The Mustang Messenger

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• Cuando llegue aquí, haga clic en la flecha hacia abajo y elija el idioma Español.

Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!

It appears as if the most beautiful weather and temperatures have nestled themselves into the Northern Virginia vicinity recently. Looking forward to this week, the days are forcasted to be just as bright and exciting outdoors, just as they have been indoors when visiting our Mustangs as they engage in learning with our professional team at JL Simpson Middle School! Visits this past week included:

• participating in some physical and vocal exercises in our choir classes
• witnessing our 6th graders' discovery of the library's many resources and checking out their first books
• engaging in interviews with our English Learners
• learning about literary devices and thematic writing in our English 8 classes as students took part in workstations prior to reading their first anchor text
• watching in awe as math students plotted graphs collaboratively on white boards using various forms of data related to aspects of their every day lives

There are so many times when we visit classrooms in action and realize just how lucky our students are to have the resources that they have now with the advancement of technology, as well as merely being a student in such a fabulous school division like LCPS. It is truly the innovation of our wonderful Mustang Professional Team in bringing these tools to the center of instruction by developing joyful, engaging, and interesting activities that assist our Mustangs in blazing trails forward with their learning, challenging them to collaborate in creating products from what they have learned, critically thinking to make informed decisions when tackling questions, contributing their voices and original thoughts to essential questions, and communicating in a kind, positive manner with others throughout their experiences at Simpson. We are so immensely proud of our Mustangs this year and find each new day with them to be more enjoyable than the prior one! We cannot wait to see their continuous growth throughout the 2024-2025 season and beyond!

We will be inviting many community guests this week to Simpson as they participate in interviews related to the historical impact of 9/11 with our Grade 7 English students, an experience that I had the first opportunity to witness last year, walking away in amazement when considering the prowess with which our students are able to converse with our guests! We look forward to seeing many of you super soon at Simpson as part of this great event!

We also welcome the return of Monty's Cafe this Tuesday, September 10 from 8 AM - 8:30 AM, courtesy of our illustrious Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). We will have lemonade available on this September occasion for $1.00, just as students enter the front entrance of Simpson. The profits from Monty's Cafe are always geared towards supporting our students and staff at JLS throughout the school season. Students can enjoy their lemonade in the cafeteria with each other prior to heading to class by the 8:30 bell. Thank you so much to our PTO volunteers for making this happen! It's always a huge hit!

We have been so impressed with the vast majority of our students arriving to their classes early or on time this past week as our Tardy to Class Protocols were engaged on September 3. Our deans and counselors will be visiting science classes this week to perform activities related to our general expectations connected to the HERD (Honorable, Engaged, Respectful, and Determined) initiative, our Mission and Core Commitments, and the LCPS Student Rights and Responsibilities and Code of Conduct. You can find resources related to all of these elements of our Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS) efforts in this newsletter if you scroll and review below. :)

Our weekly Grade-Level Academic Updates have returned as of this issue of our Mustang Messenger as seen just below the THIS WEEK @ JL SIMPSON MS section of our newsletter. Our teachers will be providing specifics about what is happening in our classrooms this coming week, assignments to be completed, and even questions / topics you can discuss at home with your Mustang to promote their continuously positive engagement and performance at school! Thank you to our Mustang Professionals for making this happen every week!

Speaking of PBIS, Monty Bucks make their brilliant return to Simpson tomorrow...although many of our Mustangs have already earned quite a few in advance of their arrival by answering questions during our daily morning announcements trivia! Students collect Monty Bucks from our staff by displaying actions aligned with our HONORABLE, ENGAGED, RESPECTFUL, and DETERMINED (HERD) initiative and can then "spend" them at our Monty's Tack Shop on a variety of fun treats, useful classroom tools, and even some special opportunities such as Principal/Teacher/Dean for the Day, Read the Morning Announcement Joke of the Day, Donuts with Dr. D, and so many more cool options! We often ask our students what they would like to see in Monty's Tack Shop as well since their voices matter the most!

As activity buses are available starting this Wednesday and Thursday and weekly moving forward on the same days, we will begin to open options to more and more after school clubs/organizations alongside our Intramural Sports program...so please do stay tuned by watching for social media posts in our Instagram, Remind notifications, and checking out the THIS WEEK @ JL SIMPSON MS and IMPORTANT DATES features contained in our weekly Mustang Messenger as well to discover information about our clubs/organizations at JLS this season.

