The Mustang Messenger
Sunday, December 10, 2023
A Message from Dr. Di Nicola
Good evening, JLS Mustang Families!
Thank you for your support of our VGA Reading and Mathematics Assessments this past week at JLS! Our students collectively did a great job dedicating themselves to completing the assessments by doing their best work to allow our professional staff to determine what instructional support we can continue to offer to ensure continuous growth and improvement for each of our Mustangs.
As many of you know, our winter fine arts events season is upon us during these weeks of December as has been the tradition at Simpson for many years! It was a joy attending our JLS Guitar Concert under the leadership of Mr. Alphonso Young to watch our 8th graders shine alongside the Loudoun County HS Captains in such a brilliant fashion - way to go, Mustang Musicians! We look forward now this week to our JLS Choir Concert on Tuesday, December 12 and the 7th and 8th Grade Orchestra Concert on Wednesday, December 13...and then next week on Monday, December 18 as we showcase our 7th and 8th Grade Band Concert to continue to celebrate the excellence of our student performers as music makes the season brighter! Please also try to come by and check out the outstanding visual arts display currently decorating the Simpson Street main hallway and the library as a result of impressively creative contributions by our Mustang student artists. They will be on display even after our winter break as well!
Our JLS Book Fair launches tomorrow for our students as our English classes visit for a chance to peruse this year's available selections. Our Mustang Families are welcome to attend the book fair after school from 3:30 PM - 6 PM on Thursday, December 14 in the library/media center...and they can also shop online as well. The online bookstore has a broader selection of books, including titles for children of all ages and adults, just in time for the holidays. Books ordered online are shipped directly to your home. There is also a list of books focused on science and reference titles that you can purchase for the library if you would like to contribute to our collection. The JLS Book Fair website address is https://www.bookwormcentral.com/JLuptonSImpsonMiddle.
Finally, we have some Holiday Spirit Days coming up on December 18, 19, and 20 as we approach our winter break event. Check out the information posted below so that you can help our Mustangs be prepared to celebrate together! I'm already working on assembling my costumes as we speak! ;-)
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!
We thank you, as always, for your kind enthusiasm and support of JL Simpson Middle School and our Mustangs. Wishing you a great week ahead as December rolls on to bring us awesome events to remember how we are a terrific community that promotes HONORABLE, ENGAGED, RESPECTFUL, and DETERMINED qualities to make us the best!
Dr. Frank G. "Tripp" Di Nicola, III
Principal
JL Simpson Middle School
This Week at JL Simpson Middle School
Happening ALL WEEK -
- Candy Cane Grams - On sale all week during lunches - see below for details!
- Book Fair - All week in the JLSMS Library - see below for details!
Monday, December 11 - A Day
- 9:00 AM - VGA Reading Make-Ups
- After School Events: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
- Grade 7 Choir Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey-Johnson's Classroom
- Orchestra Rehearsal - Auditorium - Ms. Kanakry
- Jazz Band Rehearsal - Band Room - Ms. Paquette
Tuesday, December 12 - B Day
- 9:00 AM - VGA Mathematics Make-Ups
- After School Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- 7:00 PM - JLSMS Choir Concert @LCHS
Wednesday, December 13 - A Day
- 8:00 AM - Monty's Cafe - Outside Front Entrance
- Clubs During the Day - See adjusted bell schedule below!
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:40 PM
- Opportunity Time - Room M6
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes - Aux Gym - Ms. O’Hara
- Student Council Association - Room B12 - Ms. Herrin
- 7th Grade Band Rehearsal - Auditorium - Ms. Paquette
- 7:00 PM - 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra Concert @JLSMS
Thursday, December 14 - B Day
- Hearing and Vision Screenings during 7th Grade PE
- Resource Classes Tour the Lost and Found Tables - Please remind your students to look for their missing items. Anything unclaimed after 12/15 will be donated.
- After School Clubs/Events: 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
- Opportunity Time - Room M6
- Empowered Girls - Room A17 - Ms. Ashley/Ms. Herrin
- Select Choir Rehearsal - Ms. Hoey Johnson's Classroom
- 7th Grade Band Rehearsal - Auditorium - Ms. Paquette
- Winter Care Package Assembly - Cafeteria - Sources of Strength
- 3:30 PM - 6:00 PM - Book Fair Open to Families
- 5:30 PM - PEP Meeting/w Empowered Girls - Cafeteria - Ms. Chisholm/Mr. Cabezas
- 7:00 PM - LCHS Choir Concert
Friday, December 15 - A Day
- Hearing and Vision Screenings during 7th Grade PE
- Resource Classes Tour the Lost and Found Tables - Please remind your students to look for their missing items. Anything unclaimed after 12/15 will be donated.
