The Mustang Messenger
Sunday, December 17, 2023
A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!
As we dim the lights on another fantastic week at Simpson ending this past Friday, December 15, a big congratulations to Mrs. Holly Hoey-Johnson's choir and Ms. Alexa Kanakry's orchestra students as they made our evenings special this past Tuesday and Wednesday respectfully with their music before great audiences that celebrated their amazing efforts. We look forward to our 7th and 8th Grade Band and Jazz Band Concert on Monday, December 18 at 7 PM under the leadership of Ms. Beth Paquette just before we celebrate all of our musicians one more time at our winter assemblies on Tuesday and Wednesday this coming week. Our 6th Grade Blue and Gold Band Concerts will ring in our new year rather nicely by occurring on the evening of Wednesday, January 10 starting at 6:00 PM.
Thank you as well to Ms. Everett, Ms. Wholters, and Ms. Mercer for making our JLS Book Fair a great experience for our students, staff, and community. Our students enjoyed perusing the cool variety in titles and picking up a few items of interest along the way! We also had fun with PTO's bringing back Monty's Cafe on Wednesday to warm us all up with hot chocolate on a blustery December morning.
Please be sure to remember our SCA Spirit Days for our entire Mustang community as they begin tomorrow morning! Check them out below...
Monday, December 18th: July in December Day: Wear a holiday-themed Hawaiian shirt or any Hawaiian-style shirt!
Tuesday, December 19th: Ugly Holiday Sweater Day
Wednesday, December 20th: Dress Up As Your Favorite Holiday Character!
As we head into these final three days of school prior to the winter break, I wanted to take time to sincerely thank all of you for your support of our Mustangs and our wonderful staff at Simpson. We can only see success emerge from our students if we work together well as a team to make it happen...and that team includes your supreme diligence, positive mindset, and caring dedication as our families!
We wish all of you the most wondrous of winter breaks with your family and friends during this special time and a safe, happy holiday season! We will see you in 2024!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
This Week and Into the New Year at JL Simpson Middle School
Monday, December 18 - B Day
- Hawaiian Holiday Spirit Day - Wear Any Hawaiian Shirt
- Monty's Tack Shop open during resource classes
- 7:00 PM - 7th and 8th Grade Jazz Band Concert @JLSMS
Tuesday, December 19 - A Day
- Ugly Sweater/Holiday Hat Spirit Day
- Monty's Tack Shop open during resource classes
- 9:30 AM - JLSMS Holiday Assembly - 7th Grade Performs for 6th Grade
- 2:00 PM - JLSMS Holiday Assembly - 8th Grade Performs for 7th Grade
Wednesday, December 20 - B Day
- Dress as Your Favorite Holiday Character Spirit Day
- 10:00 AM - LCHS Holiday Assembly @JLSMS - LCHS performs for 8th Grade
- Clubs During the Day - See adjusted bell schedule below!
Thursday, December 21 - Monday, January 1 - No School - Winter Break
Tuesday, January 2 - A Day
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- DBA Mock Auditions - Band Room
Wednesday, January 3 - B Day
- Clubs During the Day
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- DBA Mock Auditions - Band
- Library Helpers Club - Library
- 6th Grade Orchestra Rehearsal
Thursday, January 4 - A Day
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Select Choir - Ms. Hoey Johnson
- DBA Mock Auditions - Band Room
- Pride Club - Ms. Everett and Ms. Wilfong - B6
Friday, January 5 - B Day
- 8:30 - 9:00 AM - Simpson Spring Musical Information Session - for interested students
Saturday, January 6
- All District Band Auditions @Tuscarora HS
- 5:15 PM PRCS Boys Varsity/8th Grade Basketball Game @Rock Ridge HS
- 6:30 PM PRCS Girls Varsity Basketball Game @Rock Ridge HS
- 3:00 PM PRCS Boys Varsity/8th Grade Basketball Game @Willard MS
- 4:15 PM PRCS Girls JV Basketball Game @Brambleton MS
- 4:15 PM PRCS Boys JV/7th Grade Basketball Game @Willard MS
- 5:30 PM PRCS Girls Varsity Basketball Game @Willard MS
- 4:15 PM PRCS Boys 6th Grade Basketball Game @Harper Park MS
*December 4 - January 19 - Please be sure to visit the Simpson Visual Arts Show in the Simpson St. Hallway and the Library /Media Center while you're here for our musical performances.*
Monty's Tack Shop Open Monday and Tuesday This Week!
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!
Sweet Treats For The Simpson Staff
Help the PTO spoil our wonderful Simpson Staff with sweet treats before the break. If you are able to bring in a dessert on December 18th, please sign up here. We are specifically in need to allergen free items.
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
Winter in 3 Words - LCPS Video
Enjoy this fun winter video featuring some of our very own Simpson Mustangs!
LCPS Student Assistance Services News
Please take a moment to review the newsletter from LCPS Student Assistance Services for some important information about Fentanyl awareness, some upcoming events and more.
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 fliers below for more information.
If you have any questions, please contact Sabrina.Jeane@lcps.org.
Important Notes From Our School Nurse - For 6th grade students
Dear Parents or Guardians of current 6th grade students,
While the start of the 2024/25 school year is still many months away, it is important that you begin to schedule vaccinations for your student now. All 7th grade students are required, per Virginia Code 32.1-46, to have the following vaccinations and to show proof of vaccination to the student’s school:
Required Vaccinations for All 7th Grade Students:
● One dose of Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, acellular pertussis) given at age 7 or older.
● One dose of Meningococcal Vaccine (MenACWY, Menactra, or Menveo) given at age 10 or older. (Please Note: MenB, Bexsero, and Trumenba vaccines are not the same as MenACWY and will not be accepted in place of MenACWY. Please confirm with your medical provider that the appropriate vaccination is administered.)
Encouraged Vaccine (not required):
● HPV (Human Papillomavirus) vaccine. This vaccine is at the discretion of the parents or guardian but is recommended. LCPS does not require opt-out documentation for the HPV vaccine. Please ask your private healthcare provider, the Loudoun County Health Department, or your school nurse to review your student's immunization record to ensure that they have received the required vaccines.
Vaccines are available from the Loudoun County Health Department, pharmacies, urgent care providers, or your child’s pediatrician.
Contact information for the Loudoun County Health Department is provided below:
Loudoun County Health Department
102 Heritage Way NE, Leesburg
703-777-0236 – Call for an appointment
August 22, 2024 is the first day of school for the 2024/25 school year. Students without the appropriate documentation will not be able to start school on the first day of school. Don’t wait until August! Vaccinate your student early and provide your student’s school with the appropriate proof of vaccination any time prior to the first day.
Acceptable documentation includes one of the following:
● A copy of your student's immunization record, signed/stamped by the provider, showing the date the immunization was given.
● A signed note from a healthcare provider on the provider’s letterhead stating the date the immunization was given.
● A healthcare provider’s signed statement of a permanent or temporary medical exemption for a student who cannot receive the immunization due to medical reasons.
● A notarized Religious Exemption Form which is available on the LCPS website.
If you have questions about these requirements, please contact Nurse Pettit at Rene.Pettit@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.
December 18 - 7th and 8th Grade Band and Jazz Band Concert 7pm @JLSMS
December 21-January 1 - No School - Winter Break
January 5 - Mary Poppins Jr. Interest Meeting during advisory
January 10 - 6th Grade Orchestra Concert (Gold 6pm, Blue 8pm) @JLSMS
January 15 - No School - Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 17 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance
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
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