It's time for me to head out in this refreshing weather to do my ten mile run on this Sunday morning...training for a race this fall...and I've been asked to join the Running Club at JLS with our Mustangs, so I will need all the practice I can get to keep up with them!

Please have an incredible evening, be kind to one another, and take care of yourselves! See you soon!

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

Principal

JL Simpson Middle School

Sunday, September 8

• 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM: PRCS Sports

Monday, September 9 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: ADVISORY

Happy Physical Therapists Day, Brittany Hornby!!!

• Students Rights and Responsibilities + Code of Conduct during all Science classes! (8th grade in the auditorium)

Tuesday, September 10 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B5

• Monty’s Cafe - Open from 8:00 AM - 8:30 AM - Main Entrance Hallway - All lemonade must be enjoyed in the cafeteria only!
• Students Rights and Responsibilities + Code of Conduct during all Science classes (8th grade in the auditorium)

• 2:00 PM: Lockdown Drill start of B7/8

Wednesday, September 11 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: A5

• Library Closed- 9/11 Interviews - EXCEPT for Block 1/2A
• Freedom Park Event to remember 9/11 - expect police presence and additional traffic
• Students Rights and Responsibilities + Code of Conduct during all Science classes - 8th Grade

• 10:30 AM - 1:50 PM: SCA Student Interest Meetings - All lunches - Room C8 - Ms. Suttie - Passes required for students to attend.
  

• After School Activities
  

• 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Select Choir Auditions - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson

Thursday, September 12 - B-Day - FLEX DAY: B7

• Library Closed- 9/11 Interviews

• After School Activities

• 3:30 PM-4:30 PM - Select Choir Auditions - M4 - Ms. Hoey-Johnson

Friday, September 13 - A-Day - FLEX DAY: A7

Click here --> JLSMS Grade Level Academic Weekly Update - September 9-13, 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.

The JLS Tardy To Class Protocal began last week and our Mustangs had a successful week arriving to class on time!

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!

The Town of Leesburg will be holding their annual September 11 remembrance ceremony at Freedom Park, located next to JL Simpson on Tolbert Lane. Please expect to see police presence and additional traffic prior to and during the event scheduled for 8:30 AM.

From the Freedom Park Website:

In commemoration of the tragic events and the lives lost throughout the United States on September 11, 2001, the Leesburg Town Council will hold a remembrance ceremony at the Town’s Freedom Memorial, located at Freedom Park (off Tolbert Lane at Evergreen Mill Road) at 8:30 AM on Monday, September 11, 2024. The park will remain open to the public until 9:00 PM for those wishing to visit the memorial on their own.

The JLS SCA is gearing up for a great year! The Student Council Association (SCA) is a student-led organization that organizes events throughout the school year while promoting postitve attitudes, school spirit, and service to the community.

Students interested in learning more about the JLS SCA should plan to attend the Student Council Interest Meeting in room C08 during their lunch block on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Passes to attend can be obtained from Ms. Suttie in Room C08.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports is a systems-oriented approach for establishing a safe and supportive learning environment to promote social, behavioral, and academic success for all students. All LCPS schools implement PBIS as a prevention and intervention framework.

As part of JL Simpson's PBIS initiatives, we established a Monty Bucks Program where students can earn Monty's Bucks by exhibiting any of the four core behaviors at JLS: Honorable, Engaged, Respectful, and Determined (HERD). Students can use their Monty Bucks to go shopping and 'purchase' items from Monty's "Tack Shop." The Monty Bucks program has been extremely successful and popular at JLS, and we are happy to bring it back again this year. The program begins on Monday, September 9. JLS staff is very excited to once again start issuing Monty Bucks to our amazing Mustangs!

NOTE: Our Monty Bucks program has been recognized nationally by AMLE (American Middle Level Education) as a notable PBIS initiative! We have been invited to present on this outstanding initiative at the AMLE Conference in Nashville, Tennessee in early November alongside our School of Distinction honor. Very cool, right?!

Our activity buses will begin to arrive at JL Simpson on Wednesday, September 11 and Thursday, September 12, 2024 to support after school activities on our campus. Students who participate in after-school activities may ride an activity bus home. We will be providing route sheets to our Mustang community with specific details as to the areas of our attendance zone that each bus covers. The departure time is approximately 4:45 PM.

