A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
National Hispanic Heritage Month closes out next week with a fantastic spirit celebration on each day from October 10-13, details of which can be found below. We also have our Monster Mash 5K in Health and PE classes, our SCA Dance, Veterans Day Celebration, our first PEP Club session, and many, many other events for student and family engagement announced in the sections below this message...so please do check them out!
After-School Clubs and Organizations are currently meeting and building in availability based on student interest as we speak!
- Click here to check out which clubs are currently available after school and when they meet!
- Click here for information about our Student Council Association and their meeting dates/times.
- Clubs During The Day and the accompanying bell schedule to occur weekly on Wednesdays during the 2nd and 3rd Quarters will be announced prior to the end of the first quarter as we plan to survey our students to gain their interest in the clubs/organizations they would like to see as part of this co-curricular/extracurricular engagement experience.
- Students who are interested in starting a club/organization are welcome to complete this Google Form shared last week in the Mustang Messenger for review by school leadership prior to the group's formal establishment.
We are looking forward to another fantastic week as we return to school tomorrow, a B-day in case anyone needs a reminder. :)
See you all very soon...and best wishes for a brilliant week ahead!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
Can You Help the PTO?
Monster Mash 5K Donations
The JLS Health and PE Department has asked for some help to make the Monster Mash 5K a success!
Every student runs a 5K during their HPE block on October 19th or 20th.
We are trying to provide water and granola bars to every student on the day they run. If you can help donate please sign up here.
https://simpson.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=-VKet2sVQLGTTzO00XYChnN___523QvVs3___nUkAWgm
SCA Dance Chaperones and Concession Donations
The Student Council Association is hosting their annual dance on Friday, October 27th and need our help. Please sign up below if you are able to chaperone and/or donate supplies for their concession stand.
https://simpson.ptboard.com/sgnvw?group=&signup=-VKet2sVQLGTTzO00XYChnN___523QvVs3___nT_18XV
The Simpson Veterans Day Tribute
We will hold our annual Simpson Veterans Day Tribute on Friday, November 10.
We would love to welcome any of our student's military veteran family members. There will be a ceremony, complete with music provided by our band and chorus, as well as a reception afterwards.
We are asking any veterans who would like to attend to please complete this RSVP form.
We will also hold a design constest for students to create a patriotic cover for the program (More information to come!).
Loudoun County PTA Parent Resource Fair
Attend the Loudoun County Council PTA’s Parent Resource Fair and learn about services available through Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) and in Loudoun County or learn how your family can help others. The Resource Fair will be held on Wednesday, October 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the LCPS Administration Building (21000 Education Ct., Ashburn). The fair will feature six 20-minute breakout sessions to provide parents, guardians and community members with vital information about:
Math and reading strategies,
Managing teen stress, online student safety,
LCPS apps and services like ParentVue, the Stopfinder bus location app, LINQ Connect meal payment platform, and the Lightspeed Parent Portal
And more!
LCPS Superintendent Dr. Aaron Spence will give the opening remarks. LCPS departments and LCPS partners will be on hand to provide information about their programs and services. More than a dozen Loudoun County nonprofits will also be in attendance, including Mobile Hope, Loudoun Hunger, Women Giving Back, and the Loudoun Coalition of Women and Girls.
No time for dinner? No worries! Food trucks will be available to purchase meals and snacks. Childcare will also be provided at no cost. Plan to attend to learn all that LCPS and Loudoun County have to offer!
Morning Student Drop-Off
Thank you for your support in keeping the drop-off zone moving in an already reduced parking/queue area at our JLS campus! :)
Parents as Education Partners (PEP) Meeting - Thursday, October 12 at 5:30 PM
Do you know how to navigate the school system?
Do you know how to help your student to succeed in school?
Are you new to the country, or speak a language other than English?
This may be for you!
All schools need strong parental partnerships to guide and educate our kids. J.L. Simpson is not an exception.
If you would like to learn how to work more closely with the school, please join us on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 5:30 PM here at Simpson Middle School in our Library/Media Center.
Please let us know if you are joining us. You can contact our Parent Liaison Leslie Chisholm via email: Leslie.Chisholm@lcps.org
Bullying Prevention and Awareness Lessons for Students - Friday, October 16 - Friday, October 23, 2023
During the month of October (October 16 - October 23, 2023), the JLS School Counseling Team will be presenting lessons to students in grades 6-8 as part of National Bullying Prevention and Awareness Month. Lessons for students in grades 7 and 8 will focus on healthy relationships. The LCPS Department of Student Services has selected the One Love Foundation Couplets Program to help facilitate these discussions.
For more information about the program please visit https://www.joinonelove.org/act/couplets/
Please submit the PermissionClick form linked below if you do not want your 7th or 8th grade student to participate in the One Love lessons.
https://permission.click/kzJ58/int
Please reach out to the grade level school counselor if you have any questions.
Grade 6: Allison.Hyman@lcps.org
Grade 7: Mica.Thomasson@lcps.org
Grade 8: Sabrina.Jeane@lcps.org
SKATETIME Permissions Due by Friday, October 13, 2023
JLSMS has teamed up with Skatetime School Programs® to bring an exciting and innovative Physical Education program to its students. Students are learning basic skating skills during regular gym class right on the gym floor. Skatetime® has been teaching students to skate, promoting safety and providing quality skating programs to schools for over 25 years. Headquartered in Northern Illinois, Skatetime® has offices operating from Chicago to Texas, as far East as Washington D.C. and West as Seattle. For more information on having Skatetime® bring skating programs to your school visit us at www.skatetime.com.
Skatetime® is proudly committed to promoting the Future Fitness and Wellness of Children Everywhere through SKATING! Kids are hungry for knowledge and information. By providing challenging, fun learning activities, it is our goal to reinforce your work in Wellness, Fitness, Discipline, Respect and Patriotism through Lifetime Sports.
