The Mustang Messenger
Sunday, January 7, 2024
A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!
We hope that each and every one of our families enjoyed the winter break and have experienced a fantastic return to Simpson as 2024 has already started off with greatness! It has been such a joy this week visiting classrooms to see cool activities such as student engagement in science labs that promote life skills, collaborative projects focused on impactful historical figures, developing thesis statements that lead to impactful research, interval workouts that symbolize essential physical fitness, and music and visual arts that literally emanate our hallways as anyone walks through them.
It is hard to believe...but the second quarter and the first semetser are both coming to a close in just two weeks...so please ask your Mustang to check in on Phoenix StudentVue regarding any missing assignments and with their teachers about any support they might need to close out this term as successfully as possible. We are also heading into Scheduling 2024-2025 season very soon, as you can see based on the information posted below indicating our Rising 6th-7th-8th Grade Parent Info/Curriculum Night Events at Simpson and the Rising 9th Grade Academic Night and Open House at Loudoun County HS. You will receive more specific information on each of these events very soon in addition to course registration information as we look forward to the next school year in a proactive manner.
Remember that we still have two of our Winter Fine Arts Events heading our way as Ms. Kanakry's 6th Grade Orchestra Students students perform for us on Wednesday, January 10 and Ms. Paquette's 6th Grade Band Students take the stage on Thursday, January 18. Specific times for these events can be found in the information below this message, as always.
Wishing you all a fantastic first full week of school in January 2024...and hope to see you very soon!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
This Week at JL Simpson Middle School
MAP Testing - throughout January 2024
- Math MAP Test during math classes January 8-16
- Reading MAP Test during English classes January 17-26
Monday, January 8 - A Day
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Technical Crew Interviews for Mary Poppins - M4 - Ms. Hoey Johnson
- Jazz Band Rehearsal - Band Room - Ms. Paquette
Tuesday, January 9 - B Day
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Technical Crew Interviews for Mary Poppins - M4 - Ms. Hoey Johnson
Wednesday, January 10 - A Day
- Clubs During the Day - See adjusted bell schedule below!
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Mary Poppins Cast Auditions - M4 and Cafeteria - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
- Opportunity Time - M6
- 6:00 PM: 6th Grade Gold Orchestra Concert
- 8:00 PM: 6th Grade Blue Orchestra Concert
Thursday, January 11 - B Day
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Mary Poppins Cast Auditions - M4 and Cafeteria - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
- SCA (Student Council Association) Meeting - C8
- Library and Lit Club (Library Council, Book Lover's and Writer's Club) - Ms. Everett
- Opportunity Time - M6
Friday, January 12 - A Day
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Mary Poppins Cast Auditions - M4 and Cafeteria - Ms. Hoey-Johnson
Saturday, January 13
- 4:30 PM: Girls JV Basketball Game @Riverside HS
- 1:45 PM: Boys 6th Grade Basketball Game @Willard MS
- 3:00 PM: Girls JV Basketball Game @Belmont Ridge MS
- 4:15 PM: Boys JV/7th Grade Basketball Game @Trailside MS
- 5:30 PM: Boys Varsity/8th Grade Basketball Game @Harper Park MS
- 6:45 PM: Girls Varsity Basketball Game @Belmont Ridge MS
Monday, January 15 - No School - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Friday, January 19 - End of 2nd Grading Period
*Now - January 19 - Please be sure to visit the Simpson Visual Arts Show in the Simpson St. Hallway and the Library /Media Center during our musical performances.*
We proudly congratulate all of our Mustangs who received a HERD Award for November/December!
Students are chosen for the HERD awards by teacher nominations each month. Nominations are submitted for students who display the characteristics we look for in our Mustang HERD: Honorable, Engaged, Respectful and Determined.
Each of these students receives a gift card, a sign delivered to their yard, and their photo displayed at school.
Be sure to check out this short video of all our HERD award recipients!
Our auditions for Mary Poppins Jr are this week! For students interested in the JLSMS spring musical, here's what you need to know:
PARENTS
- Here is a link to the parent night slideshow with all of the information you will need for the event.
- Please read through the information carefully and fill out the Parent link embedded in the slideshow.
January 8-9 after school (no activity bus available) -MUST USE SIGN UP GENIUS TO BE INTERVIEWED
- All Students pursuing Tech Theatre need to have a teacher reference to vouch for their responsibility/work ethic. They may ask a teacher to complete a reference for them in the Google spreadsheet that was shared with staff by Ms. Hoey-Johnson.