AFTER SCHOOL ACTIVITY PARTICIPATION REQUIRES YOUR PERMISSION, PARENTS/GUARDIANS!

NOTE: Any student participating in an after school club/organization activity must have their parents complete the PERMISSION CLICK document linked here. 😀

There will be an Intramural Flag Football team creation meeting for all students who have registered to play intramural flag football at JL Simpson. The meeting will take place on Monday, September 16th during Advisory. Students who are registered for flag football will receive an email from Mr. Carpenter with meeting details.

THERE IS STILL TIME TO REGISTER IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PLAYING INTRAMURAL SPORTS!

Use the link below for registration and additional program information:

Follow this link for Registration and Program Information: Intramural Sports Website

Follow this link for Frequently Asked Questions: https://sites.google.com/lcps.org/lcps-intramural-playbook-2024/home/faqs

Monty's Cafe returns! On Tuesday, September 10th, students can purchase a lemonade for $1 between 8:00 AM and 8:25 AM near the front entrance of the school. All proceeds support grade-level events at JLS.

Enjoy dinner at Buffalo Wing Factory in Leesburg for the first PTO Spirit Night of the school year! Drop your receipt in the basket near the front and a portion of sales will be donated to the JLS PTO!

JL Simpson MS School Picture Day is Coming!

📅 Date: Monday, September 30th & Tuesday, October 1st, 2024

📸 Pictures Available: Approximately two weeks after photo day

🛒 Pre-order Online: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001141085#login

📧 Questions about Ordering? Email us at underclass@vosphoto.com

Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) invites you to its annual Special Programs Secondary Fair for middle school students. This year, the event will be held at two convenient locations:

Thursday, September 12

Heritage High School in Leesburg

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Thursday, September 19

Park View High School in Sterling

6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

This event offers current middle school students and their families an opportunity to meet and network with coordinators from LCPS’s high school special programs. Attendees will have the chance to explore a variety of programs available to students in grades 9-12 and gather essential information about the enrollment processes.

Programs featured include:

• Academies of Loudoun
• Health and Medical Sciences Academy (HAMSci)
• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)
• Thomas Jefferson High School

The event will begin promptly at 6:00 p.m. with a student panel in the auditorium, followed by breakout sessions that will provide further insight into each program.

LCPS encourages all families to attend this event to help plan their student’s future.

For more information, visit the LCPS Special Programs webpage.

On Wednesday, September 18, representatives from the following LCPS programs will be meeting with our 8th grade students during the school day to discuss the special programs available through LCPS. Please visit the links below for additional program information.

Students should see Ms.Thomasson, 8th Grade Counselor, with any questions.

Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org

• Academies of Loudoun

• Health and Medical Sciences Academy (HAMSci)

• International Baccalaureate (IB)
• Navy Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC)

• Thomas Jefferson High School

The Academies of Loudoun 2024 Fall Admission Cycle opened on Monday, August 19, 2024, and will remain open until Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The fall admissions cycle is for any eighth-grade student enrolled in Algebra I or higher who is interested in applying to the Academies of Loudoun for ninth-grade entry into the Academy of Engineering & Technology (AET) program and/or the Academy of Science (AOS) program for the 2025-2026 school year.

The admissions office will conduct four (4) fall admissions information sessions for Loudoun County students in eighth grade and their parents or guardians. These sessions will provide details about the Academies.

2024 Fall Admissions Information Session Schedule

• Wednesday, August 28, at Tuscarora High School, 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, September 14, at Independence High School, 10 a.m.
• Wednesday, September 18, at Harmony Middle School, 6:30 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 1, at River Bend Middle School, 6:30 p.m.

For more information, visit the Academies of Loudoun Admissions website, email AcademiesAdmissions@lcps.org or call 571-252-1992.

Students should see Ms.Thomasson, 8th Grade Counselor, with any questions.

Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org

Please join us to meet our Learning Specialist teams, learn more about student IEPs (Individualized Education Plans), and have an open door to ask questions about how we at Simpson can make your child's experience the best it can be!

Tuesday, September 17: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM - JL Simpson - Library/Media Center

Tuesday, September 17: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Douglass Community Center - 407 E Market St, Leesburg (Child care will be available for the evening session)

Please follow the link below to complete the form if you plan to attend:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJAcqSyLLPHhISDC_rFzbtr1jly1MH8FxXA-z9v83ZLG3nXQ/viewform

Loudoun County High School is thrilled to announce that in partnership with the Town of Leesburg, they will be celebrating their 70th anniversary with a homecoming parade on Thursday, September 19.