Important Information:
When and Where: Skatetime starts on November 2nd and runs until November 17th during your student's PE block.
Cost: Cost for Skatetime is $11. Payments can only be made online using the School Online Payment Portal - https://lcps.schoolcashonline.com/
SchoolCash Online is an easy to use and safe way to pay for your children’s school fees.
*You must make an account if you have not already and select JLSMS as your student's school.
Permission Forms - Must be PRINTED and turned in by October 13th to your PE teacher with a parent signature and student shoe size. Make sure to include your student's shoe size.
Shoe Sizes:
- Use whole sizes only
Available Quad Sizes: Juvenile J8-J13 & Regular 1-16
Available Inline Sizes: Juvenile J13 & Regular 1-16
IMPORTANT! Skates are in boys whole sizes only
Girls: Subtract 1 from their shoe size (i.e. Size 6 Shoe = Size 5 Skate)
Half sizes: Boys round up (i.e. 5.5 = 6); Girls round down (i.e. 5.5 = 5)
Permission Form: Please print off to complete
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ngMWRVOR7xVOCaqWI286S6q0u3xVYGjQjLqgdVb49Zo/edit?usp=sharing
**Please be mindful that Skatetime is optional, but non-skaters will continue on with a regular PE class.
SCA Simpson School Dance
The JLSMS Student Council will be hosting a school dance! Here's what you need to know:
What do I need to get in? $2, a signed permission slip, and a canned food item
What does my 2$ cover? Admission, a bottle of water, and a slice of pizza.
Can I buy food there?: Yes, additional snacks will be sold at the dance
When is the dance?: Friday, October 27th from 3:30-5:30 in the cafeteria
Activity buses will be provided.
Will there be a DJ? Yes
See house secretaries for permission slips or click the link below and print it out yourself.
Tickets will be sold in the cafeteria during all three lunch shifts on Monday, October 23, Tuesday, October 24, Wednesday, October 25, and Thursday, October 26 only (No tickets sold at the time of the dance.)
Thank You Academies of Loudoun for Your Visit to Simpson!
Writing Prompts for 8th Graders Interested in Academies of Loudoun
The Admissions & Outreach Office at the Academies of Loudoun will be releasing the writing prompts again this year for 8th graders. The released prompts will be shared with all 8th grade students through their science classes. A guided lesson has been constructed for 8th grade science teachers to introduce the nature of a STEM related critical thinking writing task.
8th grade science teachers will introduce the guided lesson anytime between now and October 18, 2023. This date coincides with the application due date. This timeframe will allow Academies of Loudoun applicants an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the admissions writing assessment before their scheduled test sessions on October 28, November 4, and November 11, 2023.
Need Chromebook Assistance? DES Can Help!
All students should bring their Chromebook (fully charged) and charger to school each day.
The office is located down the main hallway (SIMPSON STREET) just past Room M3 on the right. If Mustangs need any help locating the site, any staff member can assist.
What is a Family Liaison?
A Family Liaison is a LCPS staff member (not a volunteer) who works to bridge the gap between home and school by helping parents get the information and support they need to ensure their child’s academic and social success. As a parent, you have a private link, connection, and bridge to your child’s school. We are fortunate to have an outstanding Family Liaison at Simpson Middle School, Ms. Leslie Chisholm. She can be reached at leslie.chisholm@lcps.org.
Your Family Liaison can connect you to important information
· Contacting Teachers and Counselors
· School Expectations
· Directing families to the appropriate staff member when questions arise
Your Family Liaison can connect you to available resources/help
Financial assistance for school fees (based on need)
· School Supplies or fees
· Medical Assistance/Glasses
· After School Programs
. Resources in the community
Your Family Liaison can help you make a comfortable connection with the school
· Get Help from Interpreters
· Volunteering
Your Family Liaison works with our Simpson MS United Mental Health Team to connect you with support in crisis situations (emotional, physical, and academic)
· Housing
· Accidents
· Illness
· Bullying
· Substance and Physical Abuse
· Food stability
If you would like assistance from Ms. Chisholm at any time, feel free to connect via e-mail or see your counselor/dean and we can support your meeting with her.
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.
October 9 - No School - Holiday - Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 10 - 13 - Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week (see details above)
October 12 - PEP Meeting - 5:30pm - Cafeteria
October 16-20: Bullying Prevention and Awareness Lessons presented by JLS Counselors to Mustang Students
October 18 - Unity Day - Wear orange! / Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance /Acadamies of Loudoun Applications Close
October 19 - PTO Meeting - 7pm - Library/Media Center
October 19-20 - Monster Mash 5K during HPE classes
October 24 - PTO Spirit Night @ ResQ BBQ - 11am-9:30pm
October 27 - End of First Grading Period / School Dance - 3:30pm-5:30pm - Cafeteria
October 30-31 - No School - Student Holidays
October 31 - All District Chorus Auditions
November 7 - No School - Election Day
November 10 - JLSMS Veteran's Day Tribute
November 13 - No School - Holiday - Diwali
November 14 - Special Education Parent Coffee
November 15 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance / Special Education Parent Coffee
November 16 - PEP Meeting - 5:30pm - Cafeteria
November 17 - School Portrait Make-Up Day
November 22-24 - No School - Holiday - Thanksgiving Break
December 11-15 - Book Fair in the Library/Media Center
December 13 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
December 14 - PEP Meeting - 5:30pm - Cafeteria
December 21-January 1 - No School - Winter Break
January 15 - No School - Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 17 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
January 19 - End of Second Grading Period
January 22 - No School - Student Holiday
February 9 - No School - Holiday - Lunar New Year
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