CAST AUDITIONS
January 10-12 after school (activity bus available Wednesday and Thursday ONLY, NOT Friday)- MUST USE SIGN UP GENIUS TO AUDITION
- Callbacks for Main Characters
January 16 and 19 after school - Cast/ Crew List Posted
January 20 via email
If students have any questions regarding the show, please have them holly.hoey@lcps.org.
Our Yearbook Staff Is Looking For Fun Photos of Our Mustangs Outside of School!
Our Simpson Yearbook staff is seeking photos of Mustangs outside of the school house!
Please consider sharing your photos of anything that your Mustangs do in relation to volunteering, sports, clubs, pets, favorite Leesburg activities, attending LCHS games, or neighborhood / family events.
Go to HJeshare.com and use code 13625 to submit your pictures!
Thank you for your support!
Monty's Tack Shop Open!
It's not too late to order from JLS Library Book Fair!
Thank you to everyone who visited the JLS Library Book Fair. We appreciate your support!
You weren't able to make it? You're in luck! The online book fair is open for the rest of the year. 15% of all proceeds go to the JLS Library. https://www.bookwormcentral.com/JLuptonSImpsonMiddle
SHINE! Spotlighting Heroes in Education Recognition Program
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.
We are honored to announce that Ms. Victoria Curtis-Meyding, Mr. Derrick Jackson, and Ms. Alesha Whitmore have already been recognized by families in our community! You can find their stories on the SHINE webpage under Inspirational Stories.
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!
Makeup and Retake Photos Now Available Online
The 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
Middle School Softball Registration Now Open
We are excited to once again host the Leesburg teams in the Loudoun Middle School program for the Spring 2024 season!
LGSL manages the following middle schools: Harper Park, J.L. Simpson, and Smart's Mill.
The Middle School Softball Program provides the opportunity to represent their schools, enhance school spirit, develop camaraderie, encourage teamwork, and further develop their softball skills while developing relationships.
All players (grades 6-8) may register to tryout, but they must also be enrolled in a House or Travel league.
Players interested in trying out please register here- https://leesburggirlssoftball.sportngin.com/.../171216706
A Note from Our 8th Grade Counselor - Special Programs for 9th Grade
Recently, our eighth graders had a presentation about the high school specialty programs. If your eighth grader is interested in applying for to the Health Medical Science Academy (HAMSci), International Baccalaureate Program (IB) or the Naval Junior Reserved Officer Training Corps (JROTC), now is the time to express interest.
*Students zoned to go to Loudoun County High School that are interested in the JROTC, please see Ms. Jeane.
We hope your student will consider these opportunities. Please see flyers below for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact Sabrina.Jeane@lcps.org.
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 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!
Dates to Remember
Be sure to check here often as we will continue to add dates and events as they become available.
January 8 - 16 - Math MAP Testing (during regular scheduled Math classes)
January 10 - 6th Grade Orchestra Concert (Gold 6pm, Blue 8pm) @JLSMS
January 15 - No School - Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 16 - PTO Meeting
January 17 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
January 17- 25 - Reading MAP Testing (during regular scheduled English classes)
January 18 - 6th Grade Band Concert (Blue 6:30pm, Gold 8pm) @JLSMS
January 19 - End of Second Grading Period
January 22 - No School - Student Holiday
January 26 - JLSMS Spelling Bee
February 9 - No School - Holiday - Lunar New Year
February 19 - Special Education Parent Coffee 9:00am and 7:00pm
February 15 - PEP Meeting - 5:30pm - Cafeteria
February 19 - No School - Holiday - Presidents' Day
February 21 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
March 5 - No School - Student Holiday
March 14 - PEP Meeting - 5:30pm - Cafeteria
March 20 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
March 25 - 29 - No School - Spring Break
April 4 - End of Third Grading Period
April 5 - No School - Student Holiday
April 10 - No School - Holiday - Eid al Fitr
April 17 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
April 18 - PEP Meeting
May 15 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
May 27 - No School - Holiday - Memorial Day
June 5 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
June 14 - Last Day of School/End of Fourth Grading Period
Follow Us On Social Media!
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
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLSimpsonMS2020/
Twitter: @JLSMS_Official