The parade will kick off at 6:30 PM from the Safeway parking lot, marching on Catoctin Circle past Catoctin Elementary School, and concluding at the LCHS bus loop.

Let’s help to make this a memorable event with a fantastic turnout for LCHS, as they honor their school's outstanding 70 years of service! You are sure to see some current and former Mustangs marching along the parade route!

Spend the evening with the LCHS Varsity Field Hockey Team and coaches learning about field hockey, running drills and practicing skills!

JLS is proud to share that we have received a SHINE - Spotlighting Heroes in Education submission highlighting our fabulous front office secretary, Jenny Aguilar!

Ms. Aguilar was nominated by a JLS parent for her smiling face and positive attitude. She goes above and beyond to welcome parents, subs and volunteers.

CONGRATULATIONS MS. AGUILAR! Simpson is lucky to have you on our team!

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

Fall MAP Growth Assessment scores in Reading and Mathematics are now available in ParentVUE/StudentVUE. Student's scores are located under the Student Test History.

WHAT IF MY MUSTANG DID NOT COMPLETE THE READING AND/OR MATHEMATICS MAP GROWTH ASSESSMENT?

Your Mustang's English/Reading and/or Mathematics teacher will provide class or resource time for completion of the Fall MAP Growth Assessment.

Bus passes (for transportation on a bus other than the student assigned bus) will not be permitted for the first several weeks of school as our students and bus drivers adjust to their new routine. Be sure to watch out for bus pass start date and procedures in an upcoming newsletter.

Whenever students are changing their normal 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

Click the image above to see this week's breakfast and lunch menus!

Click here to access the LCPS School Nutrition website to obtain information about current programs, wellness, and food recovery initiatives.

Click the attachment below for the most updated version of the Loudoun County Public Schools Procedural Handbook for Supporting Students with Allergies.

LOCKERS in THE HOUSE AREA and HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION LOCKER ROOMS:

All JL Simpson MS students are expected to learn how to open and use their personal lockers for the duration of 2024-2025 to store their bookbags and items required for use at school.

• All lockers (house area and gym) are provided by the school as a convenience to the student, and they do not become the exclusive property of the student. They are provided for the express purpose of keeping clothing, books, lunches, and other materials through the school day.
• Students will have Health and PE gray t-shirts available for 2024-2025.
• Click here for more information regarding Health and Physical Education at JLS.
  
• No open containers of food or drink are permitted in the locker space.
• Lockers should be kept orderly. Defacing the locker (inside or outside) by writing, scratching, interfering with the lock mechanism, or pasting stickers/pictures is forbidden. Magnetic stickers and note clips/holders are permitted inside the locker. The use of portable locker shelves and dividers are also permitted.

Locker concerns should be reported to an administrator or PE teacher.

Locker combinations are not to be shared.

Lockers are not to be set to open without entering the combination.

BACKPACKS/BOOKBAGS:

• Book bags, backpacks, tote bags, oversized purses and other luggage-type items (anything that can be used to carry a book) may be used to transport materials to and from school but must remain in the assigned house area locker during school hours.
• Be sure to read the Grade-Level School Supply Lists above to note that students are expected to carry only their Chromebook (We will be providing soft laptop covers for every student) and a binder with certain components to each class. All other required materials can be kept in teacher classrooms for the year. :)

NOTE:

Students may carry a mini-crossbody bag for personal items no larger than 8 inches x 6 inches x 1 inch.

Please contact your student's grade-level counselor if you have scheduling questions.

School Counseling Team Contact Information

6th Grade: Sabrina.Jeane@lcps.org

7th Grade: Alison.Hyman@lcps.org

8th Grade: Last Name A-Q: Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org

8th Grade: Last Name R-Z: Juan.Barrios@lcps.org

Please contact your student's grade-level dean if you have questions or concerns.

School Dean's Contact Information

6th Grade: Brandon.Filsinger@lcps.org

7th Grade: Katherine.Hailey@lcps.org

8th Grade: Brent.Washburn@lcps.org

Where can I find LCPS level information on general information and expectations for students and their families?

