A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!
Thank you to our entire community for embracing our Hispanic Heritage Spirit Week from October 10-13! We saw an incredibly high level of participation among both students and staff...and it was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of National Hispanic Heritage Month!
We are in the midst of updating our school website to make it a highly informative center for students, staff, and families to further promote the COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS centerpiece of our school mission. Please click here to notice many of the updates that have already been made by our wonderful Instructional Facilitator of Technology, Ms. Jennifer Burns, including a new announcement slideshow at the top of our page containing forthcoming events and advertisements as well as access to this Mustang Messenger on the right side of the page upon scrolling a bit further down from the top section. If you have other suggestions to improve our school website, please do not hesitate to reach out to let me know!
Wednesday, October 18 represents two specific celebratory events at JLS and an additional morning opportunity for your child sponsored by our PTO:
- Unity Day: Please have your Mustangs wear ORANGE to celebrate this outstanding national event that honors kindness, acceptance, and inclusion as part of National Bullying Prevention Month.
- LCPS Bus Driver Appreciation Day: We will be honoring our bus drivers on this date via some fun surprises from our JLS students and staff...but please do take a moment to thank your child's driver as their daily routine encompasses transporting your Mustang(s) to JLS and back home in a safe, welcoming, supportive manner!
- Monty's Cafe: Our fabulous PTO team will be offering hot chocolate ($2.00) and lemonade ($1.00) to our Mustangs upon their arrival at the main entrance of our building. This is a wonderful fundraiser hosted monthly by our PTO that allows us to continue to provide great resources and school improvements for our students, staff, and community...so we appreciate your generous support!
Remember that our Monster Mash 5K happens at all blocks on Thursday, October 19 and Friday, October 20 in all Health and PE classes....and you as our Mustang families are welcome to come and run/walk the event with your child...or even simply to cheer us on! Just sign in at the main office, grab your visitors badge, and we will direct you to the gym to then head outside for our spooky run fun! Check out the flyer below for more information!
We are in our final two weeks prior to the end of the first marking period, so please do work with your Mustang to review their StudentVue and Schoology pages to promote their being up to date on their assignments and effective communication with their teachers if they have any questions or need support to successfully close out the quarter.
Wishing you a beautiful week ahead...and hope to see all of you at our Monster Mash 5K or any other time you would like to stop by to say hello!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
This Week at JL Simpson Middle School
Monday, October 16, 2023
B-Day
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
A-Day
7th Grade Bullying Prevention Lessons (Resource/Spectrum)
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Grade 6 Field Trip to Udvar-Hazy (Students with science on A Days
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
B-Day
Unity Day - Wear Orange
8th Grade Bullying Prevention Lessons (Resource/Spectrum)
9:00 AM - 2:00 PM: Grade 6 Field Trip to Udvar-Hazy (Students with science on B Days)
8:00 - 8:30 AM: Monty’s Cafe (Main Entrance of JLS)
Thursday, October 19, 2023
A-Day
5K Monster Mash in PE
6th Grade Bullying Prevention Lessons (Resource/Spectrum)
Friday, October 20, 2023
B-Day
5K Monster Mash in PE
8th Grade Bullying Prevention Lessons (Resource/Spectrum)
Congratulations to Our September HERD Award Recipients
Each month, eight students from each grade level are awarded the Simpson HERD Award. Students who exemplify the HERD characteristics (honorable, engaged, respectful and determined) are chosen to receive these teacher nominated awards. These students receive a small gift and a yard sign displaying the HERD characteristic they demonstrated.
To see a brief video of the HERD Award Recipients for the month of September, click here.
Lost and Found Items
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, Concession Donations and DJ gift card 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
We are also collecting money to provide a gift card for the DJ. Please use this link to donate:
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!).
Veterans Day Program Cover Design Contest
All entries are due by October 25th. The winner will be announced on the 27th.
The program cover will be 8 1/2 inches by 5 1/2 inches in portrait format. All art must be your original work. No copyrighted images or characters. Work may be of any medium, including digital. All works must include the following:
J. L. Simpson
Veterans Day Tribute
2023
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! :)
Crosswalk Safety
We also now have law enforcement support and a crossing guard at the intersection of Evergreen Mill and Tolbert on duty both in the AM and PM to support students safely crossing the street...and we appreciate your own communication with your Mustangs about consistently being careful about walking to school and back home.
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
PTO 6th Grade Ida Lee Rec Center Event
Students must have a permission waiver form completed online, in advance or a paper copy completed at the door.
Click here to complete the online permission form for the event.The PTO is also looking for parents willing to donate cookies and waters for the event as well as some helpers before and after.
Click here if you are able to donate refreshments or your time for our 6th graders.
SCA Simpson School Dance - Please See Above If You are Able to Donate to This Event
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.)
Let's See Your Halloween Pet Pictures!
HALLOWEEN PET PICTURES!!
THE NEWS CREW IS DOING A SEGMENT ON HALLOWEEN PET PICTURES. PLEASE USE THIS LINK TO UPLOAD A PICTURE OF YOUR PET DRESSED UP FOR HALLOWEEN!
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 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 19-20 - Monster Mash 5K during HPE classes
October 24 - PTO Spirit Night @ ResQ BBQ - 11am-9:30pm / PTO Meeting 7pm
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