Saturday, December 16
- 12:00 PM Boys 6th Grade Basketball Game @Stone Hill MS
Sunday, December 17
- 3:00 PM Boys 6th Grade Basketball Game @Farmwell MS
- 4:15 PM Boys 8th Grade Basketball Game @Willard 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.*
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.
Volunteers Needed
Nurse Pettit is looking for some parent volunteers to help out with vision and hearing tests on Thursday, December 14th and Friday, December15th. Sign up here if you are able to help.
Congratulations to Ms. Hyman, Our 6th Grade Counselor!
Each month school counselors have an opportunity to recognize another counselor or director as a STAR School Counselor! Being a STAR school counselor means that he or she is Student Centered, Thoughtful, Agents of Change, and Relationship Builders. This month, we would like to take a moment to celebrate Alison Hyman!
The following was shared about Alison:
Alison has been a great addition to our Simpson counseling team. She has quickly become a trusted adult for many of our sixth grade students. Alison greets students with a smile each morning and is always willing to lend a helping hand. We are fortunate to have Alison as a Mustang.
Thank you to Alison for all the wonderful things you do for your students and school!
Last Chance to Donate to Our Merry Mustangs!
We need your help to make Merry Mustangs a success in 2023!
Help us reach our goal and spread some holiday cheer! Donate by Monday, December 11!
Merry Mustangs is an annual Simpson holiday program that strives to support families in need at Simpson Middle School. During the month of December, we have been collecting donations to provide families with retail gift cards. We have not met our goal yet. During this Season of Giving, please consider donating to the Merry Mustangs Program.
There are 2 ways you can contribute.
- You can make a monetary donation (any amount) that will be used to purchase various gift cards. Monetary donations can be made here through School Cash Online.
- You can purchase and donate gift cards in any denomination. Ideas for store gift cards include Target, Walmart, Nike, Aeropostale, Old Navy, Marshalls, Ross, and Dicks Sporting Goods. Donations can be dropped off at the Simpson front office Monday-Friday 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. We will be collecting gift cards through December 11th. Please use this link to sign up for gift card donations.
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
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.
Asbestos Management Plan Notification
Loudoun County Public Schools (LCPS) performs regular inspections of school buildings and facilities in accordance with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA).
As required by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the EPA, this notification is to inform you that asbestos-containing material (ACM) is present and managed in several locations in Simpson Middle School.
Prior to the 1980s, asbestos was used extensively in many building materials because of its insulating, sound-absorbing, and fire-retarding capabilities. While virtually any building constructed in the United States from the 1940s to the late 1970s contains some asbestos, intact and undisturbed asbestos-containing materials generally do not pose a health risk. It is important to note that when managing or mitigating ACM, schools are held to a higher standard for management than residences or privately owned buildings.
In our school, known areas of ACM are inspected semi-annually by licensed LCPS personnel and every three years by licensed third-party inspectors to ensure that the material does not pose an exposure hazard for building occupants. Any materials found to be in unacceptable condition or impacted by planned building work are removed by licensed professionals. Records of all inspections, response actions, and sampling data are compiled in the school’s Asbestos Management Plan document. This document also indicates the locations where asbestos-containing materials may be present.
In 2022-2023, the following inspections and response actions were performed:
February 2023 Periodic Visual Surveillance, All Known ACM
August 2023 Periodic Visual Surveillance, All Known ACM
Members of the community can review a copy of any school or facility’s Asbestos Management Plan, which is kept in the school or facility’s administrative office. In addition, copies of all Management Plans are maintained in the Loudoun County Public Schools Facilities Services Environmental Division offices, located at 741 Miller Drive, Leesburg, Virginia. For all inquiries regarding the asbestos management plan and asbestos-related issues in our facilities, please contact the LCPS-designated asbestos program manager, Cristina Windover, at Cristina.Windover@LCPS.org or 571-420-0513.
It is LCPS’ intention to comply with all federal and state regulations regarding asbestos and to take whatever steps necessary to ensure students and employees have a healthy and safe environment in which to learn and work.
Thank you for your attention to this important issue.
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
Lost and Found
All resource classes will have an opportunity to visit the house lost and found tables on Thursday and Friday (December 14 & 15). Please remind your students to look for any items they have lost. We have lots of water bottles, lunch boxes, hoodies and jackets! Any items not claimed will be donated before winter break.
Have You Ordered Your Yearbook Yet?
Be sure to use our school code 13625
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 11 - VGA Make Up Reading Test
December 12 - VGA Make Up Math Test / Simpson Choir Concert 7pm @LCHS
December 11-15 - Book Fair in the Library/Media Center
December 13 - Monty's Cafe Open at 8am at school main entrance / 7th & 8th Grade Orchestra 7pm @JLSMS
December 14 - PEP Meeting - 5:30pm - Cafeteria
December 14 - 15 - Hearing and Vision Screenings (7th grade and new to LCPS students)
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