LCPS has updated this information for this year with the release of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for Families and Student Code of Conduct.

As Simpson will be aligning completely with this useful guide, please take time to review it with your Simpson Mustang prior to the start of the new school year and save it for future reference.

Click here to access the SY 2024-2025 Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for Families and Student Code of Conduct.

Please take some time to carefully read LCPS Policy 8650: Student Technology Acceptable/Responsible Use Policy and the new LCPS Policy 8655: Student Personal Device Use and address content directly with your Mustang as we will be doing the same among other school-wide expectations for 2024-2025.

Please note the following in terms of Student Personal Device Use:

Middle school students must keep their devices silent and not visible, stored in their locker during the school day. Personal devices may be used before or after the school day.

The above includes any and all devices, including cell phones, earbuds, wireless headphones, iPads, etc. :)

NOTE: Students may have wired earbuds/headphones for classes in which their teachers permit them to use these devices. The devices may only be connected to the Chromebook.

We also request that all families refrain from texting or calling our Mustangs' personal devices during the school day to help support this new LCPS policy and our engagement of its content at JLS.

WHAT IF WE NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH OUR MUSTANGS?

• Please contact us at 571-252-2840 if you need to speak to your Mustang. We can always find them for you!
• We will allow any of our Mustangs to call home to their families as needed using our school lines...never a problem!
• Teach your Mustangs to use their e-mail accounts regularly alongside our own school expectations for academic engagement and communication with their teachers. You are more than welcome to touch base with them in that manner!

• LCPS middle and high school students receive information about the dangers of opioids and other illicit drugs through health and physical education classes. Student Assistance Specialists who have mental health and substance abuse expertise provide these targeted presentations and partner with their respective schools to plan additional opportunities, including assemblies, student-led campaigns, and classroom lessons.

• More information can be found on this site - Student Assistance Services / Fentanyl and Opioid Awareness

Is your Mustang looking for Loudoun County HS / Heritage HS National Honor Society or University Instructor tutoring before school, after school, or maybe even during resource block?

Click here and work with your Mustang to complete this Google Form to request a tutor and we will be in touch super soon!

Please read all instructions in the Google Form carefully to learn about the expectations for our tutoring support program...and reach out to JLS-Tutoring@lcps.org with any questions!

HRTD is excited to launch SHINE! Spotlighting Heroes in Education, a new recognition program that aims to tell the stories of the incredible work happening throughout the division. We encourage schools to promote SHINE both inside their buildings between peers as well as with their school communities through newsletters, websites and social media as all parents, students, staff and community members are welcome to submit a nomination. Each month, Loudoun Education Foundation will choose one submission to provide additional acknowledgement and a special gift.

How it works:

1. We are seeking submissions for LCPS staff members at schools, central office and support locations who:

1. Have gone above and beyond in a situation

2. Have inspired others or have a heartwarming story

3. Are doing something unique or creative that is leading to results

4. In general, ANY great news!

2. Complete the submission form (It’s short and easy!)

3. The Employee Recognition office notifies the nominee as well as their supervisor of the submission

4. The story may be placed on the Employee Recognition webpage.

Our goal is to place a spotlight on the hundreds of positive interactions taking place in LCPS each day...and especially at JLS! We look forward to seeing your celebrations of our JLS Mustang Professionals throughout 2023-2024!

LCHS is hosting a community book club for students, parents, and teachers to discuss The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt. Our first meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd at 5:00 p.m. in the LCHS library and will last about an hour. LCHS volunteers will be onsite to provide free childcare so that parents can attend.

Here is what participants should have completed for the meeting:

• Required Reading: Introduction, Chapter 1, & Chapter 5

• Recommended Reading: Chapters 6-7

• Optional Reading: Chapter 8

The topic of the first meeting's discussion is "technology." Discussion questions were sourced from this website, but a more specific list will be shared at the meeting.

We invite you to participate by completing this form. Be sure to indicate whether or not you will require childcare so we are prepared to fill that need.

ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LCHS COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB? Contact:

Heather Rainey, LCSW | Student Assistance Specialist

Heather.Rainey@lcps.org.

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

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

The Prevention Alliance of Loudoun (PAL) provides mental health, wellness, and substance misuse information, resources, and support to parents and educators. PAL also hosts a variety of events and workshops throughout the year. Follow the link for additional information and race registration:

https://www.loudoun.gov/5841/Prevention-Alliance-of-Loudoun

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 if you are interested in helping with our PTO activities in any way. You can also sign up to help by clicking here!

