The Mustang Messenger
Sunday, February 11, 2024
Please click the appropriate link below to access the SPECIAL EDITION MUSTANG MESSENGER focused on our End of Year Grade-Level Field Trip for your Mustang!
- Grade 6 Field Trip to Kings Dominion
- Grade 7 Field Trip to Hershey Park
- Grade 8 Field Trip to Busch Gardens
NOTE: We have corrected a link in the original delivery of the Grade 6 Field Trip to Kings Dominion. Thank you for your kind patience and understanding!
PS: A huge thank you to Monica Allman, our House A Administrative Assistant, for her creativity in assembling our field trip newsletters...and for her dedication to assembling much of the Mustang Messenger on a weekly basis!
Mary Poppins Jr Tickets on Sale Now! (See info below to purchase!)
April 22-26 - Happening All Week:
- Passover
Monday, April 22 - B Day - Earth Day
- 8:30 AM - 7th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration
- Monty's Tack Shop open during resource!
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Jazz Band Rehearsal - Ms. Paquette - Band Room
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Mary Poppins, Jr. Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - M4
Tuesday, April 23 - A Day
- 8:30 AM - 6th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration
- Monty's Tack Shop open during resource!
Wednesday, April 24 - B Day - Adjusted Bell Schedule for Testing - See below
- Administrative Professionals Day
- 8th Grade Integrated Reading & Writing SOL
- 6th and 7th Grades Reading MAP Testing
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Opportunity Time - M6
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes - AUX Gym - Ms. O'Hara
- Weight Lifting Club - Mr. Dunbar
- Student Council Association (SCA) - Ms. Suttie / Ms. Herrin - C8
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Mary Poppins, Jr. Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - M4
Thursday, April 25- A Day - Adjusted Bell Schedule for Testing - See below
- MAKE UP - 8th Grade Integrated Reading & Writing SOL
- Math MAP Testing (All Grades)
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Opportunity Time - M6
- Select Choir Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey Johnson - M4
- 5:30 PM - Parents as Educational Partners (PEP) Meeting
Friday, April 26 - B Day - Arbor Day
- Kimberly Poole - Teacher of the Year Day!
- 8:30 AM - 8th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration
- 3:30 PM - 5:00 PM: Mary Poppins, Jr. Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson - M4
Click here --> JLSMS Grade Level Academic Weekly Update - April 22-26, 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.
Congratulations 3rd Quarter Honor Roll Students!
Honor Roll Celebrations will be help this week.
E-mail invitations for families of honor roll students were sent on Friday, April 12, 2024 at 6:30 PM, so please check your accounts!
Congratulations to all our Mustangs who achieved honor roll for the 3rd grading quarter! Click the links below to see the entire list by grade level. Be sure to scroll through completely, as each list begins with all A's and finishes with A/B.
6th Grade Honor Roll Quarter 3
How to Expunge a Grade for a High School Course
Middle school students who have taken a high school course while in sixth, seventh, or eighth grade may elect to have the course expunged (grade and credit omitted) from the student’s high school records. The high school credit courses available to middle school students include the following, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II/Trig, Robotics and World Languages.
If you wish to expunge the grade for a high school course taken in middle school, the expungement form must be completed through Permission Click. Expungement requests should be submitted to the school counseling department no later than the end of the first quarter of the 2024-2025 school year.
Please click here for additional information and Permission Click link.
In accordance with updated respiratory virus guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, LCPS has updated its guidance specifically relating to COVID-19 but also applying to the flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Per this updated guidance, students or staff who have symptoms of, test positive for or have been diagnosed with a respiratory virus may return to school when they are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication AND their symptoms have improved or resolved. The COVID-19 isolation period of five days is no longer required.
Please refer to the chart on this attendance webpage if your child is experiencing symptoms or illnesses and you are unsure if they should go to school.
Thank you for helping to keep our students and staff healthy.
____
Additional Resources:
Newsletter Graphic: Resp Virus Guidelines graphic.png
Flyer (for printing and posting): Resp Virus Guidelines 040424.pdf
DEL FACE Office Invites You to The Family Room Session - April 23
The Division of English Learners, Family and Community Engagement (DEL FACE) Office is pleased to invite families to our next The Family Room Session:
Understanding High School Graduation Requirements
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
6 pm English & Spanish
7 pm English & Arabic
Join us to learn about the Program of Studies, Diploma types, and graduation requirements for LCPS students.
Families are encouraged to come with questions.
Click on the flyer below to learn more!
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:
Come out and cheer on our Mustang softball and baseball teams!
