The Mustang Messenger
Thursday, August 10, 2023
Traducción en Español
- Para ver el boletín en español haga clic en el cuadrado negro ubicado en el lado derecho donde dice Traducir boletín.
- Cuando llegue aquí, haga clic en la flecha hacia abajo y elija el idioma Español.
A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
It is an absolute privilege and honor for me to join the incredible Simpson Mustang HERD as our principal!
Today marks my sixth official day in this wonderful role and I have been nothing but impressed with my school leadership team colleagues, instructional and support staff, families who have visited us, and our fantastic PTO leaders. Many of our Simpson MUSTANG staff members have already returned to our building and are working diligently to prepare for the arrival of our rising 6th graders and the return of our 7th and 8th grade students for 2023-2024, a school year that promises to be among the very best in our 48 year history!
When I joined Loudoun County Public Schools in the fall of 2002 as a French/Spanish teacher and 6th grade dean at River Bend Middle School in its charter year, Simpson was the first building in which I had a professional learning experience. Loudoun County Public Schools had just recently entered a phase of opening new school buildings due to the rapid growth in population that continues to the present day throughout our division. Having graduated from Hedgesville High School (constructed in 1976 as well) in Berkeley County Schools, WV, I felt very much at home as Simpson reflected the rich character of a schoolhouse that demonstrated a clear sense of community, compassion, and familial connectivity to which I had been accustomed myself growing up as a student. I also remember being thoroughly impressed by how welcoming and supportive everyone whom I encountered was at the time as I weaved through the hallways to find the classroom in which our session was scheduled.
Since that time, I have had several opportunities to return to Simpson in various roles and found the same sentiment of community connection to be resiliently alive. Therefore, I am very excited and grateful to have the opportunity to champion and support our professionalism in establishing positive communication and relationships first and foremost as we seek to engage our students in authentic learning experiences that allow them to pursue their interests, discover talents and skills which they may have never realized before, and carve pathways that connect seamlessly to their high school and post-secondary opportunities.
Here is some important general information for you as we begin our new school year:
1. REMIND: Join the Simpson Mustang Remind for Your Grade Level!
Grade 6: Text @jls2030 to 81010.
Grade 7: Text @jls2029 to 81010.
Grade 8: Text @jls2028 to 81010.
Our school leadership team will be using Remind to send you messages in text format
to ensure you have the most up-to-date information about current events at Simpson
throughout the year. Join the Remind(s) for your Mustang students to stay current on a
regular basis with us!
2. WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!: Stop by and visit us!: Our doors are always open to you to stop by and visit Simpson...and I would enjoy the opportunity to meet our students and families before the official return to school events. Our summer hours are 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM through Wednesday, August 23, so feel free to come over to the schoolhouse to say hello or call us if you need any support as we prepare for the new year.
3. The Official Simpson Mustang Stampede Back to School Guide: In addition to the information provided below this greeting, watch for the premiere of a digital handout within the next week that will provide you key information to support a welcoming, safe, comfortable, and successful arrival and school year at Simpson.
4. The Mustang Messenger: Your Weekly Community Newsletter from Simpson: This newsletter will continue to be released on Sundays at 5:30 PM so that you know important information, forthcoming events and their dates/times, and much more to promote great experiences for all at Simpson!
You as the families of our Simpson Mustang students play a vital role in the partnership with our staff members. My goal as principal is to promote the best of positive communication and authentic, supportive relationships among our EXEMPLARY staff and ENGAGED family and community members to ensure that each and every Mustang student is EMPOWERED to have a top quality, personalized ENRICHING experience throughout their years at our J.L. Simpson Middle School.
Thank you for being a member of our Simpson Mustang Family...and I cannot wait to see you all very soon!
Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III, Ed.D.
Principal
J.L. Simpson Middle School
Stampede Into 2023-2024!: Some Introductory Information for the New School Year!
Open House for Our Simpson Mustang Students and Families!
Please note that 6th Graders and their families may attend from 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM prior to an opportunity for our 7th and 8th Grade students and families from 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM. Detailed information will be released in our Official Simpson Mustang Stampede Back to School Guide very soon!
What School Supplies Do Students at Simpson Need?
For the time being, check out the graphic above for every day essentials that can make the Simpson experience the best!
Where can I find LCPS level information on general information and expectations for students and their families?
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.
When are schedules live in StudentVue/ParentVue?
For information on how to access StudentVue/ParentVue, please click this link.
When do doors open for students each morning?
Each day students will report to welcoming areas supported by Simpson staff members and are required to remain in that location until release to advisory and the beginning of our school day.
WELCOMING AREAS by GRADE LEVEL:
8th Grade - Auditorium
7th Grade - Main Gym
6th Grade - Auxiliary Gym
At what time do classes begin?
We will have many staff members around to support our students in arriving at their locations each and every day, so please encourage your Simpson Mustangs to find any one of us to help whenever needed!
What is the A-B Day Schedule for 2023-2024?
When does the final bell ring for the day?
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!
Our most immediate need right now is for a 6th Grade Event lead and someone that would like to help with our welcome back staff breakfast. Please reach out to Natalie Sutter nsutter@gmail.com or Sara Conner sbc070178@gmail.com if you are interested in helping. 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!
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