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

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

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

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

Quarter 1 - Thursday, August 22 - Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Dates to Remember + More!

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

• September 9: Physical Therapists Day
  

• September 9 & 10: Students Rights & Responsibilities Review

• September 10: Monty's Cafe - 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM

• September 11: Student Council Interest Meetings - During All Grade Lunches - Room C08

• September 11-12: Select Choir Auditions - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4
  

• September 11-12: 9.11 Interviews for 7th Grade Project - Library/Media Center

• September 12: LCPS Special Programs Secondary Fair - 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Heritage HS

• September 15-19: Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration Begins - Spirit Week

• September 16: Registered Students Flag Football Team Creation Meeting - 10:00 AM

• September 17: Learning Specialist Coffee Talks - 9 AM - Library/Media Center @ JL Simpson

• September 17: Learning Specialist Coffee Talks - 7:00 PM - Douglass Community Center

• September 17: First PTO Meeting of the School Year - 5:00 PM - Library/Media Center

• September 18: 8th Grade Special Programs Meeting - 8:45 AM - Auditorium
  

• September 18 -19: Intramural Sports Begin After School! - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM

• September 19: Library Card Sign-Up with Rust Library

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

• September 19: LCPS Special Programs Secondary Fair- 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM - Park View HS

• September 19: LCHS 70th Anniversary Homecoming Parade - 6:30 PM - Safeway to LCHS

• September 21: Junior Regional Orchestra Auditions - Battlefield High School

• September 23 & 24: 7th Grade Vision and Hearing Screenings - Art 1

• September 24-25: Quarter 1 Interims

• September 24: SY 2023-2024 Quarter 4 Honor Roll Assembly - Grade 8 - 9 AM - 10 AM - Auditorium

• September 25: SY 2023-2024 Quarter 4 Honor Roll Assembly - Grade 7 - 9 AM - 10 AM - Auditorium
  

• September 25-26: Fall Intramural Sports - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM

• September 26: JLS Student Advisory Planning Team Meeting - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - AWS ThinkBIG Space

• September 26: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• September 29: September 2024 HERD Awards - Announcements in Cafeteria at Lunch

• September 30 & October 1: School Picture Days

• October 1: Bullying Prevention Month Begins

• October 2: School Custodian Appreciation Day
  

• October 2: Fall Intramural Sports - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM

• October 3 & 4: No School (Rosh Hashanah)

• October 8: Monty's Cafe - 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM - Main Entrance

• October 9-10: Fall Intramural Sports - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM
  

• October 11: Yom Kippur

• October 10: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• October 14: No School (Indigenous Peoples Day)

• October 15: JLS Parents as Educational Partnerships (PEP)

• October 15-18: Bullying Prevention Awareness Spirit Week

• October 16-17: Fall Intramural Sports - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM
  

• October 17: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• October 18: Transportation Staff Appreciation Day

• October 18: Reading Department Field Trip - 8:30 AM - 9:30 AM

• October 20-26: Red Ribbon Week

• October 21-25: National School Bus Safety Week

• October 23-24: Fall Intramural Sports - 3:40 PM - 4:45 PM
  

• October 24 & 25: Monster Mash 5K during PE Classes

• October 24: Select Choir Rehearsals - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M4

• October 24: Spooktacular Strings Concert at LCHS - 7 PM - Auditorium

• October 28: Occupational Therapists Day

• October 29: End of First Grading Period

• October 29: October 2024 HERD Awards - Announcements in Cafeteria at Lunch

• October 30 - November 5: No School

• November 8: 6th Grade All County Choir @ Stone Bridge High School

• November 8: Junior Regional Orchestra Event - Massaponax High School

• November 12: Monty's Cafe - 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM - Main Entrance

• November 15: School Picture Make-Up Day

• November 16: All County Orchestra Auditions - 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM - M1

• November 27 - 29: No School (Thanksgiving Holiday)

• December 10: Monty's Cafe - 8:10 AM - 8:25 AM - Main Entrance

• December 10: JLS Parents as Educational Partners (PEP)

• December 23 - January 3: No School (Winter Break)

Email: Tripp.DiNicola@lcps.org

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

Instagram: @jlsimpsonms_official_ jl