Our Simpson Mustangs Softball Schedule:
April 22 vs. Harper Park Middle School
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 7:45 PM
April 26 vs. Lunsford Middle School
at Freedom Park - 6:30 PM
April 29 vs. Harmony Middle School
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 5:45 PM
May 3 vs. Willard Middle School
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 5:45 PM
May 6 vs. Riverbend/Seneca Ridge Middle Schools
at Claude Moore - 7:45 PM
May 10 vs. Blue Ridge Middle School
at Freedom Park - 6:30 PM
May 13 vs. Brambleton Middle School
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 7:30 PM
Our Simpson Mustangs Baseball Schedule:
April 22 vs. Seneca Ridge Middle School
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 6:30 PM
April 25 vs. Mercer/Stone Hill MS
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 6:30 PM
April 29 @ Brambleton MS Bears
at Hal and Berni Hanson Regional Park -- 6:30 PM
May 2 vs. Lunsford MS Lions
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 6:30 PM
May 6 @ Smarts Mill MS Mavericks
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 6:30 PM
May 9 @ Trailside MS Timberwolves
at Moorefield Station Community Park -- 6:30 PM
May 16 @ Harper Park MS Hurricanes
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 6:30 PM
May 20 vs. Farmwell Station MS Falcons
at Philip A. Bolen Memorial Regional Park -- 6:30 PM
May 23 @ Blue Ridge MS ULLL
at Franklin Park Field #4 -- 6:30 PM
May 30 vs. Willard MS Wildcats
at Edgar Tillett Memorial Park -- 6:30 PM
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY: Student Volunteers Needed for Stampede - Open to all current Simpson students!
ATTENTION: Current Simpson Mustangs! - A LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU AND YOUR RESUME!
Are you interested in helping the rising 6th graders learn more about Simpson and feel more comfortable as they enter middle school?
Do you enjoy creating games and activities?
We would love for you to help us create content for Stampede 2024 and attend the Stampede as a mentor to our rising 6th graders.
You will need to be available to work on planning for the event after school on 4 Thursdays in April and May, and you will be required to attend the event on June 26-27.
Please fill out this form if you are interested in volunteering.
We hope to see you there, supporting our new Mustangs for 2024-2025!
Ms. Hoey Johnson, our amazing music and drama director has received a SHINE (Spotlighting Heroes in Education Recognition Program) submimission from one of her students!
Here is what Parker said about her:
Mrs. Hoey-Johnson is an absolutely amazing teacher. She is so fun and every class is a blast. I normally come into her class without a smile and my head down, but she always finds a way to make sure I leave with a smile and my chin up. She helps me with my anxiety and compliments me all of the time. She is so funny. You can tell that the things she says are genuine.
*If you know a Hero in Education please consider recognizing them with a SHINE submission - see directions below*
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.
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
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
Summer Virtual Classes for Rising 8th and 9th Grade Students
Virtual Loudoun Online
Term 3 registration opens Monday, April 22 at 6am: https://www.lcps.org/domain/21526.
Term 3 is the summer term. P.E. classes fill up fast.
- Rising 8th and 9th grade students have the opportunity to participate in virtual learning as detailed on the VLO Middle School Information webpage.
Be ready, check out the information below before registering.
Video: “Online Learning: Is Virtual Loudoun for Me?”: Student Experience
VLO Terms: Program Calendar
FAQs, "How many virtual classes can I take?"**
Parent Coaching and Resources
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
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.
April 2024: ALL MONTH: Ongoing celebrations at JLS this month!
Arab-American History Month
National Poetry Month
Month of the Military Child
Autism Awareness Month
Earth Month
April 22 - 7th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration / Mary Poppins, Jr. Elementary School Tour
April 23 - 6th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration
April 24 - Administrative Assistant Day / 8th Grade Integrated Reading & Writing SOL / 6th & 7th Grade Reading MAP Testing
April 25 - Makeup 8th Grade Integrated Reading & Writing SOL / Math MAP Testing (All Grades) / PEP Meeting 5:20 PM
April 26 - 8th Grade Quarter 3 Honor Roll Celebration
May 3- Simpson Middle School Proudly Presents Mary Poppins Jr. 7:00 PM
May 3 - Lunch Heroes Day
May 4 - Simpson Middle School Proudly Presents Mary Poppins Jr. 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
May 5 - Simpson Middle School Proudly Presents Mary Poppins Jr. 2:00 PM
May 6-10 - Teacher Appreciation Week 2024
May 6 - Interims
May 7 - Reading SOL / Crosstown Volleyball Game Simpson VS Smarts Mill
May 8 - School Nurse Appreciation Day / Reading SOL Make Up
May 10 - Hershey Park Music Department Field Trip
May 13 - Civics 8 SOL
May 14 - Civics 8 SOL Makeup / PTO Meeting
May 15 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8 AM at school main entrance
May 16 - Science SOL
May 17 - Science SOL Makeup
May 21 - JLS Choir Concert @LCHS
May 22 - Math SOL / 6th Grade Orchestra Concert / Simpson Spring Art Exhibit May 22 - June 6
May 23 - Math SOL Makeup
May 27 - No School - Holiday - Memorial Day
May 28 - Retake Reading SOL / 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra Concert
May 29 - Science SOL Retake
May 30 - Civics 8 SOL Retake / PEP Meeting
May 31 - Math SOL Retake
June 3 - 7th & 8th Grades Jazz Band Concerts
June 5 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8 AM at school main entrance / Guitar Concert
June 6 - Grade 7 Class Trip to Hershey Park / 6th Grade Gold and Blue Band Concert
June 10 - STEAM Day
June 11 - Grade 8 Class Trip to Busch Gardens / Grade 6 Mustang Awards Ceremony
June 12 - Grade 8 Mustang Awards Ceremony
June 13 - Grade 6 Class Trip to Kings Dominion / Grade 7 Mustang Awards Ceremony
June 14 - Last Day of School/End of Fourth Grading Period
June 26 & 27 - Rising 6th Grade Stampede Into Simpson
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
Instagram: @jlsimpsonms_official_ jl
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JLSimpsonMS2020/
X: @JLSMS_Official
