirements

  
  

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

USA Prime NOVA located in Ashburn, VA is holding tryouts for next year.

USA Prime is focused on player development and preparing youth athletes to be student athletes. We focus on all aspects of the game to include physical ability, mental toughness, and player skills and development.

Player Registration link: https://bit.ly/4doiioL

• 11U - THURSDAY. 5/16TH, 5:30PM @FINCASTLE
• 10 & 12U - SATURDAY, 5/18TH, 1:30PM @ROLLING RIDGE ES
• 13-15U - SATURDAY, 5/18TH, 4:30PM @BROAD RUN HS

tryouts@replaybaseballva.com

USA Prime NOVA

42920 Piccadilly Plz Ashburn, VA 20147
571.918.0410

info@replaybaseballva.com

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 nsutter@gmail.com or Sara Conner sbc070178@gmail.com if you are interested in helping with our PTO activities in any way. You can also sign up to help by clicking here!

The PTO has many things planned for our staff and students! Check out our Volunteer Signup! A board member will reach out with more details!

• FREE Grade Level Events for each grade
• Monty's Cafe (Coming back for a 3rd year)
• Family Bingo Night w/ Silent Auction and Concessions
• Enhance our social media platforms
• Lots of Appreciation Days / Weeks for Staff
• Joint 5K with other middle schools

Click here for the Official J.L. Simpson MS PTO Webpage.

We look forward to engaging all of our Mustang families in PTO in service and support of all of our children!

Be sure to check here often as we will continue to add dates and events as they become available.

May 2024: ALL MONTH: Ongoing celebrations at JLS this month!

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

May 13 - Civics 8 SOL

May 14 - Civics 8 SOL Makeup / Grade 7 NJHS Induction Ceremony 6:00 PM

May 15 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8 AM at school main entrance

May 16 - Science SOL

May 17 - Science SOL Makeup

May 21 - JLS Choir Concert @LCHS

May 22 - Math SOL / 6th Grade Orchestra Concert / Simpson Spring Art Exhibit May 22 - June 6

May 23 - Math SOL Makeup

May 27 - No School - Holiday - Memorial Day

May 28 - Retake Reading SOL / 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra Concert / PTO Meeting (Library/Media Center)

May 29 - Science SOL Retake

May 30 - Civics 8 SOL Retake / PEP Meeting

May 31 - Math SOL Retake

June 3 - 7th & 8th Grades Jazz Band Concerts

June 5 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8 AM at school main entrance / Guitar Concert

June 6 - Grade 7 Class Trip to Hershey Park / 6th Grade Gold and Blue Band Concert

June 10 - STEAM Day

June 11 - Grade 8 Class Trip to Busch Gardens / Grade 6 Mustang Awards Ceremony

June 12 - Grade 8 Mustang Awards Ceremony

June 13 - Grade 6 Class Trip to Kings Dominion / Grade 7 Mustang Awards Ceremony

June 14 - Last Day of School/End of Fourth Grading Period

June 26 & 27 - Rising 6th Grade Stampede Into Simpson

Email: Tripp.DiNicola@lcps.org

Website: https://www.lcps.org/jlsms
Location: J. Lupton Simpson Middle School, Evergreen Mills Rd, Leesburg, VA, USA
Phone: 5712522840

Instagram: @jlsimpsonms_official_ jl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLSimpsonMS2020/
X: @JLSMS_Official