A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
This past week was yet another fantastic experience for us at Simpson in so many ways...and Friday's GOLD OUT truly displayed our unity as a Mustang community in a brilliant manner! The energy was contagious among students and staff as we strove to support our Loudoun County HS Captains for their homecoming game and in the fight against childhood cancer as a prime focus of the event. Check out some of the photos below to see just a few examples of how fabulous participation was among all of our Mustangs!
I also would like to express how very proud I am of our Mustangs and their support of our Captains on Friday at our homecoming game and throughout the day at school. We received so many compliments about their spirit and positivity. I know much of this comes from you as our families to promote the importance of our community expectations with your children, so thank you! I plan to congratulate our students on our announcements first thing tomorrow morning for their awesomeness. There is nothing greater than seeing the HONORABLE, ENGAGED, RESPECTFUL, and DETERMINED mission behind our work at Simpson exemplified consistently at school and at events in our community...it warmed my heart!
Tomorrow (October 2) and Tuesday (October 3) are not only our School Picture Days in Health and PE Classes...they also mark the interim of Quarter 1. Therefore, as mentioned last week in our Mustang Messenger, it is a fantastic time for you to work with your Mustang to review their current academic performance via StudentVue/ParentVue. Please empower your Mustangs to talk with their teachers at school or contact them via e-mail with any questions they have or any support they may need to promote their success in academic performance in all of their classes. We are all here to help every day!
Clubs/Organizations at JLS / Opportunity Time / Activity Buses on Wednesdays and Thursdays
- Clubs/Organizations at JLS: Multiple after school clubs/organizations will be announced this week by our staff and school leadership via Remind and the Mustang Messenger...Be sure to stay tuned!
- Clubs/Organizations During the Day at JLS: Students will be able to participate in Clubs/Organizations During the Day of their interest at Simpson throughout the second and third quarters on Wednesdays as part of a special bell schedule experience. We will be seeking ideas about clubs/organizations of interest among our students during advisory in the coming weeks!
- Does Your Mustang Have An Interest in A Club/Organization at JLS?: Please ask your Mustang to complete this Google Form if they have an interest in establishing a club/organization at JLS. Our Mustang students are welcome to reach out to me or Brandon.Filsinger@lcps.org with any questions they may have about the creation of a new club/organization at JLS at any time. :)
- Opportunity Time: Our educators may be reaching out to you to request that your Mustangs stay after school for Opportunity Time to complete any assignments or receive academic support/enrichment on Wednesday/Thursday or other days/times as arranged with you as families.
- Activity Buses: Many Clubs/Organizations and Opportunity Time will take place on Wendesdays and Thursdays after school since we now have Activity Buses to transport our Mustangs safely back home. Activity buses typically arrive between 4:30 PM - 4:45 PM to begin their routes home from JLS.
Remember that Friday is a PINK OUT! in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month in conjunction with our Loudoun County HS football game on October 6, 2023. Let's just say that I have already been preparing myself to wear as much pink as possible on this date in honor of this grand occasion...so I am excited to see if our Mustangs and staff can match or exceeed my own enthusiasm!
Have a wonderful week ahead...and thank you for your ongoing suppoort of JLS each and every day!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson MS
Picture Day is Monday and Tuesday!
School Picture Day is Monday October 2nd & Tuesday October 3rd, 2023. Pictures will be taken during students' PE block.
Images will be available to view and purchase approximately two weeks following our school's picture day. Save time and Pre-order online here: https://vando.imagequix.com/g1001030255#login
For questions about ordering school pictures please email underclass@vosphoto.com
For paper copies of the order form for school pictures, our Mustangs can stop by their house office.
Can You Help the PTO?
PICTURE DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
The school needs a couple more people on Tuesday to help with picture day. Parents will help line up the students and make sure they take their ID card. If you can help, please sign up here.
Picture days are October 2nd and 3rd. Pictures for students will occur during their PE block. Sign up here if you would like to help.
MONSTER MASH DONATIONS:
The PE Department has asked for some help to make the Monster Mash 5K a success! Every student runs a 5k during their PE block on those days.
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.
The Simpson Veteran's Day Tribute
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 attenend 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).
Suicide Prevention Lessons for 8th Graders
Bullying Prevention and Awareness Lessons for Students
During the month of October, the 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.
SKATETIME During PE Begins 11/2 - Permissions Due by 10/13
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 till November 17th during your students' 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 boy's 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.
New LCPS Digital Service, LightSpeed Family Portal
LCPS is offering a new, optional and free digital service for families called Lightspeed Parent Portal. This service allows parents/guardians to view a list of websites their student(s) are accessing when using their LCPS-issued Chromebook or laptop. Families who elect to use this service will receive weekly reports by email.
In addition, families can elect to temporarily suspend Internet access for their student(s) devices when they are not connected to the LCPS network (home, bus, etc.). Please note: Internet access cannot be suspended when a student is at school.
To sign up for Lightspeed Parent Portal, go to ParentVUE. From there:
Click on: “Student Information.”
From “Student Information,” opt in for Lightspeed Parent Portal under “Student Notifications and Permissions.” (Be sure to click the “Edit” button at the top of the screen.)
Choose “YES” from the drop-down menu “I am opting into receiving weekly emails regarding my student’s internet usage.”
For additional information and questions about Lightspeed, go to the Lightspeed Parent Portal website.
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 2 - Interims - Quarter 1
October 2 & 3 - School Picture Days (taken during Health and PE classes)
October 4 - PTO Spirit Night @ Chipotle 5pm-9pm
October 6 - Simpson Pink Out along with LCHS
October 9 - No School - Holiday - Indigenous Peoples' Day
October 18 - Unity Day - Wear orange! / Acadamies of Loudoun Applications Close
October 18-20: Bullying Prevention and Awareness Lessons presented by JLS Counselors to Mustang Students
October 19-20 - Monster Mash 5K during PE classes
October 24 - PTO Spirit Night @ ResQ BBQ 11am-9:30pm
October 27 - End of First Grading Period
October 30-31 - No School - Student Holidays
October 31 - All District Chorus Auditions
November 7 - No School - Election Day
November 13 - No School - Holiday - Diwali
November 22-24 - No School - Holiday - Thanksgiving Break
December 21-January 1 - No School - Winter Break
January 15 - No School - Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 19 - End of Second Grading Period
January 22 - No School - Student Holiday
February 9 - No School - Holiday - Lunar New Year
February 19 - No School - Holiday - Presidents' Day
March 5 - No School - Student Holiday
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
May 27 - No School - Holiday - Memorial Day
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
